2010 Auburn Tigers Football Roster: Breaking Down the Two Deeps

Auburn is looking like one of the strongest offensive teams in the country in 2010, and while there are a lot of questions on the defensive end, the unit could prove to be better than expected. 

There are some key position battles to keep an eye on throughout the season. The depth chart reads a certain way now, but that could be very different by the end of the year. 

With a strong incoming recruiting class and a solid group of sophomores that are coming into their own, a lot of starters will be pushed for playing time.

Here's a breakdown of all 22 starters on the roster and their primary backup as listed on Auburn's official depth chart, released August 31. 

QB: Cam Newton / Barrett Trotter

Cam Newton went from Florida to JUCO and now has landed the starting quarterback gig at Auburn. He comes with baggage, but his alleged theft charges are long removed and all that's visible to the naked eye is a ton of talent and potential.

In an offense like Auburn's, he has the potential to be a statistical beast. 

Some thought that Barrett Trotter might have had a chance to earn the starting gig last year, but a torn ACL put an end that discussion. He passed Neil Caudle on the depth chart this year, but the sophomore with skills is still stuck behind Newton.

If Newton were to struggle, Trotter might get his chance, but there's still Caddle there as well. 

RB: Mario Fannin / Onterio McCalebb / Michael Dyer

Mario Fannin contributed as a running back, wide receiver, tight end, and H-back last season and now will have first crack at starting at running back in the post-Ben Tate era. 

That could change quickly with a couple of very talented backs behind him, but it's Fannin's versatility that should see him spread around the field rather than locked into a full-time role as a running back. 

Fannin might be the starter in name, but top running backs from the 2009 and 2010 recruiting classes are biting at his heels and both should get their share of carries.

Onterio McCalebb shined in spurts last year, but Tate kept him off the field as the year progressed . This year figures to be different.

Now, we're only supposed to be going two deep, but in this case we'll make an exception. Michael Dyer is too talented not to find his way onto the field and actually more carries than either Fannin or McCalebb in Week 1. 

HB: Eric Smith / Shaun Kitchens

Eric Smith has a classic fullback build at 5'10" and 240 lbs, but he's more than just a bulldozer in the blocking game: He can run when given the chance and is an underrated weapon in the passing game. 

He'll be the starting H-Back this season and will contribute as much as a tight end as a running back. Considering he's coming off an 18-catch, 226-yard season, there should be a good amount of production throughout the year.

Shaun Kitchens, the 3-star athlete from the 2010 recruiting class, will be lining up as his primary backup, but isn't expected to make much of an impact this season. 

WR 1: Darvin Adams / Jay Wisner

Darvin Adams was the go-to guy for Auburn last year.

There might be other receivers in the SEC with more talent and athleticism, but he's a model of consistency and you can't ask for too much more than that.

He had some huge games last year and is expected to do even better this season with Cam Newton under center. 

Adams's primary backup, Jay Wisner, the senior who's never really had his chance to get on the field, might hold down the spot on the depth chart, but Quindarius Carr, DeAngelo Benton, and Kodi Burns are all expected to receive more playing time. 

WR 2: Terrell Zachery / Quindarius Carr

Fannin was pretty much the team's No. 2 receiver last season, but with his role to be better defined as a running back, Terrell Zachary will have his chance to finally prove what he can do. 

One of the best high school receivers in Alabama history, Zachary was a non-factor until 2009, where he put together a decent campaign. 

He's fast, big, and has a great set of hands. That should set him up for a very good year playing opposite Adams. 

Quindarius Carr, slated behind Zachary on the depth chart, is a very promising option who emerged as a solid contributor in the spring and should shine as the third receiver in the rotation so long as he can prove to be consistent on the field. 

TE: Philip Lutzenkirchen / Kodi Burns

Philip Lutzenkirchen was one of the top tight ends from the 2009 recruiting class and many expect this to be his breakout season. 

At 6'4" and 246 lbs, he's a wide receiver trapped in a big man's body. He's got the speed, the toughness and the hands to be a real force at this level and beyond.

After a quiet freshman season, this year Lutzenkirchen should be a dangerous weapon in the passing game. 

Slotting in behind him is Kodi Burns, the former quarterback who simply couldn't cut it at the position. With Newton, Trotter, and Caudle, Burns has found a home as a jack-of-all trades weapon who'll see some time in three wide sets and occasionally in the Wildcat. 

