Hey everyone,
I am back to the blog as I said I would be a long time ago. New place so if you like what you see pass it along. So without further introduction I have broken down the signees from this past 2010 class that have arrived and will be arriving this summer for the Fall 2010 Auburn Football Season.
Offense
Quaterback
Cameron Newton - 6'6" 247 lbs.
He won the starting job this spring after transfering in from Binns C.C. were he put up some impressive numbers. Newton could by far be one of the most talked about players Auburn has had since a guy name Bo in the 80's. He has all the athletic ability in the world but may need to work on his accuracy a bit to really live up to the hype. The question is how fast he is really picking up the offense. Because if he lives up to the billing he could have a sensational season were Auburn may have a chance to suprise some of the bigger analysts.
Running Back
Michael Dyer - 5'8" 201 lbs.
Another very impressive athlete with a great upside that I believe will make a mark on offense next year in the second half of the season. Depending on how well he picks up on the schemes he could be seen earlier and make a strong case for Freshman All-American teams.
Ladarious Phillips - 6'1" 275 lbs. 4.8
A underated player coming out of a small school Phillips wows you on tape as a beast of a back who is willing to get the hard yards. I think you may be suprised to see the guy on the field sooner rather than later in goaline situations because this guy is a battering ram. A position change is not out of the question later in his career because this young man is a athlete and with a good work ethic should find a way onto the field.
Offensive Line
Ed Christian - 6'5" 280 lbs.
I thought he was a little underated coming out and has a chance to really make home for himself on the Auburn offensive line in the next couple of years. A move to guard is not out of the question for him and may expidiate his transition to the college game and may be a better long term fit.
Shon Coleman - 6'7" 285 lbs.
I am very high on this young man even with his recent health trouble and almost in spite of them. His handling of his health situation has showed alot of maturity. I have watched tape on the young man and feel he could in the future if he lives up to his potential be another Marcus McNeil kind of player.
Tunde Fariyike - 6'3" 295 lbs.
Underated coming out of a small school and may have trouble transitioning to the college game. A good backup center in the future with a good bit of developmental work on his technique. Needs to improve his pass block technique considerably.
Roszell Gayden - 6'7" 310 lbs.
A JUCO Transfer with two years of elidgibility remaining who has immense upside. Will battle with Mosley for the Starting right Tackle job though you are more than likely going to be seeing alot of both. I think he will end up being the starter as he has potentially a great upside if he transitions and gels with the current starters and could be next years starting left tackle.
Eric Mack 6'4" 315 lbs.
A great gaurd prospect physically ready to play and could see time this year on the line for depth and will probably be a starter by his sophmore season if he lives up to his potential.
Brandon Mosley - 6'6" 285 lbs.
The other JUCO offensive lineman that gets forgotten sometimes when people start talking about the open job at right tackle next season. Had a good spring making the transition from tight end working with Coach Grimes. Has the size and athleticism to make it work he can develop at the position he could be a solid right tackle this year and next.
Chad Slade - 6'6" 316 lbs.
Slade is an average athlete with good size. A good developmental tackle for the right side. Needs work on his hand and foot work as well as time in the weight room with Coach Yoxall.
Tight End
Dakota Mosley - 6'4" 252 lbs. 4.8
A good blocking tight end with decent hands. Definetly a good developmental guy who needs to work on some body control and route running to become a comple player. Mosley will likely not see the field this year but could make a solid player later in his career.
Wide Recievers
Trovon Reed - 6'0" 173 lbs.
The best athlete on the field every time he stepped on one in High School he is going to have a interesting transition to life as a SEC football player. Auburn currently has a log jam of talent at the reciever position for the first time in what seems like a decade. Reed will probably be redshirted unless he makes a miraculous push for a spot in the already full rotation or at a returner position. He has great athleticism and is seemingly a more athletic version of Terrell Zachary. He is perfect for what Auburns offense does.
Jeremy Richardson - 6'4" 220 lbs.
I am a big fan of Richardson's as he was a bit under evaluated in my opinion. With great size and body control he is the kind of rare mix of size and speed that could turn in to something special. Once again though at a position that is packed with talent he may have to find another way onto the field if he wants to see early time. He will be a huge threat inside the 20 yard line in the future if he does what Coach Taylor asks.
Antonio Goodwin - 6'2" 170 4.5
Decent speed, good route running, and above average hands make Goodwin a good developmental prospect but seemed a bit overarted on a couple of watch lists. Coach Taylor should be able to develop him into a solid reciever if he has a strong work ethic. More than likely on the practice squad or redshirted this season with playing time chances on special teams as well.
