Despite major depth problems for last year's linebacking corps, somehow the starters stayed healthy and put together a very productive year. With experience returning and the arrival of several newcomers, the rotation should be two-deep in 2010.

Looking back at the linebacking unit from a year ago, it's amazing that two of the starters were able to avoid the injury bug given the amount of time they spent on the field. No backups meant no rest for Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens. The duo played all 115 snaps in the Outback Bowl against Northwestern. Throughout the season, Bynes and Stevens were a constant force in the middle of Ted Roof's defense. The two combined for 199 tackles, more than 21 percent of all the tackles made by Auburn in 2009. Josh Bynes (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) Back as the starter in the middle for his senior year, Bynes is the most skilled and pivotal player of the three starting linebackers. He receives defensive play calls from the sideline and relays them to the rest of the defense. He also sets the alignment and calls out audibles when he sees a different look from opposing offenses. The middle linebacker is usually around the ball on every defensive play and leads the team in tackles, which was the case for Bynes with 104 stops. He also had a sack, an interception, six tackles for loss and seven broken up passes. Also a senior, Stevens will start at the weak-side spot in 2010 after playing on the strong-side last year. In 2009, he was second on the team with 95 tackles, while adding 2.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. Against West Virginia, he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for totaling 11 tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown that put the game away for Auburn. At weak-side, Stevens will be counted on to use his athleticism to drop back into pass coverage while using his speed to chase down plays from the backside. Eltoro Freeman and Daren Bates will probably share time at the strong-side spot. Freeman will have to be more consistent if he wants to lock down a starting role during the upcoming season. Last year while playing in ten games, the junior played well at times but an ankle injury and a concussion hampered his performance in the second half of the season. Daren Bates (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) Bates was moved over to linebacker to help out with depth after starting all 13 games at free safety as a true freshman last season. Although he missed spring drills because of offseason shoulder surgery, he'll be ready to play a significant role as a linebacker/safety, where he sets up in the box, but also drops back into coverage to defend pass plays. Sophomore Jonathan Evans was a key reserve last season and even got to start against Northwestern. While seeing action in all 13 games, Evans totaled 28 tackles with 21 solo, and had at least one tackle in 11 of the 13 games. Auburn finally has help at a position that's been quite thin for the past few seasons thanks to recruiting players who can come in and see playing time right away. True freshman Jessel Curry arrived in January and participated in spring drills, which gives him an advantage over incoming freshmen LaDarius Owens,, Jawara White, and Jake Holland. Phil Marion Next week: Secondary Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Running Backs Offensive Line Defensive Line