Auburn Football: SEC Power Will Need Time to Develop Young Team

The Auburn Tigers have quietly landed themselves another top-25 recruiting class.

This was lost amidst their top running back, Michael Dyer, and offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, leaving for Arkansas State this winter.

Coach Gene Chizik has his work cut out for him, and he knows it. As good as this recruiting class is, the players are going to take some time to develop.

The Tigers added a number of talented playmakers at various skill positions this year and still have a number of other talented youths.

To compete in the SEC with a new offensive coordinator will take time, though. To make matters worse, the Tigers don't have a quarterback they can trust.

This is where things get murky. They can replace Dyer with senior Onterio McCalebb, but their quarterback position is a mess. Neither Barrett Trotter nor Clint Moseley are the answer, and Kiehl Frazier is only a sophomore with little true experience as a passer.

Highly-regarded quarterback recruit Zeke Pike is talented, but it would not only be difficult for him to handle life against the likes of Alabama and LSU defenses, it would be nearly impossible.

The best players in Auburn's recruiting class—Pike, Avery Young, Ricky Parks, T.J. Davis, Joshua Holsey and, of course, Ricardo Louis—will all take time to develop.

All of this leaves the Tigers in the hands of too many young players without experience.

The loss of Malzahn will make it even more difficult.

Auburn is far removed from the Cam Newton national championship year, and it is going to take time for them to get back to power. They have the youth and talent to one day do it, but it will take time.