SEC Football Top 150 Players: No. 128, Chad Slade, Auburn OL

The SEC Blog will be counting down the top 150 players in the SEC every day, concluding on August 30 and the start of the college football regular season.

No. 128: Chad Slade, No. 62, Offensive Lineman, Auburn

2011 Stats: Started 10 games at three different positions

Strengths

Slade is a very versatile player who can play virtually anywhere on the offensive line. He started the last seven games of the season last year at left guard in place of injured starter Jared Cooper, and had a fantastic game in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl to close out the season. He also made starts at right tackle and right guard. He's 6'5" 313, so he has the size to play in the interior of the line, but has quick enough feet to play outside as well.

Weaknesses

Although he's versatile, he has yet to find a permanent home on the offensive line. The sophomore has been inconsistent at times, but that's due in large part to his youth. He has some work to do on his footwork to be a tackle, but so far, that's only been a part-time home for Slade.

2012 Prediction

He started the spring atop the depth chart at right tackle, but moved to right guard this spring to make room for early enrollee Patrick Miller. Whether it be at right guard, right tackle, or somewhere else on the offensive line, he will be a starter on Auburn's youthful offensive line in 2012.

Follow @BarrettSallee