After a tremendous performance on the West Coast, Auburn football linebacker Eugene Asante has been named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week alongside Mississippi State linebacker Jett Johnson.
For the second week in a row, Asante led the Tigers’ defense in tackles with 12 total in addition to recording two quarterback hurries, one sack, and one pass breakup. His sack, which came late in the game versus the Cal Golden Bears, was key in securing the Tigers’ 14-10 victory.
For Asante, his role on Auburn football’s defense means a lot to him. Soon after he transferred to the Plains ahead of the 2022 season, his father passed away, making the rest of the 2022 offseason a gargantuan battle. After getting little playtime that fall, he volunteered to be on the scout team in an effort to continue improving his game.
Now, as an SEC honoree and the Tigers’ leading tackler, Asante is grateful for the opportunities provided this year, per AL.com:
"“It’s surreal, to be honest with you,” Asante said Monday. “I’m grateful to God that I didn’t give up on myself. When I first got here, my dad passed away in February, I had to go through spring ball battling a whole lot of things and as a young man in this world, you need your father. It was a hard thing losing him because he was my best friend. So just to experience being the SEC Player of the Week, I’m just praying I made him proud.”"
Despite certain bitter folks trying to tear down the LB on social media, Asante is proud of his journey and his role as a leader on this Auburn football team with his signature “let’s work!” catchphrase. Though the whole team is still improving and working to play to the best of their ability, Asante can be counted on to focus on what he can control and to continue to lift up his teammates and fight for an Auburn football win.