Derrick Brown has long been known as one of the best players in college football, and now with award season upon us, he’s being recognized as a finalist for six national awards. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has even promoted Brown for the Heisman Trophy.

Brown told reporters that he can’t think about the awards because he’s focused on, “helping Auburn beat Alabama.”

“I can’t go out there and try to play for stats and stuff,” he said, according to video from AL.com. “It just takes away from my game in doing so, and also hurts our team.

Brown said Malzahn’s comments bring high respect.

“I feel like every single Saturday I step on the field, I try to be the best player in the country,” Brown said. “It doesn’t matter who lines up in front of me, I try to do what I’m supposed to do, and do it at a high level.”

Despite being regularly double-teamed, Brown has delivered 43 tackles, which is tied for fourth on the Tigers’ defense along with nine tackles for loss and four sacks, both second on the team.

He made seven tackles each against second-ranked LSU and Ole Miss and most recently six against fifth-ranked Georgia. The Ole Miss game was one of three times he earned the SEC Defensive Player of the Week award.

Against Florida, Brown had a huge game. Brown was part of a defense that had four sacks, 11 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. He had four tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup.