The Auburn Tigers feature a young group of linebackers
Spring practice is underway at Auburn, and it’s time to preview another position group ahead of A-Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 12 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The next position group that we will examine in our spring breakdown series is the linebackers, which will feature many fresh faces. The linebackers are one of the Tigers youngest position groups on the roster. The team will look to lean on sophomore Demarcus Riddick and some incoming freshmen. They lost Dorian Mausi, Jalen McLeod, and Eugene Asante from the 2024 team among others with experience. Auburn did sign Xavier Atkins from LSU by way of the transfer portal.
Here is a look at what the Auburn linebacker room looks like as spring practice continues on the Plains.
No. 0 Robert Woodyard Jr.
- 2024 stats: 10 games played, 17 tackles, three tackles for loss
- Career stats (three seasons): 17 games played, 21 tackles, three tackles for loss
Robert Woodyard Jr. is the lone veteran of the Auburn linebackers. As a junior he is the only upperclassman at the position. He did not start in 2024, but Woodyard did appear in ten games for the Tigers. With the departures from last season, he should initially factor into the starting lineup.
No. 6 Demarcus Riddick
- 2024 stats: 12 games played, two starts, 27 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks
Demarcus Riddick should be looked upon to be the leader of the group as the most on-field experience at the position. As a true freshman he was selected to the All-SEC Freshman Team. His best game last season was against Oklahoma. Versus the Sooners, Riddick had six tackles and one sack.
No. 9 Elijah Melendez
- 2025 247Sports Recruiting Rankings: Three-star linebacker, No. 50 linebacker, No. 48 player in Florida (Osceola High School/Kissimmee, Florida)
Elijah Melendez is one of three true freshmen for the Tigers at linebacker. He had 75 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and four interceptions his senior year in high school.
No. 16 Bryce Deas
- 2025 247Sports Recruiting Rankings: Four-star linebacker, No. 27 linebacker nationally, No. 12 player in Maryland (St. Francis Academy/Baltimore, Maryland)
Bryce Deas is another true freshman that will need to contribute to this Auburn defense due to the youth at the position. He comes from a very successful high school football program.
No. 17 Xavier Atkins
- 2024 stats: Two games played and one tackle
Xavier Atkins is Auburn’s lone transfer portal addition for the group. Atkins is ranked by 247Sports as a three-star transfer portal prospect and ranked No.21 at his position. He went to Summer Creek High School in Humble, Texas and was also ranked as a three-star before signing with LSU.
No. 18 J.J. Faulk
- 2025 247Sports Recruiting Rankings: Four-star linebacker, No. 8 linebacker nationally, No. 5 player in Alabama (Highland Home High School/Highland Home, Alabama)
J.J. Faulk is the younger brother of Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk. He is a winner of the 2A Lineman of the Year award at Highland Home High School and put up big statistics his senior year. He had 58 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and three sacks.
No. 33 D.J. Barber
- 2024 stats: One game played
D.J. Barber played in one game in 2024 and is listed as a redshirt freshman. He is from Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Alabama. During his senior season he collected 139 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception. 247Sports ranked Barber as a three-star prospect and the No. 31 ranked player in Alabama.
No. 42 Coleman Granberry
- 2024 stats: Four games played and one tackle
Coleman Granberry played as a walk-on in 2024 and collected just one tackle. He was selected to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He played his high school football career at Auburn High School under head coach Keith Etheredge where he was a team captain.
No. 45 Antonio Melendez
Antonio Melendez is the older brother of freshman linebacker Elijah Melendez. He adds depth to the linebacker roster.
No. 52 William Grier McDuffie
William Grier McDuffie is a walk-on that did not see any playing time in 2024. He played high school football at Mountain Brook High School.
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