Former Auburn star Quentin Groves passes away at 32

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers helmet lays on the field by the bench against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers helmet lays on the field by the bench against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Former Auburn Tigers defensive star Quentin Groves has sadly passed away at the age of 32

On this Week 7 college football Saturday, there is some very sad news to report from the Auburn Tigers football family. On Saturday the school announced that former defensive standout Quentin Groves has passed away at the age of 32 from an apparent heart attack.


Groves plays for Auburn from 2004-07 and he racked up some stats that have him regarded as one of the most successful defensive players the school has ever had. During his time on The Plains, Groves racked up 26 sacks, which tied him for the school record. He was a force on that Auburn defense and one of the best linebackers in the SEC.

Following his career at Auburn, Groves would indeed move on to the NFL, where he would spend time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans. During his brief NFL career, he racked up 127 tackles with 9.5 sacks.

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Prior to entering the 2008 NFL Draft, it was found that Groves was suffering from a disease known as Wolff-Parkinson-White, which causes the person to have an irregular heartbeat. He would eventually undergo surgery for the condition and obviously was able to play in the NFL afterwards.

Still, just sad news on this college football Saturday here in Week 7, as you never like to see someone taken from this Earth way too soon, and that’s exactly the case with Groves here. 32 is just too young, and our thoughts and prayers are definitely with the Groves family as well as the Auburn Tigers.