Can You Say Defense Auburn?

Coach Rodney Gardner being congratulated by Gus Malzahn. photo from AuburnTigers.com

I have probably said it a thousand times, recruiting is the life's blood of any college football program. With national signing day for 2016 in the rear view mirror, the coaches can shift gears and focus on developing these new recruits. The time spent this spring and through the summer will be about producing a championship caliber football team.

Superlatives abound when describing the newest members of the Auburn football team. Many believe the Tigers signed one of, if not, the top Wide Receiver classes in the country. Nothing however tops Auburn's defensive line class of 2016.

Coach Rodney Garner "did an excellent job of holding this defensive class together" coach Malzahn stated in his post signing day press conference.

The Tigers got a huge boost in January when Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson both announced they would not declare for the NFL Draft. 

Combined the new recruits with the players already on campus, and the early enrolled players, this could be the best and most talented group of defensive linemen in a single season in the history of Auburn football. Those currently on campus including the early enrollees:

Montravius Adams
Carl Lawson
Raashed Kennion
Jaunta'vius Johnson
Andrew Williams
Justin Thomas-Thornton
Tyler Carter
Dontavius Russell
Aaron Garrison
Gary Walker
Prince Tega Wanogho
Marlon Davidson
Antwuan Jackson Jr.  
Maurice Swain

Defensive linemen joining the team for the summer practices and fall camp are:
Derrick Brown
Nick Coe
Tashawn Manning

The AUfficial website roster shows Paul James III as a Linebacker, even though his recruiting pages list him as a defensive lineman. James III is currently enrolled and on campus.

What can we expect from this group? This could be the year we see Auburn defensive linemen are winning games and choking down opposing offenses. Everything, and I mean everything starts with your defensive line, when it comes to disrupting a good offense. A very recent example of that was Super Bowl 50.

We all know that Carolina had a terrific offense, with a very talented Quarterback. Yet, the Denver Bronco defensive line disrupted and harassed the Carolina offense so much, the Panthers couldn't run their normally efficient scheme.

I'm not saying that Auburn's defensive line will be as good as the Broncos, but the same effect on opposing SEC offenses could very well be witnessed next season.

We have been hoping and praying for a really good defense at Auburn for a decade now. The 2016 Auburn Tiger defense will be the answer to those prayers. 

WAR EAGLE!

2016 Auburn Gymnastics Pump Up Video

Where Do We Go From Here?

Gus Malzahn Has Tigers Eying An SEC Championship(photographer unknown)

 

 

Now that we have settled into the start of the 2016 Football season. 

Wait. What?

Of course I know it's only February 10th. What kind of silly question is that? Oh, I see. 

Let me explain it to you. Around here there are two halves to the annual college football season. 

The first half starts of course, when all the up and coming gridiron heroes that were playing high school football last season, choose where they will play their college football. The world knows it as National Signing Day. Those of us that have given our sport hearts to our favorite team see this as the start of the new football season.

Before the end of the first half, we will be witness to such things as Spring football practices, and the annual Spring game(s). Many media  publications will barrage us with their "Way Too Early" posts, and rankings. We will see and hear about which new player on any given team shall be the newest star. 

The second half the football season starts with SEC Media Days, and ends with the College Football Championship game.

Now do you understand? Good. Now, where was I?

The Auburn Tiger football team has many questions to find answers to this year. 

Who will start at Quarterback, and will we see improved consistency at this position? 

Who will replace Shon Coleman and Avery Young along the offensive line. 

Will the new Tiger offensive line coach, Herb Hand, deliver the same quality and dependable play along the front as former coach J.B. Grimes?

Can Gus Malzahn field an offensive unit that doesn't require changing personnel every time it reaches the Red Zone?

Will Kevin Steele develop a Top 10 defense that Gus Malzahn said he had all the pieces to do so?

With 4 consecutive Top 10 recruiting classes, is there any reason Auburn can't compete for an SEC title?

There are many more questions and I think you get the point. Auburn, namely Gus Malzahn, has to turn on the jet packs and fly high as it did in 2013. Another season of faltering in Amen Corner will be disastrous. 

Where we go from here is a question only Gus Malzahn can answer. Simply put this Auburn Tiger team must win and win big. 

I have little doubt that the talent is on campus already, with more talent coming in the middle of summer, for this team to elevate itself above the middle of the pack SEC football programs. It will take heart, lots of hard work, and excellent coaching to achieve any championship goals they most assuredly have. 

