Elijah McAlister brings valuable experience, leadership and wisdom to Auburn's locker room

AUBURN — With only one year of eligibility remaining, transfer Elijah McAlister plans to make it count at Auburn.

That was evident when McAlister was asked what he wants to accomplish on the Plains. He immediately rattled off a detailed and concise answer that showed specific thought and consideration.

“It comes down in parts,” McAlister said. “The first thing is I want to be the best teammate I can be, the best person I can be moving forward to allow the program to elevate and set the foundation for the future. Secondly, I want to be able to make plays within the confines of the defense. Whatever coach asks me to do, I’ll do. And I think the third thing is anytime you can put wins on a score sheet, it’s great for the program and the university. I think that’s what anyone wants to do.”

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McAllister played in 34 games in his career at Vanderbilt, redshirting in 2018 as a freshman and not playing in 2020 during the Covid year. Across the 34 games in 2019, 2021 and 2022, he had 65 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks in his career.

McAllister played high school football at Rumson-Fair Haven (New Jersey) High School, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 665 overall recruit in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

McAlister was recruited to Auburn by new defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett, who spent the 2019 season as a graduate assistant on Vanderbilt’s staff, seeing McAlister up close and personal. McAlister is grateful the two are reunited.

“He’s a guy that remembers the plays I made at Vanderbilt and it’s great for him to reach out and recruit me to Auburn,” McAlister said.

At Auburn, McAlister will play the same position he did at Vanderbilt, manning the “jack” position as an outside linebacker with responsibilities that include rushing the passer, stopping the run, and playing in coverage, all while helping set the edge of the defense.

“I feel comfortable,” McAlister said. “I played this position the first two or three years in college, and I feel comfortable dropping in coverage, rushing the passer, doing different things. But I feel good, I feel at home, honestly.”

But here’s where McAlister is unique. With four years under his belt and currently pursuing his Phd in Educational Psychology, with some Educational Leadership mixed in, McAlister brings valuable maturity and leadership qualities to the Tigers’ locker room. McAlister was a two-time team captain during his last two seasons at Vanderbilt and will be counted on to be a voice of reason and consistency for Garrett and head coach Hugh Freeze.

“Leadership comes natural in some ways to me,” McAlister said. “You can’t force leadership on people. It starts with being a servant to your teammates, knowing what the guys need, the team needs in certain situations, and then that allows you to become a leader and a voice people listen to. That’s what I’m working on here. I think as a whole, everybody has leadership amongst themselves, being able to manage yourself and lead yourself will allow the team to be better. Once I can do that, I can lead the team better in the future.”

One specific area where McAlister will bring expertise is in the coaching change department. While at Vanderbilt, he saw the football program transition from Derek Mason to Clark Lea. McAlister knows what a coaching change feels like, and what needs to happen on the other side to produce positive results.

His words drip with accountability and wisdom.

“Success for a program happens as fast as the players turn it around. You can have new facilities, new uniforms, new coaches, everything can change around you, but it’s about what’s inside that locker room that provides the best product on the field,” McAlister said.

“That comes with language, interaction with people, how you carry yourself every single day, practice habits, and that’ll eventually turn into game day habits. I think it comes down to the players. I’m not negating the impact the coaches have, but they can only do so much. We’re the guys that can turn it around on the field and really change the culture internally inside that locker room.”

What Elijah McAlister thinks about freshman Keldric Faulk

Everyone knows that Auburn is thin at the “jack” position, and that freshman Keldric Faulk will be expected to produce immediately.

New defensive coordinator Ron Roberts praised Faulk recently during spring practice, saying while there’s some hesitation in Faulk’s game while he adjusts to the college game and learns the defense, Faulk’s talent is clear as day.

Well, when Elijah McAlister was asked about his early impressions of Faulk, and his plans to help mentor the youngster, McAlister had this to say:

“The kid is talented,” McAlister started. “He’s going to be a great player here. I think he’s been a great person for our room. He brings a lot of positive energy, and he brings a beginner’s mindset. He’s a guy that wants to learn about football and he’s up here every day working on his craft, continuing to ask questions to be a better player. (Faulk) is going to be successful here. He’s a guy that I try and mentor in the right way, not stepping on his toes, but also understanding we have a unique partnership in this position group. It’s going to be fun this year.”

Auburn will scrimmage inside Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, April 8 for their annual A-Day game. It will be the Tigers’ final spring practice of camp.