Offense

QB job still open: Between Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace, neither emerged as the starting candidate this spring. The starting gig is still vacant, and it seems to be waiting on Jeremy Johnson, Jason Smith or Nick Marshall this summer, as any of the three could win the starting job in fall camp. Both Frazier and Wallace improved steadily throughout spring in the coaches’ eyes, but neither emerged as the one roaring lion who could take the job. I would still contest that Frazier has the upper hand to win the job come August.

Potent running game: Between 1,000-yard returner and A-Day MVP Cameron Artis-Payne, the Tigers are going to have a very potent ground game. Mason is the burner of the two who can run between-the-tackles, while CAP can take the punishment at 215 pounds of an every-down back who flashed some hands during his impressive A-Day showing. The biggest question will be whether or not Auburn has a good enough passing game to offset the ground game. But having two studs as an offensive base is a great place to start.

No elite WRs: Auburn does have some talent at receiver, but no game-breakers like what Malzahn and Rhett Lashlee are looking for – or they at least didn’t discover them this spring. Jaylon Denson looks like the only receiver who has even locked up a starting job this fall, but others like Ricardo Louis, Sammie Coates, Quan Bray and Trovon Reed must make a big step forward this summer and through fall camp. But the receiver results directly correlate with quarterback production, and Auburn may just not have them on campus yet. “We’re not there yet [at receiver]. We’ve got to get some guys who raise their level even much more than they think they can,” Rhett Lashlee said.

Defense

A ‘Star’ developed: The lifeblood of Ellis Johnson’s 4-2-5 defense is a hybrid player who can bust a grape. In the Tigers’ case, it’s called the Star position. And Justin Garrett has taken it by force. The rising junior played sparingly over the course of the last two seasons, but he has a big one ahead of him in 2013. Garrett should be the big reason why the defense will improve under Johnson in year one. Watch out for Garrett; this kid can bring the wood.

Tackling in the box still must improve: Auburn worked on the fundamentals of tackling all spring, and that was Johnson’s emphasis for two months. It seems through coaches’ dialog this spring that the team improved in open-field tackles. Brian Van Gorder said it was a “size” issue, and that Auburn just was not big or strong enough to compete in 2012. But a whole new system and a fundamental mindset will show otherwise. “Fundamentally, things were not being done well. It didn’t look like it was always as physical as it could be,” Johnson said. “It was sort of like going through the motions, more like a form tackle instead of a physical tackle. There were some things of that nature we felt like we had to address.” Open-field tackling improved, but a stouter front seven and tackling in the box still has a ways to go.

PHoto Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Another pleasant surprise is the leg of Cody Parkey. He was consistently sending his kickoffs through the endzone. If you can take away another team’s kick return game, you’re one step ahead of the game. He managed to do that yesterday on the majority of his kicks.

True freshmen Quan Bray and Tre Mason were impressive in their kick return game debuts. Though Mason stole the headlines with his 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and a 44 yard average, Bray averaged 27 yards, and Onterio McCalebb’s lone return went for 25. Either one of these three kick returners are capable of taking it to the house. The kicking game should be a huge plus for Auburn in most of the games they play this season.

Though he didn’t have gaudy numbers at quarterback, Barrett Trotter showed why he was chosen to lead this team. He led two touchdown drives in the last three and a half minutes of the game, got the ball to the playmakers and didn’t make any of the mistakes that cost you ball games. Even one turnover in this game could have been the difference between celebrating a victory, and trying to rebound from a loss. Even though they looked sluggish for most of the game, this team scored 42 points.

Auburn also made one thing apparent to those paying close attention. True freshman Kiehl Frazier will not be redshirted in 2011. They brought him and Clint Moseley in for one play in the third quarter. By using him on this one play, it’s apparent the decision had already been made not to redshirt him. I would fully expect Coach Malzahn to find more and more ways to incorporate him into the offense as the season progresses. In my opinion, this was a no-brainer. You can’t risk going through an entire SEC schedule with only two quarterbacks. It’s better to go ahead and bring him into the system early in the season, instead of possibly having to throw him into the fire late in the season.

