Nick Fairley Dominated Oregon and Got in His Cheap Shot

Nick Fairley is a 6’5″ 315lb monster defensive tackle for Auburn. The junior is widely expected to leave school for the NFL draft where he’ll likely be a top-three pick after his performance in the National Championship Game, and potentially the top overall pick. Fairley dominated the game for Auburn against Oregon, making five tackles, three for a loss. He was in the Oregon backfield constantly, disrupting several plays. He was also smart enough to recognize when passes were coming and he frequently dropped back into coverage, abandoning the rush.

Following typical Auburn style, Fairley’s success has not come without controversy. He was responsible for sparking a fight in the Georgia game that resulted in a pair of ejections. He made similar dirty moves throughout the season, to the point that even Oregon players said he had earned his reputation. And of course he got in his cheap shot, slamming LaMichael James’ head after making a tackle. Luckily he was penalized for the dirty play. Here it is in case you missed it:

Thanks to BubbaProg and Christian Petersen/Getty Images for the images