Two Auburn defenders land on Phil Steele's preseason All-American team
Auburn on Thursday got some preseason recognition from Phil Steele. Steele is nationally known as one of the best football analysts in the entire country.
Auburn LB Owen Pappoe and Edge Derick Hall made the All American announcement from Steele.
[ Phil Steele releases 2022 preseason All-American defensive teams ]
Hall landed on the second team after finishing the 2021 season with 52 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. He was in the top 10 in the SEC in three different categories: tackles for loss (9th), sacks (3rd), and forced fumbles (5th).
Pappoe comes in as a 4th team selection after missing a good portion of the 2021 season with an injury. He has compiled 165 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and an interception in his Auburn career.
[ Owen Pappoe goes in-depth on Bryan Harsin, Jeff Schmedding, and players standing out ]
Hall and Pappoe major ambassadors for the Tigers
A majority of college football players who have seen success try their hand at the NFL when they are eligible. Sitting out of bowl games and practices has even become a trend around the country. As the college game shifts more toward a business, guys like Pappoe and Hall somewhat buck that trend.
Hall has seen his NFL stock rise tremendously. He could’ve left after his junior year and prevented Auburn from having only one draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft (Roger McCreary). Instead Hall decided to return to Bryan Harsin’s program to try and lead his team to a better season.
Pappoe, a former consensus 5-star recruit, is back for his senior season after an injury. Most thought the talented LB would test the NFL waters and try to prevent any other injuries. Like Hall, Pappoe has a different mindset. He will return to provide Auburn with a much needed veteran presence at the LB position. Pappoe is a sure-fire 1st or 2nd round draft pick if he puts together a good season as he’s expected to do.
[ Exclusive: One-on-one with Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe ]
