Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown on Friday was named the 2019 winner of the Senior CLASS Award for the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, beating out the likes of Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The prestigious award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I FBS football coaches, national football media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I football. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award, an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. Brown is the first student-athlete in history from Auburn to win the Senior CLASS Award.
“I’m a man who finishes what he starts, and returning for my senior season allowed me to complete my business degree and graduate, it allowed me to spend quality time with my infant son at a key point in our family life, and it allowed me to play one more year with my friends and brothers on the Auburn team,” Brown said in a statement.
“This award is just one more testament to my decision to come back. I got everything done and now, I’m just reaping the benefits. At the end of the day, this is what I wanted. I’m excited to be able to live it out,” he added.
Brown was honored as the 2019 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and as a first-team All-American, as well as being named a finalist for the Outland, Nagurski, Bednarik and Wuerffel trophies this season.
He also excels in the classroom. The team captain earned a spot on the SEC academic honor roll and was named an Auburn Academic Top Tiger for his role as a leader within the university. Returning to school to complete his bachelor’s degree in business, which he received earlier this month, Brown currently serves as president of Auburn’s all-sport Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
In addition to winning the Senior CLASS Award, Brown was selected as the 2019 winner of the Lott Impact Trophy, which recognizes the top defensive college football player who demonstrates excellence in the field of athletics and exemplifies the IMPACT acronym: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community & Tenacity.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn commented, “He’s a leader and a first-class man; that’s who he is. He’s one of the best football players in all of college football, and one of the best young men I’ve had the opportunity to coach.”
“I truly believe he’s one of the best all-around football players in the country,” Malzahn continued. “He’s one of the best to come through Auburn since I’ve been here. He had a dominant season—not a good season, a dominant season. We played an unbelievable schedule, and every time we played a big game, he played his best ball. And as outstanding as he is on the field, he is an exceptional leader in every aspect, on our campus and with his peers. Now he has won the Lott Trophy and has received his degree, so I know he feels it was a successful senior season.”
Outside of football, Brown has participated in numerous mission trips with Christian organizations and is actively involved in community service. He also volunteers with local children and serves as a leader and role model. When a tornado struck the city of Auburn in March 2019, Brown coordinated a student-led effort to assist with tornado relief.
“Derrick Brown is a prime representative of an excelling student-athlete,” Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award, stated. “Derrick’s ability to thrive on the football field, in the classroom and in his personal life make him a well-respected role model through the Auburn community. His coaches, teammates, fans and family should be proud to have Derrick representing their university through his unwavering leadership. We would like to offer our congratulations to Derrick for winning this prestigious award.”
The 2019 Senior CLASS first and second teams were also announced on Friday. Hurts, the former University of Alabama star who is winding down his senior season in the College Football Playoffs, made the first team along with three other players. The Sooners face off against LSU on Saturday.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
