Auburn’s Fairley entering NFL draft

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — 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.

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