Auburn Football: 6 Tigers with High Expectations That Haven't Played a Down

Auburn enters the 2012 season with experience scattered on both sides of the ball. Despite that experience, there are still questions that remain leaving the Tigers with high expectations from players that haven’t yet played a down.

The Tigers will need to shore up the offensive line, and will also be looking for playmakers on offense and defense. There are a host of young Tigers that will fill the void.

Gene Chizik and the rest of the Tigers staff has done a great job bringing in top rated talent, getting that talent to perform at a high level will need to happen this spring and fall. Looking at the road ahead, here are six young Tigers that carry high expectations this season.

Sammie Coates, WR

The Tigers passing game was at an all-time low a year ago. A number of factors went into the lack of production, but only one receiver seemed consistent for the Tigers. Emory Blake was the Tigers go-to guy, but when he went down to an ankle injury, the passing game hit rock bottom.

The Tigers didn’t appear to have a second threat on the outside a year ago. Sammie Coates is being looked to by many to be that guy this season.

Coates is a speedy receiver with good size and great ball-tracking ability. He showed flashes of ability in fall camp a year ago before an injury to his foot forced him into a red-shirt season.

Coates will be battling a group of experienced receivers for playing time, but with the lack of performance that occurred last season, Coates may be a name you hear often this fall.

Mike Blakely, RB

With the transfer of Michael Dyer that came during the winter, Auburn will need to find yardage from the host of talented backs that remain. Mike Blakely is a red-shirt freshman transfer from Florida that brought with him a wealth of expectations.

The Tigers battled for his signature during the recruiting season, but Blakely decided on Florida. Shortly after spring practice during 2011, he made the move to Auburn and was a scout team warrior this fall.

Blakely is listed at 5’9”, 206, and according to Curtis Luper in a recent Auburnsports.com interview, Blakely “has the innate ability to start and stop. He can make you miss. He's dynamic in the open field.”

Blakely will be looked upon to be a major part of the running game this fall, likely earning experience early with a big game to start the season against Clemson.

Corey Grant, RB

Corey Grant is another running back that is carrying high expectations this fall. Curtis Luper referred to Grant as a “bonus” to the scholarship backs that are currently on roster.

The Tigers got a bit of a steal in Grant when he decided to transfer to Auburn from Alabama, also forfeiting his scholarship status to only lose one year of eligibility from the in-conference transfer.

Grant brings track speed to the Tigers backfield and increased strength as he should be playing this season around 210-215 pounds. Auburn is looking for an additional inside threat to assist Tre Mason this fall, with Grant being a player that will garner a lot of looks. 

Christian Westerman, OL

Christian Westerman signing with Auburn was the first sign that Jeff Grimes was a national recruiting threat. Grimes went toe-to-toe with the Texas coaches for Westerman, and Westerman landed in Auburn.

Westerman was one of the most highly touted recruits from the 2011 recruiting class, and came close to seeing his red shirt pulled last season. Westerman is a tough lineman that is likely to push himself into a starting position along the offensive line by fall.

Westerman will carry high expectations into this season as the Tigers will be looking for a major change in the performance level along the line this season.

Greg Robinson, OL

Greg Robinson is another big-time offensive lineman that the Tigers will look to this season for assistance along the offensive line. Robinson was a highly rated recruit from the state of Louisiana in the 2011 class, shoring up a very impressive offensive line class.

Robinson is a big bodied tackle that carries a great aggressive streak on the football field. Auburn had major issues a year ago along the line, but Robinson did not see his red shirt pulled.

This year the Tigers will open spring looking to solidify a starting group that can be the cornerstone of a championship-level offense. Robinson is very likely to be a part of that starting group when fall rolls around. 

Kris Frost, LB

Kris Frost is one of the most famous Tigers to have never played a down at Auburn to date. Frost came to the Tigers as a 5-star recruit from North Carolina looking to make an immediate impact, but fell to a shoulder injury shortly after arriving on campus.

Frost will be looked upon to improve the Tigers presence at linebacker this fall, a position that has faced a wealth of consistency issues in the past few seasons. Frost is a strong athlete with a wealth of upside, but battling back from injury will not be an easy transition.

Frost carries high expectations with him as the Tigers head into the 2012 spring practice period. He has done all the right things up to this point that should allow him to match those expectations with on-field performance this coming fall.

Follow @ShugJordanPkwy