After racking up awards throughout the season, Auburn got its fair share of post-season awards. Marlon Davidson, Derrick Brown and K.J. Britt all received SEC first team defensive players of the year while Jeremiah Dinson was on the SEC second team.
Brown was not only on the first team, but he also won SEC defensive player of the year. The senior is a finalist for Bronko Nagurski and Bednarik trophies for the nation’s top defensive player along with the Wuerffel Trophy, Pop Warner Award, Senior Class and Lott IMPACT awards. Brown has been projected as high as fifth in NFL mock drafts after recording 50 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and two recoveries on the season.
“Derrick is one of the best all-around football players in the entire country,” head coach Gus Malzahn said. “Any position. It’s not a coincidence he’s up for a lot of these awards. I expect him to win quite a few of them. He’s a real special player. He’s had an unbelievable year. He’s played his best football in the biggest games when they matter the most. That’s a sign of a great player.”
While Brown wins SEC defensive player of the year, he was unable to beat Davidson in the regular season competition, taking home three weekly awards to Davidson’s four.
Brown’s awards marks the first SEC player of the year award Auburn has received since Kerryon Johnson and the first defensive player since Nick Fairley in 2010.
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