Auburn should retire Derrick Brown’s number

Since it began playing football in 1892, Auburn has never retired a defensive

player’s number. That needs to change now. In my humble view, Derrick Brown

is the greatest defensive player to have ever attended The Plains, and the No. 5

should never be worn by anybody else. It is difficult to exceed expectations when,

as a high school senior, you are a unanimous five-star recruit. During his

four years at Auburn, Brown accomplished precisely that. According

to the 247 Sports Composite, the Buford, Georgia native was the best player in

Georgia and the top recruit nationally in the 2016 cycle. He also won Auburn’s top-

10 rated class. He didn’t waste any as a rookie, participating in all 13 games and

racking up 11 tackles and one sack while gaining playing time.

He became a starter at defensive tackle as a sophomore and made the most of his

playing time, making 56 tackles, 3.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. The increased

production garnered him national attention as he was named second team

All-SEC by SEC media and coaches and AL.com prior to the 2018 season. He was

also named to the Nagurski and Outland Trophy watch lists, which are given to

the nation’s best defensive player and the best interior lineman respectively.

 

The attention was well deserved as Brown was a wrecking ball all season. While his tackles fell from 56 to 48, he

became a true game wrecker, totaling 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. The

production was good enough for him to be named to the All-SEC second team

(Coaches, AP) and many expected him to forgo his senior season for the 2019 NFL

draft, where he likely could have heard his name called in the first round.

 

However, Brown wasn’t quite done with college football yet, announcing on his

Instagram that he would be returning for his senior season.

 

His decision to return ensured him a special place in Auburn fan’s hearts across the world no matter how the

season played out. Heading into the season he was named a 1st team All-

American (ESPN, AP Sporting News, CFN, CBS, PFF, Sports Illustrated), 1st team All-

SEC (SEC media, SEC coaches, Athlon, Lindy’s, Phil Steele, Street & Smith, CFN,

PFF) and to seven different national award watch lists.

It surprised absolutely no one when Brown not only met but exceeded these lofty expectations.

 

When the season was over, he finished with 55 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and

four sacks while being double-teamed on virtually every snap. To me, this is one of

the most impressive seasons by any former Tiger and should not be forgotten

just because they finished with an average record.

 

Auburn fans were far from the only ones singing his praises as he was named a

consensus All-American, 1st team all-SEC, three-time SEC defensive lineman of

the week, won two national awards (Lott IMPACT Trophy and Senior CLASS

Award) and was a finalist for three more (Outland, Nagurski, Bednarik).

 

While his production on the field was ridiculous (170 tackles, 33.5 tackles for

loss and 13 sacks), he did just as much when he was off the field.

 

Brown qualified for the SEC Academic Honor Roll twice, served as president of

Auburn’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well as a member of the

SEC’s Student-Athlete Leadership Council. His work wasn’t limited to the

classroom or campus either as he has helped communities near and far.

He has participated in multiple mission and volunteers with local children. When the Auburn area was struck by tornadoes in March 2019, Brown helped coordinate relief efforts.

 

His work did not go unrecognized as he won the 2019 Senior CLASS Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I football. He also won the Lott IMPACT trophy. This award goes to the defensive player who has the biggest impact on his team. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

 

Auburn has been playing football for 127 years and has only retired the numbers of Pat Sullivan (No. 7), Terry Beasley (88) and Bo Jackson (34). I’m a supporter of keeping this prestigious group small but it is undoubtedly time to expand it.

 

In his four years at Auburn, Brown did more on and off the field for the University than pretty much any other player has. If this is not enough to get your jersey retired, then something needs to be changed.