Derrick Brown has been a steady anchor on Auburn’s defensive line for the past three seasons. He'll make it four years on The Plains in 2019.
Brown, who projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, will return to Auburn for his senior season, he announced via Instagram on Sunday afternoon.
"The last three years have been amazing," Brown wrote. "Auburn has become a second home for me. Nothing compares to Saturdays in Jordan-Hare. Seeing the fans down Tiger Walk, running out of the tunnel with my teammates and singing the fight song after a big win. This place is truly special.
"After talking it over with family and coaches I have decided to return to Auburn for my final season. I want to leave Auburn with my degree and a championship. I can feel the momentum."
Brown, the man who teammates call “Baby Barack” for representing Auburn on and off the field, has 115 total tackles and nine sacks in his career.
Brown made the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2016 and 2017, and served on the SEC’s football leadership council.
Brown has been starting since 2016, but had his breakout season in 2017, accumulating 56 total tackles along with a blocked a field goal against UCF in the Peach Bowl.
Mel Kiper Jr., the NFL draft analyst for ESPN, gave high praise to Derrick Brown following his 2017 season in an interview with ESPN.
“Derrick Brown is an unbelievable talent, Kiper said. "He’s the one that just jumped out. I circled him in just about every game I saw. It was Derrick Brown, Derrick Brown, Derrick Brown. I’m looking at the circles. He is a guy that definitely jumped off the page.”
Kameron Brown, Derrick Brown's brother and a linebacker in the class of 2019, was offered by Auburn on Friday. Derrick Brown also became a father last month.
Brown and Auburn will continue to wait on junior defensive end Marlon Davidson's NFL decision. Offensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho and junior defensive back Javaris Davis are also mulling over the option of going pro.
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