What ever happened to...

[War Eagle!!!]

our 2009 recruiting class?

Donte Aycock, *** RB

Believe it or not, this Tampa based prospect was rated higher than Knile Davis coming out of high school. Aycock was commited to Georgia Tech for the majority of the recruiting process, only to make the late flip to Auburn near Signing Day. He redshirted his freshman year and was slated to split carries with Mike Dyer in 2010. It wasn't to be as Donte was booted off the team on May 21 for violating team rules. Aycock decided to pursue his football career at South Florida in 2011 under Skip Holtz. The Bulls got a surprise when the 5-10 Aycock showed up to camp at a hefty 235 pounds. One fall morning practice, Donte unexpectedly didn't show up to the field and he never returned to the team. When questioned about it Coach Holtz said he "wasn't sure Donte's heart was into playing football". Aycock was recently charged with domestic battery and criminal mischief.

Darren Bates, ** S

Truly an underdog story, Bates came out of high school as a two star and tallied 70 tackles as a true freshman for the Tigers. He ended up starting outside linebacker for a national championship team and recorded over 100 tackles as a junior. Bates will be one of the leaders for the 2012 Tiger defense.

DeAngelo Benton, **** WR

This LSU target was touted as the 7th best wide out in his class and the 41st best overall player in the country. Obviously, the Auburn faithful were quite enthused when the stud spurned the local Bengals for the Tigers. Trooper Taylor has raved about his ability, but we've yet to see Benton's play making ability on the field. He struggled with drops throughout the 2011 season and fell out of the rotation towards the end of the year.

Emory Blake, **** WR

Auburn coaches cast their lines deep into Longhorn recruiting waters to reel in this big time prospect. But unlike his counterpart Benton, Blake has lived up to the hype. He blossomed late in the 2010 championship run, notably triggering the 24 point comeback in Bryant-Denny with a long touchdown reception. Blake was pretty much Auburn's entire passing game in 2011, racking up 613 yards despite an ankle injury. This season experts are expecting Blake to solidify his presence as a top tier SEC receiver.

Terrance Coleman, *** DT

Coleman was the 13th best prospect in Alabama coming out of high school. The 250 pounder chose Auburn over the Razorbacks and was expected to boost the Tiger's weak defensive line depth. But instead of waiting on the NCAA's decision about his academic eligibility, Coleman enrolled at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Coleman had a standout year at Copiah, earning all conference honors with a 12 sack campaign. He gained eligibility and signed with Middle Tennessee State in 2011.

Robert Cooper, *** ATH

Originally a grey shirt, academic casualties opened up a scholarship for Cooper in the spring of 2009. He was looked at as a  quarterback for a short while before being converted to tight end. Cooper sustained a season ending concussion during punt return drills in practice one day. The injury was so severe he had to drop out of school entirely for a whole semester. Cooper gave up the game to focus on academics. He switched his major from biomedical science to Psychology in the spring of 2011. After graduation Robert plans to pursue a master's and doctorate in Neuropsychology.

Nosa Eguae, *** DE

This three star lineman was being looked by several Big 12 schools but signed with the SEC Auburn Tigers instead. Nosa was a force for the 2010 national championship team, totaling 7.5 tackles for loss. His successful 10' campaign earned him the starting job in 2011, but Eguae's numbers slipped. He's now locked in a battle with team mate Dee Ford for playing time next to star Cory Lemonier.

Jonathan Evans, *** OLB

Evans came to Auburn as a three star, and has been in the linebacker rotation mix since his freshman season. You may fondly remember the young linebacker stepping in to tally 8 solo tackles against #1 Alabama. Evans made 27 stops for the national championship team and earned the starting OLB role for the 2011 squad. He put up very pedestrian numbers however, just 40 tackles for a lackluster defense. The senior is now fighting the talented Kris Frost for playing time.

