Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante really did speak it into existence after Saturday’s 48-10 win over Arkansas.

During some light-hearted banter with media members, Asante pointed to the stat sheet and issued his endorsement for his teammate Jalen McLeod to be named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Week.

“See that right there? I’m not talking about myself,” Asante said, pointing to the stat sheet. “I’m talking about Jalen McLeod… SEC Defensive Player of the Week. No question. I’m just putting it in the air. Speaking it into existence. That’s SEC Defensive Player of the Week.”

Come Monday morning, the SEC announced McLeod as its co-defensive player of the week.

McLeod was a menace in Auburn’s dominating win over Arkansas on Saturday afternoon as he tallied nine total tackles, four tackles for a loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. Each of those marks were season-highs for the junior Appalachian State transfer.

With the help of his efforts, the Auburn defense added a quarterback to its “boneyard” as Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson was sacked five times in one game. A quarterback only needs to be sacked four times in one game to end up in the boneyard.

“It was too much fun — a little too much fun,” McLeod said after the game. “You know, as an edge rusher and you get three sacks, it’s hard to come out with one. But you get three? It’s good.”

Not to mention, those three sacks came against a big-bodied quarterback in Jefferson, who is just south of 250 pounds.

It wasn’t an easy task on Saturday, but McLeod impressed and the SEC took notice.

And perhaps Asante gets a little credit, too.