On The Plains with Rayshawn Pleasant: “Be Where Your Feet Are”

Rayshawn Pleasant looks to make the most of his final collegiate season, bringing his best for the Tigers each time the senior cornerback and return specialist takes the field.

A native of West Monroe, Louisiana, family has played a crucial role in Pleasant’s development as a player and as a man, helping the 22-year-old grow physically and mentally, ready for any challenge that may come his way.

“My family played a big part,” Pleasant said. “They've been very supportive of me since I've been playing. I feel like they’re my why. I do it for them. It's bigger than me, and I just want to build a name for my family and have a legacy where the next generation coming up has a role model they can look up to, as far as my family and just any other kids in general.”

Along with family, Pleasant has been grateful to have had many role models who have kept him grounded and guided him throughout his playing career, encouraging him to be better each day.

“I had a lot of father figures in my life that got me to where I am today, including a lot of good coaches,” he said. “Once I got to college, my trainer and my roommate, Brandon Kim, helped me take my game to another level, as far as being a defensive back. Off the field in recovery and knowing how to sleep and trying to be a pro. I'm very grateful to him and everybody else for helping me get to where I'm at today.”

Pleasant began playing football at age 8, initially lining up as a running back.  After attending West Monroe High School, he signed with Tulane, where a move to cornerback sparked his passion for playing defense.

“I just love the challenge of being a defensive back,” Pleasant said. “I felt like I was best with the ability to be able to do it; it was a natural thing to me. I try to home in on it and try to get better at it.”

Pleasant spent two seasons at Tulane after redshirting in 2022. During his sophomore campaign, he appeared in 14 games, recording 40 tackles while also contributing on special teams with two returns for touchdowns. He transferred to Auburn in April 2025, embracing the opportunity to pursue his dreams and build on everything he had learned in New Orleans.

“I felt like it was the best opportunity for me to be at a big stage,” Pleasant said. “It has always been my dream to play big-time college football. I feel like this place is the best opportunity for that.”

Pleasant made an immediate impact in his first game in orange and blue with a 98-yard kickoff return against Baylor in the waning seconds of the third quarter to extend Auburn’s lead in Waco. The touchdown return marked the fourth of Pleasant’s career and earned him SEC co-special teams player of the week honors.

“Going into the game, I was telling everybody it's going to happen,” Pleasant said. “I knew I was going to make some type of play once the opportunity presented itself. Once I had the opportunity, it was on me to take advantage of it. My teammates did a great job of setting the return up and I just ran.”

Pleasant appeared in 11 games during his junior season, making two starts at corner while recording 16 total tackles and two interceptions, both of which came in Auburn's hard-fought road victory at Arkansas. That included a go-ahead 49-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter.

“It showed us what we can do and how good we are when we play good defense,” Pleasant said. “It showed how one play can change a game. I always knew I could do stuff like that, but it was proving it to myself from that day on. I feel like that was the standard for my teammates and me. Knowing that if we do our job, we have the best defensive coordinator in the country in Coach (DJ) Durkin. He's going to call the right plays to put us in position and we just have to make the play and execute.”

Following his first year on the Plains, Pleasant secured First Team All-SEC (PFSN) and Second Team All-SEC (Phil Steele) honors, and takes multiple All-SEC and All-America preseason honors into the 2026 season.

For Pleasant, individual accomplishments have never been the priority. His mindset has always centered on putting the team first and doing whatever is necessary to create a winning culture.

“I'm trying to win a national championship,” Pleasant said. "I don't really care too much about accolades, stats, or awards. I care about winning and being the best version of myself for the team to put us in the best position to win. I'm all about winning. I'm trying to go all the way.”

Since arriving on the Plains, Pleasant’s connection with his teammates has been something he has always prioritized.

“I feel like teamwork is one of the most important things,” he said. “If you want to win football games, you can have individuals, but if you want to win championships, it's all about being together and being connected with the team. I feel like that's the most important part.”

Entering his final season with the Tigers, Pleasant is eager to help showcase what this Auburn team can accomplish this fall.

“We just have to execute our preparation,” Pleasant said. “Everything we've been doing for these last five or six months is going to show what we can do. We know what we're capable of doing. It's about us putting the team in the best position to do what we want to do.”

Pleasant, who is studying health and wellness at Auburn, has experienced the highs and lows of college football, from coaching changes to difficult losses. Through it all, he has remained grounded and is eager to embrace this new chapter of Auburn football.

“It really comes down to being where your feet are each and every day,” Pleasant said. “Not really worrying about the outcome of any situation, just putting your best foot forward each day and remembering that you’re in a position for a reason and that God puts you in a position for a reason. We try to be where our feet are each day.”

Pleasant is ready to embrace a leadership role in the locker room, using the experience and determination he has developed throughout his college career to help guide the newcomers. As he enters his final season, he hopes to leave them with the same message that has shaped his own journey.

“I'll say whatever your goals, your dreams, and aspirations are, put in the work to make those come true,” Pleasant said. “Don't try to wait until your last year to get your process right. Come in as a freshman with your head on straight, knowing what your dreams and goals are, and put in the work to get there. I feel like God's going to do everything else and work everything out for you.”