The Jungle Cat

Auburn's Road to Safety

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:36:00 -0400

On a football field, the position of safety strikes me as misunderstood. Thanks to headhunters like Ed Reed (University of Miami, Baltimore Ravens) and Troy Polamalu (University of Southern California, Pittsburgh Steelers), we think of the safety as either a ball-hawking, super intelligent Venus fly-trap (Reed) or a heavy-hitting assassin that roams the field with intentions of distributing concussions (Polamalu).

Correct me if I’m wrong, but “fly-trap” and “assassin” are bonus attributes for a safety. A satisfactory safety is intended to be a catch-all or a last resort. Or in other words a safety net. Imagine that.

This is what makes Auburn’s national championship run unfathomable. The weakest spot on the roster was the safety position. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof and the Tigers performed a season-long high-wire act without the aid of a net. Although three names that will arguably live forever in Auburn lore lined up at safety last season, none were considered satisfactory in the biggest five-month stretch of football in the school’s existence.

The three safeties in Auburn’s 2010 rotation are no longer on the roster. The two initial starters – Zac Etheridge and Aairon Savage – were seniors in eligibility. Mike McNeil, a junior, entered the fray as a starter late in the year, but as we later learned, was already suffering from a litany of personal issues.

Etheridge returned from a frightening neck injury in 2009 to reclaim his starting role in fall practice. While his leadership was vital to the family-tight locker room atmosphere, it was visibly evident that his body was still reacclimating to full-speed, full-contact football. In spurts, he looked like his old, spry self. Most times, his body looked weather-beaten. He was not a lost cause for the Tigers, making 69 total tackles (second-best on the team behind linebacker Josh Bynes) and picking off three interceptions; however, he did leave holes in the safety net against bigger, faster receivers and running backs in the open field. He was not an outright liability, but one could not help but imagine that Roof could have used an upgrade.

Savage saw his career come to an end at the halfway point of the season, immediately becoming the worst kind of case study for a college football player. For two straight seasons in 2008 and ’09, Savage’s season succumbed to injuries during fall practice. Last season, the sixth-year senior returned to the field but was a shell of his former self (in ’06, Savage was the third-leading tackler for the Tigers as a redshirt freshman). What occurred this past fall was unfair. For someone who gave all his physical gifts to Auburn and encountered copious amounts of mental strain from rehabbing for two consecutive years, his body betrayed him. Even before his season-ending injury, Savage no longer could run against SEC speed. A Savage in street clothes acted as a coach during the Tigers’ march toward Glendale. It was irony that the Tiger with the biggest heart and a gifted brain graduated with his heart and brain as the only body parts intact.

Our top two safeties exemplified everything from a character perspective that head coach Gene Chizik has preached since his arrival to Auburn on December 13, 2008. They just could not physically compete.

McNeil had the physical tools. Unfortunately, as the Tigers rolled toward immortality, his personal life was already falling from grace.

A tainted legacy

Mike McNeil’s 56 tackles in a championship-winning season, mostly coming in a backup role, will not be remembered. Instead, McNeil, a top-rated recruit coming out of high school, will be remembered for a year-long personal breakdown that culminated in the morning hours of March 11, 2011.

According to Auburn football beat writer Evan Woodberry, McNeil and teammate Mike Blanc were served with an eviction notice in April 2010. (Note: At the time, McNeil was undergoing rehab from a broken leg and most likely operating at an elevated-level of stress.) The landlord sued McNeil and Blanc shortly thereafter. At the duo’s next apartment, it was more of the same: McNeil, Blanc, and teammate Neiko Thorpe were served with an unlawful detainer complaint in March of this year. A week later on March 11, McNeil and three other Auburn players – all freshmen – robbed a motor home and were subsequently arrested and dismissed from the team.

Frustration sets in upon the realization that McNeil should have been a leader of this year’s team. But for someone who is supposed to be a safety net, it’s doubtful that he would be the likely choice to fill the role that Auburn so desperately needs. The description of the safety position implies that it needs to be the most reliable player on the field. The trait of reliability typically translates to off-the-field antics as well. That said, McNeil’s actions proved he was anything but reliable.

What does the foreseeable future hold for Chizik, coach of three Jim Thorpe Award winners for the nation’s best defensive back? Will he get the safety that logic suggests he should covet?

The not-so-loose cannon

The likelihood of freshman-to-be Erique Florence becoming one of my favorite Tigers is high. He has yet to see the field, but already is establishing his own quirky corner in Auburn history.

He was supposed to go on his official visit the University of Alabama the weekend of January 22-23. But then Auburn, who he openly rooted for last year, won the national championship. The visit to Tuscaloosa conflicted with the day of Auburn’s championship celebration in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Florence didn’t hesitate to pick up the phone and cancel the Alabama visit. He and his camera were headed to Auburn for the celebration and subsequent partying.

Alabama fans slam him on message boards as a “loose cannon” and “trouble.” I don’t see any of that in a video interview with a Tuscaloosa publication in which Florence came off as a calming presence that actually had an interesting, thought-out take on playing in high school all-star games and living in a state where both Auburn and Alabama fans co-exist. Contrary to the deductions of the Alabama faithful, Florence might be the antithesis of a loose cannon: a methodical worker who can quickly digest, analyze, and execute with the information provided.

Florence also played quarterback his senior year at Valley (Ala.) High School. Those leadership skills and reliability that is so desired at the safety position? Florence starting honing them last year as the vocal leader of a team that went on a run to the post-season. Auburn’s safety spot is staring him right in the face.

To the liking of Chizik, Roof, and safeties coach Tommy Thigpen, Florence will have competition.

“I think he’s a much better safety than he is a corner”

Neiko Thorpe knows he has to make this work.

A soon-to-be-senior, Thorpe was the recipient to a slap in the face this spring. Going into spring practice, Thorpe was Auburn’s most seasoned cornerback. But don’t mistake seasoned for productive. Thorpe’s 2010 year as a starting cornerback proved that his Outback Bowl appearance the previous January (14 tackles, including the game-winning tackle, and an interception vs. Kansas State) was an anomaly. Thorpe was frequently terrorized by big, fast receivers Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina), A.J. Green (Georgia), and Julio Jones (Alabama). The emergence of T’Sharvan Bell as a big-game performer at cornerback placed Thorpe on the bench at the start of the national championship game against Oregon.

In the fastest conference in football, Thorpe was a step slower. Ted Roof knew this. The move to safety was inevitable. And Roof didn’t sway away from explaining the move to Charles Goldberg:

“We thought that would be best for our football team and best for Neiko. I think it’s a win-win for both because right now we’ve got more depth at corner than we did at safety. I think he’s a much better safety than he is a corner. And I think he’s very comfortable back there. I think we’re going to see an increased level of production.”

Translation: “He might not be able to chase down a parked car, but surely, he could be the last resort on our defense.”

I hope for Thorpe’s sake, there is a payoff to Roof’s logic. I assume I am not the only Auburn fan who cursed out Thorpe through the television last year. It was not out of hate, but frustration as Thorpe demonstrated the potential to be an All-SEC performer his freshman year. Where was that kid? Why hasn’t that potential been realized?

Thorpe has one more year on The Plains. Since he did not start the national title game, one could assume there is a large chip on Thorpe’s shoulder pads. Game experience accounts for a lot in the SEC. Can that experience carry him as Auburn’s catch-all? We better hope, because as an incoming senior, he has the first crack at being the final man between the opponent and the goal line.

Throwing more logs on the fire

The Auburn coaches are manufacturing depth.

Demetruce McNeal’s ability to barrel downfield as the gunner on the kickoff team leads fans to believe that he’s a future star at safety. That thought is not completely out of line seeing that McNeal transcended anonymity in a role that typically goes unnoticed. The sophomore-to-be exited spring practice as one of the starters alongside Thorpe.

Jermaine Whitehead could have just as easily told Auburn to stick it. The Mississippi State commit was coveted by the Bulldogs, only his heart belonged to the Tigers. It was not until the day before National Signing Day 2011 that Whitehead got the scholarship offer from Auburn. He accepted. That simple act proved that Whitehead wants to play here. In a time where young players detach their heart from the decision-making process, Whitehead followed it. The all-purpose defensive back (he could dabble at corner if need be) will be on campus in the fall, just as he wished. Based on desire alone, I wish he gets an opportunity to prove himself at safety.

