Auburn Football: 5 Walk-Ons Who Will Make an Impact for the Tigers in 2012

The inglorious work that comes with being a walk-on at the highest level of college football is tough. Becoming a walk-on who makes an impact on game day is an even taller order. 

Not often are walk-ons mentioned in passing discussion about a team’s hope for championships, but the role of the walk-on is as important as a starting quarterback. If not for walk-ons, there would be no “looks” by a scout team or special teams warriors. 

On a rare occasion, a walk-on will earn his way onto the field in an every-down type capacity. Looking at the Tigers team heading into 2012, there's a wealth of talent found throughout the roster. Despite that talent, some positions are currently battling to find a starter or are lacking ideal depth. 

Taking a look at those positions of need, here are five guys who continue to impress and earn name recognition for their efforts on the practice field.

Soon, these five will be known for their performances on game day. 

Trent Fisher: DB

Trent Fisher is a walk-on for the Tigers at the safety position. The Tigers have a battle that ensued this spring at the safety position when assumed starters Demetruce McNeal and Enrique Florence fell to injury. 

Trent Fisher was one of the safeties who made it into the fold of competition, likely working his way into playing time this fall. Fisher is a tough safety with great football I.Q. He may not earn a start, but he will be on the field consistently for the Tigers in 2012. 

The Tigers coaches moved Jermaine Whitehead to the safety position as well to cross-train the nickelback into a safety, and Ryan Smith made his presence known, leading the team with tackles on A-Day.

Fisher is the son of NFL head coach Jeff Fisher.

Ikeem Means: DB

Ikeem Means has built a reputation as a hard worker and fierce striker in his time on the Plains. He has been a consistent performer in relief work at safety and has been a tackling machine on special teams for the Tigers.

This season, Means enters summer workouts battling for playing time yet again at the safety position. Despite sitting out spring, Means is as firmly entrenched in the starting battle as any other safety on roster.

Means is a rising senior for Auburn, increasing his chances of using his experience to gain playing time on game day. 

There are a number of different options for the safety position for Auburn this season. I would expect Means to be a guy who sees time early and often in some capacity. 

Jake Lembke: DS

It's a rare occasion for the deep snapper to receive recognition in football. Today is that day for Jake Lembke—the Tigers' deep snapper.

Lembke hails from New Lenox, IL. He came to Auburn as a walk-on intent on earning a scholarship, and that may happen as the Tigers head into the fall. Josh Harris has graduated and was a scholarship deep snapper for the Tigers. 

With the skill and accuracy that Lembke displays, his work will remain relatively unnoticed. In all honesty, that's a good thing when you're talking the deep snapper position.

Lembke holds a vital position for the Tigers and will be a big part of the effective special teams units that the Tigers will field this season. 

Blake Burgess: TE

Blake Burgess has been a bit of a journeyman in his time with the Tigers. Burgess came to Auburn as an undersized but aggressive offensive lineman. 

With a tough work ethic and drive to be better than the day before, Burgess pushed to gain weight and was a strong contender for the starting center position a year ago. This spring, his identity changed for the Tigers. 

Burgess moved to the tight end position this spring in response to the new offensive scheme that called for a more lead-blocking role from the tight end position. Burgess comfortably runs in the 260-pound range and has shown proficiency as a blocker.

Putting Burgess into the tight end role to assist in lead blocking should help grow the younger Tigers into the position. It was a great move for Burgess, who has always shown the willingness to move into whatever role fits the team best. 

Don’t be surprised to see Burgess on the field often in the red zone. 

Ashton Richardson: MLB

Ashton Richardson is entering his senior season with the Tigers looking to make an impact in any way possible. Richardson has been very good on special teams for the Tigers in the past and has played in a reserve role from the outside linebacker position. 

This season, the Tigers lost some depth at the middle linebacker position and the Tigers staff asked Richardson to make a move—off to middle linebacker he went.

Richardson will earn time this season. The Tigers will need reps from a number of linebackers and with the constancy he has shown, he will be one of the first off the bench. 

Not only will Richardson look to earn time at middle linebacker, but he will look to impact the special teams with his skill as well. 

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