Auburn Football: 6 Tigers Freshmen That Have Made a Mark in 2011

It’s no secret that the Tigers had a youth movement this season at virtually every position. After coming off of a national championship, the Tigers lost numerous players to graduation and the NFL draft. With their departure, a wealth of playing time opened up across the board offensively and defensively.

 There were a wealth of players that were recruited in the past two seasons that were expected to make major impacts, and for some, the expectations have been fulfilled. Taking a look at the latest recruiting class, there have been six strong standouts.

 The Tigers have looked to freshmen to provide a spark in numerous offensive situations, while others have been quite formidable defensively. The Auburn coaches knew that this would be a rebuilding year with the lack of scholarship players, but these five young Tigers have made the transition much easier for the Tigers in 2011. 

Tre Mason: RB

Mason burst onto the scene as a kick returner, taking one the distance for the Tigers in game one. Mason has looked incredibly explosive on numerous returns this season and has earned a few carries as well.

With the running back position being very limited with bodies, Mason has earned carries earlier than most expected and has been an electric fan favorite.

Mason has already earned the nickname Tre “La Soul” after his father’s early ‘90’s rap group, De la Soul. His explosive play and fearless mentality has been not only a treat to watch, but has been a boost to morale for the Tigers when they have found themselves on the ropes.

Mason has been more than a pleasant surprise, as he was one of the last Tigers to qualify and arrive on campus. Despite the delay in arrival, Mason has been one of the most impressive and effective of the 2011 freshmen class.

Robenson Therezie: DB

Robenson Therezie carries a nickname that every Auburn fan will be able to remember: Cadillac. Therezie earned the nickname in high school, as his coach said he resembled the former Auburn running back in style and play.

Therezie has been a supplemental defender for the Tigers in some nickel packages and has been an all-star this season on special teams. Therezie has played in all nine games for the Tigers and has 13 tackles, the majority of which have come on special teams.

Therezie is like a human missile on the football field, launching his entire frame into his tackles. In interviews, he openly states he plays and has every intent to hit the opponent as hard as possible on every play. If the Tigers could replicate his passion with every defender, their isn’t a doubt that they would.

Therezie is also a very talented cover man and has a very bright future in the Tigers secondary. So far this season, his play has been exciting for fans, but detrimental to the health of the opponent. 

Brandon Fulse: H-Back

Fulse came in to fall camp with expectations for the future, but few predicted an instant impact. So far, Fulse has found his way to the field in all nine of the Tigers games.

Fulse has earned time in the H-back role behind junior phenom Philip Lutzenkircken. Lutzenkirchen doesn’t come off of the field often, but when he has, Fulse has been willing and able to pick up where Lutzie leaves off.

Fulse has only registered two catches this season, but his impact in run blocking has been a boost for the position. Expect Fulse to continue to see his time increase even as this season draws to a close.

Fulse won’t pass Lutzenkirchen, but he will earn his share of snaps going forward.

Jermaine Whitehead: CB

Jermaine Whitehead burst onto the scene in a surprising manner for the Tigers this pre-season. Jonathan Rose was the most touted of the cover corners for Auburn in the 2011 signing class, but Whitehead has earned the most field time at the position of any freshman.

Whitehead has made his presence felt on 22 tackles so far the season and has one interception for a touchdown on the year as well. Whitehead has earned his way into the starting nickel position for the Tigers defense and has played the position extremely well.

Under the guidance of junior T’Sharvan Bell, who earned his reputation last season as the nickel back, Whitehead has progressed well. He has solidified himself as a playmaker not only on special teams, but as a staple on the Auburn defense as well.

Reese Dismukes: C

Dismukes has stepped into one of the most difficult positions on the football field and, as a freshman, has performed very well. There have been missed assignments and times that missed blocks looked bad, but for a freshman, mistakes will happen. Most importantly, not one snap has appeared off target.

Dismukes has led the line through nine games in his first collegiate season and has an opportunity to make a very impressive career at Auburn with his abilities and work ethic.

Dismukes’ name hasn’t been one that has been very publicized, but his efforts have not gone unnoticed. The future of the Auburn offensive line looks strong with Dismukes leading the charge.

Quan Bray: WR

Bray started his career at Auburn with a ton of off-the-field adversity. Bray has done amazing job at keeping an unmatched focus, staying the course and becoming a very talented contributor to this year’s team.

Bray has been a change of pace type player out of the slot for the Tigers on offense, but his biggest impact has come as a sure-handed punt return man. The past three seasons, the Tigers have struggled in simply catching the punt safely, much less returning one.

Bray hasn’t been a game changer from the return position, but he has been consistent and sure handed. It is only a matter of time before he puts his talents on display and takes one to the end zone.

The Rest...

The Tigers signed its second top five recruiting class this past season. There were numerous assumptions made as to who would lead the charge as the first on the field. There were guys like Kris Frost and Sammie Coates that had great fall camps but fell to injury, delaying their debut as Auburn Tigers.

Others have had less opportunity to make a difference. The Auburn offensive line was a position that looked to have tons of opportunity for additional freshmen to make an impact like Christian Westerman and Greg Robinson. Auburn’s performance up front has pushed them to redshirt seasons, it appears, which is likely for the better.

There has been a huge need for production from every position for the Tigers, and in a number of those, it has had to be freshmen or sophomores. The Tigers have built a solid base of players to build a great future around.

This season may not have seen every impact freshmen make plays just yet, but the future holds a great deal of success for these Auburn Tigers.