The 6-5, 298-pound All-American defensive tackle led the SEC with 24 tackles for loss and had a school-record 11 1/2 sacks.
 Oregon running back Kenjon Barner is tackled short of the goal line on a fourth-down play by Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley and cornerback Demond Washington late in the third quarter Monday night in the BCS title game in Glendale, Ariz. (Danny Moloshok / Reuters / January 11, 2011) |
Nick Fairley, Auburn's other big-name star, also is heading to the NFL after helping Cam Newton to lead the Tigers to a national title.
The potential No. 1 overall pick announced his decision Friday at his old high school in Mobile, Ala., saying he did not make up his mind until that morning after long talks with his coaches and his parents and a solitary drive around his hometown.
His decision means Auburn's two biggest stars won't be back next season. Newton, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, said Thursday night that he will enter the draft. The two junior college transfers led the Tigers to a 14-0 season and their first national title since 1957.
Fairley was the defensive most valuable player in the BCS title game against Oregon. He had a sack, three tackles for loss and forced a fumble. The 6-foot-5, 298-pound All-American defensive tackle also led the Southeastern Conference with 24 tackles for loss and had a school-record 111/2 sacks.
Fairley said he met with Auburn Coach Gene Chizik and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker in Auburn, then went home Thursday and talked it over with his parents.
After that, "I went on a long ride by myself. I think I came out with the best decision to benefit me, my family and all the folks around me."
Fairley played two seasons at Auburn after transferring from junior college, where he redshirted in 2007. He flashed his potential at times in 2009 but did not consistently dominate until this season.
"It's crazy for me to be in this position," Fairley said. "Coming into this year, I didn't think things were going to be this big. I didn't know I was going to have a big year like that."
Tulsa promoted assistant Bill Blankenship to head coach. He replaces Todd Graham, who left to become Pittsburgh's coach.
Quarterback John Brantley is staying at Florida for his senior season. Brantley considered transferring after Urban Meyer stepped down as coach last month. … Florida safety Will Hill will enter the NFL draft. He started 10 games this season, finishing with 54 tackles and two interceptions. The junior was suspended the first two games of the season for an undisclosed violation of team rules. … Washington running back Chris Polk will return for his junior season.
The NCAA granted a sixth year of eligibility to Houston quarterback Case Keenum, who sat out the final nine games of this season because of a torn knee ligament.
The man accused of fatally stabbing Connecticut football player Jasper Howard outside a party on campus in 2009 pleaded no contest to first-degree manslaughter. John Lomax III, of Bloomfield, Conn., who had faced a murder charge, entered his plea to the lesser charge in Superior Court in Rockville, according to the court clerk's office. Lomax faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing.
The potential No. 1 overall pick announced his decision Friday at his old high school in Mobile, Ala., saying he did not make up his mind until that morning after long talks with his coaches and his parents and a solitary drive around his hometown.
His decision means Auburn's two biggest stars won't be back next season. Newton, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, said Thursday night that he will enter the draft. The two junior college transfers led the Tigers to a 14-0 season and their first national title since 1957.
Fairley was the defensive most valuable player in the BCS title game against Oregon. He had a sack, three tackles for loss and forced a fumble. The 6-foot-5, 298-pound All-American defensive tackle also led the Southeastern Conference with 24 tackles for loss and had a school-record 111/2 sacks.
Fairley said he met with Auburn Coach Gene Chizik and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker in Auburn, then went home Thursday and talked it over with his parents.
After that, "I went on a long ride by myself. I think I came out with the best decision to benefit me, my family and all the folks around me."
Fairley played two seasons at Auburn after transferring from junior college, where he redshirted in 2007. He flashed his potential at times in 2009 but did not consistently dominate until this season.
"It's crazy for me to be in this position," Fairley said. "Coming into this year, I didn't think things were going to be this big. I didn't know I was going to have a big year like that."
Tulsa promoted assistant Bill Blankenship to head coach. He replaces Todd Graham, who left to become Pittsburgh's coach.
Quarterback John Brantley is staying at Florida for his senior season. Brantley considered transferring after Urban Meyer stepped down as coach last month. … Florida safety Will Hill will enter the NFL draft. He started 10 games this season, finishing with 54 tackles and two interceptions. The junior was suspended the first two games of the season for an undisclosed violation of team rules. … Washington running back Chris Polk will return for his junior season.
The NCAA granted a sixth year of eligibility to Houston quarterback Case Keenum, who sat out the final nine games of this season because of a torn knee ligament.
The man accused of fatally stabbing Connecticut football player Jasper Howard outside a party on campus in 2009 pleaded no contest to first-degree manslaughter. John Lomax III, of Bloomfield, Conn., who had faced a murder charge, entered his plea to the lesser charge in Superior Court in Rockville, according to the court clerk's office. Lomax faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing.
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