Auburn’s Rayshawn Pleasant recognized as one of fastest players of Week 1
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Rayshawn Pleasant delivered 1 of the most impactful plays during Auburn‘s 38-24 Week 1 victory at Baylor. Now, we have even more analytics to dive into about his extraordinary feat.
The 5-foot-11 junior turned on the burners during a 98-yard kickoff return that he took to the house to extend Auburn’s lead late in the third quarter. According to Reel-Analytics.net, Pleasant clocked at 20.9 MPH, which tied for a top-5 fastest runs during Week 1.
Pleasant was selected as the co-SEC special teams player of the week. His return was the longest for an Auburn player since Trey Mason had a 97-yarder against Utah State in 2011. Auburn’s last kickoff return touchdown before Pleasant’s was by Noah Igbinoghene against Minnesota in the 2020 Outback Bowl.
The Louisiana native is in his first season at Auburn after spending 2 years at Tulane, where he also had some electrifying moments. Pleasant also had 2 kickoff touchdowns last season for the Green Wave. As a cornerback in 2024, Pleasant recorded 35 total tackles, a pick-6, and 3 pass deflections.
Next up for Auburn is its home opener vs. Ball State on Sept. 6 (7:30 p.m. ET), which will be televised on ESPNU.
