Will Shon Coleman Be a Tiger on National Signing Day?

On a cool October weekend in 2009, two offensive lineman prospects sat in the stands of Jordan-Hare stadium and discussed their future as college athletes. One of them, Shon Coleman, had been a commitment for several months. The other, Ed Christian, was still a prospect. At some point in the conversation, Shon Coleman and Ed Christian discussed their possibilities at Auburn and they both clearly realized that playing time would come early and often for any offensive lineman wise enough to jump on board with new head coach, Gene Chizik. Two days after lineman Ed Christian first arrived on the Plains, he had made up his mind. He decided that he would indeed join Shon Coleman and become an Auburn Tiger.

Since that conversation in the stands of Jordan-Hare, Ed Christian has remained a solid commitment. Unfortunately, Shon Coleman has not. In my mind, talk of Shon Coleman wavering from Auburn first began when Chizik landed JUCO lineman Roszell Gayden, who stands 6'7" and weighs approximately 315 pounds. Did Coleman feel threatened by Roszell Gayden's commitment? Only Coleman knows that for sure. Hopefully, Shon Coleman realizes that Auburn has room for both. When the 2010 season begins, Auburn will return four of five starters on the offensive line. Someone will fill the offensive tackle position that has opened up and if Coleman wants to believe that he is that man, then he probably he is. When the 2010 season comes to a close, Auburn will lose four of five positions on the offensive line and this will bring huge opportunity for the offensive lineman who choose to sign with Auburn next week. In football, no starting position is a guarantee and when two-a-day practices begin in the summer of 2010, any one of the newcomers just might prove that they belong in the starting lineup. That is what safety, Daren Bates did this past year. Bates was merely a two star recruit who proved to everyone that he should have been ranked much higher. As a freshman, he earned a starting spot in the secondary and in the same manner, I believe at least one of the incoming lineman will make a huge impact when the 2010 season unfolds.

There are several schools that would provide Shon Coleman an opportunity to play early and often; therefore, why should he remain a Tiger? First of all, he should want to be part of this historical recruiting class that will undoubtedly be better than Pat Dye's class of 1984. By the way, that class included Tracy Rocker, who is now the defensive line coach for the Auburn Tigers. Also, Shon Coleman should certainly want to play on Gus Malzhan's offense. If it were not a successful offense, ESPN's number one running back, Michael Dyer and five star quarterback Cam Newton would not want to join in on the fun. Offensive lineman can join in on the fun too and believe me, that is just what they are going to do in 2010 under Gus Malzhan. Even though there is only one spot on the offensive line that is opening up for the 2010 season, many of the incoming offensive lineman will earn a lot of playing time. Coach Chizik wants to prepare them for the future, and he always wants to use fresh legs in order to wear down the strong defenses that Auburn will face in the SEC. Shon Coleman should want to be a part of that. I am quite sure that Coach Nick Saban will paint a pretty picture to Shon Coleman due to the fact that he does not want him to play for the in-state rival. Shon Coleman would not play early and often at Alabama. The Tide have 15 offensive lineman on their roster, which is exactly the reason that Nick Saban has not had to recruit any for this year's class. If Shon Coleman gets caught up in the newly won National Championship and the mystique of playing for Nick Saban, and if he decides to sign with Alabama, he will be one of three five star offensive tackles who have been recruited in the last three years, along with four additional offensive tackles rated as four stars out of high school. There is simply no room for Coleman to play early and often at Alabama. In fact, he might not start at Tackle until his junior year. Maybe he would find playing time early and often at Miami or Ole Miss, but after remaining a Tiger commitment for so long now, why would he want to change and jeopardize his chances of making a big name for himself on a very successful offense?

Shon Coleman came back to Auburn for official visit over the weekend of January 15. Please allow me to quote Shon Coleman's exact words to AuburnUndercover.com regarding his commitment to Auburn: "It's 100-percent. I will sign with Auburn." Shon Coleman; are you 100 percent Auburn? Are you taking visits to other schools just to have a little fun? Other recruits who are 100 percent are not taking other visits at this time. Why are you, Shon Coleman? When you have nothing else in life, a man has his pride and his word. Opportunities as big as the one Shon Coleman has at Auburn do not come a man's way very often. To be part of a top three recruiting class, to be part of a very successful offense, and most importantly, to be a member of the Auburn family are the top three reasons Shon Coleman should play college football on the Plains. After all, he realized it during his conversation with Ed Christian. Fortunately for Auburn, Ed Chrisitan has continued to realize the reasons why Auburn is the place to go at this time for an offensive lineman. Hopefully, Shon Coleman will continue to realize it as well. Unfortunately, people come at these young men from all angles and hit them hard in an attempt to get them to sway. When people sway from what they have truly felt in their hearts, they usually end up with regrets. If Shon Coleman felt strongly that he should sign with Auburn and play for Coach Chizik, and if he does not allow other temptations to cloud his judgement, he will sign with Auburn. If he does, he will enjoy a very successful college career before he moves on to the NFL. Will Shon Coleman be an Auburn Tiger next week? Only he knows that. Speaking for the entire Auburn family, I speak to you, Shon Coleman, and I say, come on board. We want you, we need you and we want to see you do great things in Orange and Blue.

(Picture of Shon Coleman courtesy of Rivals.com)