Nick Fairley, *** DT

After Nick's first two seasons on the Plains it seemed he'd be nothing more than a decent rotation player. Then came 2010. Fairley exploded to the best DT in the country by winning the Lombardi and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He went into the NFL Draft, being picked up by Detroit in the first round. Nick was hurt for most of his rookie season, only recording 15 tackles. Since then he's had some major off the field issues. In April he was caught with possession of marijuana  and in May he was charged with a DUI after being clocked going 100 mph through a Mobile neighborhood.

Eltoro Freeman, *** MLB

This three star out of Gulf Coast Community College had the definition of an up and down career. Auburn fans waited four years for "The Bull" to put it all together. He had worlds of potential but the light switch didn't go off until his senior season. During the 2011 campaign, Freeman was one of the few positives on a horrendous Tiger defense. Although he never quite had the career some expected, no one could ever accuse him not giving it his all every down for Auburn. In mid May, the Ravens signed Eltoro as an undrafted free agent.

Dee Ford, *** DE

We've seen what Dee Ford can do off the end when healthy. Ford has blossomed into a great pass rusher for Auburn, but a herniated disk in his back has hindered his playing time. This spring he's back to full health and has received tremendous praise from the coaching staff. But he'll have to beat out a more experience Nosa Eguae if he wants the starting role.

Harris Gaston, *** LB

This three star saw very limited action his first two seasons on the plains, mostly on special teams. Disgruntled about lack of playing time, Gaston decided to leave the team in the November of 2011. Coach Chizik told reporter Harris "has decided to move on". There were rumors he was trying to walk on at Bama.

Anthony Morgan, *** ATH

This three star saw action on special teams right away his freshman season. Morgan was eventually moved to DB, where he provided depth for the 2010 national championship squad. Anthony once again went through a position change when he started in the 2011 season opener at running back. He didn't make the trip to South Carolina and his season ended for good when he tore his ACL in an off-the-field incident. Morgan was listed on Auburn's 2012 roster at.......................wide receiver.

Andre Harris, *** OL

This big offensive lineman failed to see much playing time his first two season at Auburn and left the team in the spring of 2011. Harris went on to become a reliable starter for Eastern Arizona, who finished the 2011 season 8-4.

Josh Jackson, ** DL

A two star prospect, Jackson failed to qualify and never made it to Auburn. He went on to become an all conference defensive tackle for Phoenix College.

Brandon Jacobs, *** RB

Instead of enrolling to play football at Auburn, Jacobs followed his heart by entering the MLB Draft. He was picked up by the Red Sox in the 10th round for $800,000. Brandon worked his way through the minor league system to the Salem Red Sox in 2012. Half way through the season he's hitting .285 with 8 home runs and the starting left fielder. On July 6th against the Carolina Mudcats, Jacobs hit a blast to the left center bleachers to record his 150th career RBI.

LaVoyd James, *** WR

An early Auburn commit, James rebounded from a severe ankle injury to sign with the Tigers in 2009. He couldn't make the grades however and spent his season in the wide receiver rotation at Navarro College. LaVoyd hauled in a 12 yard pass against a Cam Newton led Blinn College. He finished the season with 71 yards on 10 receptions. 2011 saw James starting at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where he made 17 grabs for 211 yards. James was named to the MACJC All-State Team Honorable Mention.

Izauea Lanier, *** ATH

Lanier signed with the Tigers in 2009 but failed to qualify. He had a stand out season for East Mississippi Community College and was picked up by Tennessee for the 2011 season. Izauea put together a solid campaign for the Vols and was expected to become a full time starter in 2012. But a horrendous fall semester in the class room forced Tennessee to rule their top corner back ineligible for the season.

Phillip Lutzenkirchen, **** TE

A four star, Lutz has definitely lived up to the hype. He's established himself as Auburn's greatest receiving tight end and one of the top players in the SEC from his position. With the addition of full back Jay Prosch, Lutz will become an even bigger part of the Tiger passing game.

