It's finally official: Noah Igbinoghene's position change a few years ago paid off — literally.

Igbinoghene was selected 30th overall in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins on Thursday evening, marking the first time in Auburn history two Tigers on defense were first-rounders in the same draft. Derrick Brown went to the Panthers at No. 7.

Following his draft declaration after Auburn's 2019 season concluded, Igbinoghene received some first-round buzz, primarily from the likes of ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. The Auburn cornerback was at the end of the first round in Kiper's first three mocks.

"The improvement that [Igbinoghene] showed — the tackling ability got better," Kiper said in February. "I think just his overall awareness in coverage improved to the point where he's one of the faster corners in this draft, if not the fastest. I think he's a first-round pick."

The Trussville, Ala., product came to the Plains as a wideout and a return specialist. He retained the latter, not the former. Igbinoghene switched to cornerback his sophomore season and started both years, steadily improving in pass coverage while also flashing elite athleticism, both of which led to an invite to February's NFL combine.

Igbinoghene also had two kick-return touchdowns in his Auburn career, including a 35.2-yard average last season.

"He has that kickoff-return experience where he's been dynamic," Kiper said. "That's not as much of a factor as it used it to be but it's still there — so I think that's a plus for him."

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