Robenson Therezie was never going to switch his commitment. Alabama fans enjoy their delusion of grandeur to an extent that they view Auburn as a safety school for Crimson Tide players that failed to make Nick Saban’s cut. I would have believed that Therezie would switch if he was nicknamed “Sherman Williams,” but he was not. His nickname was “Cadillac,” as in childhood favorite Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. Thought to be a future star running back in Pop Warner, Therezie projected as every bit the head-hunting safety an Auburn fan could relish while in high school. Regardless of his success during his prom-going years (if scouting reports were any indication, the kid was a monster) the adjustment to safety at the SEC level begins with summer workouts. For the kid dubbed “Cadillac,” reaching similar stardom as his namesake will be a daunting process.

Why finding a reliable safety has plagued Auburn, I’ll never know. I was a die-hard Roshard Gilyard fan when No. 3 roamed the secondary, but he was not as reliable as Tommy Tuberville had hoped or else he would have been a starter. Junior Rosegreen may have overachieved on that undefeated team in 2004, seeing as how his post-Auburn days have been filled with travels through football’s alternatives to the NFL. Etheridge was certainly an overachiever in a full year removed from a paralysis scare.

That signature safety – one that stands out as a great – has consistently eluded the Tigers. Before 2010, a national championship and a signature quarterback were considered elusive. That changed.

As I look at the five aforementioned names, I hope the same holds true for this position in 2011.

Walking the tight-rope without the aid of a net makes for a fantastic show. It also makes for a fantastic fall.

David Smith is the Editor in Chief of The Jungle Cat. David has previously written for The Daytona Beach News-Journal and NASCAR.com. You can follow David on Twitter at twitter.com/davidsmith28.

From Loveable Upstart to Hunted and Hated

Sat, 07 May 2011 17:55:00 -0400

In the weeks leading up to its national championship win over Oregon, the Auburn football team saw an increase in detest unbeknownst in previous years. Did Cam Newton accept money to play for Auburn? Did Cecil Newton (Cam’s father) shop his son to the highest bidder? Was Nick Fairley’s level of play too dirty for even the rough-and-nasty Southeastern Conference?

One could surmise that a championship contender would take a certain amount of heat. This was the first time that the Tigers and their fan base had been thrown on stage, blinded by an unruly spotlight. The championship was won. The season was over. The vitriol continued.

Stanley McClover, handshakes, and lies

Stanley McClover, a former defensive end who was a member of the 2004 undefeated team, came forth on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumble saying he willingly took hundred-dollar handshakes from boosters and received performance bonuses, such as $1,000 per sack for walloping the Alabama quarterback in the Iron Bowl. On the Plains for two years, McClover, dubbed “The Predator,” for his long dreadlocks and menacing play, was only a fan favorite to those Auburn fans with an acquired palette (most thought he was too much of a nuisance). One could assume McClover was convinced (or paid) to say something shedding bad light on Auburn. A member of the show’s production team tried doing this to former four-year Auburn safety Junior Rosegreen , who told the story to AuburnSports.com:

“I called (the HBO producer) and cussed his ass out. He would say, ‘I just want to hear Stanley’s story.’ I said, ‘Stanley’s story is he’s a storyteller. That’s his story.’ He tried so hard to get me to say something bad about Auburn. He would say, ‘Off the record…off the record.’ He said that about 10 times. I said, ‘Fine. You want me to tell you something off the record? Here you go: Stanley is a damn liar.’”

McClover, who many fans (including I) cheered wildly for in the 2005 Iron Bowl as he sacked Alabama’s Brodie Croyle four times, has become something of a tragic figure.

Rosegreen did not hesitate to light into McClover:

“The coaches told him that he didn’t need to leave (college) early. The (NFL) general managers said he needed to stay in college and learn how to play the run, but he didn’t listen. He spent four years in the NFL and is already broke. I was told Stanley got $20,000 (by HBO for the interview), and I know for a fact you don’t get that money until you give them something, until you tell them what they want to hear. That is the only motive he has for telling these lies.”

Regardless of whether or not McClover’s word is true, the court of public opinion – which already seems to despise Auburn following the attempt by both ESPN and The New York Times to sully the Cam Newton Era – has ruled against Auburn. The Tigers are cast as cheats. They are hated. Gene Chizik might as well trot out the Tigers in black jerseys.

In addition to HBO punching a solid hole through any reputation that Auburn had left, this happened.

The scuff with the law, more akin to something that you would see at Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, or Florida State, was new territory for Auburn. A fan of the Tigers should chalk it up as an anomaly and note the gumption of Chizik to kick the four arrested players off the team immediately. The swift booting proved that Auburn’s coach had some PR savvy; instead of “Four Auburn players arrested” the typical headline for the incident was “Four Auburn players arrested, kicked off team.”

The fallout of Auburn continues at the professional level, where Cam Newton is under fire for practically everything.

Cam Newton is a bust before he takes a snap

If at all possible, I am more of a Cam Newton fan than I was while he made it a practice to don an Auburn jersey every Saturday. I hate professional football. I live in Charlotte. And because of the pre-existing admiration for Newton and the seemingly universal hate of the young man, I’m all in like Chizik vs. Clemson. I might actually make the trek to Bank of America Stadium one Sunday.

The pre-draft coverage of Newton was embarrassing. The weight of which Newton cared about football was questioned by NFL.com’s Mike Mayock. His character was outright assassinated in an over-the-top scouting report written by Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki. His bizarre QB Camp interview on ESPN with Jon Gruden was replayed over and over with a ferocity that was intended for the viewing audience to focus on his inability to name a specific play in the Gus Malzahn offense, a cheap shot from a network feeling jilted of a Pulitzer.

Now, Newton is a Carolina Panther, for better or worse. He might be a bust. He might be a superstar. Regardless, it seemed like many were quick to use a JaMarcus Russell comparison, rather than a Michael Vick one.

All of the aforementioned quarterbacks came out of college early and were taken with the top pick in the pro football draft. All were mobile, cannon-armed passers that competed within an easy-to-learn collegiate offense. All were African-American. Vick, despite his troubles with the law, has been a success on the field. Russell is no longer in the league. If all three compare on the surface, how come very little linkage between Vick and Newton has been made? That would result in a positive connotation for the reigning Heisman winner and national championship-winning quarterback. And those two distinctions are exclusive to Newton in this discussion of three college standouts.

And how intricate is professional football, really? When talking with someone who plays football or used to play football and now covers the sport, it is a game beyond the realm of typical human comprehension. As someone who has not played organized football at all, my understanding of the sport is this:

1. The offense is scripted with the intention of moving the ball for positive yardage.

2. The defense, unscripted, reacts to the offense in hopes of stopping the offense from gaining positive yardage.

3. This is a timed contest.

With that, it is my understanding that having a smart coach (from a football-standpoint) that is adept in clock management is crucial. An offense that can adequately carry out a script is required. If by chance the defense causes the offense to go off-script, a quarterback with the acumen/instinct to create a play on the fly for positive yardage is essential.

It is also my understanding, after watching Newton do this for 14 games in a five-month span, that he is capable of fitting what equates to be my template of a good quarterback.

So why is it that this is questioned? What in his previous college experience (he also won a junior college national championship while playing at Blinn Community College in Texas) indicates that he would be incapable of being a quality quarterback?

If his off-the-field decision-making is an issue that “football minds” deem unworthy, then a holier-than-thou, presumptuous approach has been taken in grading Newton’s prospective professional career. It is also a hypocritical outlook.

Ben Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowls and has played in a third in the last six seasons as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, currently making him one of pro football’s most successful quarterbacks. Away from the field, Roethlisberger has crashed a motorcycle while not wearing a helmet. He has also been accused of rape on two occasions: the first, stemming from an incident in 2008, the second in 2010.

The motorcycle crash without wearing a helmet stands on its own merit. The accusations, and that might be all they are, of rape implies that Roethlisberger likely employed some very questionable decision-making. Evidence suggests that Roethlisberger is a stupid individual; however, his ability to win is placed at a premium in the professional football ranks.

Newton’s brush with the law was purchasing a stolen laptop. The pay-for-play scandal, if true, was only illegal under the watch of the NCAA. And even that turned out to be a minor offense, despite the continued assurance by ESPN, The New York Times, et al that the claims were real.

Newton was also 14-0, playing in the nation’s toughest college football conference.

Common logic suggests that Newton would make for a very successful quarterback at the professional level. The football lifers, who fancy themselves as intelligent and articulate within their industry, have said otherwise, panning the Panthers’ selection.

