AUBURN, Ala. – Linebacker Elijah Melendez and center Kail Ellis have been named to the Freshman All-SEC Team, the Southeastern Conference announced Thursday.
Melendez, a 6-foot, 228-pounder from Kissimmee, Florida, totaled 29 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions in his first season.
He recorded a season-high six tackles, including five solos, along with a sack against Georgia. He made his first interception against Kentucky before registering a pick-six against Mercer for his first career touchdown.
College football’s youngest player in 2025 at age 17, the 6-4, 315-pound Ellis debuted against Ball State on Sept. 6 and made his first start Oct. 25, helping Auburn earn a road win with 230 rushing yards at Arkansas.
The freshman accolades are the latest in a string of postseason honors for Auburn players.
Pro Football and Sports Network named Keyron Crawford, Xavier Atkins and Rayshawn Pleasant to its All-SEC first team, while Jeremiah Cobb landed on PFSN’s All-SEC third team. Atkins also earned first team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, while Robert Woodyard Jr. received the recognition from Pro Football Focus.
Kicker Alex McPherson earned the Pat Sullivan Impact Award from Birmingham’s Monday Morning Quarterback Club, which also named Atkins the SEC’s Most Valuable Lineman.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer