Auburn Football 2011: Tigers Must Train Hard During Individual Effort Period

The Auburn Tigers enter the summer 7-on-7 period with a lot of momentum and well on the way to answering many questions about the 2011 team. This is one of the two annual make-or-break periods where individual effort by the players often means the difference between a contender and a pretender in September.

Rumors abound about the Auburn program. The rumored talent drain that was to have occurred after last season was dispelled with aggression by the NFL draft. Only four players out of all of the rumored talent drain were drafted at all. In fact, going by NFL draft data, Georgia, LSU and Alabama all faced a larger talent drain after last season than did Auburn.

The truth is that most of the talent at Auburn in 2010 is still there in 2011. While Cameron Newton is the type of player that can’t be replaced, his production certainly can be replaced. There is more than one candidate to consider as a replacement for Nick Fairley and Zac Clayton.

The overall talent on the 2011 Auburn team is somewhat higher than the 2010 team in actuality. It is young talent and their year could well be 2012, but they will be ready to play with any team in the nation on equal footing in 2011.

If this young Auburn team is to compete at the top level in 2011 it is imperative the freshmen come in and take full advantage of the individual training period. Many of these players will be needed during the course of the season. Their contribution will mainly be felt on special teams, but there are others that will have to grow into their primary role sooner.

Angelo Blackson, the 6’5” 295 pound defensive lineman with the athletic ability of a Division I basketball prospect, will be expected to come in and contribute as a freshman.

Gabe Wright, the 6’4” 310 pound defensive lineman, will be expected to come in and produce some quality series as a freshman.

Erique Florence, the 6’2” 190 pound defensive back, is expected to come in and at least provide some time as a quality backup.

Jonathan Rose, the 6’2” 190 pound defensive back, is already competing for playing time in the rotation.

Reese Dismukes, the 6’3” 290 pound center, will be expected to at least provide some quality snaps this year.

These freshmen and possibly others will be thrown into the fire of SEC competition this year. How successful they are could depend on how well they take advantage of the time between now and the opening of fall camp.

Auburn does not need much freshman contribution in the starting roles and it is doubtful that many freshmen will beat out their more experienced counterparts. They will absolutely be needed to provide quality depth at many positions and their progress will determine how fresh the starters may be in the fourth quarter.

Auburn is loaded with talent at every position for 2011. Here are a few playmakers in the offensive skilled positions this year.  

Quarterback

Barrett Trotter 6’2”, 206 pound junior

Clint Moseley 6’3”, 223 pound sophomore

Keihl Frazier 6’3”, 210 pound freshman

Running Back

Michael Dyer 5’9”, 206 pound sophomore

Anthony Morgan 5’9”, 190 pound junior

Tre Mason 5’10”, 190 pound freshman

Scat Back

Onterio McCalebb 5’10”, 172 pound junior

Quan Bray 5’10”, 170 pound freshman

Fullback

Ladarious Phillips 6’0”, 291 pound freshman

Tight End

Philip Lutzenkirchen 6’4”, 253 pound junior

Brandon Fulse 6’5”, 252 pound freshman

Receiver

Trovon Reed 6’0”, 188 pound freshman

DeAngelo Benton 6’2”, 207 pound junior

Quindarius Carr 6’1”, 180 pound senior

Emory Blake 6’1”, 190 pound junior

Travante Stallworth 5’9”, 180 pound junior

Jaylon Denson 6’3”, 190 pound freshman

Sammie Coats 6’3”, 180 pound freshman

CJ Uzomah 6’5”, 235 pound freshman

This is the most talented group of offensive skilled position players Auburn has fielded in quite some time. It should be fun to see what coach Gus Malzahn can come up with to put all of this talent to maximum use this season