In the typical workplace, Roethlisberger would be fired and hardpressed to find another job. Newton, might nail the job interview, but uncertainty of his hiring is understood. With Roethlisberger remaining on the Steelers, it is clear that this is not the typical workplace. If football lifers accept Roethlisberger, it is only fair that Newton is allowed into the inner circle, at least by their logic.

Football is not as intricate as some may think. It certainly is not a sport broken down by statistics and flocked to by intelligent minds like basketball, baseball, and soccer (March’s MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, which I attended, was evidence of this). While I appreciate and admire Auburn’s players and coaches as football savants, those that participate in and cover the sport are not likely to be in the nation’s top percentile for intelligence, at least at the professional level, as Malzahn’s methods have been praised by Chuck Klosterman. We do not watch football to revel in awe-inspiring thought from a defensive end.

(You already knew this. You cheered for Stanley McClover’s ability to sack Brodie Croyle four times, not his affinity for acing an exam in the Haley Center).

Football is a simple game played by athletes with incredible strength and skill. It is also a game managed by jock-smart individuals who often fail to use common sense.

Cam Newton is common sense personified. And any reason against the notion is further vitriol surrounding the Auburn program.

As fans of our beloved Tigers, we may as well get used to the fact that we are riding with black hats for the foreseeable future. That Auburn’s current team has gone under the radar during spring practice and could be expected to rank in the 16th-22nd range prior to fall camp, should help soothe some of the heavy hate.

People are naturally fans of winning. Outside of the Auburn fan base, fans are not winning, so they turn to whining. We knew that a crystal trophy was a result of blood, sweat, and tears. We did not know that a crystal trophy resulted in verbal, mental, and – in the case of the Toomer’s Corner oak trees – physical bruises.

In the crazy world of sports, being the hunted is an enviable position. The hunted is hated and the hated is hunted.

Breathe the double-whammy in easy, Auburn fans. We will get through this together.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Certified baller: junior cornerback T’Sharvan Bell.Photo...

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:52:06 -0400

Certified baller: junior cornerback T’Sharvan Bell.

Photo by John Wild.

Certified baller: junior linebacker Daren Bates.Photo by John...

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:49:01 -0400

Certified baller: junior linebacker Daren Bates.

Photo by John Wild.

Spring Practice begins. Let the War Damning commence. Photo by...

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:45:46 -0400

Spring Practice begins. Let the War Damning commence.

Photo by John Wild.

Regarding the Auburn departures

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:03:00 -0400

Regarding the Auburn departures

It seems as if it’s been a while since The Jungle Cat chimed in on the goings-on in the world of Auburn football. A lot has happened since the last post over a month ago (February 6 to be exact). The poisoning of the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner has been discussed in the media ad nauseam, so there’s no need to delve into the lunacy of that event (The Jungle Cat doesn’t weep for trees, but agrees that this was a bizarre occurrence). What does need to be pondered aloud is the departure of five malcontent players and one terrific coach.

A fond farewell to Eric Smith, Football Player

In separate incidents, senior-to-be Eric Smith and a group of four Tigers (senior-to-be Mike McNeil, sophomores-to-be Shaun Kitchens and Antonio Goodwin, and redshirt freshman-to-be Dakota Mosley) were dishonorably discharged from the football team. Smith’s dismissal came after a public third strike: being charged for domestic assault. The other four were booted in a swift, concise manner following robbery charges.

Smith, our back-up at the h-back position (behind Philip Lutzenkirchen), was a favorite of The Jungle Cat. He announced for Auburn at the Seffner, Fla. Beef O’Brady’s in front of his family and the genuine happiness about being an Auburn Tiger that exuded in the announcement’s aftermath was contagious. He built an on-field reputation for being a dependable blocking back and emerged as a safety-valve/final option in the Gus Malzahn spread attack. Unfortunately, his off-the-field antics preceded him: he beat the holy hell out of a frat boy at an Auburn bar (The Jungle Cat would like to know the whole story instead of hearing shady student accounts), he was ruled academically ineligible for the 2010 Outback Bowl, and was perpetually in the Gene Chizik dog house. With the latest charge, it’s tough to give a third (or possibly fourth) chance to a kid on scholarship. Coach Chizik and staff should be applauded for working to keep him on board and trying to right his ship, but nothing seemed to take for No. 32. Alas.

TJC to Mike McNeil: “Have you lost your damn mind? ‘Cause I’ll help you find it.”

As for the other morons, a similar sympathy does not exist. The four were arrested early Friday for being sought in a burglary of a house in Auburn. One player – none of the media outlets have pinned which one – carried a pistol. The dumbest of the bunch has to be McNeil, our starter at safety last year following Aairon Savage’s season-ending injury. The fifth-year senior was slated to be a full-time starter this season. It’s clear that McNeil failed mightily on being a team leader during this situation. The remaining three were only on the Auburn campus for a year. Big things were expected from Kitchens and Goodwin at the receiver position, but both only played sparingly last season. Mosley was given a “friend-of-the-superstar” scholarship before last season after he and high school teammate Michael Dyer committed to Auburn. The loss of Mosley will actually be addition by subtraction: The Jungle Cat doesn’t have an affinity for dudes, but in terms of attractiveness, Ol’ Dakota was an eyesore.

Mr. Rocker goes to Nashville: This one will hurt

It’s the nature of the business that coaches move and shake in the football industry. Any assistant coaching gig – especially if the coach is good – will inevitably see turnover. Such was the case with former defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, who just left Auburn to accept a position with a pro football squad in Nashville. And rightfully so: in his two years as an assistant under Gene Chizik, Rocker reinvigorated the Tigers’ d-line culture, turning Nick Fairley into a game-changing, hated-by-opponents monster.

A coach of his kind has the ability to make average players with promise realize their potential. Without Rocker and the 2010 Auburn football season, Fairley – who didn’t originally qualify into Auburn and joined the Tigers following a season in the junior college ranks – would have merely been a fat kid from Mobile. A coach of Rocker’s kind is rare and his replacement has awfully big shoes to fill.

Mike Pelton, like Rocker, played at Auburn and has produced successful d-lineman for another southern school (Troy). Pro football stars DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora became high-paid talents out of Troy after Pelton’s seasoning (Ware and Umenyiora are both from Auburn, further proving that Tommy Tuberville was a gawd-awful recruiter).

There’s every indication that Pelton is a coach first, recruiter second. That’s a good thing. If he can turn boys into Auburn men, it’s a great thing.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Building a new O-line

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:26:26 -0500

Building a new O-line

Cyrus Kouandjio is now a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide, after some further deliberation.

War Eagle anyway; our Tigers have arguably the best incoming offensive line class in the nation.

Let’s discuss how this year’s offensive line will take shape. First, the graduates that leave behind open spots:

Lee Ziemba, starting left tackle for all 14 games
Mike Berry, starting left guard for all 14 games
Ryan Pugh, starting center for all 14 games
Byron Isom, starting right guard for 14 games
Bart Eddins, Berry’s back-up
Jorrell Bostrom, Isom’s back-up

The slots filled by Eddins and Bostrom are inconsequential. The four names above them were the soul of Auburn’s ground game during a national championship season and are not easily replaceable. But here’s who the Tigers have coming back that have the ability to compete for starting spots:

Brandon Mosley (Senior), starting right tackle for 11 games
A.J. Greene (Senior), starting right tackle for three games
John Sullen (Junior), Mosley’s back-up; started one game in 2009
Blake Burgess (Sophomore), Pugh’s back-up
Jared Cooper (Senior), spare back-up
Andre Harris (Sophomore), spare back-up

Mosley will be penciled in as a starting tackle (left or right, depending on the amount of faith O-line coach Jeff Grimes has in the former junior college tight end). Greene, if he’s able to participate in spring practice following a season-ending ankle injury last September 18, should be the opposite tackle. If not, count on Sullen to move up. Between Mosley, Greene, and Sullen – three players that do have starting experience – the Tigers will have a bona fide starting battle going on in spring practice. Joining the battle for the remaining spots will be several players that were redshirted in 2010:

Eric Mack (Redshirt Freshman), projected as a guard
Chad Slade (Redshirt Freshman), projected as a tackle
Tunde Fariyike (Redshirt Freshman), projected as a center
Ed Christian (Redshirt Freshman), projected as a guard

Three newly-signed Tigers will take the field in March/April after enrolling early:

Reese Dismukes (Freshman), can play guard or center
Thomas O’Reilly (Freshman), projected as a guard
Shon Coleman (Freshman), projected as a tackle

Big Shon is expected to redshirt the 2010 season as he works to put weight back on following chemotherapy, meaning Slade and possibly Harris will be the only tackles battling the Mosley-Greene-Sullen combo. Here’s what the depth chart for both tackle spots will resemble following spring practice, purely based on The Jungle Cat’s thoughts:

Left Tackle
Brandon Mosley
Chad Slade
Andre Harris

Right Tackle
A.J. Greene
John Sullen
Andre Harris

The guards and center positions will be more staggering battles to watch. Ultimately, the center position depends on whether or not Dismukes, rated as the top high school center in 2010 by ESPN, gets moved to guard. Burgess came to Auburn as a preferred walk-on, while Fariyike was a 2010 Signing Day back-up plan that was forced to come to fruition. Though Fariyike has the smarts to man the center position – he’s the son of a doctor that had Duke atop his list before the Tigers came calling – he might be pure depth as far as sheer talent goes. Dismukes, for all intents and purposes, could step foot on the AU campus and immediately be the starter at center.