Onterio McCalleb, **** RB

This highly recruited speedster has been a weapon for Tigers since day 1. He's a true home run threat and has amassed an impressive resume. Now that Dyer has transferred, the Squirrel will be called upon to take on an even bigger role in 2012.

Clint Mosely, *** QB

Mosely started his Auburn career losing a quarterback battle to Cam Newton and Barrett Trotter in the spring of 2010. Clint once again lost out to Trotter in the summer of 2011, but ended up replacing him midway through the season. After struggling greatly towards the end of last year, he's once again an underdog in the summer quarterback race(Frazier).

Taikwon Paige, **** CB

Paige was a highly touted defensive back out of JUCO but failed to qualify at Auburn. He wound up at Toledo in 2010, seeing limited action. Taikwon earned the starting job for the Rockets in 2011, recording 49 tackles and 2 interceptions. This upcoming senior season gives Paige the chance to catch the eyes of some NFL scouts.

Tyrik Rollison, **** QB

Rollison had a cannon arm and was supposed to be Auburn's solution to the quarterback situation. He had loads of talent but we never had a chance to see it. Rollison was suspended his first season on the Plains and didn't show up to spring practice. He ended up announcing his decision to transfer to Sam Houston St. on facebook in the spring of 2010. Rollison didn't get to play a down for the Bearkats in 2010 due to a pre season wrist injury. He didn't spend much time in the class room at Sam Houston and ended up flunking out. He enrolled at Tyler Junior College for the 2011 season and struggled greatly down the stretch.

John Sullen, *** OL

Sullen came to Auburn as a three star and has seen his playing time increase each season to the point of becoming Auburn's starting right guard in 2011. He'll be given a chance to lock down his starting job this summer.

Reggie Taylor, **** DB

This highly recruited defensive back couldn't make the grades to get into Auburn and wound up attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2009. No stats were available so he might of left the team.

Jamar Travis, **** DT

Travis was supposed to come in and help replenish Auburn's razor thin line depth. He's stayed on the team but has become some what of a bust. In four seasons he's racked up a very pedestrian 7 tackles for the Tigers.

Demond Washington, **** ATH

Washington was a extremely valuable contributor to Auburn's 2010 national championship run and developed into a dangerous return man. He tallied over 90 tackles in two seasons on the Plains and was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was cut from the Chiefs after training camp and was busted on drug possession in September. Washington is currently a star kick returner for the CFL team, Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

[Townhallsavoy]

Wow...that 2009 class was, uh, pathetic except for a few. 

Thanks, Tubs. 

[The Prowler]

I remember when Auburn signed the three Texas prospects and some people were all up in arms about it. 2 outta 3 ain't bad if you ask me...and those two are All-SEC.

[JR4AU]

By my count 16 of those names are still on the roster, or like D. Washington contributed well for all his eligibility.  A couple left due to injuries, which is part of the game. 

At that rate in every class, in 4 years, you'd have 64 players.  Factor in a 5th year class, and the number is 80.  Remember, the NCAA scholarship rules factor in a 15% attrition rate right off the bat.  I don't think that rate of attrition is grossly over the norm, but maybe just a little.  Odds are, no matter what the program, you're going to have a class ever few years that's higher than the norm.  I know it's always fun to bash Tubs, but Tubs is responsible for guys like OMac, Lutz, Sullen, Fairley too.  Blame where blame is due, credit where credit is due.

[The Prowler]

By my count 16 of those names are still on the roster, or like D. Washington contributed well for all his eligibility.  A couple left due to injuries, which is part of the game. 

At that rate in every class, in 4 years, you'd have 64 players.  Factor in a 5th year class, and the number is 80.  Remember, the NCAA scholarship rules factor in a 15% attrition rate right off the bat.  I don't think that rate of attrition is grossly over the norm, but maybe just a little.  Odds are, no matter what the program, you're going to have a class ever few years that's higher than the norm.  I know it's always fun to bash Tubs, but Tubs is responsible for guys like OMac, Lutz, Sullen, Fairley too.  Blame where blame is due, credit where credit is due.

