'Big Play Ray' a Pleasant addition for Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. – Rayshawn Pleasant did not hesitate when questioned which is the bigger thrill: returning a kickoff or an interception for touchdown.

Pleasant would know. He’s done both for Auburn this season.

“Pick-six, for sure,” he said. “Kick return, I always knew I could do that. I was an offensive player. I always knew I can do that, it’s a natural ability. Pick-six is something I put a lot of time into in the offseason. It’s all the same as far as changing the game. It gives the team a spark.”

Pleasant sparked Auburn with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Tigers’ season-opening 38-24 win over Baylor. 

Two months later at Arkansas, his 49-yard interception return touchdown gave Auburn a fourth-quarter lead in the Tigers’ 33-24 comeback win over the Razorbacks. 

“One play like that can change the whole trajectory of the game,” said Pleasant, who allowed zero receptions and added a second interception four minutes later to secure Auburn’s victory and earn Thorpe Award national defensive back of the week honors. 

A high school running back in Monroe, Louisiana, Pleasant did not become a full-time defensive back until his freshman season at Tulane in 2022.

“I’ve been sticking it out ever since,” said Pleasant, who transferred to Auburn this year after playing two seasons at Tulane. “I fell in love with it ever since. I love the challenge. Your back’s against the wall, you’re on an island. Your team expects you to hold your one-on-one. I embrace that.”

Switching from offense in high school to defense in college required a learning curve. 

“Playing with technique, keeping my feet hot, playing with good eyes and letting my natural athletic ability take over by have great tech,” Pleasant said. “I feel like I’m a man-to-man corner. That’s what I do.”

Residing on Pleasant Island also means the 5-11, 200-pound cornerback makes open-field tackles.

“I had to get used to doing that,” he said. “I never was scared to tackle but it’s something I had to get used to.”

After a head coaching change, Pleasant and the Tigers travel to Nashville, Tennessee, to play No. 15 Vanderbilt.

“Staying where my feet are at and taking advantage of the moment,” Pleasant said of the Music City opportunity. “Whatever opportunity comes my way, make the most out of it.”

Saturday’s game marks the first for defensive coordinator DJ Durkin to serve as Auburn’s interim head coach. 

“DJ Durkin is a great coach, one of the best coaches I’ve been around,” he said. “I love the standard he holds us to. He holds us accountable every day and expects us to be at our best each day.”

Pleasant also appreciates the opportunity to play for his position coach, cornerbacks coach Wesley McGriff.

“He’s one of the best I’ve been around, too,” Pleasant said. “He’s put a lot of first-rounders in the league, has a lot of experience. I feel like I learn something from him every day. He’s a great person to be around each day.”

“He’s brought a lot of leadership to that room,” McGriff said. “He is so unselfish. It doesn’t matter to him who starts the game, it doesn’t matter to him who gets the most shine. Rayshawn just want to be a part of the team and contribute any way he can.

“It’s been good for our younger guys to see an older guy with talent like that to come in with that mindset. It’s a joy to have him because he has a strong football IQ, he’s a great person and he’s a tremendous leader. He’s the same person every single day.”

The chance to compete with Auburn’s other elite cornerbacks helped attract Pleasant to the Plains.

“Being forced to be at my best every day by guys who were already proven in this league,” he said. “We are all our brother’s keeper. We push each other to get better. We know there’s no drop-off when each of us goes into the game. We all know we’re going to do our one-eleventh.”

After playing professional football, Pleasant aspires to work in real estate while operating his own athletic facility.

“Giving back to the next generation for what they need to know and what they can expect as they start their careers,” he said.

Big Play Ray has scored touchdowns for the Tigers on defense and special teams, achievements born out of Pleasant’s dedication to his craft.

“I’m a ball-is-life guy,” he said. “This is what I love. I spent my whole life around ball. I’m blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to be at a school like Auburn and play for great fans, to be here and play at one of the highest levels.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer