Auburn Football: Gene Chizik Era: A Look Ahead

In this week of relaxed football atmosphere I decided to do a little reflection and a look ahead at the health of our Football Program. It is well known 44 percent of our 2008,2007, and 2006 recruiting classes never played a down at Auburn. Coach Gene Chizik and staff recruited 26 freshmen on signing day 2009. Of those 20 percent are no longer with the team. This was the 16th ranked recruiting class of 2009. Statistics would tell us there were many less problems with program fit and academic ability with this class than with the previous three.

In the verbal commitment class of 2010 there is much to be optimistic about. Auburn has verbal commitments from seven four star athletes, and 11 three star athletes. There is also one two star athlete a 230 lbs. Punter.

Auburn is being favored by two of the top three running backs in the country and considered by the third. They are all five star athletes. There are offers and considerations for many other fine athletes that intend to commit before signing day.

So far Auburn has verbals from 3 Defensive Ends, 1 Defensive Tackle, 3 Offensive Linemen, One Punter, One Kicker, 4 Line Backers, 2 Wide Receivers, 2 Defensive Backs and two Athletes that can play a variety of positions. 

While this recruiting season if far from over let us look at our needs.

Ben Tate is a Senior Running Back of the highest quality and performance. He will be missed sorely.

Auburn is reportedly in the lead with one five star running back that is similar in style to Ben Tate. He runs the forty in similar time and should be able to handle the job.

Auburn is also being considered by another powerful running back. He is also a five star and would make an excellent addition to the Gus Malzhan Offense where 40 running plays per game is the targeted goal. 

Auburn has a verbal commitment from the highest rated kicker in the country.

Auburn has a verbal commitment from a powerful punter.

Chris Todd is a senior and must be replaced next year. There are already two excellent prospects in the works that have not played a down at Auburn.

Barrett Trotter was a highly recruited quarterback. He was one of the success stories of the Tommy Tuberville Staff in 2008. He was in the running for the starting job at Auburn this year when his knee was injured. He is back from surgery now and waiting on his chance next season. He has a quick release, strong arm and good mobility.

Tyrik Rollison is a four star recruit by Gene Chizik and Staff from 2009. He is a dual threat quarterback with pin point accuracy and the ability to throw on the run. He has a medium range arm.

Both of these young quarterbacks seem quit fitted to Gus Malzhan's offense. We all already know about Kodi Burns and Neil Caudle as both have played this season. All of these quarterbacks are expected to compete to replace Chris Todd next season.

Auburn loses Walter McFadden this year. He is a great defensive back and will be sorely missed. Auburn is also short at this position.

Gene Chizik and staff have two Defensive Back verbal commitments and a multitude considering Auburn. Most of the prospects will not be ready to play year one. There are a few considering Auburn that are physically mature enough to possibly step in effectively next season.

Auburn is thin at Line Backer. Auburn has four verbal commitments at this position some of the commitments will play and have a positive effect next season.

Antonio Coleman is a senior Defensive End that will be sorely missed. Auburn has three verbal commitments at Defensive End and one is physically mature enough to play next season. There are also several other prospects at this position considering Auburn.

Defensive Tackle is a position that Auburn has been thin at this year. Auburn has red shirt freshmen in the system building toward this position. They should be ready next season.

Offensive Line is a position that has been thin for Auburn. Auburn has verbal commitments from  some of the highest rated Offensive Linemen in the country. They are in the 280lbs range and fleet of foot like Gus Malzhan prefers for his offensive scheme. There are also some freshmen at this position. This is shaping up to be a real strength for Auburn.

Tight End is a position that will be thin with the graduation of Tommy Trott. There is not much word from the recruiting trail on this position. There are two freshmen and a sophomore in the pipeline for this position though.

As always the key position to watch in this years recruiting class is running back. Auburn has Eric Smith, Mario Fannin, Onterio McCalebb all back next season. This will not do in Gus Malzhan's system though. With half the passes being caught by running backs out of the backfield and 40 running plays per game this will not suffice. Auburn must get at least two more fast power backs to complete the needs. It would not hurt to have another super fast scat back like McCalebb either. His injury this year put a severe crimp in the Auburn offense. Auburn could also use some serious help at kickoff and punt returns.

While Auburn has been thin this season and paid the consequences of this. Next season looks much the opposite. There are freshmen working on their game in many positions this season. There are a lot of red shirt freshmen preparing themselves to take a role on the team next year. There are eleven players out for the season with injuries. Some of these players can be expected to return. 

The picture seems to be a team that has all of the pieces in place for Gus Malzhan and Ted Roof next season. There will be a good mixture of every under class level on the team. There will be high quality athletes at every position. It is a team that has quite impeccable foot speed looking forward to next year. 

Next seasons team could well be the highest rated in over all recruited talent quality in Auburn history. At the very least it will be a very talented team even for the SEC. This seems to be the result of recruiting players that have a chance to meet requirements and actually play at Auburn. Look for next season to be the beginning of a very special period in Auburn football history.

Auburn's schedule for next season:

09/04/10	vs. Arkansas State	Auburn, Ala.
09/11/10	at Mississippi State	Starkville, Miss.
09/18/10	vs. Clemson	Auburn, Ala.
09/25/10	vs. South Carolina	Auburn, Ala.
10/02/10	vs. Louisiana-Monroe	Auburn, Ala.
10/09/10	at Kentucky	Lexington, Ky.
10/16/10	vs. Arkansas	Auburn, Ala.
10/23/10	vs. LSU	Auburn, Ala.
10/30/10	at Mississippi	Oxford, Miss.
11/06/10	vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga	Auburn, Ala.
11/13/10	vs. Georgia	Auburn, Ala.
11/26/10	at Alabama	Tuscaloosa, Ala.

This is the most favorable season schedule I can recall. There are less stressful games mixed in with tough SEC opponents at the perfect breaks. Auburn does not play any of the traditional powers in the Eastern Division other than Georgia. It is a good a schedule to succeed as Auburn will ever get. LSU is likely to be the toughest competition next season and they have to come to Auburn. Alabama will lose 12 to 15 starters to graduation and the NFL including Mount. Cody. Their defense will be particularly hard hit. Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Kentucky are all on the rise so Auburn will have to improve beyond them.

This concludes my little look ahead. If you are an Auburn fan like myself, you should feel good about what is happening on the plains. The stars are just a little brighter looking forward.