That’s the good. Now for the bad.

Auburn appeared lost on defense on many occasions throughout the game. Utah State scored one of their short yardage touchdowns while Auburn’s defense was still adjusting. One has to wonder if this had anything to do with Eltoro Freeman’s one game suspension. He had practiced as a starter the entire Fall, and up until Friday night, when he was told he wouldn’t be able to play. With or without Freeman, the Aggies took it to the heart of the Auburn defense many times, and almost always came out with positive yardage. Auburn has got to shore up the defensive line before Saturday’s game with Mississippi State.

Though they gave up some big plays in the passing game, I was impressed with the young secondary. A lot of the passing success was with the short screens that Auburn was pretty much ceding them throughout the game, and a great performance by Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton. Keeton didn’t play like a true freshman, and I think along with their veteran offensive line and strong running game, Utah State will score a lot of points in 2011.

I said it last year, and it bears repeating this year – close games like this build character. What this team takes from this comeback win, and what they can learn from all of their mistakes will tell how successful this team can be this year. I’m not going to pretend to have all the answers after just one game. I’m sure that as I sit here critiquing the game, the Auburn coaches are breaking down game film, play by play. Auburn showed flashes of brilliance at times in this game, but to win in this league, you need to show that on every play.

If history is a lesson, I would expect to see a far better effort in Auburn’s next game. After giving up 26 points to Arkansas State in their home opener in 2010, the Tigers held Mississippi State to 14 points in Starkville the following week. Will this team also rise to the occasion? Will we see that much improvement from this team from week one to week two? Only time will tell. This much I can say. Harry Houdini would be proud of the improbable escape Auburn pulled this week.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers lose 8 starters and 10 guys on the 2-deep depth chart.  On the D-Line, no player will be missed more than Nick Fairley and the impact of his 11.5 sacks.  Including Fairley, Auburn loses 3 starters, and 5 total D-Linemen.  Moving to the linebackers, Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens are both graduating, and Bynes was a key leader in the Tigers National Championship run.  The Tigers lost quite a bit of experience in their defensive backfield, as Zac Etheridge, Aairon Savage, and Demond Washington are all departing.

Note:  Even on special teams, the Tigers graduate their starting kicker, punter, holder, and kick returner.

Needs Met: Even without signing Cyrus Kouandjio, Auburn signed one of the best O-Line classes in the nation.  They signed 4 O-Linemen, and many think the jewel of the class is Christian Westerman.  However, I think that Greg Robinson is an absolute road grader.  Auburn added to their offensive backfield with 2 RB’s and 1 QB.  If you watched the Under Armour game, then you have already seen the   potential of QB Kiehl Frazier.  The two running backs that Auburn signed are huge pickups.  Tre Mason looks ready to jump in and get carries next year, and I think Quan Bray can play anywhere on the field.  Bray told me that the Auburn coaches said he could play anywhere on offense, and he might even return kicks/punts.  Their needs in the receiving corps were met, as they signed 2 WR’s and 2 TE’s.  Brandon Fulse is a huge tight end pickup, and WR Jaylon Denson looks ready to push for PT next year.

I know that everyone is high on Auburn’s O-line signings, but the Tiger’s DB class looks better in my mind.  Here is my reasoning:  Sometimes when a team signs a top O-lineman, that player may not play for a couple of years.  However, skill position players can come in and contribute much quicker, and I think 4 out of 5 of the DB’s that Auburn signed could play next year.  It would not surprise me at all to see Jonathan Rose, Erique Florence, Jermaine Whitehead, and Robenson Therezie on the field next year.  Ask me to pick the best of the bunch, and I honestly don’t know.  At the LB position, the Tigers signed 4 LB’s, and the best of the 4 is easily Kris Frost.  I had the opportunity to see Frost play this year, and I would be shocked if he didn’t play.  Moving up to the D-Line, there were 4 D-Linemen in this class.  Gabe Wright looks ready to go as an interior D-Lineman, and I really think Wright could play from day 1.

