Auburn Football 2012: Predicting the Two-Deep Depth Chart

Starter: Jr. Clint Moseley, 6’4”, 213; or  So. Kiehl Frazier, 6’2”, 220.

Backup: True Fr. Zeke Pike, 6’5”, 220.

Auburn will enter spring for the fourth time in the Gene Chizik era with questions at the quarterback position. Auburn had issues last season finding consistency from the position, utilizing three quarterbacks along the way.

The good news is that the Tigers do return two of the three players who were a part of the rotation a year ago in Clint Moseley and Kiehl Frazier. But the bad news is both played a part in the offensive inconsistency.

Moseley is the nominal starter, but Kiehl Frazier will be pushing hard to earn the position before fall camp gets underway. A solid spring performance for either player will likely earn him a starting position.

With the changes that come with a new coordinator, I would not expect to see a starter named before early fall. Even though the Tigers do need to find a leader from the position as soon as possible, there is an acclimation period that will have to occur.

I would not expect a repeat of a two-quarterback system anytime soon. 

Quarterback

Starter: Jr. Clint Moseley, 6’4”, 213; or  So. Kiehl Frazier, 6’2”, 220.

Backup: True Fr. Zeke Pike, 6’5”, 220.

Auburn will enter spring for the fourth time in the Gene Chizik era with questions at the quarterback position. Auburn had issues last season finding consistency from the position, utilizing three quarterbacks along the way.

The good news is that the Tigers do return two of the three players who were a part of the rotation a year ago in Clint Moseley and Kiehl Frazier. But the bad news is both played a part in the offensive inconsistency.

Moseley is the nominal starter, but Kiehl Frazier will be pushing hard to earn the position before fall camp gets underway. A solid spring performance for either player will likely earn him a starting position.

With the changes that come with a new coordinator, I would not expect to see a starter named before early fall. Even though the Tigers do need to find a leader from the position as soon as possible, there is an acclimation period that will have to occur.

I would not expect a repeat of a two-quarterback system anytime soon. 

Running Back

Starter RB: Sr. Onterio McCalebb, 5’11”, 174.

Rotation RB: So. Tre Mason, 5’10”, 195; or So. Corey Grant, 5’10”, 215; or Redshirt Fr. Mike Blakely, 5’9”, 198.

Starter FB: Jr. Jay Prosch, 6’1”, 250.

Backup (FB): So. Ladarious Phillips 6’0”, 291

The Auburn backfield is absolutely stacked. The Tigers return a host of playmakers, but also will see talented transfers Mike Blakely and Corey Grant finally make it to the field.

The Tigers will list Onterio McCalebb as the starter and he will likely stay in that position for the season. Tre Mason would be the most logical first back-off-the-bench or dual-role guy with McCalebb. Mason is as electric as any back the Tigers have, with great top-end spend and initial burst.

Much is also expected of Blakely and Grant. Grant has added a lot of weight in the past two years and has also maintained his track-star speed.

Blakeley is rumored to have had a great fall on the scout team. He is a fast and agile back who also has deceptive power for his frame.

I would expect both Grant and Blakely to see time this fall, with Grant pushing hard this spring for a co-starting nod with McCalebb. Don’t count out incoming freshman Jovon Robinson as well. He is an  explosive and powerful runner out of Tennessee.

Auburn will go into the spring with two fullback/H-back types in the backfield. Jay Prosch transferred from Illinois after an All-American season to get closer to home and family. Prosch will be immediately eligible due to a hardship waiver and will be ready to open huge lanes for the Tigers backs. Prosch already is rumored to be breaking records in the Tigers weight room.

Ladarius Philips is the second option at the fullback position. But after two years in the program, he has been less than impressive. Philips will benefit from the leadership and work ethic of Prosch.

Receiver

Starter WR: Sr. Emory Blake, 6’2”, 197; and So. Trovon Reed, 6’0”, 183; and Sr. Travante Stallworth, 5’9”, 190.

Backup WR: Sr. DeAngelo Benton, 6’2”, 203; and So. Quan Bray, 5’10”, 185; and So. C.J. Uzomah, 6’4”, 236.

Starter TE: Sr. Philip Lutzenkirchen, 6’4”, 264.

Backup TE: So. Brandon Fulse, 6’4”, 247.

Auburn’s second-most talented position may be receiver. The Tigers have a highly regarded group of pass catchers, but little has been proven on the field.

The Tigers return sure-handed Emory Blake as well as shifty receiver Travante Stallworth. Trovon Reed is likely to earn the start in the slot if he can stay on the field and off the stationary bike.

Quan Bray and Sammie Coates also could bust into the lineup. Bray earned some time a year ago and will look to build on the experience he gained. Coates is coming off of a foot injury that kept him from being an impact player this past fall.

The Tigers struggled to find consistency in the passing game mainly because of unproven receivers and route runners. That should not be an issue this fall.

The Tigers also return tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen. With the addition of Jay Prosch, Lutzenkirchen should be freed up more to make more plays in the passing game. He is a very good tight end with excellent hands. 

Offensive Line

Starter LT: Redshirt Fr. Greg Robinson, 6’5”, 305.

Starter RT: Sr. John Sullen, 6’5”, 333.

Backup LT: So. Chad Slade, 6’5’, 320.

Backup RT: Fr. Shane Callahan, 6’6”, 277.

Starter LG: So. Eric Mack, 6’4”, 330.

Starter RG: Redshirt Fr. Christian Westerman, 6’3”, 277.

Backup LG: Redshirt Fr. Thomas O’Reilly, 6’3”, 326.

Backup RG: So. Tunde Fariyike, 6’2”, 307.

Starter C: So. Reese Dismukes, 6’3”, 272.

