Spring preview: Linebackers are a team strength for the Auburn Tigers
· Yahoo Sports
Going into the 2025 college football season, the position with the most youth was the linebackers for the Auburn Tigers. Now, for 2026, it is one of the more experienced groups on the roster. The Tigers will return some key members on the defense from a year ago, with Xavier Atkins, Demarcus Riddick, and Elijah Melendez. They are also the unit on that side of the ball that is coached by defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. Head coach Alex Golesh has praised Durkin and the defense and expressed the joy he has working with him.
Overall, the defense has much more experience than the offense. While they did have some portal departures, they also had some key players return to the team. The return of Xavier Atkins is the biggest return for the linebackers. In his first season with Auburn, he led the team with 84 tackles and nine sacks. He also had one interception and two forced fumbles. Pairing Atkins with Melendez and Riddick gives Auburn a good foundation at the position. Coming into the season last year, Riddick was the most experienced linebacker on the team.
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Auburn did have some departures by way of the transfer portal. Robert Woodyard Jr. left for Missouri, and Caleb Wheatland will be playing for Michigan State this fall. They did add Michael Mathews-Canty from Hampton in the transfer portal.
Here is a look at the linebackers for Auburn as spring practice continues with the annual A-Day Game this Saturday.
Xavier Atkins
- Number: 17
- Measurables: 6-0, 210 pounds
- Class: Junior
- Previous school: LSU
- Career Stats: 87 tackles, 9 sacks
Elijah Melendez
- Number: 9
- Measurables: 6-0, 228 pounds
- Class: Sophomore
- Career Stats: 29 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 sack
Demarcus Riddick
- Number: 6
- Measurables: 6-2, 228 pounds
- Class: Junior
- Career Stats: 40 tackles, 4 sacks
Antonio Melendez
- Number: 45
- Measurables: 5-11, 237 pounds
- Class: Junior
- Career Stats: N/A
Coleman Granberry
- Number: 42
- Measurables: 5-11, 206 pounds
- Class: Junior
- Career Stats: 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
Michael Mathews-Canty
- Number: 51
- Measurables: 6-3, 215 pounds
- Class: Junior
- Previous school: Hampton
- Career stats: 102 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
Bryce Deas
- Number: 16
- Measurables: 6-1, 210 pounds
- Class: Sophomore
- Career Stats: 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
William Grier McDuffie
- Number: 52
- Measurables: 6-1, 217 pounds
- Class: Sophomore
- Career stats: N/A
Shadarius Toodle
- Number: 24
- Measurables: 6-3, 235 pounds
- Class: Freshman
- Career stats: N/A
Adam Balogoun-Ali
- Number: 44
- Measurables: 6-2, 215 pounds
- Class: Freshman
- Career stats: N/A
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn football spring preview: Linebackers