For the second week in a row, an Auburn Tiger has been named an All-SEC player of the week.
Linebacker [autotag]Eugene Asante [/autotag] was named SEC co-defensive player of the week on Monday after his 12 tackle, one sack performance in Auburn’s 14-10 road win over Cal in week two.
Asante’s 12 tackles were not only the most by an Auburn defender on Saturday, but they also tied for the most among all SEC defenders in week two.
Asante saw limited game action in his first year on the Plains in 2022 after transferring from North Carolina. The playing time was so limited that he even requested former head coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] to let him play on the scout team defense so he could get reps in.
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In 2023, Asante has blossomed into a star, leading the Tigers in tackles in both games. His 18 total tackles on the season are currently tied for sixth in the conference.
The junior spoke about how he’s been able to be successful despite periodic playing time after Auburn’s win on Saturday.
“In the midst of chaos, there’s opportunity, we are our brother’s keeper,” Asante said. “Not being frustrated, not being disappointed but just going out there with a positive mindset and playing play after play.”
Asante elaborated further when talking to the media on Monday after winning the award, going into his experience losing his father and how he hopes to have made him proud.
“It’s surreal, to be honest with you. 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.”
It looks as if head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] is going to turn Asante fully loose next week, as his week three depth chart lists Asante as the starting weak side linebacker ahead of the struggling [autotag]Cam Riley[/autotag].
Eugene Asante will look to continue his great stretch of play when Auburn hosts Samford on Saturday at 7:00 PM CT.
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