The Auburn football defense has arguably been the strongest unit on the team during the 2023 season. While the offense is finding their way now, a lot of the success early in the season can be credited to the play of the defense.
It’s particularly impressive when you consider that the defense is only now truly becoming healthy. All throughout the season, the Tigers have been struggling with injuries and have had players return to action in waves. They started the season without Nehemiah Pritchett and then Keionte Scott missed several games due to injury, to name a few.
Another player that Auburn football started its season without is jack linebacker Jalen McLeod, who transferred to the Plains from Appalachian State during the offseason. Ahead of the 2023 season, McLeod suffered an ankle injury and missed the Tigers’ season opener against UMass.
Though the LB saw game action in the Tigers’ matchup with Cal, he was not completely healthy, and throughout most of this season McLeod has been working to get back to 100 percent. But now,according to The Montgomery Advertiser, he’s officially back:
"“It feels amazing,” McLeod said. “I feel like my old self, how I felt in fall camp. Flying around every play. No injuries, none of that.”"
Head coach Hugh Freeze told the media that fans are just now beginning to see what the coaching staff saw out of McLeod in fall camp, and his impact is showing up on the field. He had an incredible game against Arkansas last week, and hopes to replicate his performance in the remaining games on the Tigers’ schedule.
"“It feels good,” McLeod said of winning SEC Defensive Player of the Week. “The only thing I can say is I have to keep having those games. Maybe not that exact stat line, but my goal is to be somewhere close to it next week (against New Mexico State) and then Iron Bowl.“That’s my biggest goal: Stack good games with one another.”"
McLeod and the Auburn football team will next hit the field this Saturday as the Tigers return to Jordan-Hare to host New Mexico State.