Advertiser: Auburn Focused On Filling Recruiting Needs

[AUChizad]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090617/SPORTS0402/906170342/1179/sports0402/COLLEGE-FOOTBALL--Auburn-focused-on-filling-recruiting-needs

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Auburn focused on filling recruiting needs

By Jay G. Tate • June 17, 2009

AUBURN -- Gene Chizik's plan for his first full recruiting class is gaining clarity.

He has specific positions in mind.

The Tigers on Tuesday added a third linebacker -- and seventh overall recruit -- to their 2010 class when Jessel Curry announced plans to sign with Auburn in February. That development falls in line with what Chizik told the Montgomery Advertiser during an interview last week.

"We took time to assess our needs after spring (practice) and we're targeting guys to fill those needs," Chizik said. "We have a better feel for what we need now, which is the first step. Now we're going to work."

Auburn hasn't been timid about revealing its allegiances.

Chizik and his assistants scheduled a cluster of unofficial visits during the last weekend in May, creating buzz during a historically slow time of the year. The program's enterprise, dubbed "Big Cat Weekend," awarded the Tigers credibility in the minds of several major recruits.

Three attendees made commitments in the days and weeks afterward.

Curry was one of them.

Also in attendance were the nation's top two tailback recruits, a top wideout, a top linebacker and a pair of top offensive linemen. Though none of those players have pledged allegiance to any single program, the hubbub has piqued the interest of players who didn't attend.

One of the most intriguing is Michael Dyer, whom Rivals.com and Scout.com rate as one of the nation's top five tailbacks. Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who spent 13 years as a successful high-school coach in Arkansas, has courted Dyer, an Arkansas native.

Dyer, who made an unofficial visit to campus last week, recently told AuburnSports.com that the Tigers are his top priority.

"They've actually been No. 1 for a while," he said. "(Malzahn's offense) is probably one of the best systems I could be under in college football."

Auburn has four tailbacks on scholarship, though starter Ben Tate will be a senior this season. It's unclear if his top understudies, junior Mario Fannin and freshman Onterrio McCalebb, are capable of handling full-time roles at the position.

If not, the Tigers must begin grooming someone for that role immediately.

Chizik also has pressing needs along the offensive line.

His team spent most of spring practice with seven healthy scholarship players at that position, creating the program's most dramatic depth problem in a decade.

Only two newcomers signed in February.

Auburn already has worked to address the problem by coaxing a commitment from Shun Coleman of Olive Branch, Miss. The 6-foot-7 tackle is considered a solid -- if currently unspectacular -- addition to the program's 2010 class.

Chizik also has targeted linebackers. The Tigers are remarkably thin at what has been an abundant position in past years, though at least four players from the team's 2009 signing class will play linebacker.

Still, it's clear that Auburn wants more security there.

Three linebackers already have committed. Another, LaDarius Owens of Birmingham, made an unofficial visit last weekend and remains intrigued with Auburn.