Auburn wasn't going after John Sullen from Auburn HS. until Coach Chizik got there and realized that we hadn't signed many OLinemen since the '07 Class and that class only had three that contributed (Ziemba, Pugh and Ramsey). I'll give Coach Tubs credit for Lutz and O'Mac only...they would've moved Fairley to the OL (since that's where they wanted him coming out of HS in the '07 Class) and they loved moving DL to the OL (see, DE Ben Grubbs, DT Byron Isom, DT Tyrone Green, DT Bart Eddins, DE A.J. Greene).

[JR4AU]

Auburn wasn't going after John Sullen from Auburn HS. until Coach Chizik got there and realized that we hadn't signed many OLinemen since the '07 Class and that class only had three that contributed (Ziemba, Pugh and Ramsey). I'll give Coach Tubs credit for Lutz and O'Mac only...they would've moved Fairley to the OL (since that's where they wanted him coming out of HS in the '07 Class) and they loved moving DL to the OL (see, DE Ben Grubbs, DT Byron Isom, DT Tyrone Green, DT Bart Eddins, DE A.J. Greene).

Sullen wasn't a high prospect.  He's an overachiever as far as I'm concerned.  Speculation they would have moved Fairley.  Frankly, without coach Rock, Fairley would likely have been a bust either way.  I mean if we're going to speculate, right?  Grubbs and Greene way outgrew their DE position anyway.  Jay Ratliff wasn't the only one, but the only one I can recall, but they moved him from O to D.  Pretty good moves in all those cases from what I can tell. 

[The Prowler]

Sullen wasn't a high prospect.  He's an overachiever as far as I'm concerned.  Speculation they would have moved Fairley.  Frankly, without coach Rock, Fairley would likely have been a bust either way.  I mean if we're going to speculate, right?  Grubbs and Greene way outgrew their DE position anyway.  Jay Ratliff wasn't the only one, but the only one I can recall, but they moved him from O to D.  Pretty good moves in all those cases from what I can tell.

Ratliff was a TE and you're probably correct about if Coach Rock wasn't there, then we'd never gotten the chance to see Fairley rip QBs head off (legally or not). I said this two years ago, last year and I'll say it again A.J. Greene was a wasted jersey number (if you don't think so, go back and watch the Clemson game '10 and just about any game from last year). The only thing he was good at was getting his shit pushed in on pass plays that he either got hurt because he got shoved onto the QB (Clemson '10), he hurt the QB because he got shoved onto him (UVA Bowl game '11) or the screen to his side was always wide ass open because the DE couldn't tell the difference between him trying to block him or letting him go. Each of those three things were the ONLY positives that he provided, that and he recorded the game winning FG of the National Championship game from the sideline with his phone (I still get chill bumps listening to that audio)...That's it.

Btw, A.J. Greene moved past Mark Pera as my least liked player for Auburn (both Greene and Pera were Auburn's version of uat's Chris Capps, except they sucked against nearly everyone).

Letter grade for the moves from DL to OL:
Grubbs = A+
Isom = A
Tyrone Green = B
Bart Eddins = D+
A.J. Greene = 2 (so bad that he doesn't deserve a fucking letter)

[JR4AU]

Ratliff was a TE and you're probably correct about if Coach Rock wasn't there, then we'd never gotten the chance to see Fairley rip QBs head off (legally or not). I said this two years ago, last year and I'll say it again A.J. Greene was a wasted jersey number (if you don't think so, go back and watch the Clemson game '10 and just about any game from last year). The only thing he was good at was getting his shit pushed in on pass plays that he either got hurt because he got shoved onto the QB (Clemson '10), he hurt the QB because he got shoved onto him (UVA Bowl game '11) or the screen to his side was always wide ass open because the DE couldn't tell the difference between him trying to block him or letting him go. Each of those three things were the ONLY positives that he provided, that and he recorded the game winning FG of the National Championship game from the sideline with his phone (I still get chill bumps listening to that audio)...That's it.

