The emotions from players are beginning to show as the Auburn Tigers sit just four days away from taking on the Baylor Bears in Atlanta in the Aflac Kickoff Game to start the season.
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That feeling is definitely true for sophomore linebacker Elijah Melendez, who is determined to make this season a step up from a solid freshman year showing.
The Tigers have a unique challenge in the Bears that they will have to face, bringing forth a lot of new in comparison to the 2025 contest between the two, a game Auburn won 38-24 in Waco.
On Monday, the Head Coach Alex Golesh and his coordinators got to touch on that in a press conference, and Tuesday, some players, including Melendez, got to touch on the same things.
One of those topics that will make Baylor tough stands in the form DJ Lagway, the team’s new quarterback who made his way over from Florida and presents SEC experience.
Lagway carries the ability to pass and create plays, especially with his legs, something Melendez understands as it has been preached to the defense for a number of days.
“It’s a really good quarterback, especially at his best,” Melendez said. “That’s a problem and we just got to be on top of that all game.”
The ability to be mobile is something that can make the junior dangerous, and he showed that in 2025 having rushed 71 times for 136 yards and a touchdown.
While those are not overwhelming numbers, the potential is there for what Lagway can do, especially through the air.
“He’s got a really good arm, really good speed, really good athleticism,” Melendez said. “I don’t really think that there’s nothing that he can’t do.”
As a freshman, Melendez recorded 29 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack, which earned him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.
With the team working on tackling all throughout camp and in preparation, Melendez feels better about where the team is in terms of that part of the game, as they have emphasized it every day and are ready to show that in the first game.
“It’s definitely been a lot better,” Melendez said. “We work tackling every single day. Like, every single day we emphasize tackling.”
Now, all that’s left to do is execute on the field, and for Melendez, it is something he’s been waiting for all offseason.
“For sure. I’m just excited to hit another person in another jersey,” Melendez said.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
