Auburn Tigers Football 2011: The 8 Most Important Backups

The battle for starting positions is getting ready to heat up on the Plains in seven days. Who gets the starting nod will be important, but who fills critical backup roles will be just as important this fall.

Auburn has uncharted waters facing the football team this upcoming season. Because of the lack of experience returning for the Tigers in 2011, multiple positions are up for grabs. The first reserves in the game will play a pivotal role this season in the Tigers' success.

A major benefit for the Tigers has to be the wealth of talent that is now on the Plains after two stellar recruiting classes. As the season progresses there will be a host of names that appear from the second string ranks as contributors and here are eight names that are the most important off the bench for the Tigers in 2011. 

Ikeem Means

Means is the epitome of a team player and hard worker. Means turned down scholarships to lower divisioned schools out of high school to walk-on at Auburn three years ago. In his time with the Tigers he has earned the reputation as a hard worker and likely has earned his way to a scholarship this fall.

Means has primarily worked at the safety position but is likely to be the first off of the field this season at the nickel back position that was filled by T’Sharvan Bell a year ago.

Means will be a contributor on special teams like he has been in the past but is working to see the field on a more regular basis. Look for Means to make an impact from day one and to be one of the more prolific players in the secondary.

Anthony Morgan

With the denial of Mike Blakely’s transfer waiver, Morgan has become an even more important cog in the running back’s engine for the Tigers this season. After Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb there isn’t a lot of depth to share the carries.

If Dyer or McCalebb were to fall to an injury this season Auburn will be tight to say the least. Even if the Tigers avoid injury at the running back position Morgan is still expected to make an impact.

Morgan was moved to defensive back his freshman season and played his first two seasons there. Last year he was a contributor on special teams and in reserve work at defensive back but his natural position has always been running back.

Look for Morgan to be a surprise for the Tigers this season as his role is likely to increase as the season matures. Morgan reminds me a lot of Tristan Davis, a speedy and fluid back who has finally made his way back to his best position fit after a short tenure at defensive back.

Gabe Wright

Gabe Wright showed up on signing day with a hat on saying “Nick Who?” Which Nick he was talking about is up for debate but all signs point to Nick Fairley. Wright has been in Auburn all summer working his way to playing time this fall.

Wright has the size and quickness to be able to make an impact at one of the most difficult positions in football. If Wright can get his nasty streak where it needs to be early and doesn’t get intimidated by the competition he can be special for the Tigers.

Wright is doing all he can to ensure that he is the first player off of the bench when Carter or Whitaker need a breather. Between Wright and Angelo Blackson, there is sure to be a wealth of youth on the interior for the Tigers this season but it won’t be a group that lacks talent.

Angelo Blackson

The interior line for the Tigers may be the most questioned position entering the new season. Instant impact guys were needed in the 2011 signing class and Auburn landed two, one of which was Blackson.

Blackson reminds the coaches and his new teammates a lot like Nick Fairley. He checked in at 6’5 325 when he arrived on the Plains this summer. He has the size, speed, and quickness to wreak havoc on the interior this season even as a true freshman.

Behind rising sophomores Jeffery Whitaker and Kenneth Carter there is a lack of experience but the talent is definitely there. It Blackson can learn the defense and adapt early, he will be one of the more memorable names for Tiger fans in 2011.

Sammie Coates

Coates was one of the lesser advertised players in this past year’s signing class for the Tigers. Since his arrival on campus, he has been the talk of the summer workouts. Coates tips the scales at 6’3" and 195 pounds. Not only does he have a good build, but he is extremely fast as well.

Assuming Coates stays healthy and continues to develop his knowledge of the offense, he is likely to be a contributor on the outside this fall.

Coates also has a no fear type of playing mentality that allows him to travel into traffic and over defenders to make catches. His speed will undoubtedly be a plus as Auburn will be looking to fill the void left on the Hitch and Go routes by Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery. Coates should fit the bill.

Craig Sanders

Sanders made a name for himself last season as one of the most intense and fun players to watch on kickoffs. Sanders was one of the first players down the field impacting the ball carrier consistently.

This season Sanders is looking to increase his playing time and is a favorite to be first off of the bench at the defensive end position. Last season Sanders played around the 245 range but he has worked hard to gain weight this offseason reaching the 270 range this summer.

Sanders will use his speed and tenacity to rush the quarterback from the outside and may also see some time on the interior during passing situations. Auburn will put the best players on the field any way possible so the assumption will be that Sanders will play early and often.

Jonathan Evans

Evans is a rising junior at linebacker for the Tigers in 2011. Evans was thrown to the wolves his freshman season as he earned his first start as a Tiger in the 2009 Iron Bowl against eventual national champion Alabama.

The linebacker position is much improved this season with a wealth of talent to pull from. Evans is battling for one of the outside positions this fall but it is looking more likely that Eltoro Freeman will win the final outside position opposite of Jake Holland and Daren Bates.

Evans will be a major part of the defense this fall and will look to earn his fair share of snaps. He may not be listed as the starter, but he will play like one every down he is on the field.

Jonathon Mincy

Mincy arrived in Auburn last season looking to make an impact. For whatever reason, Mincy found himself in the dog house of the coaching staff early. He has worked his tail off this offseason however and is likely to be one of the more productive corners for the Tigers.

Corner backs coach Phillip Lolley has said that Mincy may be one of the most talented players that he has ever coached at the corner back position. Look for Mincy to live up to that reputation this fall.

There is some depth now for the Tigers at corner but Mincy may be too much of a talent to keep off the playing field. He will likely be the first reserve off of the bench at corner and will surely earn some stats on special teams this fall.