Auburn Football News and Notes, Week Two

The second part of football practice at Auburn finished up Saturday with scrimmage number two at Jordan Hare Stadium. After a few days off, they began practice again tonight.

It was a busy four days from their first scrimmage to their second, as Auburn named their starting quarterback in senior Chris Todd, and got another scrimmage in featuring many young players and finally getting some extensive work with Todd and the first team offense.

TODD NAMED STARTER

It only took one week, but Auburn named their starting quarterback after the first scrimmage, and it's senior Chris Todd. Todd, who came to Auburn from junior college last year, won the job despite not throwing in the spring to rest his shoulder after offseason surgery.

Todd was the game one starter last year and had a 4-1 record before being replaced by sophomore Kodi Burns in the middle of the season.

If Todd's shoulder is healthy like most think it is, he could be a pleasant surprise for the offense with his experience and maturity he brings to the table.

BURNS TO WIDE RECEIVER

With the naming of Chris Todd to starting quarterback, Kodi Burns has now been getting reps at receiver so his athleticism may still be used.

Burns will continue to get reps at quarterback, but if he is to make an impact on this team it will most likely be at receiver or running the quarterback spot in the wildcat packages.

WHO'S SECOND TEAM QUARTERBACK?

While the logical player would be junior Neil Caudle, who most thought came out of spring as the leader of the quarterback race, it looks like true freshman Tyrik Rollison could very well be the second team quarterback by game one.

Rollison was Auburn's most highly recruited player in the 2009 class, and shows a lot of natural ability, with experience being the number one thing holding him back right now.

A plan to start the senior in Chris Todd, and then turn the reigns over to Rollison next year looks to be in place. Rollison may even make a push at the number one job later this season if he continues to pick up the offense.

MCCALEBB IS FAST

The quarterback race has garnered most of the attention so far, but one running back that continues to impress is freshman Onterrio McCalebb. Junior Mario Fannin said he looks up to McCalebb because of the heart McCalebb plays with and how hard he runs for a guy who's only 5'10" and 170 pounds. His toughness has earned him much respect so far.

McCalebb is a smaller back, but is likely the fastest player on Auburn's team and has even been known to catch a squirrel or two (I've been told that he in fact has caught a squirrel before, talk about quick).

Watch for McCalebb to play a big role in the Auburn offense and provide them with a home run threat they didn't have last year.

YOUNG RECEIVERS STEPPING UP

Receiver coach Trooper Taylor continues to like the way his freshman receivers are stepping up early on.

Deangelo Benton and Emory Blake got most of the attention as highly recruited players, but fellow freshman Travante Stallworth and Anthony Gulley have been solid so far as well.

With Auburn's lack of playmakers last year, the depth the freshman have added could turn out to be crucial during the season. Look for all four freshman to play this year and Benton and Blake could even earn starting roles by the middle of the season.

BOULWARE TOUGH ON SPECIAL TEAMS

New coach Jay Boulware didn't get quite the recognition that some other assistants got when they were hired, maybe that's because Boulware was the only coach to come over with Gene Chizik from Iowa State.

Boulware is in charge of special teams, and the punters and kickers are making no bones about how demanding Boulware is.

Punter Clinton Durst said Boulware is even more demanding than former special teams coach Eddie Gran, now at Tennessee. Gran is widely regarded as one of the better special teams coaches around.

BO JACKSON BACK AT AUBURN PRACTICE

Auburn legend Bo Jackson made his first appearance at an Auburn practice in quite some time last week. The former staff under Tommy Tuberville seemed to be reluctant to incorporate past players into the current program.

Gene Chizik has openly invited past players to be a part of the program and it seems to be having a good response, as shown by Jackson coming to visit.

Jackson talked to the running backs as well as the team urging them to appreciate their time now, because it doesn't last forever.

QUICK HITTERS

**Both senior Ben Tate and senior Walter McFadden say that the team is rallying around the starting quarterback better than they did a year ago when the locker was divided between Burns and Todd.

**Freshman John Sullen has caught on quick on the offensive line and could be a real player down the line, maybe even providing some much needed depth this year.

**Sophomore corner back Harry Adams is getting better and better according to his teammates. Adams, who rivals Onterrio McCalebb as the fastest player on the Auburn team, moved back to corner after a brief stint at receiver and seems to be making nice strides at the position.

**Freshman safety Daren Bates was one of the last signees from the 2009 class to qualify, and it turns out he could be one of the most important. Bates has impressed early making plays at safety, and with starter Mike McNeil out with an injury right now, Bates could push for a starting job for game one Chizik said Tuesday.