For this drill, we’re going to make two center projections and two guard projections, with Dismukes lining up as a center and as a guard.

Here’s what the center depth chart should look like following spring practice, if Dismukes stays as center:

Center (with Dismukes)
Reese Dismukes
Blake Burgess
Tunde Fariyike

If Grimes moves Dismukes to one of the guard spots, though simple enough, here’s what it would look like:

Center (without Dismukes)
Blake Burgess
Tunde Fariyike

Dismukes moving to guard would throw a major wrench into the position battle. He would go up against Cooper, Mack, Christian, and O’Reilly. Cooper has system experience on his side, but as a third-string option at guard last year, his actual playing time isn’t much better than Mack and Christian, who red-shirted in 2010. With Dismukes as a guard, the depth chart takes form in this manner:

Left Guard (with Dismukes)
Reese Dismukes
Ed Christian
Jared Cooper

Right Guard (without Dismukes)
Eric Mack
Thomas O’Reilly
Jared Cooper

With Dismukes as a center, here’s how it could look:

Left Guard (without Dismukes)
Eric Mack
Thomas O’Reilly

Right Guard (without Dismukes)
Ed Christian
Jared Cooper

Personally, The Jungle Cat hopes that Dismukes gets moved to guard, for depth purposes, rather than the more sexy idea of having him play center. That said, Blake Burgess’s development is going to be crucial during spring practice.

The guard and center spots, however they shake out with Dismukes, will likely carry over to the fall. The same can’t be said for the tackle positions since two freshmen will join the Tigers and are expected to have an immediate impact:

Greg Robinson (Freshman), projected as a tackle
Christian Westerman (Freshman), projected as a tackle

How will the two kids adjust to being a tackle in the SEC? They won’t have to immediately. They might even be redshirt candidates since The Jungle Cat has projected two seniors to be the starting tackles in 2011. Here’s how it will likely look in the fall after Robinson and Westerman join:

Left Tackle
Brandon Mosley
Christian Westerman
Chad Slade

Right Tackle
A.J. Greene
Greg Robinson
John Sullen

It would be tough for Westerman and Robinson to beat out two returning seniors who started in 2010, but it isn’t out of the question that Slade and Sullen could be edged out.

By The Jungle Cat’s standards, Auburn will trot out a starting O-line consisting of Mosley, Dismukes, Burgess, Mack, and Greene in the opener vs. Utah State. That might not be the starting front five come the Iron Bowl, but as the spring and summer move forward, that’s a likely estimation of how the Tigers will replace a stout line from the 2010 season.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Tigers addressed three major needs on Signing Day

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:03:47 -0500

Tigers addressed three major needs on Signing Day

War Eagle everyone! The Jungle Cat hopes the post-Signing Day hangover for each of you has already been remedied.

Unfortunately, there is no update on Cyrus Kouandjio’s decision. The gritty of the situation is that he made the announcement and quickly got cold feet. He never sent in the letter of intent and wanted to take time to make sure the decision he made was the correct one. Fortunately for us, this seems to be something that falls all on Cyrus’s shoulders. His brother Arie, an offensive lineman at Alabama, Tweeted shortly after the announcement, demonstrating support for his little brother. From most national media accounts (ESPN and the like), his parents and high school coach have been open-minded as well. Whatever choice Cyrus makes will be of his choosing.

The Tigers addressed their three primary needs: the offensive line, the defensive line, and the secondary.

With or without Cyrus, O-line coach Jeff Grimes is licking his chops at this incoming class. Two highly-touted linemen – Christian Westerman and Greg Robinson – join already-enrolled freshmen-to-be Reese Dismukes and Thomas O’Reilly and likely 2011 redshirt candidate Shon Coleman in revamping Auburn’s line. Starter Brandon Mosley returns, along with junior-to-be John Sullen, A.J. Greene, who started in 2010 prior to his season-ending ankle injury, sophomore-to-be Andre Harris, and redshirt freshmen Ed Christian, Eric Mack, Tunde Fariyike, and Chad Slade. Not only will this be a position battle to watch during spring practice, but in fall practice when Westerman, Robinson, and, potentially, Kouandjio enter the fray.

Head coach Gene Chizik, in his Signing Day presser, spoke highly of the newbies on the O-line:

“One of the things as we targeted these different young men on our offensive line was we felt like we had to really do a great job of evaluating, not just are they really, really good high school players, but what is the opportunity or what is the probability that they can come in and play young? That was one of the biggest criteria as we looked at them. We were trying to not necessarily bring a guy in that we felt like three years from now could help us. We feel like every one of these guys have the ability, depending on how fast they learn, to come in here and help us immediately. That was the idea on every offensive lineman we brought in. Reese Dismukes is a great sign out of Spanish Fort here in the state. He has a great chance to come in and compete for a job right now. He’s already in school and he’s doing that. Thomas O’Reilly, the same thing. He has a great chance to come in and compete for a job and do that. So they are both here. Christian Westerman, I can’t say enough about his family, just the recruitment process of him and the ability we think he has and what he brings to the table and the opportunity to come in here and help us right now. This young man on film now, he is dynamite. It’s just going to be how fast he can get used to the college game. Greg Robinson is just another unbelievable athlete, great size, and great athletic ability. Guys like that, we think have a chance to come in and help us right now, so we feel really good about that position.”

Regarding Shon Coleman – who is recovering from leukemia – Chizik used a little more trepidation:

“We are going to wait. Medically, we have great people that are paying a lot of close attention to that. We are just going to let time go by and just kind of see how he progresses. There’s no rush for anything. He’s doing great, he looks great. He’s doing well in school and that’s our main concern right now. Our main concern is that he is healthy as a human being, and then whatever happens football-wise, that’s all icing on the cake, if and when that happens.”

Icing on the cake, huh? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Coach Chiz reads The Jungle Cat. Below is from TJC’s first post on Wednesday morning, a full eight hours before Chizik’s press conference, about Big Shon:

“Projection: We want (Coleman) 100 percent healthy. Anything else is icing on the cake.”

Is Gene a closet TJC fan? We can only hope.

The new D-line recruits might not be equally impressive as the O-line, but they are ripe for Tracy Rocker’s tutelage.

Off the bat, defensive tackle Gabe Wright is a standout that will play immediately. His “Nick Who?” stunt came as a result of a private conversation he had with Nick Fairley at the championship celebration in Auburn. According to Fairley, who told this anecdote on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday, he told young Gabe to be his own man and to not let the obvious comparisons of the two of them rattle any personal cages. Gabe took it to heart and unveiled the “Nick Who?” hat on Signing Day, which Fairley enjoyed.

Chizik gave big praise to Gabe, a player that has been recruited by the Auburn staff for the last two years:

“(Gabe) is a guy that we have targeted for so many years, really since we got here. He was probably one of the first priorities that we had when he was a young player. We knew about him, he had come over to our camps, he had come over and visited, and that was a huge part of our puzzle defensively. We feel like he was the best defensive tackle in the country and he was a major target for us. He was a guy that was very highly sought after, and rightly so. We feel like we developed a great relationship with him. Things can get confusing down at the end, but I feel like in his heart of hearts, he was Auburn through and through. I feel like he’s going to come in here and be one of those guys that has an opportunity to have an impact immediately, and we told him that. We just want him to come in and be Gabe Wright and continue to improve and be a better football player every year, which he really has a chance to, in my opinion, be a very good player in this league. That was a huge get for us, and we’re excited to have him and his family on board.”

