Benji Roland named Auburn's 2026 SEC Football Legend

AUBURN, Ala. – Nearly four decades after his Auburn football career concluded, All-American Benji Roland is still winning.

First, induction into the Tiger Trail of Auburn’s Class of 2026. Now, he’s Auburn’s 2026 SEC Football Legend.

“God has blessed me this year and he’s blessed me throughout my life, being a two-time cancer survivor,” said Roland, who anchored Auburn’s defensive line from 1985-88. “A goal of mine was to be on the Tiger Trail, then I come out here and I’m going to be Auburn’s SEC Legend, to represent this fine university and the former players I played with and who came before and after me. It’s an honor and I never expected this.”

Athletics director John Cohen informed Roland of his Legends selection during Auburn’s first week of preseason practice.

“My wife would tell you I’m never at a loss for words,” Roland said. “However, I’ve been lost for words when John asked me to represent Auburn University.”

Humbled to join Auburn’s previous SEC Football Legends, including 2025 recipient Cam Newton, Roland now shares the honor with his former teammate, 2022 SEC Legend Ben Tamburello.

“I have this question asked of me all the time: Who was the best center you ever played against?” Roland said. “I say I didn’t play against the best, I practiced against the best center in Ben Tamburello. To follow him into this Legend group is an honor.

“I know what kind of person he is, what kind of player and what he did representing this university. To be able to represent this league and be around people who you know what they stand for.”

Roland helped Pat Dye’s Auburn Tigers win back-to-back SEC championships as a junior and senior in 1987 and 1988.

“When you come to Auburn, in that Creed, it talks about not just work, it talks about hard work,” Roland said. “That’s what we did at Auburn. That’s what Coach Dye instilled in each and every one of us, not just being a football player but being an outstanding citizen.

“Being able to pick yourself off the ground when things aren’t going your way. Coach Dye always told us to go beyond what you think you can do. He would push us to the brink, but he would always wrap his arms around us and tell us he loved us. He cared about us. That’s what I try to do every day. Life’s tough nowadays and you have to get up, push yourself and motivate yourself.”

Listed at 6-3, 270 pounds as a senior in Auburn’s 1988 media guide, Roland came to the Plains from Eastman, Georgia. After helping Auburn lead the nation in total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense as a senior, Roland played briefly in the NFL before returning to Auburn, where he’s enjoyed a career in sales.

“Live out your dreams, never give up,” Roland said. “Go where you want to go. I grew up a Georgia fan, and they recruited me since the eighth grade, but I fell in love with Auburn. Auburn’s been very helpful for me, and I can never repay what they’ve given me throughout my career.”

Roland will be honored with on-field recognition during an Auburn home game this season and will join his fellow 2026 SEC Football Legends Dec. 4-5 in Atlanta for a weekend of fanfare in connection with the SEC Football Championship.

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