AUBURN – Already in rare air, complete with statue and all, Cam Newton is a modern day hero at Auburn. The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner who led the Tigers to the 2010 BCS National Championship, their first in 53 years, has returned to the Plains to work on earning his degree.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn tweeted about Newton’s return Tuesday morning.

“Happy to see my man Cam back at AU this semester working toward his degree. #wareagle,” Malzahn tweeted.

Selected by the Carolina Panthers with No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, Newton signed a $22 million contract and makes more in endorsements. He has declined interviews about his return to campus as of this time.

“He wants to focus on school and be a normal college student,” said Kirk Sampson, Associate Athletics Director for Communication.

Auburn erected a statue of Newton in the spring outside of Jordan-Hare Stadium to honor his Heisman Trophy season in which he threw for 30 touchdowns and rushed for 20 more, tallying 4,327 of total offense.

Newton set NFL rookie records and was named the AP offensive rookie of the year. The Panthers finished 7-9 this season in which Newton went 280-for-485 for 3,869 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions along with 741 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.