Defense
Defensive End
Craig Sanders 6'4" 230 lbs. 4.6
Sanders is an intriguing prospect with the potential to be a game changing defensive end coming off the edge. Needs to add some weight and work on his rush containment but with a strong work ethic he could become a starter in 2 years while also getting as part of the second line.
Joel Bonomolo - 6'3" 245 lbs.
This JUCO transfer comes in with a good deal of experience and will bolster a line losing veterans on the defensive line in Coleman and Ricks. My prediction is he will probably never be a starter but will be a strong quality backup and will push everyone in front of him with a good work ethic.
Justin Delaine - 6'5" 225 lbs.
Great frame that could handle a some more weight if he intends to stay at DE. Good but not elite speed off the ball could lead to a possible but very doubtful move to inside linebacker early in his career to bolster the depth chart.
Corey Lemonier 4 stars 6'5" 223 lbs. 5.1
Do not be fooled by the bellow average numbers in the 40 yard dash this young man can play ball. If he has a good summer you may see him on the field some next year on special teams, but he is more than likely a redshirt player but has tremendous potential.
Defensive Tackle
Jeffrey Whitaker - 6'3" 295 lbs.
A good defensive tackle prospect who has a chance to come in during the summer and push some veterans for a backup role next year. He has a nose for the ball and has college ready size though he could probably get better with some time in the weight room.
Kenneth Carter - 6'5" 267 lbs.
A very exciting athlete and young man. A great Athlete at DT that can with addition of about twenty pounds be a very solid mainstay on the Auburn line for years. I expect him to redshirt his first season to spend time with Coach Yoxall.
Linebacker
Jawara White - 6'2" 220 lbs.
Not an overly impressive athlete but has some upside. Good size and average speed give White a chance for playing time next year as the young guys come in to provide some much needed depth. May become a solid SEC starter but more of a backup probably.
Jake Holland - 6'1" 228 lbs.
A smart linebacker with good size and speed. Will need to work on his pass rushing skills to become a complete player. Not a ton of upside but has a strong work ethic and will more than likely be a good depth guy early in his career and later a decent starter possibly.
LaDarius Owens - 6'2" 225 lbs.
Owens is an impressive physical athlete with a good amount of pop at the point of attack. He needs work learning to play back in coverage and will need to learn the position and scheme before he will make an impact. Good size and physicality will make him a great addition to the depth and in the future probably a multiple year starter on the inside.
Jessel Curry - 6'2" 215 lbs.
Curry has a head start on his career coming in this spring. Looked good in spring with fluid hips and good on the ball instincts. May need to work on wraping the ball carrier up. Has good athletcism and decent upside. Could be a great depth guy this year and a good SEC linebacker. Very Versatile.
Defrensive Backs
Demetruce McNeal - 6'1" 176 lbs. 4.7
Faster than his 40 yard dash time indicates McNeal has the makings of a solid football player. Good at the point of attack in runnign situations he will have problems with faster players and is probably best suited for zone and nickel back situations. He will more than likely be a redshirt guy.
Jonathon Mincy - 5'10" 175 lbs. 4.4
Mincy reminds me of alot of the defensive backs that Auburn has brought in over the last couple of years. He is a solid football player with some upside but as will be limited against the influx it seems of taller recievers that have been arriving in the SEC. Probably a redshirt or little used backup that may develop in later years to situational guy.
Athletes
Chris Davis - 5'11" 175
This young man has alot of athletic potential and seems like he would be a good in the defensive backfield for Auburn in a couple of years as safety or conerback once he has developed a bit more.
Shaun Kitchens - 6'3" 211 lbs.
Kitchens did a bit of everything in High School and that may hurt him a bit. I feel the best fit for him right now would for him to try to put on a bit more weight and transition to the mike linebacker role. To early to tell how he will fit in but he will very likely be redshirted this year.
Ryan Smith - 6'2" 208 lbs.
Has a chance to be a solid contributor at the conerback, safety, or running back position depending on how well he transitions to the SEC. A good athlete with a nose for the ball Ryan Smith also knows what to do with it when he gets the ball in his hands. Probably going to be on the defensive side of the ball as they have a great deal of depth concerns. Could very well turn into a solid starter in coming years at the safety position.
Ryan White - 6'0" 185 lbs.
A good athlete who will make a solid contribution to the team at the coner position were depth will be needed. He could get playing time depending on how he transitions and how Ethridge and Savage do returning from signifigant injuries.
Kicker/ Punter
Cody Parkey - 6'2" 195 lbs.
Steven Clark - 6'5" 230 lbs.