Btw, A.J. Greene moved past Mark Pera as my least liked player for Auburn (both Greene and Pera were Auburn's version of uat's Chris Capps, except they sucked against nearly everyone).

Letter grade for the moves from DL to OL:
Grubbs = A+
Isom = A
Tyrone Green = B
Bart Eddins = D+
A.J. Greene = 2 (so bad that he doesn't deserve a fucking letter)

That's a pretty good success rate.  And when you factor in, knowing that we know by his own words he's just not that in to football, AJ Greene simply didn't want to play football at a high level, it's even better.  You can "coach 'em up" all you want, if the player's heart isn't in it, then it doesn't fucking matter.   Leon Hart ring a bell?

[Saniflush]

Bart Eddins = D+

One thing that was not common knowledge concerning Bart was that his knees were shot.  He just as easily had a medical out if he had wanted it but Chizik asked him to stay on the team and be a leader. 
You cannot measure how much that meant to the 2010 team.  He knew every position across the OL and was basically a coach to everyone else on that line.

[JR4AU]

One thing that was not common knowledge concerning Bart was that his knees were shot.  He just as easily had a medical out if he had wanted it but Chizik asked him to stay on the team and be a leader. 
You cannot measure how much that meant to the 2010 team.  He knew every position across the OL and was basically a coach to everyone else on that line.

Yep, and when asked to play, he did a decent job. 

[Snaggletiger]

One thing that was not common knowledge concerning Bart was that his knees were shot.  He just as easily had a medical out if he had wanted it but Chizik asked him to stay on the team and be a leader. 
You cannot measure how much that meant to the 2010 team.  He knew every position across the OL and was basically a coach to everyone else on that line.

This man has skreetz...and little alleys running between them.

[AU_Tiger_2000]

This man has skreetz...and little alleys running between them.

He has boulevardz?

[GH2001]

One thing that was not common knowledge concerning Bart was that his knees were shot.  He just as easily had a medical out if he had wanted it but Chizik asked him to stay on the team and be a leader. 
You cannot measure how much that meant to the 2010 team.  He knew every position across the OL and was basically a coach to everyone else on that line.

This man speaks truf. I don't too much question those Eddins boys. Good guys.

[The Prowler]

I wasn't judging the player's hearts here, just their on the field production. When AJ turned down Auburn's Pro Day to focus on his music (R&B, I think), that told me that he didn't give a shit about football and it showed all last season (I would've rather started a True Freshman at LT in Greg Robinson and watch him mature as the season progressed, than to watch #77 slop around). Chad Slade was on my shit list for a while, but he got a little better towards the end of the season, plus he was a RS Freshman....now if he's a 5th year Senior and he looks like AJ Greene, then he'll quickly climb my shit list.

Speaking of Leon, atleast he decided to quit when he knew his heart wasn't in it anymore to play with the Big Boys. Leon did Auburn a favor that AJ Greene should've done two years ago.

I know that sounds harsh, but I don't fuckin care, it's the truth. If AJ Greene hadn't gotten hurt against Clemson back in '10, Auburn would not have gone undefeated, because AJ would've gotten Cam hurt (DeQuan Bowers was DESTORYING HIM. If you've got the game on DVR or DVD, go back and watch it. Watch the defender that gets into the backfield either by getting by his blocker or by carrying his 6'6” 320lb. into the backfield with him, then either back it up to see who his blocker was or just read the Jersey # of the guy getting shoved back there. Btw, I only watched it once, but I remember cursing him a lot.

[GH2001]

I wasn't judging the player's hearts here, just their on the field production. When AJ turned down Auburn's Pro Day to focus on his music (R&B, I think), that told me that he didn't give a shit about football and it showed all last season (I would've rather started a True Freshman at LT in Greg Robinson and watch him mature as the season progressed, than to watch #77 slop around). Chad Slade was on my shit list for a while, but he got a little better towards the end of the season, plus he was a RS Freshman....now if he's a 5th year Senior and he looks like AJ Greene, then he'll quickly climb my shit list.

