Former AU player. Straight from him.
First part you can take as subjective. Recruiting rankings be damned, no talent. Rivals and Scout will raise a players status based on who is recruiting him. Auburn goes after you hard, 4 star. Bammer 5 star. Our coaches don't seem to be able to accurately ID talent. It's simply not there. Jake Holland is the best we have if he's on the field.
The 2 most distressing things, and why it can't be fixed because this is the head man's way of doing things. He's been at practice, and claims he's never seen a softer, less intense practice regimen. Second, and he gets this straight from coaches he knows on staff. If AU is recruiting a kid and bammer goes after him hard, AU gives up on him.
Those are facts from a guy I trust, that's played the game at the highest level, and he's an Auburn guy through and through.
This is my opinion. It makes sense that players aren't "developing" if they're not being pushed hard at practice. It is just Chizik's make up. The team takes on the personality of the HC and staff. We're soft, and not progressing.