Tae Meadows, a senior running back from Roanoke, Alabama, has officially joined the Auburn Tigers for the 2026 season, bringing a blend of high‑school pedigree and college‑level experience to the SEC program.
Meadows first drew attention as a key contributor to the Handley Tigers, who captured the AHSAA Class 4A state championship in 2020; as an 11th‑grader he rushed for 264 yards and four touchdowns, establishing himself as a top prospect in the state.
After enrolling at Troy University, he began as a walk‑on and spent three seasons developing his craft; by 2025 he had risen to become the team’s leading rusher, posting 695 yards and six touchdowns, numbers that caught the eye of Auburn’s coaching staff.
Growing up a fan of the Tigers, Meadows has spoken openly about the dream of playing for the team he cheered as a child, a sentiment that now drives his daily preparation and adds a personal narrative to his collegiate transition.
A Competitive Backfield
The Auburn backfield will be crowded, featuring returning standouts Jeremiah Cobb, Bryson Washington, Alvin Henderson and Omar Mabson, all of whom are expected to compete for carries in the upcoming schedule.
Analytical reports from Pro Football Focus highlight Meadows’ strengths in yards after contact, first‑down conversion and effectiveness in the B‑gap, suggesting that his skill set could translate quickly to the SEC level.
Across his three‑year tenure at Troy, Meadows accumulated 741 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, a modest but promising résumé that positions him as a depth option with upside, especially as the Tigers look to bolster their ground attack.