Gabe Wright will be a star. He joins a D-line that’s impressive for its collective age. Three sophomores to-be – Corey Lemonier, Nosa Eguae, and Jeffrey Whitaker – are expected to start. Eguae is the only returning starter, but Lemonier, who somehow got All-SEC Freshman Team honors over Eguae, and Whitaker were rotation players.

Gabe is joined by incoming freshmen Angelo Blackson, Keymiya Harrell, JaBrian Niles, and Devaunte Sigler. Blackson could be the best of the remaining bunch. He’s a sleeper, mainly because Delaware isn’t known as a football hotbed. There’s no getting around the fact that he has size: the 6’5”-300 lb. warrior could be a mauler on the defensive line. ESPN’s analysis of him suggests that he’ll be a project for Rocker, suggesting he “…needs to develop a pass rush arsenal and be sure to have a plan. Blackson is a big kid with upside. He will need to keep developing his game and adjust to a likely big jump in competition, but could be a handful with some work.”

In addition to the freshmen and the returning rotation players, ends Dee Ford, Kenneth Carter, and Joel Bonomolo and tackles Jamar Travis and Derrick Lykes will be players to watch come springtime as Auburn reloads on the front four.

The new-look secondary has The Jungle Cat excited. Anything is an upgrade from the 2010 bunch (seriously, Tylenol is more fast-acting than Neiko Thorpe).

Thorpe will likely get pushed to the side – no joke – and Zac Etheridge and Aarion Savage have graduated. This will open the door for Erique Florence, Jonathan Rose, Robenson Therezie, and Jermaine Whitehead to play early and often.

Those four – Florence and Therezie at safety and Rose and Whitehead at cornerback – could be inserted into the defensive back rotation immediately. Don’t be surprised if the already-enrolled Rose comes out of spring practice the starter at one of the corner spots.

Chizik is thrilled with how solid the DB class shook out:

“I couldn’t be more excited. We have Erique Florence from this state. He is a huge get. Just a tremendous athlete, a great student, just one heck of a football player. He can play so many different positions like he did in high school, but obviously we think he’s going to be a great safety for what we’re trying to do. I think he brings a great speed element back there. He loves contact. I think he’s going to be really good at that. We have Jonathan Rose at one corner. He’s already enrolled, and we’re thrilled to death. Another young man from Alabama, and we feel like he was the best corner in the state. It’s really big to have him on board here with us right now. Robensen Therezie from Miami. He’s really a dual guy, can play safety or corner. That’s what we really love about him. He has flexibility in his game and what he brings to the table. He’s just a phenomenal young man. He played some tailback in high school. Again, just a great young man. Then Jermaine Whitehead, that was one that we’re really excited about. This is a great player out of Mississippi that has the ability to play probably numerous amounts of things, but we want him playing at corner. He’s another guy that in high school had his hands on the football a lot, so he was a very good and exciting football player offensively, as well. Our idea is, even in the secondary, the more they have their hands on the ball and the more they touch the ball and they’re used to doing that, then I think you build in the ability back there to get turnovers and make interceptions and things of that nature. He has great speed, good size, and we’re extremely excited about the whole secondary. That’s one of the parts that we really wanted to stress.”

With how well T’Sharvan Bell played at the end of the season and the maturation of Demetruce McNeal and Chris Davis, the Tigers’ secondary could potentially be a thing of beauty. If The Jungle Cat were a betting man, defensive coordinator Ted Roof will trot out Bell and Rose at the corners and Florence and senior Mike McNeil at the safety positions in the first game vs. Utah State.

There are lots to like about this year’s recruiting class – let the man-crush of Kiehl Frazier commence! – but the best part is that these kids can make an immediate impact on the field this coming season, while the Auburn staff continues their position-in-need scouting process. To think Auburn was thisclose to getting the top recruiting class in the country (the consensus was that this year’s title went to Florida State, who capitalized on in-state rivals Florida and Miami undergoing coaching changes) focusing solely on O-line, D-line, and secondary. Imagine what happens next year when Auburn can look at players at skill position roles and linebackers (the sexy prospects): the excitement level will topple this year’s class.

Hope all is well and War Eagle.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Cyrus up for grabs?

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:58:21 -0500

Cyrus up for grabs?:

As reported in several recruiting publications (including ESPN, linked above), it appears that Cyrus Kouandjio has yet to send in his letter of intent to Auburn and is evaluating his decision.

Both ESPN and the Rivals-affiliatied AuburnSports.com were incorrect in reporting that Kouandjio had signed with the Tigers earlier in the afternoon.

No need for panic just yet. If a 17-year-old needs some time to figure out one of the biggest decisions of his life, we’ll respect it. Keep in mind, without Kouandjio, Auburn still has a stellar offensive line class that includes the nation’s second-best offensive tackle (Christian Westerman) and top-overall center (Reese Dismukes).

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 10)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:40:29 -0500

Defensive tackle Gabe Wright has just become Auburn’s third commitment live on ESPNU today, wrapping up the Tigers’ outstanding 2011 recruiting class. Wright followed wide receiver Quan Bray in sending his letter of intent:

QUAN BRAY, RB/WR; LaGrange, Ga.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the fifth-best all-purpose back and 109th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the eighth-best prospect in Georgia…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the fifth-best “athlete” and 40th-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Trooper Taylor and Tracy Rocker, Quan was brought in to play wide receiver for the Tigers. His spurning of the Georgia Bulldogs on national television (“I’m going to Auburn! Whoa Eagle babuh!”) was a cattle prod to the ass of the Bulldog faithful, but the Georgia native has been in love with the Tigers since his cousin Jayson Bray was a defensive back under Terry Bowden. Since he’s now signed, forget about the win in the border battle over Georgia. This kid is here to play. Says ESPN: “This guy has a chance to be special at the next level. Bray is an electrifying athlete that can run like the wind and possess outstanding quickness and chance-of-direction skills.” With the departure of receiving targets Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery, now is an opportune time to be an electrifying athlete.

PROJECTION: If he stays focused, he could be Emory Blake’s understudy in less than a year. While the spots after Blake are up for grabs, there will be a lot of competition early (i.e. Trovon Reed, Shaun Kitchens) that would get that initial slotting. Bray’s major impact will most likely be felt a season or two from now.

GABE WRIGHT, DT, Columbus, Ga.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 13th-best defensive tackle and 141st-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the 13th-best prospect in Georgia…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the third-best defensive tackle and 26th-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tracy Rocker and Curtis Luper, Gabe has been one of the biggest targets in Auburn’s eyes since the start of the recruiting process for the 2011 class. He finally pledged to the Tigers this afternoon. Thanks to the departure of Nick Fairley (and Mike Blanc AND Zach Clayton), Gabe will play immediately. Gabe holds what is easily my favorite analysis of any incoming Auburn player saying that “Wright is a high motor kid who needs to channel some of his energy into better technique at times to maximize his abilities, but you like the way he plays the game with a violent nature and could be a productive college defender.”

PROJECTION: Are you kidding me? Do you want me to retype that ESPN quote again? Holy mackerel, I never thought Auburn could top last year’s Nick Fairley game vs. Georgia, but here it is. “High motor kid…with a violent nature.” And he’s from the state of Georgia? How sour are Georgia fans going to be when a home state player rips out their souls a la Fairley? I’m giddy.

This will be the final live update for the day. Look for a recruiting wrap-up featuring some of Gene Chizik’s comments on Friday.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 9)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:14:00 -0500

Auburn just landed a HUGE prospect in consensus top-overall offensive lineman Cyrus Kouandjio live on ESPNU. In addition to that, the Tigers hauled in linebacker Justin Garrett and the hard-hitting Robenson Therezie:

JUSTIN GARRETT, LB, Tucker, Ga.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting; Ranked as the 66th-best prospect in Georgia…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 84th-best outside linebacker in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Ted Roof and Tommy Thigpen, Justin appears to be a project linebacker that could be an immediate thumper for the special teams. He may need some seasoning, but ESPN’s analysis seems promising: “With his good motor, quickness, and pursuit habits, it’s difficult to get a [helmet] on this player. Garrett will need time to bulk up while improving his coverage skills; this may require a red-shirt year; however, once ready to play, his career should be long and productive.”

PROJECTION: Luckily, Auburn’s linebacker depth is strong, so Justin will have an opportunity to watch and learn. Fingers crossed that Teddy Roof can turn this kid into a productive player.

