The secondary will be one of the most experienced units the Auburn Tigers will exhibit this season, and one of its top players is being considered to win one of the nation’s top individual awards.
[autotag]D.J. James[/autotag] proved to be one of Auburn’s top defenders in his debut season with the Tigers in 2022. He made 37 stops and recorded one interception, which was returned for a touchdown in Auburn’s win over Western Kentucky last November. He graded out at 82.3 according to Pro Football Focus, which is the 10th highest among returning cornerbacks.
James is expected to have another great season in 2023, which is why the Maxwell Football Club has included him in their preseason watchlist for the Chuck Bednarik Award. The award has been given to the nation’s top defensive player every season since 1994.
This marks the second watchlist that James has been a part of ahead of the season. He is also a member of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist, which is voted on by the Football Writers Association of America.
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