Nick Fairley Nicholas Lachester Fairley ( born January 23 , 1988 ) is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for Auburn University , was recognized as an All - American , and was a member of a BCS National Championship team . He was drafted by the Lions in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft . Early years . Fairley was born in Mobile , Alabama . He attended Williamson High School in Mobile , where he was a two - way lineman and also lettered in basketball . Regarded as a three - star prospect , he was projected as an offensive guard . He committed to Auburn , but could not qualify academically . College career . Copiah - Lincoln Community College . Fairley attended Copiah - Lincoln Community College from 2007 to 2008 . After being redshirted in 2007 , he played in seven games in 2008 . He recorded 63 tackles and seven sacks . Auburn University . Fairley transferred to Auburn University , where he played for the Auburn Tigers football team in 2009 and 2010 . He finished the 2009 season with two starts in 13 games and recorded 28 tackles . Surprisingly quick for his size , his tendency to be flamboyant following a successful play placed him as a person of concern for officials . In 2010 , he became the 2nd player from Auburn to win the Lombardi Award . He was coached by Lombardi winner and former Auburn player Tracy Rocker , and became the first player to win the Lombardi and be coached by a winner of the award . During the 2011 BCS National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks , Fairley had five tackles , a sack and a forced fumble . Three of his tackles were made behind the line of scrimmage . Fairley was selected as the defensive player of the game award . Professional career . 2011 NFL Draft . Only four days after the 2011 BCS National Championship Game , Fairley decided to forgo his final year of eligibility , entering the 2011 NFL Draft . He was initially projected to be the first pick in the draft . His measurements at the combine showed him to be 6 feet 3 7 / 8 inches tall and 291 pounds , somewhat less than his listing of 6 - 5 and 300 pounds at Auburn . After the combine , he was projected in the 8 - 12 range . Fairley was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round as the 13th pick overall . Detroit Lions . Fairley signed a 4 - year contract with the Detroit Lions July 28 , 2011 . The contract is 4 - years worth $ 10 million with a $ 5 . 7 million signing bonus . At Detroit he joined All - Pro Ndamukong Suh on the interior of the Detroit defensive line . Though at times his play was stout , he was troubled by inconsistency . In his second season in the NFL Fairley recorded 5 . 5 sacks , 2 forced fumbles , and 26 tackles . However , on December 12 , 2012 , Fairley was put on the injured reserve list , ending his season . Off field legal difficulties . Since entering the NFL Fairley has had a number of run - ins with the law . On April 3 , 2012 , Fairley was arrested in Mobile , Alabama for marijuana possession . The charges were dismissed in December 2012 . On May 27 , 2012 , Fairley was arrested by Alabama State Troopers for driving under the influence and attempting to elude police . He was also ticketed for reckless driving , having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and no proof of insurance .