AUBURN, Ala. – Derrick Brown is used to seeing his family during Tiger Walk as he makes his way into Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Before Saturday's Iron Bowl, Brown and 24 teammates will join their loved ones on Pat Dye Field during Auburn's Senior Day ceremony, 25 minutes before kickoff of the Iron Bowl, their final home game.
"I'm trying to contain my emotions," Brown said. "I know it will be my last game. It hasn't hit me yet. I'm hoping it doesn't really hit me until after the game."
A finalist for the Outland Trophy and Bednarik Award among other national honors, Brown returned to Auburn for his senior season so he could complete his degree from Auburn University's Harbert College of Business before beginning his NFL career. He'll graduate Dec. 14.
"I wanted to work," Brown said. "I wanted to push myself and put my best foot forward. That's exactly how it happened. Taking those long reps in practice helped me condition myself mentally for the grind that has been this season.
"I feel like I'm reaping the benefits now. I'm heading into my last game. I feel like I made the right decision."
Derrick Brown takes a picture with a fan Friday at Reverse Tiger Walk
Brown and fellow senior Marlon Davidson have enjoyed dominant seasons, combining to win SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors seven times in 11 games.
They're hoping to celebrate their home finale by reprising their Iron Bowl victory from 2017, when Auburn defeated Alabama 26-14.
"The ground is shaking," said Davidson, recalling the last time the Tigers' in-state rival came to town. "I remember when we played them two years ago, it erupted. The atmosphere was impressive. I appreciate all of the fans, I hope they come out and show up again this year."
Davidson and Brown are battling for bragging rights for the SEC's weekly D-line honor, with Marlon leading 4-3 heading into the season's final week. An individual competition that's brought out the best in both, helping Auburn's defense allow only 16.2 points per game.
"I want to leave the field knowing that I gave it my all. My mentality is dominance," Davidson said. "Every play you line up, give it your all. Showing people that I'm Marlon Davidson. I'm here to fight, and I'm here to win."
Before the Iron Bowl, head coach Gus Malzahn will present a football to each senior, a token of appreciation for their investment in Auburn's program.
"They're outstanding young men with outstanding families," Malzahn said. "They have represented Auburn super, off the field, on the field. They're some very talented football players, too.
"This is their last rodeo, their last home game. It's special. Then you throw in the fact that it's the Iron Bowl on top of that. It's as good as it gets. You can sense our leadership. You can sense the young guys really rallying behind them and knowing how important this is to them and how important their legacy is."
Jeremiah Dinson will join fellow senior safety Daniel Thomas, along with Brown and Davidson, for the captains' coin toss Saturday at 2:33 p.m. CT. Six minutes later, it's go time.
"It's going to be fun," Dinson said. "I've been waiting on this one. Iron Bowl, the biggest rivalry in college football. You've got a powerhouse offense vs. a powerhouse defense. It's going to be a 12-round boxing match out there and we'll see who's standing at the last round."
Reverse 🐅 Walk for @AuburnFootball #IronBowl edition pic.twitter.com/teCzqr2Qd1
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) November 29, 2019
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer