Auburn Football: How Former 5-Star Darius James Would Impact Tigers' Offense

Auburn might have missed out on a prized 5-star offensive lineman in the 2015 recruiting class, but the Tigers made up for it this weekend with a pledge from one of 2013's best.

According to multiple reports on Sunday, Texas sophomore Darius James is transferring to Auburn. The news was first reported by 247Sports and later confirmed to the Austin American-Statesman's Brian Davis.

James is just the latest offensive lineman to transfer to Auburn from another major program. Former 4-star Austin Golson sat out last season after transferring from Ole Miss, and he is projected to start at center for the Tigers in 2015.

According to James' high school coach, Auburn's success with Golson was part of the reason he decided to become a Tiger.

"To have some guys who have been there and done that come in like Austin Golson did last year and to have another one with Darius, those are two big-time recruits that came in," Harker Heights (Texas) head coach Rob Hagey told the Opelika-Auburn News' Tom Green. "Austin is going to contribute, and I think Darius will do the same."

The 6'6", 320-pound James is a major pickup for the Tigers' offensive line. Although he won't be eligible to play in the 2015 season, he looks to be a key figure for the future.

Though the former 5-star was the nation's No. 1 offensive guard in the 2013 class, don't lock James down into one position. He has the build and the experience to play all across the line—the Killeen, Texas, native played center, guard, tackle and even defensive tackle in high school.

James grabbed the attention of many major programs during his high school career with his size, strength and run-blocking prowess.

After redshirting his freshman season in Austin, James played in six games in 2014, starting against Baylor and Oklahoma at right tackle.

He also filled in for injured Longhorns at both guard and tackle before a knee injury of his own cost him the final four games of the season.

James' familiarity with guard and tackle will definitely boost an Auburn roster that might need help at both in the coming seasons.

The expected starters at tackle, juniors Shon Coleman and Avery Young, will both be able to declare early for the NFL draft after the 2015 season.

After losing the recruiting battle for Martez Ivey to Florida this past recruiting cycle, having a 5-star talent with starting experience in a power conference could work out better for Auburn in the short term. 

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

If both Coleman and Young stay for their senior seasons on the Plains, James could be the top reserve on the outside and inside of the line.

Auburn has three young projected starters on the interior—Alex Kozan, Golson and Braden Smith—but there isn't a standout backup at any of those spots.

And Kozan, who started at left guard as a redshirt freshman in the Tigers' 2013 championship run, has already missed an entire season due to injury.

James' presence on Auburn's offensive line would benefit the entire offense, especially the quarterback. Veteran line play could make Jeremy Johnson a surefire Heisman contender in 2016—or, if Johnson has a tremendous 2015 and declares for the NFL draft, it could be critical to helping Auburn's newest signal-caller.

A lot can change for a football program over a season, and uncertainty abounds on the future of an Auburn offensive line now stocked with top talent.

If James stays healthy, he can provide Auburn with elite talent, much-needed experience and an extra layer of security in 2016 and beyond.

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Justin Ferguson is an on-call college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.