McCreary played in seven games as a true freshman at Auburn in 2018. He played in all 13 games in 2019, recording 36 tackles and one interception.[4] McCreary become a full time starter his junior year in 2020.[5][6] In 10 games, he had 45 tackles and three interceptions.[7] He returned to Auburn for his senior year in 2021, rather than enter the 2021 NFL draft.[8][9] In 2021, McCreary recorded 49 tackles, two interceptions and an SEC best 14 pass breakups.[10]
Following his senior season, McCreary was named as a first-team All-American by both the Associated Press[11] and ESPN.[12]
McCreary was drafted in the second round with the 35th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.[15] He started all 17 games in his rookie season, finishing with 84 total tackles, one interception, and eight passes defensed.[16] McCreary also helped force a notable turnover on Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers, by jumping out of bounds to tip a pass mid-air by Justin Herbert, which was received by Joshua Kalu for an assisted interception.[17][18]
McCreary moved into the starting nickelback position for the 2023 season. He played in 15 games with 11 starts, recording 86 tackles, two sacks, six passes defensed, one interception, and a forced fumble.[19]
During the 2024 season, McCreary appeared in 15 games, recording 50 tackles, a pass deflection, three pressures, and a sack.[20]
