Auburn Tigers Football 2011: The 7 Best Offensive Players

Auburn returns little to no experience at almost every position on the field this coming season. One thing the Tigers do have is a wealth of talent. Since Chizik’s arrival on the Plains, recruiting has taken an aggressive and impressive turn. Auburn has become a part of the recruiting elite.

What solid recruiting has done is fill the coffers with a multitude of talent but how that talent will translate onto the field in 2011 has yet to be seen. Looking forward, there are seven Tigers that are likely to make a difference statistically and in the role of leadership this coming season.

How these players perform in 2011 will determine the fate of the Tigers offense and will affect the wins column tremendously. The Auburn offense will be effective and dangerous again in 2011 and these players will lead the charge.

Michael Dyer: RB

Dyer is an obvious choice for the list. He is a returning starter and a rising sophomore in 2011. Last year Dyer not only topped the 1,000 yard mark but he also broke a freshman rushing record that was held by the legendary Bo Jackson. He also has been added to the Walter Camp award pre-season watch list for 2011. Dyer is positioned for another breakout season.

With Cam Newton gone to the NFL and a large portion of the rushing stats gone with him, Dyer will be looked upon to lead the rushing attack and be the workhorse that Newton was. Dyer will have to be improved in numerous areas to fill the void left behind.

Dyer will be the focus of defenses so earning yards will not be as easy as a season ago. Dyer appears to be up to the challenge. After finishing the year strong with an offensive MVP award in the National Title game, Dyer is poised to continue his progression as one of the best backs in the country.

In a league that has a wealth of talented running backs for the coming season it is difficult to pick a leader but by seasons end Michael Dyer will be a household name nationally. 

Onterio McCalebb: RB

McCalebb burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2009 rushing for over 100 yards in the first game of the season. Injuries hampered his freshman campaign and he became virtually non-existent in the offense by mid-season.

Last year he gained some pounds and took some constructive criticism from Bo Jackson. Jackson gave McCalebb some very simple but groundbreaking advice, run north and south. McCalebb would attempt to use his speed to make it to the outside on runs, often times to find that the SEC is full of speed defensively and that outrunning defenders would not always work.

What McCalebb learned to do was find the hole wherever it was and shoot through it as fast and as hard as possible. His numbers increased and so did his effectiveness. McCalebb finished the 2010 season with 95 rushing attempts, 810 yards, 8.5 yards a carry and nine touchdowns. Those numbers will increase this season.

McCalebb has gained additional weight this offseason and enters this year as one of the oldest and most experienced offensive players. Not only will his talents help on the field but he will play a large role in the leadership of this offense as well. McCalebb will need to prove more durability than he has shown in years past but 2011 should be the best season so far in his career.

Trovon Reed: WR

Trovon Reed made a small cameo last year in the Clemson game earning two carries and gaining eight total yards. Those are not rock your world numbers. Reed carried a nagging knee injury into fall camp with him and further aggravated the injury during early season practice.

The injury earned Reed a redshirt season. Considering the outcome a year ago the loss of Reed early did not hurt the team’s production and helped Reed in the long run by conserving eligibility and letting him get a solid year in the program. Reed will breakout this season.

Last year Reed earned the praise of teammates and coaches and most predicted that he would make an instant impact as a freshman. The same whispers are in the air again this season as Auburn prepares intently for the coming season.

Look for Reed to find his way into the lineup for game one and likely make an instant impact. Reed will be utilized in a number of ways and will be a very big part of the Auburn offense in 2011.

Emory Blake: WR

Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery were the most recognizable names from the Auburn receiving corps a year ago. Emory Blake quietly found 33 catches and 554 yards of his own however. Blake made some key plays last season and will be the leader of the receiving corps this season.

Blake will likely step into the void that Darvin Adams is leaving behind, the go to crisp route runner that has reliable hands but there will be a slight drop off in speed. Adams was no burner but could find his way behind a defense with his precise routes and Blake is likely to do the same.

Blake will be a premier receiver for the Tigers and will ease the transition of a new quarterback. With all of the talent that the Tigers have to spread the ball to this coming season, I would expect it to be difficult for defenses to place an over emphasis on one player. This will allow Blake to find himself open and make plays on the perimeter this fall. 

Philip Lutzenkirchen: WR/TE

Lutzenkirchen will be one of the most productive tight ends in the country this season. Allowing him to be used in a multitude of ways in the Auburn offense will ensure his place at the top.  Lutzenkirchen showed his ability to make plays time after time last year making catches in traffic and slipping past defenses for touchdowns.

Statically he did not break the bank last season but he made plays when the Tigers needed them most. Lutzenkirchen is a rising junior and a rumored gym rat. The guy has built a work ethic that is and should be mimicked on the Plains.

Lutzenkirchen is not only one of the most talented returning offensive players but his leadership truly sets him apart. Getting guys out on the fields in the summer is a difficult task but Lutz ensures his teammates are there. The carryover from his work ethic will be apparent come game one. Look for Lutzenkirchen to be a crutch with Blake for his quarterback early as they settle into the new starting role. 

DeAngelo Benton: WR

If you are not a deep follower of recruiting, Benton is likely a name you don’t recognize or don’t remember. Benton was the first surprise of the Tigers coaching staff and the first big fish that landed on the Plains. He signed with the Tigers in 2009 after previously signing with LSU and attending prep school.

Benton was a five star receiver out of high school and despite sitting out an entire year of football attempting to qualify, he remained a four star recruit. Benton has battled a wealth of different nagging injuries since arriving on the Plains but is looking to remain healthy this season.

Benton has registered seven catches in two seasons with the Tigers which is not exactly ground breaking stats. He has received praise constantly from position coach Trooper Taylor and Taylor even went as far to say that Benton would rewrite the record books for Auburn. That will happen in 2011.

Blake and Lutzenkirchen will draw the majority of the attention early on this season and guys like Benton will have a window of opportunity. He has the work ethic, desire and skill to succeed at this level. If Benton can stay healthy the possibilities are endless.

Brandon Mosley: OT

It may be rare to see an offensive lineman make this list but Mosley may be one of the most impressive athletes the Tigers have. After arriving last summer from JUCO Mosley was a tight end looking to possibly convert to the offensive line. By Week 4 of the season, Mosley was a starter at right tackle.

Going from a tight end to starting right tackle on the national championship team in a matter of three months is extremely impressive. He showed his ability to adapt and an amazing work ethic that put him in the position to be a leader for the offensive line and the offense this coming season.

Mosley will shore up one of the corners of the line this season but will also need to be a vocal guide for the line. Having his ability and knowledge will help grow an inexperienced offensive line and offense into a formidable unit by season end. Mosley may be the most important name mentioned as the trenches is where football is won and lost.