Michael Trigg, TE #1 vs Auburn 2025

Player: Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 240 lbs
Class: Senior
Opponent: Auburn
Year: 2025
Final Stat Line: 7 Catches, 99 Yards, 1 TD

Film Link: Watch on YouTube

Overview

Baylor leaned on Michael Trigg in this one, lining him up almost exclusively in the slot and letting him work against both zone and man coverage. His game had flashes of what makes him dangerous — quick separation on slants, the strength to carry tacklers, and the ability to win in the red zone. But it also had moments that flat-out take points off the board. Two drops — both in high-leverage situations — are the kind of mistakes that turn an otherwise strong day into a frustrating one on film.

Film Review - Key Plays

14:36 1Q – Drop on 2nd & 11

Trigg lines up in the slot to the left, runs a 10-yard curl, and does exactly what you want from a TE here — works back to the QB, sits down in the soft spot, and presents a big target. The throw is on time and on target, hitting him right in the hands. And it just… goes through them. No weather, no defender contesting it, no excuse. That’s a routine play he has to finish every single time. Instead of setting up 3rd and short, Baylor is stuck in another long-yardage situation.

0:08 2Q – Drop on 2nd & 10

This is the one that really stings. Slot right, up-and-in route, and Auburn’s zone coverage gives him a clean window in the middle of the field. The QB delivers a strike — again, right in the hands — and it’s another drop. This isn’t just a missed catch; it’s a missed scoring opportunity. With only seconds left in the half, that play puts Baylor in comfortable field goal range. Instead, they go into the locker room empty-handed. Two drops in one half is bad. One of them erasing a chance at points is brutal.

11:23 3Q – Physical YAC on 1st & 10 💪

This is Trigg at his absolute best. Slot right, sits between zones, hauls in the pass at about five yards, and immediately goes to work. Sidesteps the first tackler. Shrugs off the second. Then the fun starts — contact from a third defender, stood up by a fourth, and somehow keeps his legs churning while two more pile on. He pushes the pile eight more yards before they finally get him down. This is a “send it to the strength coach” kind of clip. It’s a perfect example of what he can do when he turns a routine catch into a statement play.

5:08 3Q – 20-Yard Slant on 2nd & 9

Slot right, smooth release inside, and he gets a step on the defender immediately. This is textbook work against man coverage — no wasted movement, straight into his stem, catches the ball in stride, and flips into YAC mode. The safety makes the stop downfield, but not before Trigg has already racked up chunk yardage. Between this play and the earlier power run, you see both sides of his RAC game: the finesse and burst to win with speed, and the power to drag defenders when needed.

11:56 4Q – 5-Yard TD Catch on 3rd & 3

Baylor needs a score here and trusts Trigg to win in the red zone. Slot left, deep out toward the sideline in the end zone. The QB hangs it up for him, and Trigg times his jump perfectly, plucking it over the defender. Good body control to stay inbounds, and strong hands to finish through contact. This is exactly what you want your TE to do in scoring situations — win the one-on-one and take the ball away from the DB.

Final Thoughts

The tape against Auburn shows exactly who Michael Trigg is right now — a tight end with NFL-level YAC and mismatch potential who can change a drive with one play… or derail it with a single lapse. If he can lock in on the routine catches, the rest of his game is already built to cause problems for defenses.

Strengths on Display

• Slot Versatility: Worked all game against both LB and safety coverage, finding soft spots and winning man matchups.

• Yards After Contact: The pile-dragging run is the kind of play that shifts momentum.

• Red-Zone Weapon: Jump-ball TD shows his ability to win contested catches.

• Separation on Quick Routes: Crisp footwork on slants to create space and present an easy throwing lane.

Areas for Improvement

• Concentration Drops: Both misses were clean looks that should be 100% catches.

• Finishing Drives: Drops that kill scoring chances can swing games — can’t happen.