The draft starts in Mobile, not just for Auburn football players but for all the NFL hopefuls out there getting ready to finish up their collegiate career. Each year, elite prospects from around the country are invited to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, which takes place in South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Last year, Auburn football had only one representative in the game in linebacker K.J. Britt. The former Tiger was named the top linebacker in the 2021 Senior Bowl and significantly raised his draft stock after missing a good chunk of his senior season due to injury.
Prior to the beginning of the 2021 season, the Reese’s Senior Bowl released their 2022 watchlist, and nine Tigers made the cut, five from the defense and four from the offense, including Brodarious Hamm, Tashawn Manning, Shaun Shivers, Nick Brahms, Demetris Robertson, Smoke Monday, Roger McCreary, and Dreshun Miller.
The last player on the watch list was Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain, and following his performance in the Tigers’ matchup versus Ole Miss he was named the Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week:
14 Tackles
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) November 2, 2021
10 Solo
2 Sacks@RicochetRabbit has been named the Defensive Player of the Week by the @seniorbowl #WarEagle | #AuburnMade pic.twitter.com/1llG0PB3o7
In the dominant victory over the #10 Rebels, McClain put up a striking 14 tackles, ten of which were solo tackles, and two sacks. McClain continues to be an impact player for head coach Bryan Harsin’s first-year team, racking up double-digit tackles in each of Auburn football’s SEC West wins.
McClain also earned SEC co-defensive honors of the week, which he shares with Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith, and was named as a quarterfinalist for the Lott Impact Trophy, which honors the best defensive player in college football each year.
With Owen Pappoe missing several games due to injury, McClain has stepped up in a big way and become a real leader for this Auburn defense.