Second-year head coach Gene Chizik and his staff look to build on a 2009 season that saw the Tigers win eight games. With a new quarterback under center and a solid group of receivers, Auburn should match or exceed eight wins in 2010.
After a long offseason, preseason practice starts a few weeks from now on the practice fields behind the Athletic Complex. Players will compete under the hot summer sun for a chance to start when the season begins Sept. 4 against Arkansas State.
For the past couple of years, it has been the norm for the No. 1 spot at quarterback to be up for grabs well into preseason practice and even later than that two years ago when the coaching staff decided on the starter on a weekly basis for the first half of the season. The constant questions by the media and fans about who would start was a distraction for the offense.
Thanks to newcomer Cameron Newton, there won't be a big debate about who will start at quarterback since Newton was named Auburn's post-spring No. 1 quarterback in late-April.
After playing behind Tim Tebow at Florida in 2007 and 2008, Newton transferred to Blinn College in Texas where he helped the Buccaneers capture the 2009 NJCAA National Championship after an 11-1 record.
Cameron Newton
(Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)At Blinn, the 6-6, 245-pound Newton completed 204-of-336 pass attempts for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 655 yards and 16 scores.
Even though Newton gained some experience against SEC defenders playing behind Tebow, it will be interesting to see how he holds up during the grueling 12-game season. Performing at a high level against small defenders in junior college is one thing, but having to face bigger and faster SEC defenders for eight games will test the talented junior.
Fans didn't get a chance to see much of Newton during the A-Day game because he played sparingly which resulted in just 3-of-8 completions for 80 yards. All of the action was divided up among backups Neil Caudle, Barrett Trotter, and Clint Moseley.
Caudle is the only senior and most experienced of the backups after studying and practicing the fast-paced offensive scheme Auburn has used since 2008. Caudle had the best A-Day of the three, completing 17-of-21 passes for 199 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown pass.
Trotter is just a sophomore who suffered a knee injury last season which kept him sidelined for the year. Redshirt freshman Moseley will have to wait a few years to have a shot at seeing any significant playing time.
Darvin Adams wasn't even on anyone's radar before the 2009 season began but quickly became the No. 1 target at wide receiver after catching just three passes in 2008.
Darvin Adams
(Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)Last year, Adams hauled in 60 catches, which set an Auburn single-season record for receptions and his 997 receiving yards were third-most in an Auburn single-season.
Adams is back for his junior year and promises to be Newton's main target followed by senior Terrell Zachery. In 2009, Zachery played in all 13 games while starting seven. He caught 26 passes for 477 yards and five touchdowns. Zachery's 93-yard touchdown catch against LA Tech set an Auburn record for longest offensive play in school history.
There are several reserves behind Adams and Zachery that Newton can connect with. Sophomore Emory Blake came on strong in the second half of the season last year and ended up with nine catches for 66 yards. DeAngelo Benton returns after a solid freshman year that saw him finish with six catches for 88 yards. He'll battle Blake and junior Quindarius Carr for playing time in the fall. Carr was named the Offensive MVP in the A-Day game after catching four passes for 152 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown reception.
Senior Kodi Burns continues to adjust to his new role at wide receiver after coming to Auburn as a quarterback. He'll continue to be used as a running threat in the Wildcat formation but can make catches as he showed last year with five for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Phil Marion
Next week: Running Backs
