Auburn Tigers Football: Predicting the Offensive Starters for 2011

This offseason has been full of chatter and news that has left the college football landscape shaken and in some places broken. The good news is that SEC Media Days are right around the corner and so is the beginning of August practice. It is time leave everything else behind and play football.

Auburn is slated to start fall camp on August 2nd, and that day will begin the search for a starting quarterback and center and will be the beginning of a new era for Auburn football. The new age championship era has begun.

Auburn has always been a major player in the SEC West, but now, the Tigers are championship winners—both on the conference and national level. That lays out an entirely different standard not only from the fans but also expectations from the national audience.

How this summer finishes and fall begins will go a long way in determining how the final open slots finish up on the depth chart for 2011. There is a good chance that the depth chart will be settled early into fall practice. But, as it stands today, who will be the starters for game one against Utah State?

Let’s take a look at the likely lineup for September 3rd. 

Quarterback

This is a race that is wide open.

Both Barrett Trotter and Clint Moseley have been in the Malzahn system for three years now and should be on equal playing field mentally as quarterbacks. The major separator this coming fall will be the physical skills and decision making.

Off the top, the obvious pick is Barrett Trotter as he was the second string quarterback a year ago. Despite that, Moseley has the more live arm and has not had the injuries that have plagued Trotter. The biggest fault that Moseley has brought to the table is the mental side of the game and his decision making.

At the end of the day, Moseley is the most likely starter for the season opener. Moseley gives the Tigers the best advantage athletically, and his ability to make all the throws and escape the pocket will be the difference. Moseley is not a runner in a Cam Newton sense of the word, but he has the ability to get away from trouble and earn a few when he needs to.

Kiehl Frazier is a message board and fan favorite to come in and swoop away the starting job in the fall. I don’t think that starting a true freshman from day one is the best answer however. Frazier definitely has the best physical tools, but Moseley and Trotter have been in a college program for three years. Frazier will most likely play by season's end, but he won’t start day one.

Starter: Clint Moseley

Running Backs

Auburn returns possibly the most dangerous backfield duo in Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb this season. Both have shown the ability to be standout backs in the SEC, and this season will be no different. A big concern for the Tigers this year is finding a new quarterback, and these guys will help shift the load early.

Dyer will be the feature back this season and will likely see a similar role to the one that Ben Tate had in 2009. Dyer is likely to see more carries and earn more focus this season from the backfield. McCalebb was recently rated as the No. 1 home run threat in the conference so mixing in his speed and change of direction will keep defenses guessing.

After these two, true freshman Tre Mason and junior Anthony Morgan will be looking to handle the overflow carries.

Auburn went from having concerns at the running back position to being pretty solid from top to bottom in a matter of a few months. Depth received and instant boost when Mike Blakely decided to transfer to Auburn from Florida, and shortly after, Corey Grant transferred from Alabama to Auburn.

Blakely is still awaiting word on his transfer waiver from the NCAA in hopes that he will be ruled eligible this season. Grant will have to sit the season.

Starter: Michael Dyer/Onterio McCalebb

Left Tackle

The offensive line is a concern for the Tigers entering the 2011 season, but the tackle positions should be solid as A.J. Greene and Brandon Mosley return from a year ago.

On the left side is likely to be A.J. Greene. He was a part of the original starting line last season before he went down to an injury in the fourth game.

Behind Greene is where the situation gets a little dicey. Chad Slade is a redshirt freshman, and Aubrey Phillips is a former scholarship player who is now a walk-on.

There will be a very good chance for an impact to be felt from Greg Robinson or Christian Westerman before seasons end at the tackle spots.

Starter: A.J. Greene

Left Guard

Jared Cooper is the heir apparent to the starting guard position this season and is one of the three rising seniors on the offensive line. Cooper has been praised by teammates and by strength and conditioning coach Kevin Yoxall for his work ethic.

Cooper has been patiently waiting on his time to shine, and this season will be his chance to break out and show his worth as a starter. Behind Cooper, the most likely backups are Eric Mack and again Chad Slade—both redshirt freshmen.

Starter: Jared Cooper

Center

The center position has been open for debate since spring practice. True freshman Reese Dismukes enrolled early and began the battle with sophomore Blake Burgess for the starting position. Burgess served as a backup last season to Ryan Pugh and earned some playing time throughout the season.

This will be a battle that goes well into the fall and possibly won’t find an answer until Game 1. Despite Burgess’ seniority, I see Dismukes earning the starting nod for the opener. Whichever player starts, the other will be the heir apparent.

Starter: Reese Dismukes

Right Guard

John Sullen is a 6’6", 336-pound right guard. Not a bad fit in my opinion. Sullen is a rising junior and has seen playing time in his past two seasons at Auburn. Sullen will be one of the best linemen that Auburn fields this season and will likely hold tight to his spot for the next two seasons.

Behind Sullen is again a wealth of redshirt freshmen like Chad Slade and Tunde Fariyike.

Christian Westerman and Greg Robinson may earn some snaps in the guard slots as well this season as true freshmen.

Starter: John Sullen

Right Tackle

The right tackle spot will be in good hands this season as Brandon Mosley returns as a starter from the championship season. Mosley is a gamer and proved a year ago that he found his fit at Auburn at tackle. Mosley’s return in 2011 is a blessing as experienced leadership is lacking.

Chad Slade and Aubrey Phillips will be the most likely backups for the right tackle spot. Again, the two impact true freshmen Robinson and Westerman are likely to earn some snaps this season, and right tackle is a very likely possibility.

Starter: Brandon Mosley

Outside Wide Receiver

Emory Blake has big shoes to fill this season as he looks to pick up where Darvin Adams left off a year ago.

Blake earned his fair share of yards and catches last season but will have a lot of focus shift in his direction this season. He should handle the added pressure but will need to be a crutch early for a young quarterback.

Behind Blake is the extremely talented DeAngelo Benton who has yet to make an impact just yet for the Tigers. Blake will earn his keep this season; for Benton, there will be no better time than now. Either way, the outside will be dangerous again for the Tigers in 2011.

Starter: Emory Blake

Outside Wide Receiver

Quindarius Carr is a rising senior this year. He is one of the few players remaining from the Tuberville era. Carr has made a few spectacular plays in the past two seasons but has not earned a lot of playing time being stacked behind Terrell Zachary.

Look for Carr to have a breakout season this year as he has every bit the speed of Zachary and will be overlooked early.

Behind Carr is Travante Stallworth and most likely Jaylon Denson or Sammie Coats. Coats has been making waves this summer and has earned glowing reviews from his teammates. Coats may be the steal of the 2011 signing class.

Starter: Quindarius Carr

Inside Wide Receiver

Last year, rave reviews were pouring out of fall camp about newcomer Trovon Reed. A nagging knee injury kept him sidelined last season, but Reed is ready to go this year. Expect Auburn to use misdirection and motion constantly with Reed and sometimes McCalebb from this inside receiver slot.

Behind Reed will likely be true freshmen Quan Bray and McCalebb. I would also expect Stallworth to earn some time inside as well.

Starter: Trovon Reed

Tight End/H-Back

The tight end and fourth receiver in the Tigers offense can take on a hybrid role depending on the formation. Auburn has recruited well for the position and has a rising junior in Philip Lutzenkirchen to fill the role. Lutzenkirchen made an impact last season and will likely improve statistically this year with more opportunity.

At times, the tight end will play outside of the line, while for others, the position will slide into a more hands-down blocking scheme or even a hybrid fullback. There will be times when Ladarious Phillips will see time at the position to fill the need of a more true fullback to block.

Starter: Philip Lutzenkirchen