Closer look at Auburn's 2010 recruiting class

signees

27

27 signed on Wednesday, 5 more enrolled in January

Starters lost

4 3 Offense Defense

n Offensive line

n Defensive line

n Linebackers

The Tigers had three major areas of need and filled them with plenty of bodies. They had seven offensive line signees. Auburn also signed six defensive linemen and four linebackers, two positions that were perilously low last season.

Defensive end Corey Lemonier picked Auburn over Florida State, the last impact recruit to decide. He is a four-star recruit, ranked as the third-best at his position. … Fullback/defensive tackle Ladarious Phillips was a last-day decision.

The Tigers added five-star running back Michael Dyer but missed out on signing any other true tailbacks. Marcus Lattimore picked South Carolina over Auburn on Tuesday, and D.J. Howard, a one-time Auburn commitment, signed with Clemson on Wednesday. ... Despite signing five potential defensive secondary members, none is higher than a three-star recruit. It was the only position in which the Tigers failed to get at least one four-star.

Auburn signed three five-star recruits: Dyer, OL Shon Coleman and QB Cameron Newton. That is third-most nationally behind Southern California (5) and Florida (4). … The Tigers are set on special teams in the future, adding place-kicker Cody Parkey and punter Steven Clark. ... AU signed nine players ranked in Rivals’ top 250 overall.

Player Hometown (high school) Pos. Ht. Wt.

Michael Dyer Little Rock, Ark. (Little Rock Christian) RB 5-8 201

ESPN’s No. 1 running back is a rare combination of power and speed who should be able to compete for carries immediately in Ben Tate’s absence.

Trovon Reed Thibodaux, La. (Thibodaux) WR 6-0 173

The top recruit in Louisiana seems perfect for a slot role in Auburn’s passing game and could vie for a position returning kicks or punts.

Jeffrey Whitaker Warner Robins, Ga. (Warner Robins) DT 6-3 295

The massive interior lineman provides depth at a position in need of bodies after losing senior Jake Ricks to graduation.

Cameron Newton College Park, Ga. (Blinn JC) QB 6-6 247

The strong-armed, dual-threat quarterback is enrolled in school and counts against last year’s class. He already is the fan favorite to succeed Chris Todd as the starter.

LaDarius Owens Bessemer, Ala. (Jess Lanier) LB 6-2 225

Auburn had few options at linebacker last year, rarely letting starters Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens take a play off. Owens could add immediate depth.

Player Hometown (high school) Pos. Ht. Wt.

Joel Bonomolo Metairie, La. (Fullerton JC) DE 6-3 245

Kenneth Carter Greenville, Ala. (Greenville) DL 6-5 267

Ed Christian Valdosta, Ga. (Lowndes) OL 6-5 280

Steven Clark Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill) P/K 6-5 230

Shon Coleman Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch) OL 6-7 285

Jessel Curry Buford, Ga. (Buford) LB 6-2 215

Chris Davis Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn) CB 5-11 175

Justin Delaine Linden, Ala. (Linden) DE 6-5 225

Roszell Gayden New Hope, Minn. (College of Sequoias) OL 6-7 310

Tunde Fariyike Thomaston, Ga. (Upson-Lee) OL 6-3 295

Antonio Goodwin Atlanta (Washington) WR 6-2 170

Jake Holland Pelham, Ala. (Pelham) LB 6-1 228

Shaun Kitchens College Park, Ga. (Banneker) WR 6-3 211

Corey Lemonier Hialeah, Fla. DE 6-5 223

Eric Mack St. Matthews, S.C. (Calhoun County) OL 6-4 315

Demetruce McNeal College Park, Ga. (Banneker) DB 6-0 176

Jonathon Mincy Decatur, Ga. (Southwest Dekalb) S 5-10 175

Brandon Mosley Jefferson, Ga. (Coffeyville JC) OL/TE 6-6 285

Dakota Mosley Little Rock, Ark. (Little Rock Christian) TE 6-4 252

Cody Parkey Jupiter, Fla. (Jupiter) K 6-2 195

Ladarious Phillips Roanoke, Ala. (Handley) FB/DL 6-1 265

Jeremy Richardson Springville, Ala. WR 6-4 220

Craig Sanders Ariton, Ala. (Ariton) DE 6-4 230

Chad Slade Moody, Ala. (Moody) OL 6-6 316

Ryan Smith Cordova, Ala. (Cordova) S 6-3 208

Jawara White Troy, Ala. (Henderson) LB 6-2 235

Ryan White Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln) CB 6-0 185