Biggest Get: Pulling Christian Westerman away from Texas was impressive.  Considering Auburn’s needs on the O-Line makes him even more important, but to get him to switch from Texas is amazing.  It seems that no one ever gets a guy away from Texas.

Biggest Miss: I know this will be a sore spot, but Cyrus Kouandjio is the biggest miss this season.  Cyrus is the one player in this class that looks as ready (or more) as Westerman.  Auburn didn’t seem to have a chance at Kouandjio about one month ago, but after he committed on NSD, it seemed like Auburn had pulled him away from Bama.  However, things changed, and this one will sting for a while.

Final Evaluation: Auburn lost quality players at just about every position, and they signed quality players at every position.  This class will help a lot next year, but I think it will be two years to see the real dividends of this class.

Final Grade:  A+

Note:  For another in depth look at this class, check out Auburn Writer Johnny Smith’s look at this class:  http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2011/immediate-impact-signees-for-auburn/

Early in January it looked as if Richt’s Dream Team may never happen.  At the Under Armour All America Game, two big instate guys verbally committed elsewhere.  Defensive End Xzavier Dickson committed to Alabama, and super athlete Quan Bray committed to Auburn.  The very next day, it seemed that with the loss of Bray, Georgia had to quickly offer wide receiver Sanford Seay.  Seay committed on the spot, and the Dawgs were losing momentum fast.

There is one recruit that all Georgia fans feel like they have to get.  Isaiah Crowell is the lone recruit that will decide if this is a Dream Team or not.  Crowell is considered by many to be the best running back in the nation, and UGA desperately needs him in Athens.  The three main Georgia running backs this past season only accounted for 1500 yds rushing.  Many think that Crowell could get that by himself.  However, things with Crowell got a little shaky last week.  Crowell visited Alabama last weekend, and reports were flying around that instead of him being a UGA lean, Crowell was now 50/50 between Georgia and Alabama.  Richt then quickly offered Crowell’s teammate, and best friend, Quintavious Harrow.  Harrow committed to Georgia this week, and it might just pay off for the Dawgs.

Then everything changed for UGA on Thursday.  Valdosta, GA teammates Jay Rome and Malcolm Mitchell were set to announce on Thursday night, and they both had just visited Alabama with Crowell.  Just about everyone thought that Rome would go to Georgia, and Mitchell would commit to the Tide.  However, in a shock to the recruiting world, Rome and Mitchell both committed to Georgia, and Richt went from recruiting zero to recruiting hero overnight.

Now Georgia has a chance to close really strong this recruiting season.  Georgia currently has 21 verbal commitments right now, but they have to close with defensive end Ray Drew and Isaiah Crowell for the Dream Team to be a reality.  Drew is the #1 defensive end in the nation, and he will announce where he will play his college ball on Jan. 28^th.  Crowell will probably wait until National Signing Day to tell the world where he is going.

I think Ray Drew will go to Georgia, but Crowell is a bit of a wild card.  Crowell is visiting Athens this weekend, and I think they will tell him that he is going to be the starter the day he steps on campus.  Right now Georgia has a ton of momentum, and they have Crowell’s best friend committed.  I think right now Crowell will probably be in Athens this fall.  I really believe that Georgia has the one thing to offer that Bama does not.  Georgia can offer immediate playing time, and at Alabama, Crowell will be behind Trent Richardson if not a few other backs.

Things can change in a few weeks, but right now Georgia’s class is shaping up really nice.  So let’s hear it Georgia fans, what do you think about this year’s class?

Rome’s Commitment is a big boost of momentum for Georgia.  Richt has a few guys out there to land to make this an elite class, and whether he does or not could decide how good next season will be for Georgia.

