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Auburn has signed numerous four- and five-star recruits, but several non-prized recruits have made big impacts for the Tigers in recent years.
Listed alphabetically, here is a look at the top Auburn players of the past 15 years who were considered no better than three-star recruits by 247Sports.com.
Sammie Coates
This Class of 2011 three-star recruit missed all of his freshman season due to a foot injury, but the wide receiver gradually made the most of his three-year stint on the Plains. In 2012, Coates had just six catches for 114 yards and 2 TDs in 12 games with the Tigers.
But over his final two years at Auburn, Coates had 76 receptions for 1,643 yards and 11 scores, and he capped his college career with 5 catches for 206 yards — an Auburn Iron Bowl record — and two scores in a 55-44 loss to the Crimson Tide. Selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Coates is entering year two of a 4-year contract worth $2.91 million.
Antonio Coleman
A three-star prospect in Auburn’s 2005 class, Coleman developed into a stud on defense. In four years, Coleman finished with 150 total tackles — including 46.5 for loss — and 24.5 sacks.
Undrafted, Coleman went on to have two separate stints with the Buffalo Bills and spent time with the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals. But he apparently has found a home in the Canadian Football League, and he is entering his third season with Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Nick Fairley
This Class of 2007 three-star recruit played a year of junior-college ball before starting his Auburn career, which was “Fairley” quick. In two seasons with the Tigers, the defensive lineman finished with 88 tackles — including 27.5 for loss — and 13 sacks and was a consensus All-American in 2010.
The Lions selected Fairley with the 11th pick of the 2011 draft, and after four years with Detroit, Fairley signed with the Rams. In 61 career NFL games, Fairley has managed 84 tackles and 14 sacks.
Dee Ford
This three-star recruit from the Class of 2009 parlayed his Auburn career — particularly his senior season — into being a first-round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs two years ago. As a defensive end in 2013, Ford made 29 tackles — including 14.5 for a loss — and added 10.5 sacks.
As an outside linebacker with the the Chiefs, Ford has 31 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He still has two seasons left on a 4-year, $8,158,700 million rookie contract.
Ben Grubbs
Like Ford, Grubbs is another three-star recruit — in 2002 — who ended up being drafted in the first round. He was graded as a defensive end in high school but became an All-American offensive lineman. The Baltimore Ravens selected him with the 29th pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Grubbs spent five years with Baltimore before signing with New Orleans. After three years with the Saints, Grubbs was traded to Kansas City and is currently a free agent after spending last season with the Chiefs.
Will Herring
Like Grubbs, Herring is also a three-star recruit from the Class of 2002. In four years at Auburn, the DB/LB finished with 141 tackles, including 12 for a loss.
Seattle drafted Herring in the fifth round in 2007, and he spent four seasons with the Seahawks before joining the Saints for three years. A free agent, Herring last played in 2014 with the Rams.
Jerraud Powers
This Class of 2005 three-star recruit left Auburn after three years. The Colts picked him in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. In his three seasons with the Tigers, Powers finished with 136 tackles and 6 interceptions.
Powers spent four seasons with Indianapolis and the past three with Arizona. Powers is currently a free agent.
Courtney Taylor
This Class of 2002 three-star recruit went on to become Auburn’s career leader in receptions with 153, a record he still holds. In four years, Taylor also finished with 2,098 receiving yards and 9 TDs before being selected by Seattle in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
After two seasons and 18 games with the Seahawks, Taylor was released in 2008, the year he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After battling the disease for two years, Taylor signed with the BC Lions, and he is still a member of that CFL team today.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
