The running back position looks to be very deep when Auburn begins fall camp in a few weeks. The battle to win the most playing time will be one to watch after the Tigers' leading rusher from last season left the team.
Michael Dyer's career at Auburn ended prematurely when off-the-field problems during the 2011 season led him to ask for a release. He eventually decided to take his talents to Arkansas State.
Dyer's time at Auburn was short but sweet. He was only the fifth tailback in school history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. With two years of eligibility remaining, Dyer could have ended up being one of the most successful running backs in school history.
Losing the workhorse in the backfield could be a blow to any team, especially one that rushed for 1,248 yards, with 10 touchdowns and was named to the first team All-SEC. But, the Tigers are in good shape depth-wise heading towards their Sept. 1 season opener against Clemson.
First-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler may have trouble finding playing time for each tailback on the roster. But, having plenty of bodies is a good thing for Loeffler as he plans on having a run-oriented offense. He will substitute early and often to keep the tailbacks fresh and to make defenses guess what will happen next.
Onterio McCalebb
(Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)Even though Auburn has plenty of depth at the tailback position, Onterio McCalebb is the only one on the roster with a significant amount of game-time experience. McCalebb returns for his senior season as the team’s top returning rusher. He gained 641 yards on the ground on 112 carries and had five touchdowns in 2011. He was also the team’s second-leading receiver, finishing the season with 32 receptions for 344 yards and two touchdowns.
McCalebb has been a speedster since coming to Auburn and he'll be counted on to use his speed in Loeffler's system. He'll be used as a receiver coming out of the backfield again this season as Loeffler plans to get the tailbacks more involved in the passing game.
Tre Mason spent last season playing behind Dyer and McCalebb, which meant he didn't get many carries. He did get extra playing time in the Chick-fil-A Bowl when Dyer had to sit out. In the bowl game, Mason had nine carries for 64 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown run.
Now that Dyer is gone, Mason should get the bulk of the carries when Auburn pounds the ball inside. He has added some weight during the offseason which should give him extra strength without losing any of his speed.
Mike Blakely and Corey Grant had to sit out last year as transfers. Blakely comes to Auburn after transferring from Florida, while Grant came from Alabama. Both haven't seen any action at the college level but that should change after getting plenty of reps on the scout team and in spring practice.
Blakely was the leading rusher on A-Day, with 65 yards on five carries, including a touchdown run of 25 yards. Grant was named Auburn’s Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year.
Newcomer Jovon Robinson is a physical back at 6-1, 220 pounds. Robinson rushed for 4,908 yards and 75 touchdowns in three seasons as a starter at Wooddale High in Memphis, Tenn. He won't arrive on campus until August, which will put him behind the other more experienced backs. It shouldn't take long for Robinson to see his first action with his size and speed.
Jay Prosch
(Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)Auburn also welcomes fullback Jay Prosch to the Plains after he transferred from Illinois. He'll be able to play in 2012 after receiving a waiver from the NCAA in June.
Prosch will be expected to create huge holes for the tailbacks the same way he did at Illinois. As the primary blocker, he made it possible for Illinois' tailbacks to post 1,000-yard rushing performances each of the past two seasons.
Phil Marion
Next week: Offensive Line
Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers
