Bursting in Year 5 for big bro
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Auburn's Jalen McLeod (No. 35 pictured in the 2023 Music City Bowl) leads the Tigers and is second in the SEC with 6.5 tackles for losses through four games.
Auburn Tigers Buck linebacker Jalen McLeod’s flexibility has been on display since he was a standout defender for Appalachian State. Even in 2021, his work at outside linebacker would often shine when redirecting to cloud passing lanes (PBU, near INT, 1st QTR, ECU ’21). The fact that he can also put his hand in the dirt from a left-handed three-point stance may be just as noteworthy. McLeod lifts off the ground on the runway like an airplane to annihilate runners in the backfield (TFL vs Hemby, 2nd QTR/11:40, Music City Bowl ’23). His short-area burst translates to the next level.
Game Ready
It (the burst) comes at either the right or left defensive end spot. This despite not being a pass rusher with textbook size (6’1 5/8″, 235). From the left defensive spot (2023), he uses a right-handed post and outside club to turn the corner. And he’s executed some of these moves versus NFL-caliber tackles (see vs. Ayedze, Music City Bowl ’23). Containing 32 1/2-inch arms and a near 80-inch wingspan (79 5/8″) helps McLeod’s cause.
He provides flexibility out of a two-point stance (OLB) when executing E-T stunts or various line games. He ranks as one of Auburn’s best when it comes to retracing his steps in pursuit. There is also evidence of sufficient gap control working against bigger offensive personnel.
Overcoming Limitations
Without question McLeod can be a liability versus stout tackles due to the lack of size mentioned previously.
That certainly hasn’t held him back the last two seasons.
The Washington, DC native finished the 2022 campaign at Appalachian State with six quarterback sacks and eight-and-a-half tackles for losses.
Want more proof of his impact?
McLeod forced two fumbles that season against Texas A&M in a 17-14 Mountaineers upset victory.
After transferring to the SEC in 2023, the player who lines up at the team’s Jack (now Buck OLB) position proceeded to compile five-and-a-half more sacks with 10.5 tackles for losses. McLeod went off for three sacks and four tackles for losses in a 48-10 victory over Arkansas in early November. As a result, he earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Purpose Driven
So how has he done thus far in 2024?
Much more of the same. Through four games, he leads the Tigers (2-2) and ranks second in the SEC with six-and-a-half tackles for losses. He’s had at least two tackles for losses in three of four games.
He’s dedicating this campaign to his late older brother, Aubrey, who was shot in late April while taking his sons to a football practice. McLeod’s intensity thus far would make his mentor proud.
And he has no plans of slowing down.
“Last year, I had an okay season, but this season I’m coming for it all,” he said prior to the season. “I’ve got to make people respect me.”
So far, so good.
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