Auburn’s Nick Fairley cleared to play

Nick Fairley, a big defensive tackle who has been spurned with academic issues in the past, has been given the OK by the NCAA Clearinghouse to play for Auburn in 2009, AuburnSports.com reported Monday.

Fairley, a Mobile product, originally signed with Auburn in 2007, but was forced to enroll at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi when he didn’t qualify. He redshirted there in 2007 before racking up 63 tackles and seven sacks this past season.

He recently earned his associate’s degree, according to the Web site. Fairley, a 6-foot-4, 295-pounder, will be a sophomore this season with three years to play at Auburn.

He joins highly touted wide receiver recruit DeAngelo Benton as the most recent incoming players to get the official stamp of approval from the Clearinghouse.

Both players, according to AuburnSports.com, will enroll for summer classes, which start May 20.

— Andrew Gribble, Media General