Backup C: Jr. Blake Burgess, 6’2”, 281.

The Tigers will enter spring practice with the most talent and more experience on the offensive line than most realize. Three of the projected starters earned significant playing time last fall.

Auburn could not find consistency on the offensive line last year for a number of reasons, but staying healthy was the main one. The Tigers will want to have the starting line ironed out by the end of spring.

They could have more problems than they need heading into summer if that is not the case.

Defensive Line

Starter DT: Jr. Jeffrey Whitaker, 6’3”, 310; and Jr. Kenneth Carter, 6’5”, 267.

Backup DT: So. Gabe Wright, 6’2”, 275; and So. Angelo Blackson, 6’5”, 295.

Starter DE: Jr. Nosa Eguae, 6’2”, 261; and Jr. Corey Lemonier, 6’4”, 234.

Backup DE: Jr. Craig Sanders, 6’4”, 260; and Jr. Dee Ford, 6’4”, 230.

Auburn went into last season with defensive line being one of its biggest question mark. Entering the 2012 season, the defensive line should be a strength.

Auburn returns five players on the interior who earned significant snaps last season. All five will contribute, with Auburn likely to continue a rotation on the defensive line to stay fresh in games.

At defensive end, Auburn has the chance to be scary good. Corey Lemonier returns after recording the fourth-most sacks in the SEC and pulling down a number of ball carriers in the backfield a year ago.

Craig Sanders, Nosa Eguae and Dee Ford also will chase after opposing quarterbacks. I would not be surprised to see this front four create a host of issues for opposing offenses. 

Linebacker

Starter OLB: Sr. Jonathan Evans, 5’11”, 232; and Sr. Daren Bates, 5’11”, 207.

Backup OLB: Redshirt Fr. Kris Frost, 6’3”, 215; and So. Jawara White, 6’1”, 243.

Starter MLB: Jr. Jake Holland, 6’0”, 231.

Backup MLB: Redshirt Fr. Chris Landrum, 6’2”, 228.

Linebacker may be the most difficult to figure out as Auburn heads into spring practice.

One point of focus will be Daren Bates. Word has been floating around that he may transition back to safety.  Bates was a freshman All-SEC selection at that position three seasons ago.

Auburn has a wealth of talent that can fill the three linebacker roles, but the starter are likely to be Bates, Jake Holland and Jonathan Evans.

Not far behind will be Justin Garrett and Kris Forst. They are likely to see time in the rotation once the season gets rolling. Auburn does not have an issue with talent at linebacker. It is finding the right combination that is causing the most concern.

How this position group shakes out will be one of the most important developments of the spring.

Defensive Back

Starter CB: Jr. Chris Davis, 5’10”, 182; and Sr. T’Sharvan Bell, 6’0”, 180.

Backup CB: So. Jonathon Mincy, 5’10”, 180; and So. Jermaine Whitehead, 6’0”, 180.

Starter S: So. Erique Florence, 6’2”, 181; and Jr. Demetruce McNeal, 6’1”, 187.

Backup S: Jr. Ryan Smith, 6’1”, 200; and So. Robenson Therezie, 5’10”, 185.

Auburn has a wealth of returning talent, speed and heavy hitters in the defensive backfield. The Tigers will have only one senior among the group, with T’Sharvan Bell being the most vocal leader.

Despite the Tigers returning every defender in the secondary, there still needs to be a lot of growth that comes this spring. The Tigers secondary was  consistently out of position or missing on plays last season.

Auburn will need to have marked improvement this season. The level of talent is just too high not to be successful.

Jermaine Whitehead is listed as a second-string cornerback, but he will likely be the nickel back again this season. He was the lone bright spot in the secondary a year ago.

Specialists

Starter K: Jr. Cody Parkey, 6’0”, 193.

Starter P: Jr. Steven Clark, 6’5”, 232.

Starter LS: Sr. Jake Lembke, 6’0”, 239.

Auburn had one of the best special-team groups in the country last season. With the return of Cody Parkey and Steven Clark, that trend will likely continue.

One point of concern will be the loss of three-year starting long-snapper Josh Harris. He was the lone invitee at the deep-snapper position at the NFL Combine. Harris will most likely be replaced by senior Jake Lembke.

Return Teams

Kickoff Return: Onterio McCalebb and Tre Mason.

Punt Return: Quan Bray and Trovon Reed.

Auburn was explosive in the kick-return game last season, taking advantage of an impressive special-team put together by coach Jay Boulware. Auburn returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, with one coming against Alabama, an Iron Bowl first.

The punt-return team could use more consistency, but there haven't been great opportunities to showcase the talent of the punt returners. The Tigers will hope to find a lightning strike or two in the punt-return game in 2012 to couple with their already dangerous kick-return game.

Coaching Changes and Clarification

The Tigers brought in two new coordinators and a new position coach this offseason. Looking at what changes occurred, here is a quick rundown before spring practice begins.

Tommy Thigpen: Thigpen has been the safeties coach since arriving on the Plains with Gene Chizik in 2009. With the addition of defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and Willie Martinez to the staff, Thigpen will now coach linebackers. Ted Roof previously coached the linebackers.

Willie Martinez: Martinez is a great defensive mind and secondary coach who has made previous stops with DC VanGorder. Reuniting in Auburn this winter, Martinez will look to bring his All-American-creating knowledge to the Tigers secondary, hopefully building a stronger  smarter group for the 2012 season.

Philip Lolley: Lolley returned to an administrative role with the football program before the announcement of the Martinez hiring. Lolley is a great coach and administrator and will fill a vital role on the Chizik support staff.

Of course, offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler is a new addition as is VanGorder. Both bring a history of success with them and will look to build on already proven track records.