Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, was driving home from the Texas-Alabama game on Sept. 9 and was listening to Auburn’s game against Cal on the radio.

During that stretch, Nagy kept hearing the broadcasters repeat one name over and over again.

That name was Eugene Asante.

More: How Auburn LB Eugene Asante continues to honor Ghana roots, father’s legacy in breakout season

“Wasn’t on the 2024 Senior Bowl watch list but has gotten our attention early this season,” Nagy said in an interview with On3 on Tuesday. “Played primarily on the scout team last year for former Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin. Popped off tape in the Cal game with violent take-on ability and disruptive closing speed.”

Against Cal in Week 2, Asante posted a hero-like performance to help the Tigers squeak out a weird and wonky win on the road.

Asante tallied 12 sacks — nine of which were solo — two quarterback hurries and a sack against the Golden Bears. And if the quantity of plays isn’t enough to impress, the quality of Asante’s plays should be. Asante made five third-down stops against Cal, forcing the Golden Bears to settle for field goals.

Nagy calls Asante a “naturally aggressive downhill off-ball linebacker who trusts what he sees and pulls the trigger” and commends his “playmaking knack as a blitzer”.

Through three games, Asante leads the Auburn defense with 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of sacks.

Last fall, Asante watched the game pass him by from the sideline as former Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe led the charge for the Tigers. And according to Nagy, it appears Asante might’ve picked up a thing or two from Pappoe, who went on to be a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“Similar sideline-to-sideline speed as the guy he replaced in the starting lineup, Arizona Cardinals fifth-round pick Owen Pappoe,” Nagy said. “But Asante is more of a natural football player and makes more plays. It’s worth noting that Pappoe was the fastest linebacker at 2023 NFL Combine, so the speed comparison was not taken lightly.”