Even though Auburn isn’t playing in the game, several Auburn commitments and recruits are playing tonight. It’s possible Auburn could add to their list of commitments tonight. One prize Auburn is likely to pick up tonight is four star recruit CB Robenson Therezie. He has plans to announce his college choice tonight, and it’d be a shock if it wasn’t Auburn.

Another player announcing his college choice tonight who is really high on the Tigers is four star recruit Quan Bray. He’s the nation’s #2 rated athlete, and his cousin Jason Bray is a former Tiger. He could play a variety of positions for Auburn.

There are several other players Auburn in the game that are high on Auburn, but who may not announce their college choice until later. These include; Erique Florence, Brandon Fulse, Gabe Wright and Savon Huggins.

If a school has 5-6 QBs on scholarship, it’s doubtful they’re going to spend time and effort trying to sign another. So, when you hear a recruit state that he chose this school over that school, because that school didn’t show much interest in him, he’s being truthful. There are exceptions to recruiting for need. Auburn didn’t have a need for a QB in 2010, and had no plans to sign one, but Cam Newton had enough ability and upside to make it worthwhile to pursue him.

This is the current recruiting needs for Auburn in 2011, and current commitments at the position.

Offense (number sought)
QB (1) – Kiehl Frazier – 6′ 3″, 212 – Springdale, Arkansas
RB (2) -
ATH (1 or 2) – C. J. Uzomah – 6′ 5″, 230 – Suwanee, Georgia
WR (3) – Sammie Coates – 6′ 3″, 179 – Leroy, Alabama; Jaylon Denson, 6′ 3″, 190, Hoover, Alabama
TE (1) -
OL (4-5) – Reese Dismukes – 6′ 4″, 287 – Spanish Fort, Alabama; Thomas O’Reilly – 6′ 3″, 313 – Marietta, Georgia; Greg Robinson – 6′ 5″, 296 – Thibodaux, Louisiana

Defense (number sought)
DT (4 or 5) – Angelo Blackson – 6′ 5″, 290 – Bear, Delaware; Jabrian Niles – 6′ 2″, 270 – Mobile, Alabama
DE (3 or 4) – Kemiya Harrell – 6′ 5″, 235 – Plantersville, Alabama
LB (2) – Justin Garrett – 6′ 2″. 185 – Tucker, Georgia; Chris Landrum – 6′ 2″, 215 – Sweet Water, Alabama
CB (3 or 4) – Jonathan Rose – 6′ 2″, 170 – Leeds, Alabama;
Safety (2) – Anthony Swain – 6′ 3″, 215 – Gadsden, Alabama

With only 14 commitments, you might worry that Auburn is going to have trouble filling these needs, especially with Auburn’s recruiting being hampered next week by their participation in the BCS Championship. While other teams are out recruiting next week, Auburn will be in Glendale, Arizona, preparing for their BCS Championship game with Oregon.

Auburn is actually in a lot better shape than the numbers here would indicate. Auburn pretty much knows the names of most of the players that will finish out their chart. Some of the names that the Auburn staff is high on, and feels good about include; Tre Mason, Jeremy Hill and Savon Huggins at RB, Quan Bray at WR, Brandon Fulse at TE, Devaunte Sigler and Gabriel Wright at DT, Marcus Roberson and Robenson Therezie at CB, and Erique Florence at Safety.

There are several others that are currently leaning to Auburn, but are also just as likely to go elsewhere. I don’t look for any additional Auburn commitments until either during the high school all-star games, or after the BCS Championship game. Most of the players Auburn has left on their board are wanting to take the rest of their visits, or announce during the all-star games.

The one thing that sticks out to me in this class is the fact that Auburn is going to a bigger defensive backfield. I think the games that Alshon Jefferies, AJ Green and Julio Jones had against Auburn’s smallish backfield opened some eyes about future needs.

As with most other recruiting seasons, I’m sure there will be a surprise or two come signing day. Auburn still has a couple of huge targets they’re working feverishly to switch.

Happy New Year!!!

