Auburn Football: Predicting the Depth Chart Heading into Fall Camp

Despite being a very young team last season, the Auburn Tigers managed to win eight games, including victories over ranked teams such as Mississippi State and South Carolina. This season, Auburn hopes to improve on that win total and possibly become a dark horse in the SEC West.

The Tigers return 16 starters from a year ago, including nine on the defensive side of the ball. The defense is ready to improve, players are coming back from injuries, and a new coaching staff is ready to make this a season to remember.

With college football just a month away from kicking off, here is what the 2012 Auburn Tigers depth chart should look like heading into the fall.

Quarterback

Starter: Kiehl Frazier, Sophomore

Backup: Clint Moseley, Junior

I don't know if Frazier is the second coming of Cam Newton, but I do know the kid has talent, and has looked like the best quarterback on the Auburn roster. His dual-threat ability and strong arm makes him a very attractive option to become the 2012 starter.

Of course, this is a battle that will continue, but how do you not like Frazier at this very moment?

Running Back

Starter: Onterio McCalebb, Senior

Backup: Tre Mason, Sophomore

Not sure Auburn has a running back that is capable of being the man, but they do have some home-run hitters. McCalebb has averaged at least five yards a carry in each of his first three seasons and will finally get the chance to become the full-time starter. In a limited role, he has over 2,000 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns.

Receivers

Starter: Emory Blake, Senior

Backup: DeAngelo Benton, Senior

Emory Blake is the best wide receiver the Tigers have. He has three seasons, 78 receptions, over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns under his belt. With better quarterback play, expect Blake to possibly have his best season yet.

Starter: Trovon Reed, Sophomore

Backup: Quan Bray, Sophomore

Reed was a productive receiver last season, hauling in 21 passes for 164 yards. But the coaching staff expects much more from the former 5-star recruit. He has big-play ability and is elusive with the ball in his hands.

Starter: Jaylon Denson, Sophomore

Backup: Travante Stallworth, Senior

Desnon has the size at 6'3", 200 pounds to really emerge in 2012. He has great speed, solid hands and is one of the more underrated players on this Auburn roster. I expect big things from him in his sophomore season.

Starter: Philip Lutzenkirchen, Senior

Backup: Brandon Fulse, Sophomore

Lutzenkirchen needs no introduction, as he is only one of the best tight ends in the country. He is a red-zone machine, as 14 of his career 44 receptions have gone for touchdowns. Like many of these receivers, Lutzenkirchen will be even more productive with better quarterback play.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Starter: Greg Robinson, Freshman

Backup: Patrick Miller, Freshman

Greg Robinson has had a year to bulk up and learn the playbook. Now we will see if the former 4-star recruit is worth the hype and can help protect the quarterback's blind side in 2012.

Left Guard

Starter: Eric Mack, Sophomore

Backup: Alex Kozan, Freshman

Mack has the size at 6'3", 315 pounds to be a terrific player in the SEC. He played in five games last season but will see his role expanded in 2012.

Center

Starter: Reese Dismukes, Sophomore

Backup: Tunde Fariyike, Sophomore

Reese Dismukes started every game last season as a true freshman and was part of the SEC All-Freshman Team. He is a candidate for the 2012 Rimington Trophy.

Right Guard

Starter: Christian Westerman, Freshman

Backup: John Sullen, Senior

Westerman is a redshirt freshman who was considered the top guard from the 2011 class. He gets off the ball well and has a great combination of size and strength, as well as great footwork.

Right Tackle

Starter: Chad Slade, Sophomore

Backup: Avery Young, Freshman

Slade started 10 games last season, playing multiple positions on the offensive line. He is a versatile player who should be even better with a year of experience under his belt.

Defensive Line

Starter: Corey Lemonier, Junior

Backup: Craig Sanders, Junior

Lemonier was by far the most consistent player on this Auburn defense last season, sacking the quarterback 13.5 times and forcing five fumbles. He is a key difference maker on this side of the ball.

Starter: Jeffrey Whitaker, Junior

Backup: Angelo Blackson, Sophomore

Whitaker was a top recruit from the 2010 class and started every game last season at defensive tackle for the Tigers. Expect him to remain in this role and quickly become a leader for this improving Auburn defense.

Starter: Kenneth Carter, Junior

Backup: Gabe Wright, Sophomore

Both defensive tackles were limited throughout the spring due to injuries but should be back when fall camp rolls around. This position is up for grabs, but expect both young players to see equal playing time on the field this season.

Starter: Dee Ford, Senior

Backup: Nosa Eguae, Junior

With Eguae still recovering from surgery, Ford should continue to impress throughout the fall. He missed the majority of the 2011 season due to a back injury but was on the field during the spring and seems to be ready to go in 2012.

Linebackers

Starter: Daren Bates, Senior

Backup: Justin Garrett, Junior

Bates started every game last season and led the team in tackles with 104. He also added 2.5 sacks and is considered a top 150 player in the SEC by Bleacher Report.

Starter: Jake Holland, Junior

Backup: Ashton Richardson, Senior

Holland finished eighth on the team with 43 tackles after starting six games at the middle linebacker position last year. He will remain in this starting role.

Starter: Jonathan Evans, Senior

Backup: Kris Frost, Freshman

Evans is one of the more experienced players on this Auburn defense, playing in a total of 36 games throughout his career. He finished last season with 40 tackles, despite missing a few games.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Starter: Chris Davis, Junior

Backup: Ryan White, Junior

Davis started last season very effective but then suffered an injury in the Clemson matchup that slowed him down the rest of the year. Still, he has developed into a real solid player and should remain as the starting corner.

Safety

Starter: Demetruce McNeal, Junior

Backup: Ryan Smith, Junior

McNeal started 12 games at safety last season, finishing third on the team with 74 tackles. At times he looked lost on the football field, but with 26 games under his belt, he should be improved heading into his third season.

Safety

Starter: Erique Florence, Sophomore

Backup: Jermaine Whitehead, Sophomore

Florence showed a little bit last season why he was such a highly rated recruit in 2011. With some experience, he will compete for a full-time starting role in fall camp.

Cornerback

Starter: T'Sharvan Bell, Senior

Backup: Robenson Therezie, Sophomore

Bell started the first 10 games of the season before tearing two ligaments in his knee that cut his season short. Good news is that he was practicing throughout the spring and should be ready to go once the season starts.

Specialists

Kicker

Starter: Cody Parkey, Junior

Backup: Alex Kviklys, Freshman

Parkey made 72 percent of his field goals last season and only missed one of his 42 extra-point attempts.

Punter

Starter: Steven Clark, Junior

Backup: Chris Brooks, Senior

Clark was a Ray Gay finalist last season, as he averaged nearly 41 yards per punt attempt and pinned 33 of his 72 attempts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.