ROBENSON THEREZIE, CB/S, Miami, Fla.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 17th-best safety in the nation; Ranked as the 37th-best prospect in Florida…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 11th-best safety in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Trooper Taylor, “Cadillac” was a lifelong Auburn fan and was given the nickname in grade school when his running back style reminded his coaches of former Tiger and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cadillac Williams. That little running back grew up to become a spine-rattling safety that is now one of the brightest spots of a tremendous 2011 recruiting class for the Tigers. In his senior season at Miami Jackson High School, he amassed 81 tackles and forced nine – NINE! – fumbles. The Tigers won a national championship lacking productive defensive backs and now Cadillac prepares to take the campus by storm.

PROJECTION: Show-stealer? All-SEC selection? Fan favorite? Check yes to all of them. Cadillac is about to bring the noise.

CYRUS KOUANDJIO, OT, Hyattsville, Md.

EVALUATIONS: Five-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the top-overall offensive tackle and fourth-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the top-overall prospect in Maryland…Five-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the top-overall offensive tackle and third-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Jeff Grimes and Trooper Taylor, Cyrus is a giant at offensive tackle, the consensus top offensive lineman in the nation. A bright kid, Cyrus has the smarts, along with the talent, to start immediately for the Tigers. Having announced live on ESPNU, he spurned Alabama (where his brother is an offensive lineman) to sign with Auburn. ESPN’s description of Cyrus is something in which to get excited: “Kouandjio is a dominant run-blocker with excellent athleticism that is very rare at his size coming out of high school…we feel he has the size [6’7”-325 lbs.], athleticism, explosion, and playing strength to step in and become an immediate starter at the major level of competition.”

PROJECTION: Immediate star and, since he spurned the Tide to get to Auburn, an immediate fan favorite. Jeff Grimes has a new offensive line cornerstone.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 8)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:14:00 -0500

The countdown is now underway for Cyrus Kouandjio’s announcement at noon eastern on ESPNU and ESPN3.com, but right now the Tigers are putting the finishing touches on a great all-around 2011 class:

KEYMIYA HARRELL, DE, Plantersville, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 27th-best weak-side defensive end in the nation; Ranked at the 18th-best prospect in Alabama…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 39th-best defensive end in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tracy Rocker and Jay Boulware, Keymiya is one athletic big guy with a lot of promise. His 6’5”-235 lb. frame is something to be excited about, but it’s his 4.66 40-yard dash time that should raise a few more eyeballs than it has. Keeping with the Auburn tradition of jet-fast defensive ends, Ted Roof now has himself a player in the mold of a Stanley McClover and/or Quentin Groves. ESPN suggests that he’s raw as a defender, but certainly agile. He was also a standout on the basketball court, where he averaged a double-double in his junior and senior seasons at Dallas County High School.

PROJECTION: There’s always a place for a half-decent defensive end at Auburn (heck, Michael Goggans was a difference-maker against both Alabama and Oregon). It might take some seasoning before Keymiya sheds that “raw” tag, but Tracy Rocker is just the coach to expedite the process. A speedy defensive end suiting up for the Tigers? Yeah, he’ll pan out.

ANTHONY SWAIN, LB/S, Gadsden, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 24th-best safety in the nation; Ranked as the 11th-best prospect in Alabama…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 25th-best safety in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tommy Thigpen, Anthony could play safety or linebacker for the Tigers. His ESPN analysis doesn’t exactly exude potential, as he’s described as a player who “does not show mirroring or stemming skill-set…could get challenged as a space defender…shows some wasted motion opening to turn and run…needs to play with more hip-sink.” Though Coaches Thigpen and Ted Roof are up to the task of polishing a rock and finding a gem, it might not even come to fruition. Anthony has had some academic questions linger that might delay or halt his entrance to Auburn.

PROJECTION: I hate to be crass, but it is doubtful that Anthony will see the field for the Tigers. He capitalized on an early scholarship offer, but that might be all for his association. If he doesn’t make it to campus, the best is wished for the young man. If he does, the spit shine process begins.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 7)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:29:22 -0500

It’s fitting that on the seventh update (“7” being the retired number of former Heisman-winning quarterback Pat Sullivan) that Auburn’s top quarterback target, Kiehl Frazier, is now officially a Tiger. Let the man-crush on Frazier commence:

KIEHL FRAZIER, QB, Springdale, Ark.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the fifth-best dual-threat quarterback and 89th-best prospect in the country; Ranked as the top-overall prospect in Arkansas…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the second-best quarterback and 47th-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Gus Malzahn, Kiehl has successfully quarterbacked Malzahn’s spread offense at Shiloh Christian School to three state championships. Don’t let the Arkansas tag fool you: Kiehl is more Cam Newton than Kodi Burns. He threw for 2,975 yards and rushed for 1,164 more during his senior year. And if there’s any doubt that the kid is “All In,” he’s been infatuated with Auburn since the Gene Chizik regime took over. The only concern, per ESPN, is the level of competition that he played against in high school. I’m not too worried though. A winner at any level is a winner, and if the coaching staff had any doubt, they wouldn’t have made him one of their initial scholarship offers for the 2011 class. The folk hero stories (the come-from-behind win in the state championship his junior year is already a part of Arkansas high school lore) are already piling up. While Cam Newton leaves Auburn a legend, he wasn’t the quarterback Malzahn had in mind to run his offense. Kiehl is.

PROJECTION: He’ll battle Barrett Trotter for starting honors immediately. Regardless of whether or not he’s the starter in 2011, he’s the future of the Auburn offense. And when he does take over? Hello, Heisman.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 6)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:17:00 -0500

Three more letters have just been faxed. With the addition of Christian Westerman to go along with fellow signees Shon Coleman, Reese Dismukes, Thomas O’Reilly, and Greg Robinson, Auburn is building what appears to be the best incoming offensive line crop in the country.

Here are the newbies, in the order in which they signed:

JABRIAN NILES, DE, Mobile, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 31st-best strong-side defensive end in the nation; Ranked as the 13th-best prospect in Alabama…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 19th-best defensive end in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tracy Rocker and Curtis Luper, JaBrian is a proto-typical “power end” utilized in the Auburn defense. Perhaps, misevaluated, Auburn beat out Alabama and Southern Cal for the Mobile native, meaning he was coveted by three big-time programs. ESPN suggests that he doesn’t have great straight-line speed, but is “a solid tackler and has a good motor,” and “a solid end prospect who can be productive versus the run and pass.” In other words, JaBrian is a pretty solid player coming to Auburn.

PROJECTION: Nosa Eguae needs a back-up at the power end position right now and it might as well be JaBrian. The opportunity for instant rotation time is there if he wants it.

SAMMIE COATES, WR, Leroy, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 71st-best wide receiver in the nation; Ranked as the 21st-best prospect in Alabama…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 74th-best wide receiver in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Phillip Lolley, Sammie switched his commitment from Southern Miss to the Tigers where he joins his former quarterback Clint Moseley. Sammie’s silhouette (6’3”-180 lbs.) resembles that of former Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. From a skill standpoint, Sammie just might be underrated as a pass-catcher: he was a stand-out in Auburn’s Senior Mini Camp in the summer, where he earned the scholarship offer; furthermore, he had a terrific senior season that saw his Leroy High School team win the Class 2A state championship in Alabama. He was the MVP of the championship game, capping off the season with 1,170-yards receiving.

PROJECTION: Heck, Darvin Adams was a sleeper. If Sammie can realize his immense potential, he’ll be a stalwart in Auburn’s spread offense.

CHRISTIAN WESTERMAN, OT, Chandler, Ariz.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the third-best offensive tackle and 27th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the top-overall prospect in Arizona…Five-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the second-best offensive tackle and sixth-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Jeff Grimes, Christian was a big-time get for the Tigers for two reasons. For starters, Christian is an outstanding tackle that could vie for a starting spot immediately. Second, Auburn snookered the mighty Texas Longhorns (always a recruiting power among prospects in the Southwest) for his services. Now, Grimes, the offensive line coach, gets a punishing prospect to coach up. And, not to step on Grimes’s toes, but fellow signees Reese Dismukes and Thomas O’Reilly should be credited with bring Christian to The Plains; the fellow offensive linemen built a strong friendship when they played together at the Under Armour game in Tampa.

PROJECTION: He’s a warrior for sure. In two or three years, Auburn’s offensive line is going to be STACKED and Christian will be a key reason why. With the proper development, this kid could also be a star on Sundays.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 5)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:46:00 -0500

Some more letters of intent, including that of brand-spankin’ new commitment Jermaine Whitehead, have been sent to the Auburn football office. Here’s the low-down on the new Tigers:

CHRIS LANDRUM, LB, Sweet Water, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 48th-best outside linebacker in the nation; Ranked as the 21st-best prospect in Alabama…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 105th-best outside linebacker in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Jay Boulware, Chris is a sleeper at linebacker, thanks in part to his high school playing 1A ball. Despite the low level of play, Chris made the best out of the situation: his Sweet Water High School team captured the 1A state title his senior year as he picked up MVP honors in the championship game after he scored a rushing touchdown, registered seven tackles, and recovered a fumble. If he can add some weight to his 6’2”-215 lb. build, he could end up becoming a menacing linebacker on The Plains.