However, there is something interesting about Bray’s decision date.  Bray told me that he is going to make a decision during the Under Armour All-America Football Game, and that is interesting because the game is next Wednesday.  That timeframe will not give Bray enough time to visit those final three schools before the game and his decision.  I think that means that Bray will probably choose either Auburn or Georgia, and he will visit those other three to enjoy the recruiting process.  But remember this, Bray’s decision will only be a verbal commitment, and those three schools he is going to visit are home to some of the best recruiters in the nation.

Recruiting is a major priority for any school that wants to keep a spot on the national stage. Auburn has a lot of holes to fill, but thanks to the first couple of recruiting classes of Coach Chizik and staff, Auburn is approaching the plug and play level of other top programs. After a strong finish to recruiting in 2010, finishing 4th in the nation, Auburn is looking at another strong finish in 2011.

While Auburn had a slew of prospects in this past weekend, there’s a possibility they won’t get a single commitment from them this week. That doesn’t mean Auburn isn’t at the top of the list for many of them or won’t sign them on signing day.

Auburn entertained three running backs this weekend, and will probably land at least a pair from this group. Savon Huggins, from New Jersey, rated his Auburn visit a “10″ but has said he probably won’t commit before signing day. An interesting note about Huggins’ visit is that he is friends with Marcus Lattimore, and Marcus told him what a great place Auburn is. It was this conversation that persuaded Huggins to visit Auburn.

Another running back Auburn entertained is Marlin Lane. Though Lane is committed to Clemson, Auburn coaches feel they have a chance with him. He really enjoyed his Auburn visit, and along with the other backs, was impressed at the lack of depth at running back for Auburn, and how great his chances would be of getting significant playing time as a freshman.

Two other running back prospects in Auburn this weekend were Jeremy Hill and Quan Bray. I really like our chances with Bray, who can play a variety of offensive positions. His cousin, Jason Bray, is a former player at Auburn. Louisiana’s Jeremy Hill is a hard one to predict, and he could end up being part of a package deal. He is currently committed to LSU, but has opened his recruitment back up. He really enjoyed his Auburn visit, and if Auburn can get him, they would also have a good shot at his high school teammate, La’El Collins, also an LSU commitment, but who is also still interested in Auburn.

Auburn is also trying to sway some other big name players away from other schools, and to the Plains. One of these is DE Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame’s current top recruit. He is from Georgia, and really likes the Tigers. Another big offensive lineman Auburn is after is Christian Westerman.  He is currently committed to Texas, but is disturbed with the play of Texas this year, and the coaches that recruited him leaving the program. He also has family in the Auburn area.

A couple of the visitors are really high on the Tigers, and are considered Auburn’s to lose. They are Erique Florence, and Devaunte Sigler. Both would be great additions to the team, but adding Florence would be huge. If Auburn had an Achille’s Heel in 2010, it was the secondary. Getting a commitment from Florence would give them a trio of great DBs in this recruiting class; Jonathan Rose, Anthony Swain and Erique Florence. Adding a fourth, Robenson Therezie, would be icing on the cake.

Auburn appears in good position for many of the players they entertained this weekend, along with many others. However, most are not ready to commit, wanting to commit during All-Star games or just before signing day. In 2011, Auburn looks to have as fast a finish to recruiting as they did in 2010, and with similar results.

Auburn is also still pursuing linemen. OL Greg Robinson, who committed last week, is going to be in Auburn, along with OL Christian Westerman, currently committed to Texas, OL/DL Stephon Tuitt and DL DeVaunte Sigler. Don’t be surprised if at least one of these doesn’t commit after their visit.

Also expected this weekend are ATH Quan Bray, WR Sammie Coates, DB Erique Florence, LB Justin Garrett, ATH Louchiez Purifoy (currently committed to Florida), CB Jonathan Rose, LB Tony Steward and ATH C.J. Uzomah.

In other news, Auburn added to their awards case last night, as Cam Newton and Nick Fairley were named AP First Team All-Americans. Lee Ziemba was Second Team All-American, and Ryan Pugh was Third team All-American.