Auburn’s Nick Fairley entering NFL draft

Nick Fairley, Auburn’s other big-name star, also is heading to the NFL after winning the Lombardi Award and helping Cam Newton lead the Tigers to a national title. The potential No. 1 overall pick announced his decision Friday at his old high school, saying he didn’t make up his mind until that morning after long talks with his coaches and his parents and a solitary drive around his hometown. The deciding factor? "I was thinking, What more could I accomplish my senior year?" Fairley said. His decision means Auburn’s two most dominant stars won’t be back next season. Newton, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, said Thursday night that he was entering 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 MVP in the BCS title game against Oregon when he had a sack, three tackles for losses and forced a fumble. The 6-foot-5, 298-pound All-American defensive tackle also led the Southeastern Conference with 24 tackles for a loss and had a school-record 11.5 sacks.

Fairley said he met with Auburn coach Gene Chizik and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker in Auburn, then came 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."