PROJECTION: I think there’s more potential with Landrum than most people realize. He’s capable of distributing some big hits, which in the very least, earns a guy playing time. I believe we’re looking at a potential starter.

GREG ROBINSON, OG, Thibodaux, La.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the second-best offensive guard in and 90th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the sixth-best prospect in Louisiana…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 10th-best offensive guard in the nation…2011 U.S. Army All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Jeff Grimes and Trooper Taylor, Greg is the second Thibodaux High School product to join the Tigers in as many years (wide receiver Trovon Reed signed with Auburn in 2010). Rivals suggests that Greg brings to mind former Virginia standout and current New York Jet D’Brickashaw Ferguson, meaning that Greg, in all his 6’5”-300 lb. glory, would be better suited to play offensive tackle. His versatility between both the guard and tackle positions makes him a valuable pick-up. ESPN contends that he should red-shirt “to develop and polish his playing skills,” but Rivals says “there is a very good chance he could compete for playing time as a freshman because he already has the size, athletic ability, and toughness needed.” It should be noted that he spurned the ESPN-sponsored Under Armour game and instead played in the Rivals-sponsored Army game.

PROJECTION: Greg is going to be a star for the Tigers. Get used to him pummeling defensive linemen for the next four years.

JERMAINE WHITEHEAD, CB, Greenwood, Miss.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 24th-best cornerback in the nation; Ranked as the eighth-best prospect in Mississippi…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 27th-best “athlete” in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Trooper Taylor, Jermaine was publicly committed to Mississippi State until today. Thing is, Jermaine, who sports one of the best flattops since Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air days, always wanted to be a part of the Auburn Family. The flaking of fellow defensive back Marcus Roberson (who signed with Florida this morning) allowed him to earn a committable offer to The Plains. Now he is “All In” and joins an exciting defensive back class to boot. He’s terrific all-around athlete on the football field, registering 61 tackles and four interceptions (two of which were returned for touchdowns) and 805 rushing yards and six touchdowns for Amanda Elzy High School.

PROJECTION: Depth is always needed when you’re fielding defensive backs in the SEC. Along with a bevy of recruits, T’Sharvan Bell, Mike McNeil, Demetruce McNeal, Chris Davis, and – gulp! – Neiko Thorpe will create a deep crop of cover men. If Jermaine stands out in fall practice, he’ll play immediately and has the potential and the want-to to be a standout.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 4)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:09:00 -0500

War Eagle, guys and gals! We’ve reeled in our first whale of the day in highly-touted safety Erique Florence from Valley, Ala. Florence just declared for Auburn in front of a massive crowd at Valley High School, live on ESPNU and ESPN3.com.

He immediately signed a letter of intent. Get to know him right here:

ERIQUE FLORENCE, S, Valley, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the third-best safety and 69th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the second-best prospect in Alabama…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the fourth-best safety and 52nd-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tommy Thigpen, Erique waited until signing day to make his pledge to Auburn official. Though he waited until the eleventh hour, this kid was “All In” from the get-go; he recruited other prospects and set up an official visit to Alabama, only to cancel on the Tide so that he could attend Auburn’s national championship celebration. Orange and blue quirkiness aside, Erique is a player. He was an all-state selection as a sophomore, junior, and senior, and was described by ESPN as having “prototypical strong safety measurable as well as demeanor…this kid is a hitter and one of the more tough and physical safeties in 2011…a very good football player.”

PROJECTION: A legend on the Auburn field and the Auburn campus. Also being one of Auburn’s more delightfully eccentric players (and a Jungle Cat favorite), Erique will be a superstar for the Tigers.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 3)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:54:00 -0500

We’re officially in countdown mode for the Erique Florence announcement live on ESPNU and ESPN3.com at 9:05am eastern, but in the meantime, three more players have faxed in their letters of intent:

BRANDON FULSE, TE; Fort Meade, Fla.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 10th-best tight end and 162nd-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the 29th-best prospect in Florida…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the fifth-best tight end and 94th-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Trooper Taylor and Jeff Grimes, Brandon is a natural successor to Philip Lutzkenkirchen at the tight end-style h-back spot. At 6’4”-250, Brandon has the size needed to succeed as a tight end in the SEC and is skilled at catching and run/pass blocking. He isn’t exactly elusive, but his after-the-catch mannerisms will remind Auburn fans of former running back Brandon Jacobs. Auburn didn’t necessarily need a tight end, but Brandon is a luxury pick-up that a national championship program can surely enjoy.

PROJECTION: Brandon will back up Lutzenkirchen immediately and will take over the starting spot upon Big Lutz’s graduation in two years.

ANGELO BLACKSON, DT; Bear, Del.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 31st-best defensive tackle in the nation; Ranked as the second-best prospect in Delaware…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 14th-best defensive tackle in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tommy Thigpen, Angelo is considered a sleeper, mainly because Delaware isn’t known as a football hotbed. There’s no getting around the fact that Angelo has size: the 6’5”-300 lb. warrior could be a mauler on the defensive line. ESPN’s analysis of him suggests that he’ll be a project for D-line coach Tracy Rocker, suggesting he “…needs to develop a pass rush arsenal and be sure to have a plan. Blackson is a big kid with upside. He will need to keep developing his game and adjust to a likely big jump in competition, but could be a handful with some work.”

PROJECTION: Didn’t Rivals once consider Nick Fairley to be a three-star prospect? It sounds as if this kid just needed a program that would be patient in his development. Auburn and Coach Rocker will maximize Angelo’s potential.

DEVAUNTE SIGLER, DE/LB; Mobile, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 64th-best outside linebacker in the nation; Ranked as the 23rd-best prospect in Alabama…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 46th-best defensive end in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tracy Rocker and Curtis Luper, Devaunte (as one can surmise from the DE/LB designation) is this year’s requisite hybrid. His 4.67 second 40-yard dash time, coupled with his flexible position play screams “PASS RUSHER,” perfect for the quick end spot. Not only that, but Auburn fans should place their faith behind the coaching staff when it comes to all things Devaunte because it’s this kid that made highly coveted defensive end recruit Ray Drew (who is slated to sign with Georgia) expendable in the eyes of the staff. Three stars be damned, there are some high hopes for this prospect.

PROJECTION: Devaunte will now be compared to Ray Drew for the rest of his collegiate career. Not only will he feel the need to out-perform Drew, I think Devaunte crushes it as an Auburn Tiger, either as a defensive end or an outside linebacker.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 2)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:23:00 -0500

Four letters of intent have already been faxed in to the Auburn football offices, kicked off by tight end C.J. Uzomah. Here’s the early crop of signees, in the order in which they signed:

C.J. UZOMAH, QB/TE; Suwanee, Ga.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 20th-best tight end in the nation; Ranked as the 23rd-best prospect in Georgia…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 36th-best “athlete” in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Ted Roof, C.J. is a 6’5”-230 lb. Cam Newton clone (except with a questionable mini ‘fro) who the coaching staff were swooning about early in the recruiting process. C.J. played quarterback at North Gwinnett High School and was a 5A All-State selection, but he projects as a tight end and wildcat formation quarterback for the Tigers. ESPN suggests that he could be successful as this slot, saying, “as an overall athlete, we really like this kid as a “flex” TE or h-back as he is extremely athletic…he runs very well and he is elusive and quick especially when you consider his size.”

PROJECTION: Normally I like to pinpoint particular transfer targets in each recruiting class. C.J. is one of those targets due to being a player that will likely never be an outright starter for the Tigers, BUT with the threat of the wildcat looming since the departure of Newton, C.J. could be an invaluable piece of the Gus Malzahn offense for years to come. Here’s hoping it works out.