LT: Lee Ziemba / Brandon Mosley

Lee Ziemba has been a staple of the offensive line for four years, starting 38 straight games and earning all-star honors. 

He's big, well-balanced, has great footwork, and long, tree-trunk arms. That makes for a very difficult matchup for defenders, and while he's not a brick wall against premiere pass-rushers, he's a steady hand on the O-Line.

Brandon Mosley is slated as the No. 2 left tackle, but he's still in the mix for the starting right tackle spot. The former tight end is very athletic and had a great spring, showing off some polished technique.

He might still need some time before getting his shot, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him in the starting lineup some time this season.  

LG: Mike Berry / Bart Eddins

Mike Berry is one of the team's biggest offensive lineman, and also one of the best. He's smart, talented, and one of the main reasons for the success of the running game. 

He's got the versatility to play any interior offensive line position, and if anything goes wrong at center, he can step in and anchor the unit from there. 

Injury concerns are an issue, as he's coming off a knee injury in the offseason and might not be quite at 100 percent yet. 

Bart Eddins is the No. 2 on the depth chart and the career backup has been a solid contributor, but—like Berry—is coming off a knee injury. He's got the versatility to be a spot starter at either guard position or at center. 

C: Ryan Pugh / Blake Burgess

Ryan Pugh has been a starter for the last three years, earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2009 as well as academic All-Star honors.

He's seen time at right tackle, but he's proven to be much better as an interior lineman. This season, he'll start at center and is a perfect fit for the offense. 

Blake Burgess might be listed as the backup, but there are other options with more experience and versatility that will get the nod over him if anything were to happen to Pugh. 

RG: Byron Isom / Jorell Bostrom

Byron Isom was tried out at left guard in the offseason with the injury to Mike Berry, but the veteran will be staying on the right side after all. 

That's a much more natural position for him and he should be a good, dependant starter in 2010. 

He's athletic and tough, is great on the move and really tries to bury a defender when blocking. 

Like Blake Burgess, Jorell Bostrom is listed as a primary backup, but the senior might not get the chance to see the field much with younger talented linemen as well as some seasoned veterans with a lot more versatility. 

RT: A.J. Greene / John Sullen

A.J. Greene is the starting right tackle for the time being, but the junior has only appeared in three games throughout his career and hasn't locked down his place in the lineup. 

Brandon Mosley and JUCO transfer Roszell Gayden will be biting at his heels and that doesn't even take into account the No. 2 on the depth chart: John Sullen.

Sullen is entering his sophomore year after spending last season on the sidelines. He might have a better chance at seeing playing time in 2010, but the former 2-star recruit is still on the raw side. 

DE: Antoine Carter / Corey Lemonier

With the loss of Antonio Coleman, Auburn is looking for a new pass-rusher to lead the push upfront. That role will be given to senior Antoine Carter, with the hope that he's primed for his best collegiate season. 

He started the second half of last season and had a good offseason that has coaches and observers pegging him as a breakout player for 2010. 

His backup will be freshman Corey Lemonier, the highly coveted 5-star recruit rated as a top 10 defensive end from the 2010 class. 

Coleman's job isn't at much of a risk, but Lemonier should eat up a few snaps each game. 

DE: Michael Goggans / Nosa Eguae

Michael Goggans started the first half of the 2009 season as a sophomore, but he struggled as the year progressed and was replaced by Carter. 

He had a great offseason, but that happened last year as well, so there is scepticism that he'll be able to hold down the starting gig throughout the year in 2010. 

The skills are there, but the consistency hasn't been, especially when it comes to the pass rush. 

Nosa Eguae is the backup for now, but he could be the next lineman to pass Goggans on the depth chart in the last two years. The redshirt freshman is brimming with talent and has the chance to be a terrific player down the line. 

DT: Nick Fairley / Mike Blanc

Nick Fairley was a key reserve last season and saw some minutes as a spot starter. This year, he'll be taking over for Jake Rick in the middle of the line. 

He's an athletic player and good pass rusher who really shined at the JUCO level before coming to the Tigers last season and performing decently in limited minutes. 

Behind him is Mike Blanc, the senior who isn't flashy or highly-rated, but is consistent and gets the job done. 

Blanc is a hard worker and a veteran who will be a big part of the rotation along the defensive line. 

