Growing up, senior defensive back Traivon Leonard heard stories of the Auburn family from his mother Angela Koch, who graduated from Auburn University with an English degree. It was not until he stepped on campus for the first time that he knew the Loveliest Village on the Plains was home.
Leonard began playing football in high school in West Palm Beach, Florida, only after his middle school AAU basketball coach suggested he play defensive back. "I thought it was crazy. I didn't even like football, a contact sport like that," said Leonard. In a game against IMG, lined up against a highly recruited receiver, Leonard recognized his talent.
"He had every offer in the country," said Leonard, recalling that he realized then "I am just as good as him and he didn't really do anything that game, so I think I am just going to keep playing football."
The Auburn people and the beautiful campus made Leonard feel right at home. "Other schools preach about how they are a family and stuff like that, but when I came to Auburn, this was family and you felt that," said Leonard, who remains friends with many of the people he met when he first visited.
Teammates and friends play a vital role in an athlete's career. Leonard credits teammates such as Eli Stove, Sam Sherrod and Sal Cannella for being his biggest support system from day one. "We make sure everyone is taken care of and making the right decisions," Leonard said.
In the beginning of his career, Leonard's confidence was shaky, but teammates talked him into staying the course, not wanting Leonard's passion, drive and tenacity to be lost.
While the 6-foot, 198-pound defensive back might seem bulletproof, he has had his fair share of struggles with confidence. "Knowing that you are not the big fish in the pond anymore like you were in high school," he said.
As a senior leader, Leonard hopes to inspire younger players to keep going. "Be who you are, don't change," he said. "You only get one chance, one college career so you'd better work as hard as you can because you never know what you'll get out of it."
Leonard has become a student of his craft not only on the field, but also in the classroom. The interdisciplinary studies major with an emphasis in media studies and business fell in love with music. "Music is one of the things that helps me out when I'm feeling down, because the microphone is the only thing that will listen and not talk back," said Leonard, who is scheduled to graduate next spring. "That's something I want to continue with after football."
Music, like his teammates and the Auburn family, has proven to be there for Leonard when he needs them most -- a shoulder to learn on, a microphone to listen and a team to inspire.
Leonard has not let the coronavirus pandemic derail him. "You don't drown by falling into the pond; you only drown by being submerged in it," he said.
Leonard believes the 2020 Tigers will take on a new identity, with a physical style that makes Auburn hard to beat. He attributes this tenacity to the emergence of new leadership from players, both under and upperclassmen, as well as coaches.
While Leonard cannot believe the end of his journey is fast approaching, he hopes to leave a legacy of strength and perseverance -- not just physical strength but mental and moral strength.
He did not give up when he found himself on the bench, he did not run from his problems -- instead Leonard found a role model in Auburn's strength coach Ryan Russell and continued to push forward.
"Coach Russell has that innate ability to motivate you and to make you want to better yourself – he's so invested in us that I don't ever want to let him down," Leonard said. "He gets how to make us better people, and he cares about all aspects of your life. I enjoy talking with him and I've learned a lot from him.
"He talks about the slight edge, and that's what we have to develop as a team. The most focused teams will have an even larger advantage this season, and we can certainly be one of those."
Jen Dietrich is a student worker in Auburn Athletics media relations and a member of Auburn's track and field team.