Jan. 15, 2007

AUBURN - Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves announced Monday that he will return for his senior season in 2007.

"My decision for the 2007 season is to be an Auburn Tiger," he said. "It's a decision that my family and I sat down and talked about. It's one that I sat down with my wife and talked about. My coaches and I also sat down and talked about it.

"There was some speculation that I was going to leave, simply to help my family out. It wasn't about me or being selfish. It was just to help my family. They've taken care of me for 22 years. I felt like I owed them this much."

Groves is coming off a year in which he finished with 37 tackles, including a team-leading 12 for loss. His 9.5 sacks tied him for sixth-most in an AU single season with Reggie Torbor. Groves was named to the Coaches and Associated Press All-SEC First Teams in 2006 and was named as an SI.com All-American Honorable Mention selection.

Groves earned two player of the week honors from the Southeastern Conference last season. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week Oct. 16 after posting three sacks in a 27-17 win over then-No. 2 and eventual national champion Florida. His efforts against the Gators also earned him Football Writers Association/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honors.

The junior earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors Nov. 20 after finishing with two sacks and two forced fumbles in Auburn's 22-15 defeat of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

"We are excited that Quentin has decided to return for his final year of eligibility," Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville said. "I think it's important, for our program and any program, to get your guys who want to come back for their final year of eligibility to give your program a boost. Obviously, it helps keep our experience intact and it will really help on our leadership. Quentin is a very good leader and plays with intensity. He brings the level of our defense up a notch."

In 40 career games with the Tigers, Groves, a Greenville, Miss., native, has 23 sacks, which places him second in Tiger history, just three behind Gerald Robinson, who had 26 from 1982-85. Groves has started 16 games for the Tigers, posting 82 tackles, including 30 for loss. He has also accumulated six forced fumbles, including three last season, and a pass deflection.