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Former Auburn offensive lineman and linebacker Zeke Smith, the namesake for the program's Defensive Player of the Year award, passed away on Friday, the school announced.

Smith, 79, won the Outland Trophy in 1958 as the nation's top interior lineman and was a member of Auburn's first national championship team in 1957.

A former fullback, the Uniontown native was a consensus All-American in 1958 and was recognized as such for a second time in 1959 by the AFCA and Sporting News.

Auburn's annual Defensive Player of the Year award, which was won by defensive back Blake Countesss last seaso, is named for Smith.

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Smith was ranked No. 85 in AL.com's list of Alabama's greatest 100 football players.