Elijah McAllister: 'I've never been part of something like this'

The Vanderbilt transfer has made a huge impression on his coaches and teammates.

Author:
Steve Simpson
Publish date:
Aug 30, 2023 7:30 PM EDT

In this story:

An Auburn man, is a man that is the embodiment of the Auburn Creed. Tiger football players usually earn that title over the course of several years on the plains absorbing and experiencing all that it means to be a part of Auburn football and Auburn in general.

Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister has only been on campus since January of this year, but he has already earned the title.

Elijah lives the Creed, " I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work." That hard work during the off-season, in spring practice and through summer workouts earned him the honor of representing his teammate at SEC Media Days in July.

McAllister's teammates have taken notice of his efforts and leadership as well, and recently selected him as a team captain.

Elijah lives the Creed, "I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellowmen."

It's an unusual circumstance for a player that has not played a down for the Tigers to be selected as a captain. Appearing on the The Next Round, McAllister said, "Yeah, I think it just stems from, you know, my authenticity of who I am and how I show up every single day."

Of his time on campus, he said, "it's easy to feel comfortable at a place like Auburn, with the people, because it's such a place with heavy tradition and people who love their football and love their people."

Coach Pat Day once said if you love Auburn, Auburn will love you back. Elijah McAllister loves Auburn and he will get his first taste of Auburn loving him back Saturday afternoon in Jordan-Hare and he can't wait.

"I've never been part of something like this as a player. The tradition, the Tiger Walk, the eagle flight, the amount of fans that is going to be there, it's already sold out. I'm just excited to be able to play at this university."

The Tigers and the Minutemen kickoff at 2:30pm CDT on ESPN.