Auburn Football: 6 Young Tigers Who Will Make an Impact in 2012

The Auburn Tigers battled through injuries and youth throughout 2011, but they escaped the year with a lot of new experience that will help the Tigers in the 2012 season. That was shown in the major 43-24 victory the Tigers marched to over Virginia in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

Auburn will enter the 2012 season with a host of players who will bring experience to the table.

The veteran leadership will be much needed for the Tigers. Auburn couldn’t seem to find much leadership this season on the field, so the return of the majority of the Tigers starters will help Auburn succeed in 2012.

Not every position returns a starter despite the youth movement that came last season, so there will still be some open opportunities this spring and fall for incoming freshmen and redshirts to make an impact.

Taking a quick look at 2012, here are six young Tigers poised for a breakout.

Christian Westerman: OL

Westerman is an Arizona native who was pulled to Auburn because of the great relationship he had built with Coach Jeff Grimes. Westerman is a very versatile talent that could play both inside and outside of the offensive line, but Westerman is likely to fill a guard role for the Tigers.

Last season, Westerman was rumored to be a very talented but raw lineman. The redshirt year has been great for all of these players, but redshirting is an especially good practice for lineman. It is a tough road from high school senior to college-level offensive line.

Westerman has a great shot at becoming one of the starters on the offensive line next season. He is an aggressive and fast attacking offensive lineman that looks to have a bright future at Auburn.

His style of downhill, aggressive blocking is a much needed change of pace for a line that lacked tenacity this past year.

Gregory Robinson: OL

Gregory Robinson is a Louisiana native who was looking to make an instant impact this season, much like Westerman, but the redshirt season worked out for the better. Robinson could have played this season, but the extra time he had to grow and develop was priceless.

Robinson is a very talented lineman who will likely fill a tackle role this coming fall. Robinson is another unique blend of size and quickness that will make him a unique and effective lineman for the Tigers for years to come.

Robinson has built a great reputation in his time with the team so far, and will look to build his work ethic as he becomes one of the best at Auburn for a long time. 

Kris Frost: LB

Kris Frost was the only five-star player of Auburn’s 2011 signing class.

There was a wealth of fanfare behind his recruitment where it appeared Auburn would not take his commitment. Auburn eventually did, and Frost was set to have a breakout true freshman season this year before a preseason injury led to shoulder surgery.

Frost could have made a huge impact this past year for the Tigers as linebacker was one of their least productive position groups. The Tigers need playmakers at linebacker, as this past year Auburn looked consistently out of position and for most of the season missed tackle prone.

Frost will have a full year of rehab and development under his belt going into the 2012 season. Look for him to start from day one and be one of the best linebackers in recent Auburn memory.

Frost has the chance to be a very special player in orange and blue. 

Sammie Coates: WR

The wide receiver position is one that is supposedly stacked with big time playmakers, but the Tigers struggled to find consistency on the outside this past season.

Sammie Coates is a big bodied receiver with blazing speed. Coates was set to earn time this season as a true freshman before an injury to his foot sidelined his true freshman campaign.

Coates is a unique talent that was overlooked in high school. He comes from the same school as Clint Moseley, Leroy High School in Leroy, Alabama. Leroy is a very traditionally rich program, but being a lower division school, it doesn’t typically produce a wealth of D1 talent.

Coates is a receiver who can play at any school in the SEC and likely break the lineup. Look for him to be an immediate impact player for the Tigers in 2012.

With the Tigers' inability to find receivers downfield this past year, expect changes to the unit this coming season and for Coates to play a pivotal role in the Auburn offense. 

Mike Blakely: RB

Blakely was one of the more interesting recruitments to watch in 2011, as he was one of the most elite running backs in the country for the 2011 class. Blakeley originally signed with Florida and early-enrolled before transferring to Auburn shortly after.

Blakely has been on the scout team all season for the Tigers, so he will be looking to take advantage of every opportunity to get on the field this coming year. With Michael Dyer transfer rumors aflutter, Blakeley’s role may expand overnight.

Blakely is another instant impact guy for the Tigers who will have a very bright future at Auburn. He has the skills to be one of the best backs in the country, and will have every chance to prove his talents this coming spring and fall for Auburn.

Corey Grant: RB

Corey Grant is a transfer from Alabama who came to Auburn last season. Grant signed with the Crimson Tide out of high school over the Tigers and attended UA for a few semesters. He was in line to receive some playing time this season for Alabama but decided to transfer instead.

Since arriving at Auburn, Grant has been working his tail off to crack the starting lineup for 2012. He was awarded the scout team player of the year award, and also has a great reputation as a gym warrior for the Tigers.

Grant has a wealth of speed and strength, and could be a great return man for Auburn. Auburn will be looking hard for consistent performers from the backfield, and Grant has all the intangibles to put himself right in the thick of the playing time conversation for 2012.