DT: Zach Clayton / Jeffrey Whitaker

Zach Clayton struggled with a nagging ankle injury in 2009, but the senior is healthy again and should be ready to take the next step in his development. Clayton could be a huge factor on the inside, just a year later than expected. 

He can play either tackle spot, and if he gets bit by the injury bug again, it seems as if Mike Blanc will slide into the starting lineup. 

His official backup is Jeffrey Whitaker, the 5-star recruit rated as a top 10 defensive tackle from the 2010 class, but it would appear Blanc is ready to play and Whitaker could use more time to develop. 

LLB: Craig Stevens / Eltoro Freeman

Craig Stevens was one of the teams best players on defense a year ago, finishing second on the team in tackles with 95. 

He's not as physical as Josh Bynes, but he's a tough player and can be an aggressive playmaker that can start at either outside linebacker position. 

Eltoro Freeman was a starter at outside linebacker for most of last season, but for now he's lining up with the second team and will have to earn his way back to the top of the rotation. 

The former JUCO transfer is a big time athlete who needs to prove he can stay healthy after a string of injuries cost him last year.  

MLB: Josh Bynes / Harris Gaston

Josh Bynes led the team with 104 tackles last season and secured his position as the team's top linebacker. 

He's a beast in the open field and is a physical presence in the middle that will rack up stats as the line funnels plays his direction. 

Bynes primary backup, Harris Gaston, is coming off a redshirt season and could be a bigger than anticipated factor in 2010.

Though the competition for playing time at linebacker will be stiff, Bynes doesn't figure to leave much room for others in the inside. 

RLB: Daren Bates / Jessel Curry

Daren Bates started every game as a true freshman last season, but that was at safety, not linebacker. 

In the summer, the coaching staff tinkered with the idea of moving the 5'11" and 203 lb sophomore over to linebacker, where he's shown some serious potential. 

If the experiment doesn't work out, Bates will move back to safety and true freshman Jessel Curry will get the next shot at the starting right outside linebacker spot. 

Curry was a 3-star linebacker recruit from the 2010 class, and while he needs to to bulk up, he's a tackling machine who could be a good option if needed. 

LCB: Demond Washington / T'Sharvan Bell

Demond Washington might be a senior but he's not guaranteed to play out the season as a starter. He's a hard worker and a favorite of the coaching staff, but he needs to play more consistently this year if things are going to work out.

He got a couple starts at strong safety last season and is a pretty physical player at only 5'9" and 182 lbs. Add in some great footwork and cutting ability, and Washington should bring a lot of versatility to the table.

T'Sharvan Bell is No. 2 on the depth chart for now and is probably the most athletic player on the Tigers roster.  

He's smart, quick, and could be ready for a breakout season in his sophomore year. 

RCB: Neiko Thorpe / Chris Davis

The secondary is a fluid situation, but Neiko Thorpe is the solid starter of the unit who started every game in 2009 and should be the anchor of the unit this season. 

He's terrific against the run, finishing third on the team in tackles, but he's been a bit of a liability at times when it comes to ball-in-the-air situations. 

Expect more from him in 2010 as he ventures through his junior season. 

His primary backup, at least for now, will be true freshman Chris Davis, the 3-star recruit that enters the fold with a lot of upside. 

S: Aairon Savage / Mike McNeil

Senior Airon Savage was expected to be a star after his freshman season, but things just haven't worked out for him since then. 

After suffering an ankle injury that cost him nearly half a season as a sophomore, he had a really terrible knee injury just before the start of the 2008 season and is just now healthy again. 

He'll be starting at safety and, if he can stay healthy, could be in line for a great season in 2010. 

Behind him there are even more injury worries though. Mike McNeil is the No. 2 at the position and is coming off a broken leg that cost him all of last year. He's been good at times, but needs to prove more consistent. 

S: Zac Etheridge / Ikeem Means

Continuing the theme of injury problems, there's also Zac Etheridge to consider. He's been said to be all but back to form this year and ready to roll, but it's no easy feat to come back from a scary neck injury that ended his season in 2009. 

He was having a pretty good season until it was cut short against Ole Miss nine contests in. If he can prove that he's healthy again, Etheridge could be one of the best players in the secondary. 

Ikeem Means is slated as the No. 2 behind Etheridge, but the sophomore also has Daren Bates to worry about as well. If anything happens to Etheridge or Aairon Savage, Bates will make the switch back to his starting spot from a year ago. 

Means is more of an emergency option at this point.