Auburn Football: 10 Former Stars Who Couldn't Start Today

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The history of Auburn football has seen plenty of stars, but some big names in Tigers annals might not be able to start for today's team.

Here is a slideshow of 10 former Auburn stars who wouldn't start in 2011.

Some players might not fit in the current system, some are undersized, and some may simply be stuck behind more talented current players on the Tigers depth chart.

Jason Campbell, Quarterback

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Jason Campbell had an excellent career at Auburn and went on to be a first round NFL draft pick, but he might not be a good fit for the current Auburn offense.

Campbell is an excellent pocket passer, but he probably would not have even attended Auburn to play for an offense that emphasizes the run so much.

He was also not much of a running threat in college, averaging only 1.2 yards per carry in his career at Auburn.

Ben Tate, Running Back

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Tate had a productive career at Auburn and went on to the NFL, but he would be hard-pressed to beat out Michael Dyer for the starting spot on today’s team.

Dyer ran for 1,093 yards (6.0 per carry) in his first year as the starter; compared to 903 (4.3 per carry) in Tate’s first year as starter.

Chris Todd, Quarterback

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Todd ended his career on a strong note with 2,612 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2009.

He was a solid player that didn’t make many mistakes, but the Tigers should be able to get similar production out of Barrett Trotter in 2011.

Quentin Groves, Defensive End

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Groves was an All-SEC defensive end and one of the league’s top sack artists during his career, but he might have had trouble beating out two very talented ends in Nosa Egaue and Corey Lemonier.

Don’t be surprised if either player eventually challenges Groves’ career record of 26 sacks.

Devin Aromashodu, Wide Receiver

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Aromashodu has carved out an NFL career, but he never really put up impressive numbers during his time at Auburn. He caught a total of 71 passes during his career with nine touchdowns.

Aromashodu might not be able to beat out veteran Emory Blake and talented freshman Trovon Reed for a starting spot on the 2011 team.

Heath Evans, Fullback

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A rugged blocker, Evans was the first fullback chosen in the 2001 NFL Draf. During his college career, Evans accounted for four touchdowns and 793 combined yards from scrimmage.

Despite his talents, Evans would have to battle for time on today’s team with the versatile Philip Lutzenkirchen and massive freshman Ladarious Phillips.

Zeke Smith, Lineman

Zeke Smith is an Auburn legend, winning the Outland Trophy in 1958 while playing both ways as a lineman. He then went on to a career in the NFL.

Today Smith would probably not even be recruited by FBS schools as he was listed at only 215 pounds during his playing career.

He moststill seen action as a fullback, where he played in high school.

Kenny Irons, Running Back

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Irons is another former Auburn star at running back who might not be able to beat out Michael Dyer if he played for today’s team.

He finished his two years at Auburn with 2,186 yards on 4.8 yards per carry, which Dyer will able to surpass with any improvement on his outstanding freshman season.

Junior Rosegreen, Safety

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Rosegreen was a solid starter at safety during his Auburn career and was named to Auburn’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s.

He would have had to beat out veteran Neiko Thorpe and freshman star Erique  Florence for a starting role on this year’s Auburn team.

Thorpe can break Rosegreen’s Auburn career record of 51 games played if he appears in every regular season game, plus a bowl, in 2011.

Kodi Burns, Wide Receiver

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Burns never developed into the quarterback that he was expected to be, but he’ll live on in Auburn history after scoring a touchdown in the BCS Championship Game.

He started all 14 games last season at wide receiver, but did not put up big numbers with only 11 catches for 177 yards, plus the lone touchdown against Oregon.

He’d likely be lower on the depth chart this season with Blake, junior DeAngelo Benton and freshmen Trovon Reed and Quan Bray looking to play bigger roles.