Auburn Football: 3 Early Standouts from Spring Practice

The Auburn Tigers remain a young and talented team heading into the 2012 season. They hope to build on the success they had last year after having to replace so many key players from the 2010 season. It all starts in the spring as they return a total of 18 starters, including 10 on the defensive side of the ball.

Although as the Tigers continue to prepare for the spring game that kicks off on April 14, there are players that are making a difference on the football field. This is the chance for these players to either take that next step in their career or move up the depth chart and begin to make a name for themselves in the Auburn program. 

With spring practice fully underway, here are three players that have stood out in spring practice. 

OL Patrick Miller

Patrick Miller is a 4-star recruit and a true freshman. He's a 6'7", 273-pound tackle who was able to step in right away for starter Greg Robinson who missed a practice due to family reasons. You'd think the youngster would have struggled early on, but this wasn't the case at all according to coaches.

"Typically, you have a true freshman in there taking a lot of reps, and you notice him every play," offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said. "It wasn't that way. We were able to run our offense with him in there."

Now this doesn't mean Miller will see much of the field his freshman year, but it does give the Tigers hope that they landed a good player from Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

S Erique Florence

With safety Neiko Thorpe no longer on the roster, sophomore Erique Florence is the guy that will take his spot in the defensive backfield. Although he may be one of the younger players on the defensive side of the ball, he has said he's learned a lot from the future NFL player.

"It helped me a lot," Florence said. "Since I played as much as I did last year, I know what to expect—the speed of the game, the power, and I know what to bring with me every Saturday."

The former 4-star recruit has every trait to be successful in his new starting role. He has great size at 6'2", 190, runs well and is a great tackler. He finished his freshman season with 23 tackles and a sack in limited action. Look for him to help a passing defense that was ranked dead last in the SEC a season ago.

RB Tre Mason

With Michael Dyer transferring to Arkansas State, the running back position needs players to step up for this season to be a success. The Tigers have their starter in Onterio McCalebb, but its sophomore Tre Mason that's really putting the work in during the spring.

“I feel like I’m bigger, faster, stronger,” Mason said. “I’m understanding more what college football is about and becoming a better student of the game.”

As a freshman last year, Mason averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored his only touchdown of the year in the bowl victory over Virginia. Running backs coach Curtis Luper has also acknowledged the progress the young running back has made and has been very pleased.

“He’s quick as a cat, he’s smart, he’s tough,” Luper said. “I like what he’s done physically to his body over the last few months."

Looks like the loss of Dyer may not hurt that much after all.