Auburn Football: Michael Dyer and 8 Tigers That Could Become Legends

In 2011 Auburn will rely heavily on underclassmen to provide a spark and big plays for the Tigers.

The future for the Tigers is one that looks bright but it is a future that must be developed. How Chizik and Co. develops the talent is how far it will take Auburn into 2011 and beyond.

The current staff has shown that it has an uncanny ability to recruit the top talent in the country. Looking at the athletes on roster today, Auburn has a brighter future than most would expect.

These players have a shot at changing the record books and making their names stick in the minds and hearts of fans forever.

Michael Dyer: So.

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Michael Dyer #5 of the Auburn Tigers rushes upfield against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Dyer has already rushed for 1,000 yards as a freshman. He has surpassed the record previously set by none other than Vincent “Bo” Jackson for rushing yards by a freshman. Dyer has a very bright future ahead of him if he can maintain his health.

With Onterio McCalebb in the mix Dyer will always have a back to share the load and that will be a positive moving forward. How Dyer handles the role as “feature back” this coming season will determine his success in the future.

Yes, it seems like a lot to put on a sophomore’s shoulders, but this season may very well be determined by how well Dyer finishes. Dyer will be a focus in the future and will face much more adversity than he did as a freshman, but I would expect him to adjust accordingly.

Dyer is poised to be a player that Auburn fans will remember forever. If he can handle the work load and keep the focus, he will end his career as one of the most prolific backs to play in the orange and blue. Look for Dyer to embrace the role of “feature back” and to continue to get better every game of his career.

Trovon Reed: (Rs) Fr.

Courtesy of al.com and the Birmingham News

Before even making one breakout play the name moves the masses. Auburn found a gem when it landed Trovon Reed but he has to make it to the field to earn his name recognition. Last season, injuries sidelined Reed. Look for him to breakout in 2011.

Reed is a player that brings quickness and speed to the table. Get him in the open field and if you touch him, you should count yourself lucky. Reed has the shiftiness and the speed to make him apart of the solution in 2011.

How Auburn finds ways to get Reed the ball will be a treat to watch and how he handles the pressure that follows stardom will be interesting as well. Reed has the skills to be a game changer, it is a matter of finding the right formula.

Nosa Eguae: (Rs) So.

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nosa Eguae #94 of the Auburn Tigers looks on against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/G

Defensive end is a position that has produced some of the best players that the Tigers have seen in recent years. Aggressive defensive ends are fun to watch and Eguae fits the mold perfectly. Eguae is a playmaker. His ability to disrupt a backfield will force teams to make plans to avoid him.

How he takes his skills into the future will be interesting to watch as this season he will be looked upon to be a leader. There is not a lot of veteran presence on the 2011 team but Eguae has the game experience that throws him into a leadership role.

How Eguae balances his duties as a playmaker and instructor for the younger guys will go a long way in determining his legend status at Auburn. He has built the base for himself to be successful, now he has to execute at the high level that fans expect.

Corey Lemonier: So.

Courtesy of alittlenewsphoto.com

Lemonier is a sophomore this season that was a surprise signing two years ago. Lemonier came in and earned his way onto the field from day one. Lemonier has an ability to play the position and be a showstopper.

Last year he earned some playing time from the end position and has built a solid base to build from for the future. He will be looked upon to anchor a defensive line in 2011 that has more questions than answers but with Lemonier and Eguae Auburn should be in good hands.

The speed at which Lemonier plays off of the edge will be what makes the difference in 2011 and beyond. Look for Lemonier to change the record books if he can stay healthy and aggressive.

Kiehl Frazier: Fr.

Courtesy of athlonsports.com

Frazier is walking into a tough situation from the start. Many fans and followers are expecting a savior to emerge from the quarterback position and Frazier happens to be the guy that the spotlight has fallen on.

Will Frazier emerge as the starter by seasons end? At this point it seems like a plausible solution to a position that has a lack of leadership despite moving into the summer workout period. Frazier is a great talent and will break records in the future but he may not be up to par in year one.

He will most likely produce statistics in 2011 but they will not be Earth shattering. Assuming he does see some playing time this season, his sophomore campaign should be set up for success. Frazier is tailor made for Malzahn’s offense and a guy that Malzahn has been watching for five years.

Frazier has the skill set and football savvy to be a special quarterback in Auburn’s future and will likely finish his career with a few records and awards in his hand.

Craig Sanders: So.

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AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Auburn Tigers special teams player Craig Sanders #13 celebrates a tackle during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Sanders was an absolute beast a year ago on special teams for the Tigers. There was never a doubt that No. 13 was going to be near or in the pile at the end of the return. Sanders has the speed and size to make an impact this season for the Tigers.

Sanders is a workout animal and has shown his willingness to fly down the field and throw his body around with reckless abandon. That is what you are looking for in a defensive star. Sanders has three more years in the orange and blue and there is no doubt that he will be fun to watch for fans in the future.

Sanders could float between a hybrid linebacker and defensive end role for the Tigers and given his speed and field vision he will make it into record books before his time is done.

Demetruce McNeal: So.

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Demetruce McNeal #12 of the Auburn Tigers gestures against the Auburn Tigers the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Phot

The safety position has seen warriors in the past few years in Zac Etheridge and Aaron Savage. Players like Junior Rosegreen come to mind as well. McNeal has an opportunity to be a human highlight and will likely be held in the same company as Etheridge, Savage, and Rosegreen.

McNeal is extremely talented and made some plays for the Tigers a year ago as depth at the defensive back positions got low enough to convert a quarterback to cornerback overnight. McNeal received much needed playing time in 2010 however and having that experience will prove to be pivotal this season and beyond.

McNeal is a player that has the intangibles built in and if he can keep his head on straight can be a leader for the defense. He plays with speed and tenacity, two qualities that will ensure success for a safety at this level. Keep an eye on Demetruce McNeal in the coming season and beyond.

Jake Holland: So.

Courtesy of swtimes.com

Jake Holland will be a stud for the Auburn Tigers in 2011 and beyond. Holland played sparingly in 2010 as a backup to Josh Bynes. Getting that much needed playing time helped develop Holland and expose him to the speed of play.

Holland steps into the starting role this season as a sophomore and with his passion on the field and work ethic in the weight room his impact will be felt early and often across the SEC. Holland is poised to be a leader for now and well into the future.

2011 will be a season that the defense is needed to take an ownership in how the Tigers come out early in the season as the development of a quarterback will be a priority and a growing pain. The leadership that Holland will need to provide will be a huge piece of the equation for success for the Auburn Tigers in 2011.

In Closing

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Gatorade products sit on the sideline after the Auburn Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks 22 to 19 during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Ph

There are a number of future playmakers that are on campus or arriving daily. Guys like Kris Frost and Gabe Wright are others that are incoming freshman that could make instant impacts and build their road to legendary status early.

The short list that is compiled here is one that will be expanded upon in the future but is exclusive to guys that have built a reputation and visibility that leads to success. Auburn’s future looks bright in many areas but how this team responds to its youth will go a long way not only in 2011 but beyond. Confidence can be lost if these guys don’t build a strong base of success while they are young in the program.

Look for the history books to be re-written in the coming years as the talent level on the Plains may be at an all time high.