By Joshua Huff, sports editor
Former Hewitt-Trussville High School and Auburn defensive back Noah Igbinoghene was one of 50 NFL prospects invited to virtually participate in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft scheduled to begin on April 23.
The draft, which was originally slated to be in Las Vegas, was altered as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the NFL will broadcast the event and invite prospects to participate in virtual interviews that will air during the draft through video and other means of social media. Players will also receive a draft package in lieu of what they would have received had they actually participated in the actual draft.
Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene runs back the kick for a touchdown in the second half.
Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
“Extremely honored and blessed to be one of the 50 selected to ‘virtually’ attend the NFL Draft,” Igbinoghene posted on Twitter.
As of Thursday, no announcement has been made how the NFL plans on broadcasting the draft. NFL teams will select their picks from remote locations following the league’s order that all teams vacate their facilities.
Igbinoghene is a former Hewitt-Trussville All-USA Today Alabama First Team selection who played in 26 career games with Auburn. The son of two former Olympic athletes finished his career with 92 total tackles, 19 passes defended, one forced fumble and one interception. He concluded his final season with the Tigers as the 10th-leading tackler on the team with 42 tackles, one tackle for loss and broke up seven passes.
“I have the intangibles to do anything in this world,” Igbinoghene said during the NFL Combine. “I moved from wide receiver to corner (at Auburn) and started in six days. Not a lot of people can do that. I really take pride in that.”
The former four-star prospect began his Auburn career with 14 starts as a freshman but only recorded 35 total yards. Frustrated, Igbinoghene switched to defense prior to his sophomore season and split time at receiver and defensive back during spring practice. Despite the switch, Igbinoghene still led Auburn with 11 pass breakups that season.
“I’m really confident in anything that I do,” Igbinoghene said. “I really feel like I’m the best corner here, because if you don’t, then why are you here? You’re here to compete. You’re here to value yourself as the best. That’s how I feel like and nothing is going to change that.”
