BCS National Championship: Analyzing Auburn Youth Movement in Glendale & Beyond

The Auburn Tigers have accomplished more than was expected this year, and possibly the Oregon Ducks as well. While some predicted the Ducks to win the Pac-10, most believed the Rose Bowl would be their final destination.

With preseason favorite Alabama headed to the Capitol One Bowl, the season has been a surprise to some.

The Auburn football team started this season as a work in progress with a tremendous amount of potential. What most figured to be a very favorable schedule actually ended up being one of the most difficult in the nation.

The Tigers have not peaked and have improved every week this year. Five weeks of bowl preparation is a huge asset for this young team.

While some would question the label of Auburn being a young team, they have not looked at the internal workings of the team. Freshmen and sophomores have played a very important role in this year’s team. Following is a list of freshmen and sophomores that have contributed substantially on game days.  

Player Biography	Class	Statistics
5	Freshman	Michael Dyer
94	Red Shirt Freshman	Nosa Eguae
11	Freshman	Chris Davis
12	Freshman	Demetruce McNeal
54	Freshman	Jeffrey Whitaker
55	Freshman	Corey Lemonier
55	Freshman	Corey Lemonier
5	Freshman	Jake Holland
63	Red Shirt Freshman	Blake Burgess
92	Freshman	Kenneth Carter
30	Freshman	Steven Clark
33	Freshman	Jessel Curry
58	Red Shirt Freshman	Harris Gaston
6	Freshman	Antonio Goodwin
4	Freshman	Shaun Kitchens
13	Freshman	Craig Sanders
23	Sophomore	Onterio McCalebb
80	Sophomore	Emory Blake
22	Sophomore	T'Sharvan Bell
25	Sophomore	Daren Bates
43	Sophomore	Philip Lutzenkirchen
95	Sophomore	Dee Ford
16	Sophomore	Ikeem Means
35	Sophomore	Jonathan Evans
71	Sophomore	John Sullen
74	Sophomore	Jamar Travis

It was the contribution of these players that allowed Auburn to become a second half team. These young players were thrown into the fire to allow the more physically mature upperclassmen to get the rest they needed to stay fresh for the entire game, no matter how many snaps were played. These players have made a difference this year. 

These are the players Auburn fans can expect the most benefit and improvement from in the extra six weeks of practice leading up the showdown in Glendale Arizona. Improvements in the play of these young players might make the difference. 

Most of these young men were recruited by the current staff. There have been few disappointments in the two classes recruited by Gene Chizik so far. This is one area where there is no doubt the program has improved dramatically.