TRE MASON, RB; Lake Worth, Fla.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 14th-best running back and 199th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the 32nd-best prospect in Florida…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 21st-best running back in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Curtis Luper, Tre is most likely the Plan D at running back after Mike Blakely (Florida), Isaiah Crowell (Georgia), and Dee Hart (Alabama) decided to sign elsewhere. Do NOT mistake his being the fourth option as a testament to his level of talent. Here’s all the evidence you need: Exhibit A) Tre played 6A ball in Florida and rushed for over 1,600 yards his senior season; Exhibit B) He is a punishing back at only 5’9”-185 and “flashes great perimeter speed” (ESPN’s words, not mine), meaning he’ll be a more durable version of Onterio McCalebb; Exhibit C) He’s talented enough to spell Michael Dyer as an every-down back (McCalebb is not an every-down back); and Exhibit D) While it’s fantastic to have him on board, it allows Auburn to swing for the fences in running back recruiting for 2012.

PROJECTION: There has been some rumors as to whether or not he qualifies (he appears to be an intelligent interview, but that’s not always telling of one’s actual intelligence). If he makes it to campus, put him second on the depth chart behind Dyer, firmly cemented in the running back rotation. He’s (hopefully) a more capable back than Mario Fannin, the back he would be replacing and more durable than McCalebb.

KRIS FROST, WR/LB; Matthews, N.C.

EVALUATIONS: Five-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the second-best “athlete” and 20th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the third-best prospect in North Carolina…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 28th-best “athlete” in the nation…2011 U.S. Army All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tommy Thigpen, Kris’s recruitment was perhaps the biggest hiccup. Originally, it was perceived that his commitment to Auburn came as a “safety net” selection following Rich Rodriguez’s firing at his top choice, Michigan. Frost contends that he’s an Auburn man ready to play whichever position is needed (he is adept at receiver, linebacker, and safety). An athlete of his caliber only comes around once in a few years. That, mixed with his desire to prove Auburn correct in accepting his commitment could make for a show-stopping concoction.

PROJECTION: Kris will play defense for the Tigers and fulfill his potential as being a havoc-maker on the field. If made a linebacker, expect a more athletic version of Craig Stevens with a ball-hawking instinct.

JAYLON DENSON, WR; Hoover, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 24th-best wide receiver and 205th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the fifth-best prospect in Alabama…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 86th-best wide receiver in the nation.

GRITTY: Recruited by to Auburn by Trooper Taylor, Jaylon is the best thing to come out of Hoover since Two-a-Days (kidding, obviously, but I miss Repete Smith). Though Rivals and ESPN differs greatly on the assessment of Jaylon, ESPN acknowledges that he is a “raw, talented athlete and a major sleeper on the recruiting trail…sliding through the cracks due to his ‘tweener status.” True, with a 6’3”-190 lbs. body, he is bigger than an average wide receiver and smaller than an average tight end; however, Auburn was able to put bulk on Terrell Zachery and turn him into a more-than-viable second option the last two seasons.

PROJECTION: If he can haul in passes like he did in high school (1,183 receiving yards his senior year at Hoover), Gus Malzahn and co. can find a place for him in the offense, ‘tweener status be damned. Even with the size, he boasts a 4.5 second 40-yard dash time, which is “burner” pace. Jaylon, given the chance, could be electric for the Auburn Tigers.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

Signing Day Live! (Part 1)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:58:00 -0500

Welcome to National Signing Day. Furthermore, welcome to National Signing Day after an Auburn National Championship. Today, every Auburn fan will be taken on a ride that could include more highs than lows. Followers of recruiting realize that is not always the case as Auburn has experienced several Signing Days in recent memory that were filled with doom (i.e. in 2008 when the Tigers were finalists for several top recruits, including the soon-to-be NFL star Robert Quinn who signed with North Carolina) and filled with great amount of optimism (i.e. last year, which netted a whopping 32 signees, 30 of which qualified and made it to campus for the start of the 2010 football season).

Last year included two All-SEC Freshman Team selections in running back Mike Dyer and defensive end Corey Lemonier, offensive tackle Brandon Mosley, linebacker Jake Holland, defensive tackle Jeffrey Whitaker, and defensive backs Demetruce McNeal and Chris Davis – all of whom saw action during the National Championship Game – and Cam Newton, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner who leaves Auburn an icon after only one season.

Four players have already made it to campus after graduating from high school in December and enrolling at Auburn for the spring semester. The Jungle Cat is happy to introduce you to the new blood:

SHON COLEMAN, OT; Olive Branch, Miss.

EVALUATIONS: (All evaluations are from 2009) Five-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the nation’s third-best offensive tackle and 22nd-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the top-overall prospect in Mississippi…Three-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the nation’s 31st-best offensive tackle…2010 U.S. Army All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Jeff Grimes and Trooper Taylor, “Big Shon” was diagnosed with leukemia last summer and did not enroll in school after signing last year. His fall was spent watching Auburn from afar while receiving chemotherapy. It now appears that Big Shon is on the road to recovery as he enrolled at Auburn for the Spring 2011 semester. The best-case scenario for Shon would include adding weight to his massive 6’7”-285 lb. frame that has likely seen some atrophy as a result of the chemotherapy sessions. Realizing his enormous potential on the football field will be a giant task, but his effort in fighting for his health has been nothing short of heroic.

PROJECTION: We want him to be 100 percent healthy. Anything on top of that is icing on the cake.

REESE DISMUKES, C/OG; Spanish Fort, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the top-overall center and 79th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the seventh-best prospect in Alabama…Four-star recruit on ESPN prospect and ranked as the top-overall center and 56th-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Jeff Grimes and Curtis Luper, Reese might prove to be one of the biggest free spirits to walk into the Auburn locker room since Antoine Nolan. A personable guy and an inevitable fan favorite, Reese is an intelligent workhorse on the football field that ESPN hails as “a smart player with the tools to make all the necessary run blocks at the [college] level” and “handles the shotgun snap very well.” Graduating early and enrolling for the spring semester will allow him to participate in the Tigers’ Spring Practice session, which is fantastic considering the graduation of All-SEC center Ryan Pugh.

PROJECTION: If he isn’t moved to the guard spot, he will be a freshman starter. Reese is primed for an accolade-filled career on The Plains.

THOMAS O’REILLY, OG; Marietta, Ga.

EVALUATIONS: Three-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 43rd-best offensive guard in the nation; Ranked as the 35th-best prospect in Georgia…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the eighth-best offensive guard and 145th-best prospect in the nation; 2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Jeff Grimes and Ted Roof, Thomas is another early enrollee, which improves his chances of immediate playing time on a offensive line depleted because of graduation. Already a 300-pounder, Thomas has the frame and, according to ESPN, the footwork to be a quality lineman; however, his Pope High School offense operated a run-oriented offense, meaning that there will be a little bit (not much) of lag time familiarizing himself with Gus Malzahn’s spread attack. There has been some talk of Thomas having some off-the-field character issues that need to be corrected.

PROJECTION: We don’t yet know if Thomas has the ability and intangibles needed to be a standout lineman in the SEC, but it is doubtful that he was signed for the sole-purpose of being a game changer. Thomas is depth; no more, no less.

JONATHAN ROSE, S/CB; Leeds, Ala.

EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the seventh-best safety and 112th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the second-best prospect in Alabama…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the 11th-best cornerback in the nation…2011 U.S. Army All-American Game Participant.

GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tommy Thigpen and Phillip Lolley, “Johnny Roses” as The Jungle Cat will, from now on, affectionately refer to him, is one of about five newbies expected to join Auburn that is crazy versatile (he can play both defensive back positions and is a quality receiver). His ability to defend the jump ball is a big reason why ESPN sees him as a cornerback. Off the field, Johnny Roses is a pied piper, hustling to recruit a few top prospects (and soon-to-be Auburn Tigers) so that he could be surrounded a stud class upon his arrival.

PROJECTION: Go ahead and place him in the defensive back rotation during spring practice and let him figure it out from there. Johnny Roses will be a playmaker and has the potential to be a locker room leader and the emotional presence on the back four, filling the void left by Zac Etheridge’s graduation.

Today, several Auburn targets will announce live on ESPNU (or ESPN3.com). Valley, Ala.’s Erique Florence will make his pledge at 9:05am eastern between Auburn and Southern Cal, Cyrus Kouandjio, a top offensive tackle, will decide between Auburn and Alabama at noon eastern, and Columbus, Ga.’s Gabe Wright will declare between Auburn, Tennessee, and a host of others at 1:05pm eastern.

Updates will continue today as letters of intent become confirmed. Keep checking back throughout the day.

The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.

“Smoove” headed to the league: Darvin Adams is...

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:41:00 -0500

“Smoove” headed to the league: Darvin Adams is making himself eligible for the NFL Draft, where, hopefully, he is far more appreciated than he was during his time at Auburn.