Auburn Football 2011: 5 Tigers Who Could Be All-Americans

The Auburn Tigers' 2010 national championship season ended with plenty of individual accolades other than Cam Newton's Heisman Trophy.

Three Tigers (Newton, LT Lee Ziemba, and DT Nick Fairley) earned consensus All-American honors during Auburn's 14-0 season, becoming the first Auburn players to be honored since G Ben Grubbs in 2006 and bringing the total of players in Auburn history to 61.

All three stars have now moved on to the NFL, but there is still plenty of talent on the Auburn roster capable of doing the same.

Here are five players that have the potential to become All-Americans for the 2011 season. All five of these players will need to have excellent seasons for the Tigers to come close to equaling 2010's undefeated record.

Michael Dyer, Running Back

Expectations are high for Dyer this season after an outstanding freshman campaign in 2010.

Dyer was second in rushing for Auburn as a freshman, racking up 1,093 yards with five touchdowns, while earning some freshman All-American recognition.

Dyer should take over in 2011 as Auburn's top offensive threat and will be one of the best running backs in the SEC, if not the entire nation.

Emory Blake, Wide Receiver

Blake is Auburn's leading returner at wide receiver after ranking third in 2010 with 554 yards.

Despite not starting, Blake had little trouble making an impact with a team-high eight touchdown catches in 2011.

Blake is the main target in the passing game for whomever becomes Auburn's new starting quarterback. He should have a big junior season as the top target in Gus Malzahn's offense, especially if he develops a good rapport with the new QB.

Nosa Eguae, Defensive End

The Tigers are breaking in new starters on the defensive line, but return a talented young defensive end in sophomore Nosa Eguae.

Eguae started 11 games last season as a redshirt freshman and picked up 3.5 sacks and 22 tackles.

The pressure will be on Eguae to step up as the leader of a very inexperienced line in 2011.

Expect more sacks and big plays from Eguae as he looks to build on a very promising start to his Auburn career.

Philip Lutzenkirchen, Tight End

Lutzenkirchen made some huge plays as a sophomore tight end in 2010, finishing the year with 185 yards and five touchdown receptions, including the winning score in the Iron Bowl comeback over Alabama.

Tabbed as preseason third-team All-SEC by the coaches, expect Lutzenkirchen to be a big part of the offense in 2011 as one of the few experienced Auburn receivers.

Look for him to be a main target when Auburn is the red zone and a potential breakout candidate as one of the nation's top tight ends. He also might see time at WR and H-back in 2011.

Onterio McCalebb, Running Back/Kick Returner

McCalebb would be a starting running back for many schools, but he still managed compile 810 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season playing behind Dyer.

Any sort of injury to Dyer would put McCalebb in the driver's seat to put up even bigger numbers in 2011 after averaging 8.5 yards per carry last season.

McCalebb could also be in position to earn national honors as a return man. He will likely be the main kick returner this season after eight returns last season, including a 99-yard return against Arkansas.