With multi-year starters Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens seniors last year, a group of experienced and inexperienced linebackers will compete to earn playing time in the middle of Auburn's defense.

It will be strange not seeing Bynes and Stevens on the field for the Tigers in 2011. Both were staples in the middle of the defense for three years, often playing every snap out of necessity. Over their careers, they started 80 combined games. Last season, the duo combined for 135 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 11 quarterback hurries. While that kind of experience and production will be hard to replace, position coach Ted Roof will fill their spots with returning players from last year and newcomers that arrived on campus for fall camp. Starters at all three linebacker spots will be named but Roof could substitute often to find the best combination depending on Auburn's opponent each week. Daren Bates (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) Junior Daren Bates is the projected starter at strongside linebacker. After starting every game at safety as a freshman, Bates moved to linebacker last season where he started nine games and totaled 48 tackles. A shoulder injury limited his production in the second half of the season. In limited action, he made just eight tackles in Auburn’s final six games. Bates' physical play has often resulted in a lot of miss tackles instead of wrapping up the ball carrier. If he can improve his tackling technique while staying physical, and add more weight without losing any quickness, he should remain a starter. Sophomore Harris Gaston and redshirt freshman Jawara White will compete for playing time as Bates' backup. They will also get a chance to see playing time as backups to starting middle linebacker Jake Holland. Jake Holland (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) Holland gained valuable experience behind Bynes last season, totaling 12 tackles and a sack in nine games. Like Bynes, Holland is smart and is more than capable of being the leader of the linebacking corps. As the starter in the middle, he'll receive defensive play calls from the sideline and relay them to the rest of the defense. The middle linebacker is usually around the ball on every defensive play which gives Holland an excellent shot at leading the team in tackles. Senior Eltoro Freeman has shown signs of greatness but lacks the mental toughness to hold down a starting job. Last year, he appeared in 12 games while making five starts and finished with 37 tackles and a sack. If Freeman learns how to play every down at a high level, he could earn some starts in the middle or at one of the outside spots. The starter at the weakside spot could be a revolving door each week. While junior Jonathan Evans is penciled in as the starter heading into the season opener, Freeman could show the coaches in fall camp that he's ready to share time as a starter with Evans. Last year, Evans appeared in 13 games with one start and totaled 27 tackles. Incoming freshmen Justin Garrett and Chris Landrum have a chance at seeing playing time but will have to learn the defense quickly since they just arrived on campus. Kris Frost, another incoming freshman, was expected to push for playing time but ended up being redshirted after having surgery on his shoulder. He suffered the injury during a workout over the summer. Phil Marion Next week: Secondary Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Running Backs Offensive Line Defensive Line