OXFORD, MS | K.J. Britt may not have played in Saturday's 35-28 win over Ole Miss, but his presence was felt among his teammates.
Ahead of the 2020 season, Britt was looking to follow up on a 2019 that saw him named a first-year starter at linebacker, and by the end of the season, Britt earned a spot on the first-team All-SEC roster.
The 2020 season began well for the senior linebacker as he was named a team captain. On the field, Britt was continuing where he had left off in 2019.
Through the first two games, Britt led the Tigers with 23 total tackles but suffered an injury against Georgia in Week 2.
Since suffering that injury, Britt has undergone surgery to repair the torn ligaments in his thumb.
While Britt cannot suit up for Auburn right now, this is not the only way to impact a game.
Before the game began, Britt walked out with the rest of his fellow team captains as they led the team out to the field. For the first time since Georgia, Britt was back on the field, leading the Tigers in his No. 33 jersey.
Britt was also selected by Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn to represent the Tigers during the coin toss.
A coin toss that Auburn won and chose to defer to the second half, sending out its defense first.
Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe who, similar to Britt, was a first-year starter at linebacker last season, was happy to have Britt back on the field as the team's "energizer bunny."
"It was really good. K.J.'s one of our team leaders, and just to have him back is a blessing for us," Pappoe said. "In the locker room, in the hotel, on the way here, he's just that energizer bunny for us, just keeping us pumped."
As Britt walked up and down the sideline speaking with teammates on both sides of the ball during the game, his presence calmed the Tigers.
"If you look around on the field, he just calms us down, you know? It was really good to have him back on the field with us," Pappoe said.
The game's biggest play might have been Bo Nix and Seth Williams' linking up for a 42-yard touchdown, or maybe it was Jordyn Peters' intercepting Matt Corral to end the game, but Malzahn feels that Britt's presence was a big deal as well.
"He's our team leader, and his presence is really special," Malzahn said. "He's our team leader, not just offense, defense, special teams. But his presence was really big today."
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Jake Weese, senior in journalism with a minor in history, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
