Auburn Tigers Football Burning Questions: The Running Backs

It's that time again. 

Time to look into the crystal ball and predict what every Auburn fan—or any college football fan—wants to know; the future of their beloved football program. 

Today, more specifically, let's gaze into the future of Auburn University running backs. Easy enough, right?

Before we delve deeper into the running back position, it is important to remember that, like that of the quarterback, it is full of unknown variables that have not yet been decided.  

National Signing Day is still over one month away, and a couple of those variables, i.e. high school seniors, will be included today. 

Another point to note is that Gus Malzhan's spread offense contains a traditional running back along with what has been termed, the H-back position.  The H-back is more of a multi-threat position; lining up in the backfield, splitting out as a receiver, and coming in motion to run reverses or end-around plays.

To keep it simple, we will focus on who may get the majority of carries as the traditional-style running back next season.

Burning Question 2:  Who will be the 2010 Starting Running Back?

With the departure of senior workhorse RB Ben Tate to the NFL, and no true pure running back returning that saw significant playing time, it's anyone's guess as to who will get the bulk of the carries in 2010. 

Matter of fact, nothing's in stone that says the Tigers will use just one feature back next year. 

We'll start today with returning players, and work our way down to those who may be on campus next Fall. 

Mario Fannin  

The multi-talented senior has played mostly H-back since arriving on the Plains out of Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga. in 2007.  Last season, Fannin rushed 32 times for 271 yards, for an average of 8.2 yards per carry.  However, most of those yards came on mis-direction and end-around type plays. 

Fannin, at 5'11" and 225 lbs, certainly has the size and speed to win the job, though many think he has yet to run with the conviction and consistency of a between-the-tackles type running back. 

Fannin will get plenty of touches as a senior, regardless of where he lines up on the field.

Onterio McCalleb  

McCalleb, a freshman out of Hargrave Military Academy, rushed for 547 yards on 99 carries during an injury plagued 2009 regular season.  The speedster was hampered with foot injuries for most of the year, but before getting hurt, he and Tate were one of the most prolific running duos in the country.

McCalleb certainly has the speed and quickness to score any time he touches the ball, but, at 165 lbs he will have to put on some serious weight to even be considered for the top spot. 

It looks as though OMac will continue to be a complimentary/situational player.

Eric Smith  

The junior out of Armwood High School in Seffner, Fla, showed his versatility in 2009 as a runner, blocker, and most noticeably, a solid pass catcher out of the backfield. 

At 5'10" and 237lbs, he more so fits the mold of a fullback, but has shown he has a finesse side to his game, making defenders miss in the open field.  Though he has shown he can move in space, his size and aforementioned skill-set will probably keep him in a similar role to that of 2009. 

Smith will not travel with the Tigers to the Outback Bowl in Tampa, as he is academically ineligible.

Dontae Aycock  

Aycock, the red-shirt freshman from Tampa's Chamberlain High, turned several heads due to his good work on the scout team, mimicking opponent's running backs.  In fact, there were times when he did that a little too well. 

Offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan stated that Aycock was not red-shirted due to lack of ability, but because with Tate, Fannin, McCalleb and Smith all being competent backs, there just wasn't enough room.

Aycock played quarterback in high school, and was set to sign with Georgia Tech, and run their flex-bone offense, until Gene Chizik and staff came calling late in the recruiting process last year.  Already weighing in at 221 lbs and running a 4.5 forty, look for Aycock to be a serious contender for the starting job next September.  Many seem to think he is the favorite of those already on campus.

Now that we've looked at the returning players, let's check out the possible newcomers for the 2010 season.

Michael Dyer  

Dyer, who has made a verbal commitment to the Tigers, is ESPN's number one ranked high school back in the nation.  Rivals.com  and Scout.com list Dyer as their number three running back. 

Dyer possesses speed and power, and at 5'10" and 200 lbs, he has drawn comparison to the likes of Barry Sanders, as well as former Rutgers star and Baltimore Raven Ray Rice. 

As a senior at Little Rock Christian in Arkansas, Dyer rushed for 1,803 yards on 198 carries, for an average of 9.1 yards per carry.  He averaged 200 yards per game and ran for 23 touchdowns. 

Dyer's commitment seems solid, and with his pass catching skills and durability, he should see significant playing time and push for the starting spot in 2010. 

Marcus Lattimore  

Lattimore, out of Byrnes High School in Duncan South Carolina, is ESPN's number two high school running back. He is the number one back according to Scout.com , and Rivals.com  lists Lattimore as their second best back in the nation. 

Though he remains uncommitted, Lattimore has named Auburn one of his favorites, along with South Carolina.  Many believe Auburn is the team to beat, and it's even been rumored that he is a silent-commit to the Tigers. Let's pay special attention to that word, "rumor". 

Lattimore is a larger back than Dyer, at 6'0" and 210 lbs.  With that frame, he could easily reach 220-225 lbs. 

He is a powerful runner with deceptive quickness and is known to run stronger as the game goes on, something Auburn fans have come to know, love, and expect out of their running backs.

As a senior, Lattimore rushed for 1,196 yards on 170 carries and scored 21 touchdowns.  He also caught 36 passes for 430 yards.

If signed by the Tigers, Lattimore will certainly push for early playing time right away along with Dyer.  If both star running backs were to pledge to play for Gene Chizik and company, it would bring an interesting dynamic that will remind fans of a certain duo a few years ago. 

Remember them? 

They were both taken in the first round of the NFL draft, and as Tigers, managed to share the spotlight pretty well.  AU fans cannot help but to draw the comparisons, and if lucky enough to actually have Dyer and Lattimore, be able to do so for the next 3-4 years.

Looking back, the viable options seem more numerous than those at the quarterback position.  Perhaps because there are actually experienced runners returning, but it could also have something to do with the possibility of signing arguably the top two high school backs in the nation.

Like the QB battle, this one will be equally interesting to watch unfold in the Spring. and even more so next Summer, as one, if not two, premier RB prospects set foot on the Plains.

Coming Next:

Burning Question 3: Will Auburn's Defense Return to Traditional Form in 2010?