Speaking of Leon, atleast he decided to quit when he knew his heart wasn't in it anymore to play with the Big Boys. Leon did Auburn a favor that AJ Greene should've done two years ago.

I know that sounds harsh, but I don't fuckin care, it's the truth. If AJ Greene hadn't gotten hurt against Clemson back in '10, Auburn would not have gone undefeated, because AJ would've gotten Cam hurt (DeQuan Bowers was DESTORYING HIM. If you've got the game on DVR or DVD, go back and watch it. Watch the defender that gets into the backfield either by getting by his blocker or by carrying his 6'6” 320lb. into the backfield with him, then either back it up to see who his blocker was or just read the Jersey # of the guy getting shoved back there. Btw, I only watched it once, but I remember cursing him a lot.

In his defense, Bowers destroyed everyone that year.

[The Prowler]

In his defense, Bowers destroyed everyone that year.

Not like he did with AJ Greene.

[JR4AU]

I wasn't judging the player's hearts here, just their on the field production. When AJ turned down Auburn's Pro Day to focus on his music (R&B, I think), that told me that he didn't give a shit about football and it showed all last season (I would've rather started a True Freshman at LT in Greg Robinson and watch him mature as the season progressed, than to watch #77 slop around). Chad Slade was on my shit list for a while, but he got a little better towards the end of the season, plus he was a RS Freshman....now if he's a 5th year Senior and he looks like AJ Greene, then he'll quickly climb my shit list.

Speaking of Leon, atleast he decided to quit when he knew his heart wasn't in it anymore to play with the Big Boys. Leon did Auburn a favor that AJ Greene should've done two years ago.

I know that sounds harsh, but I don't fuckin care, it's the truth. If AJ Greene hadn't gotten hurt against Clemson back in '10, Auburn would not have gone undefeated, because AJ would've gotten Cam hurt (DeQuan Bowers was DESTORYING HIM. If you've got the game on DVR or DVD, go back and watch it. Watch the defender that gets into the backfield either by getting by his blocker or by carrying his 6'6” 320lb. into the backfield with him, then either back it up to see who his blocker was or just read the Jersey # of the guy getting shoved back there. Btw, I only watched it once, but I remember cursing him a lot.

I get hatin' on guys like AJ because he had some talent and pissed it away, team be damned.   A young player, or one with injury/knee issues, yeah I'm going to take that in to consideration.  The likes of Leon Hart, and AJ Greene can suck a fat one.   

[JR4AU]

Not like he did with AJ Greene.

Yeah, he did. 

[The Prowler]

Yeah, he did.

No, he didn't. When you have a DE from Samford (That's Samford not Stanford), talking about how shitty of an OL Auburn had last year, then that should tell you something, said player played DE.

Bowers threw AJ around on every single snap that he lined up on his side. After AJ went down with the injury (got shoved into the backfield as the RB and tackler rolled over his leg), Bowers didn't do that to TE turned OLineman Brandon Moseley. So no, he didn't do that to everyone...I watch the OL like a Chicken Hawk, I can tell you who fucked up on certain plays or who's man came through the line and destroyed the play in the backfield (a lot of the times, last year, it came from the left side...hint AJ and Slade's side).

[Godfather]

No, he didn't. When you have a DE from Samford (That's Samford not Stanford), talking about how shitty of an OL Auburn had last year, then that should tell you something, said player played DE.

Bowers threw AJ around on every single snap that he lined up on his side. After AJ went down with the injury (got shoved into the backfield as the RB and tackler rolled over his leg), Bowers didn't do that to TE turned OLineman Brandon Moseley. So no, he didn't do that to everyone...I watch the OL like a Chicken Hawk, I can tell you who fucked up on certain plays or who's man came through the line and destroyed the play in the backfield (a lot of the times, last year, it came from the left side...hint AJ and Slade's side).