Auburn notes: Toomer's oaks can be rolled this year

HOOVER, Ala. -- Auburn’s Toomer’s Corner oak trees will be open for rolling this fall.

The university announced Thursday that it will allow fans to roll the school’s iconic, 130-year-old oak trees with toilet paper at least temporarily this fall, less than a year after they were poisoned with the herbicide Spike 80DF.

After consulting several experts, the school decided it will clean the ailing trees by hand instead of with high-pressure hoses.

“The spirit’s going to live on another year,” Auburn tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen said at the SEC media days. “Hopefully, we can do whatever we can to keep those trees healthy as long as we can. If not, we’re just going to have to plant some more and over time the tradition will keep going.”

The university’s facilities division is also exploring a long-term solution for the tradition that would create a structure at the intersection that would move future celebrations to the corner, where the celebration originated, rather than the trees area. A committee will be formed to set the parameters for an architectural design contest.

Experts have said they won’t likely be able to determine if the trees will survive until next spring.

Harvey Updyke, a 62-year-old Alabama fan, faces charges in relation to the tree poisoning. He was indicted in May on two counts of criminal mischief, two counts of desecrating a venerable object and two counts relating to a state law that makes it unlawful to damage, vandalize or steal any property on or from an animal or crop facility.

Updyke pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 31 in Lee County.

Breakout candidates

Defensive end Nosa Eguae and Lutzenkirchen, Auburn’s player representatives in Hoover, picked several breakout candidates from the team’s incoming freshman class.

Egaue said Carver High defensive tackle Gabe Wright has “just been chopping wood” this summer during workouts. Lutzenkirchen singled out linebacker/wide receiver Kris Frost and running back Quan Bray as players who could step in right away.

But both identified Angelo Blackson, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive lineman from Bear, Del., as one to watch.

“He’s in the middle of that defense. He’s big and he’s hard to move,” Lutzenkirchen said. “He’s built just like Nick Fairley. It’s crazy to say it. He’s just a freshman.”

High praise

Lutzenkirchen also had high praise for incoming freshman Kiehl Frazier, who will be thrown into the quarterback mix with Barrett Trotter and Clint Moseley come August.

“He’s just a raw talent,” Lutzenkirchen said. “He’s got a rocket for an arm. He’s athletic. He’s got a great build. He’s about 6-3, 215 pounds. He looks like a miniature Cam Newton.”

Chizik and offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan have left the possibility open that Frazier, a prized recruit from Springdale, Ark., can make an impression on the coaches in August, even though playing time early in the season appears to be a long shot.

Trotter and Moseley played to a draw in the spring, with neither earning the No. 1 spot.

“Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior … if you are the best guy that gives Auburn a chance to win on Saturdays, then you will be the starter,” Chizik said.

Roster rundown

Chizik finally confirmed linebacker Jessel Curry’s departure from the program. The sophomore, who did not participate in spring drills, told a Delaware paper earlier this month that he had transferred to the University of Delaware, a Football Championship Subdivision program.

Ending rumors that Eric Smith might return to the team, Chizik said the H-back’s “dismissal is permanent.” Smith was arrested twice in his Auburn career, most recently on a third-degree domestic assault charge last winter that prompted his dismissal.

Linebacker Jawara White’s return from neck surgery remains up in the air. The redshirt freshman was limited to no contact in spring drills after having surgery to remove excess fluid from his spinal cord in the fall.

“He’s done everything medically that he can to get back to football,” Chizik said. “Can’t tell you whether he’ll fully be back to come back or not. We’re rooting for him. We’re working in that direction, but I can’t give you anything definite right now.”

Chizik said running back Mike Blakely’s appeal to the NCAA for immediate eligibility this year is not finalized, despite reports to the contrary that surfaced Wednesday, including a tweet by Blakely himself.

“The process is still in play,” Chizik said of the Florida transfer.

Almost finished

Auburn’s $16 million indoor practice facility is nearly finished. Located behind the athletics complex, the area has been under construction since December, requiring the Tigers to practice on nearby soccer and track fields in the run-up to the BCS title game and during spring drills.

Chizik said the team will use the indoor structure not just when it rains but when the heat is too oppressive early in the season.

“It’s state of the art,” Chizik said. “It’ll be one of the best in the country.”

This story was originally published July 22, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Auburn notes: Toomer's oaks can be rolled this year."