SBNation.com - Nick Fairley Will Enter 2011 NFL Draft, Leaving Auburn After Junior Seasonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2011-01-14T11:56:08-05:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16989722011-01-14T11:56:08-05:002011-01-14T11:56:08-05:00Nick Fairley Will Enter 2011 NFL Draft, Leaving Auburn After Junior Season
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<p>Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairely will <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/schadjoe/status/25953519202734080">enter the 2011 NFL draft </a>after making a name for himself in the BCS Championship Game as one of the most dreaded and dominating players in college football. It has been generally assumed that after a standout year that culminated in a national championship for the Tigers, Fairley would forgo his last year of eligibility for the NFL.</p>
<p>SB Nation's Mocking the Draft has Fairley listed as<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/12/20/1887290/revised-nfl-draft-top-200"> the No. 5 overall prospect in this class</a>, and the No.1 defensive tackle prospect. Additionally, it has been widely speculated that if Fairly jumped, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/1/14/1933887/2011-nfl-draft-nick-fairley-auburn-carolina-panthers">he could be the No.1 overall selection</a>.</p>
<p>Fairley won the 2010 Lombardi Award for the top collegiate lineman, and was named the defensive MVP in the 2011 BCS Championship Game. He joins quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/1/3/1911517/2011-nfl-draft-cam-newton-declare">Cam Newton as the second Auburn star to declare for the NFL Draft</a> early.</p>
<p><i>For more on all things Auburn, head to <a target="_blank" href="http://trackemtigers.com">SB Nation's Track 'Em Tigers</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2011/1/14/2328010/nick-fairley-will-enter-2011-nfl-draft-leaving-auburn-after-juniorJoe Kutsunis