To all of the newcomers that signed to play at Auburn, I welcome you. I salute you. Now, lets get to work. After all, it is in our creed that we enjoy the hard work it takes to rise above the rest and become champions. To become Auburn Men.

WAR EAGLE! 

Auburn Softball Strike Out Hunger

Clint Myers 2 6 16

Auburn Finishes 2016 Recruiting Class

Amazing!

That's the only word for it, really. 

After a dismal finish to their 2014 season, and a disaster throughout the 2015 season. Plus, the former defensive coordinator left for the head coaching position in South Carolina, and he took 3 position coaches with him. All from the defensive side of the ball I might add.

This Auburn coaching staff worked like crazy and ended up with a Top 10 recruiting class  Considering the obstacles against this staff, the #9 ranked class in America is quite the accomplishment.

Auburn ended the day with 21 signees. 

Tashawn Manning has an NCAA waiver and 

won't count against the 25. The total will 

actually be 22 because Auburn includes 

Jamel Dean, who transferred from Texas and 

Kevin Phillips.

What this means is Auburn will have three

scholarships left to use for a transfer or roll 

over into next year's class. Auburn could 

potentially sign 28 next year if this is how it 

ends up. These numbers could fluctuate 

depending on, among other things such as 

transfers, what Stephen Davis Jr. decides 

to do.

This coming season will be monumental in Auburn football. All signs point to a very talented team that will have everything it needs to compete for championships. 

Gus painted himself into a corner saying things like;  "We have the tools to produce a Top 10 defense" "We have targeted this guy as our future QB for 3 years." In several instances Gus expounded on the relationships that were built over the last 2 or 3 years since he's been at Auburn. 

With the 4th consecutive Top 10 recruiting class for this staff, the time is now. It is time to produce a championship caliber football team. In the near future we will examine the players along with their coaches.

We will take a look at Auburn's football schedule, and what it will take to get thru that schedule, and make the College Football Playoff. Until then,

War Eagle!

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A Special Signing Day for Auburn Football

Coaches Gardner and Malzahn celebrate a great defensive class. photo by Auburn Athletics

 Auburn finished this day in the top 10 for the 4th consecutive year and probably has one of the best defensive line and wide receiver classes in the country. 

Two of the big announcements today that I saw was Derrick Brown, a 5 star defensive tackle from Buford, GA and Nate Craig-Myers, a 4 star wide receiver from Tampa, Florida.  I was actually surprised at the news about Derrick Brown since I was led to believe all day by the Atlanta news media that he would certainly sign with Georgia. 

This will be the first time that Auburn has signed the number 1 player in Georgia. Here are some of my thoughts about this recruiting class:

1. The defensive front should be solid next season with the addition of Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson, Antwan Jackson, Paul James, Nick Coe and Dashawn Manning. 

I expect Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson to be starting on the defensive line this season and both could make an instant impact. Both players are destined to be all SEC players.

2. It does appear that Auburn intends to throw the ball a lot next season with the recruitment of Kyle Davis,  Nate Craig-Myers, Eli Stove and Marquis McClain. 

I do believe that all of these receivers will see the field next Fall. Kyle Davis and Nate Craig-Myers are destined to be immediate impact players.

3.  The QB competition will come down to Jeremy Johnson, John Franklin and Sean White. It will be interesting to see how the QBs performs in the Spring game on April 9. John Franklin is a dual threat.  The decision on the starting QB at Auburn will define the season.

 Auburn did sign Woody Barrett, a 4 star QB, although it's reported that he is scheduled to take the SAT again so I wish him well.

4. Prince Sammons , a 4 star defensive lineman from Cincinnati, Ohio. Auburn will most likely convert him to the offensive line. Also, Brodarious Hamm, a 3 star offensive tackle from Griffin, GA will add some depth to the offensive line.

5. Malik Miller, a 3 star running back from Madison, Alabama will add some depth to the Auburn running back rotation now that Peyton Barber has left for the NFL.

6. Marlon Character, a 3 star safety from Atlanta, Jayvaughn Myers, a 3 star corner back from Dade City, Florida and Daniel Thomas, a 3 star safety from Montgomery, Alabama and John Broussard, a 4 star corner back from Phenix City, Alabama will add some needed depth to the defensive backfield. 

7. Tre Threat, a 3 star linebacker from Spanish Fort, Alabama and Landon Rice, a 4 star tight end from Calhoun, GA was signed.

The foundation has now been laid for the future of this Auburn Football program under Gus Malzahn and I look forward to the next football season. 

War Eagle!