Rayshawn Pleasant takes kickoff return 98 yards to the house, Auburn extends lead over Baylor
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Rayshawn Pleasant showcased his prowess in the kick-return game with Tulane in 2024.
After entering the transfer portal after 3 seasons with the Green Wave, Pleasant is now in the SEC with Auburn. Late in the 3rd quarter of Friday’s Week 1 game against Baylor, he gave Tigers fans their first up-close look at what he’s capable of.
Auburn held a 24-10 lead in the 3rd before Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson engineered a 10-play, 75-yard drive to pull his team back within 7, 24-17, with less than a minute to go in the frame. On the ensuing kickoff, though, Pleasant went to work, taking it 98 yards to restore the Tigers’ 2-score lead.
Here’s video of Pleasant’s return:
Pleasant, a West Monroe, La. native, spent 3 seasons with Tulane. But he made his mark with the Green Wave as a sophomore in 2024, taking 2 kick returns for touchdowns for 94 and 100 yards. He also had a 100-yard pick-6 in Tulane’s season opener against Southeastern Louisiana.
He entered the portal after the season came to an end and ultimately signed with Hugh Freeze and Auburn. And in his first game in a Tigers uniform, he’s on the board with his first of what Auburn fans will hope are many house calls for him in 2025.
Auburn vs. Baylor is on FOX.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
