AUBURN, Ala. – Derrick Brown will want to stay close to his computer Thursday evening. Once the NFL Draft begins, it won't be long before Auburn's first unanimous All-American in 30 years hears his name called.
The standout defensive lineman projected to be a first-rounder last year, but chose to return to Auburn for his senior season, a decision that allowed Brown to complete his degree from Auburn University's Harbert College of Business, serve as a team captain and be near his 1-year-old son, Kai.
"I'm definitely more prepared for it," Brown said after his Auburn Pro Day workout on March 6. "It's been a fun time gaining knowledge every single second I get to do this."
Brown scoffed at combine critics who equated times in drills to on-field production.
"If you care about the 3-cone drill as much as handling a double team, then go for it," he said. "It doesn't tell you anything about how you play football. The tape does all the talking for you."
Brown's four-season body of work at Auburn provides all of the video evidence the NFL needs to see. He's expected to be a top 10 pick during Thursday's virtual first round.
He returned. He wreaked havoc on the SEC. Soon, he'll reap the rewards, to go along with the relationships he's developed on the Plains.
"It's been fun," he said. "I love these guys like a brother to me. I wouldn't treat them differently than anybody in my own family."
NFL COMBINE
40-yard dash: 5.16 seconds
Bench press: 28 bench reps
Vertical jump: 27 inches
Broad jump: 108.0 inches
3-cone drill: 8.22 seconds
DRAFT ANALYSIS
"Brown is the best run-stuffing defensive lineman in this class with excellent block-defeating ability across the line of scrimmage and an enormous, engulfing tackling radius. Plus, he never misses a tackle. His size, length, and pure power will overwhelm NFL blockers right away. As a pass rusher, Brown's bull rush will get home, but he needs to develop better handwork to become a consistent player in that vital area." – Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
SIGNATURE MOMENT
Where to begin? So many from which to choose, and that's only considering signature plays from Brown's other-worldly 2019 senior season.
Against Ole Miss, he raced off the sideline to instantly drop an unsuspecting running back after a reception.
Against LSU, he sacked the future Heisman Trophy winner without ever touching him, by launching his blocker in reverse.
In the Iron Bowl, he set the stage for Alabama's errant fourth-quarter field goal by deflecting a third-down pass in the red zone.
It was against Florida, however, when Brown's athleticism reached peak wow factor.
Brown recovered two fumbles against the Gators, returning them 53 yards. He also forced a fumble, made a sack and totaled four tackles.
"A dominating effort," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "Just dominated up front and had an outstanding game."
Brown delivered one of the most exciting plays of the season's first half, scooping up a fumble caused by Marlon Davidson on Auburn's 23-yard-line and sprinting 42 yards to Florida's 35 on the last play of the first quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Brown did it again, dislodging the ball from the Gators' quarterback and returning it 11 yards to Auburn's 40.
"I was just able to get some push, be able to put my hands up and reach out for the ball, got lucky and my hand touched the ball and it came back to me," said Brown, the first Tiger to recover two fumbles in a game since Montravius Adams against Mississippi State in 2016.
Brown earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors three times in 2019, against Florida, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer