Auburn goes into the 2016 season with its third defensive coordinator in as many years and possibly a new starting quarterback while trying to improve upon last year’s 7-6 record. Over the past two years, the Tigers have failed to match their success from 2013, when they reached the BCS National Championship Game, but this year’s squad might have the playmakers who could keep them from being mired in mediocrity.

Let’s take a look at the 10 players who could make the biggest impact:

Kerryon Johnson

Johnson is coming off a promising freshman season that included 208 rushing yards and three TDs along with 14 catches for 159 yards and 14 kick returns for an average of 27.6 yards. But he was also held out of spring practices while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, so obviously a lot depends upon his recovery.

Had Johnson been healthy, a potential competition with Jovon Robinson for the No. 1 running back would have been fun to watch in the spring. With Robinson primed to get at least 25 touches per game, it will be up to Gus Malzahn and Rhett Lashlee to find ways to get Johnson the ball at least as much he did last season.

Jovon Robinson

An ankle injury limited Robinson to eight games last season, but what he did over that stretch can’t be dismissed. In every game in which he had at least 12 carries, he rushed for at least 51 yards, and he is Auburn’s top returner in terms of yards per attempt (5.46).

Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Jovon Robinson (29) carries the ball past against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

If Johnson matches that figure while averaging 25 carries a game this season, he will finish with more than 1,600 yards. He’s already said he wants to top 1,000. The key will be keeping him healthy for at least 12 games.

Carl Lawson

Three years ago, Lawson earned freshman All-American honors from The Sporting News and 247Sports after he made 7.5 tackles for loss – including two sacks against Ole Miss – while finishing with 20 total stops and seven QB hurries. He missed all of 2014 after having knee surgery and was sidelined for six games last year due to a hip injury.

It’s time for Lawson to be known more for his accomplishments than for his ailments. Barring another injury — there’s that dreaded qualifier again — and under new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, don’t be surprised if Lawson forces opposing offenses to game plan against him this year.

Rudy Ford

We know that the rising senior from Big Cove, Ala., can tackle. He’s led Auburn in that category two consecutive years. Last season, he finished third in the conference with 118.

And in the spring, whenever Steele used the hybrid Nickel position, Ford was the guy who filled it. But he might be just as valuable on special teams.

Last season, Ford had seven kickoff returns of at least 40 yards. He also had a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown against Idaho.

Marcus Davis

He’s Auburn’s most experienced wide receiver. But that experience hasn’t necessarily resulted in production.

It’s weird to say that a rising senior still has the potential to deliver more than what his 2015 totals were: 30 receptions, 182 yards and a TD, but that is definitely the case with Davis. He’s also contributed as a punt returner the past two seasons, so he will surely have opportunities to make big plays.

All Malzahn has to do is choose his starting QB. Davis is probably chomping at the bit for that decision, too.

Carlton Davis

This Davis enters his sophomore season as Auburn’s best cornerback, but he must put his offseason marijuana arrest behind him. He can start by building off a year that included 56 total tackles, eight QB hurries and three interceptions.

Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Carlton Davis (18) dives trying to intercept a pass intended for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Richard Mullaney (16) during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Montravius Adams

As a junior, Adams finished with 44 total tackles — 3 for a loss, including 2.5 sacks — 6 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles and a pass break-up. And he compiled those numbers with Lawson playing only half the season at the other defensive end spot.

We don’t want to jinx either player by saying imagine what these guys could do with a full season together. But we think you get the idea.

John Franklin III

The JUCO transfer is the lightest QB on the roster at 180 pounds, but that might help him as he pursues the starting job. Last year as East Mississippi Community College, Franklin passed for 733 yards and 7 TDs while rushing for 451 yards and nine scores.

The dual-threat prospect and former Florida State reserve can make plays with his legs, but can he make enough with his arm? It remains to be seen if Malzahn will hand him the keys to Auburn’s offense. Stay tuned.

Daniel Carlson

Place-kickers can make big plays, too. And in Carlson, a Lou Groza Award finalist last season, the Tigers have one of the best.

In 2015, Carlson led the SEC — and was tied for 14th in the FBS — in field-goal percentage (85.2). He also was one of three FBS kickers with four field goals of 51 yards or longer, which set a school record, and he connected on 16 consecutive field goals to set another school mark.

Kevin Phillips

Not many teams have a player who can punt, pass and run, but Auburn happens to be one of them. Phillips, who ran for a first down with a 24-yard scamper on 4th-and-7 against Idaho, followed that with a 37-yard pass to Johnson in Auburn’s Birmingham Bowl victory over Memphis.

Oh yeah, he’s not too bad with his leg, either. A year ago, only three of his 55 punts were returned, and 17 landed inside the 20.