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- Published: Feb. 26, 2025, 5:56 p.m.
Jalen McLeod’s work ethic allowed him to lead Auburn football with eight sacks in 2024. The Tigers two-year starter at Buck linebacker will now have his shot to prove it at the 2025 NFL Combine.
Adding 57 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery to his senior season stat line, McLeod’s ‘motor’ will be key in his scouting evaluations to NFL organizations.
“Having a high motor and IQ for the game will help me get to that contract,” McLeod said Wednesday. “Having an eye for the football has led me to where I am today.”
Standing 6-foot-1, McLeod said a lot of teams want to see him switch to inside linebacker. With that, he wants to focus more on his tackling during his pre-draft preparation.
“The first thing I need to work on is my open field tackling. That’s how you stay in the NFL,” McLeod said. “Playing the edge these last four years then moving inside will be a lot different.”
The Washington, D.C., native started his career at Appalachian State prior to the 2023 season.
Looking at the adjustments he made coming to the SEC, he does not fear the jump to the NFL and is embracing the challenges that comes with being a professional.
“You just got to adapt. When I came to Auburn, I said the competition is bigger and faster,” McLeod said. “That’s exactly how it’s going to be in the NFL. I have to stay focused on the main goal at hand and just get better every day.”
McLeod has already met with several teams including the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While analyzing the conversations with coaches and scouts, McLeod said it was a very intense experience.
“They will give you plays to recite and then we’ll go over the plays again to see if I forget it,” McLeod said. “We went over some of my film and it was at a fast pace just like it is in the NFL.”
Despite not participating in the 40-yard dash while in Indianapolis, McLeod will run at the Auburn Pro Day inside the Woltosz Football Performance Center.
You can watch McLeod in action 2:00 Thursday during the DL/LB drills live on the NFL Network.
Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at JHumphreyIII@al.com.
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