AUBURN, Ala. — After the departure of 13 seniors, as well as six other players for assorted reasons (NFL Draft, transfer, gave up football, etc.), Auburn has a total of 62 players who were on athletic scholarship during the 2012 season AND are currently on the Tigers’ active roster.
Three junior college players are already enrolled in spring classes, bringing Auburn’s total to 65 – before decisions are made on which existing players will retain their full rides for the 2013-14 academic year. Each Division I football program is allowed a maximum of 85 scholarships.
So how does that affect Auburn’s recruiting efforts going into national signing day, less than 24 hours away? Have a look for yourself. Seventeen players have pledged their commitment to sign with the Tigers starting tomorrow.
Just to clarify: this list includes ONLY scholarship players in 2012. No walk-ons had particularly large roles this past fall, though a few did get on the field from time to time.
(Years in school listed are for 2013.)
QUARTERBACKS (2 current scholarships on roster)
Returning starters: Kiehl Frazier (jr.), Jonathan Wallace (so.)
Returning backups: None
RUNNING BACKS (5, including Artis-Payne)
Returning starters: Tre Mason (jr.), Jay Prosch (sr.)
Returning backups: Blake Burgess (sr.)
On roster, on scholarship: Corey Grant (jr.)
Signed early letter of intent: Cameron Artis-Payne
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
Returning starters: Quan Bray (jr.)
Returning backups: Sammie Coates (so.), Jaylon Denson (jr.), Ricardo Louis (so.), Trovon Reed (jr.)
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Returning starters: Brandon Fulse (jr.), C.J. Uzomah (jr.)
Returning backups: None
On roster, on scholarship: Chris Landrum (so.), Ricky Parks (r-fr.)
OFFENSIVE LINE (13, including Danzey)
Returning starters: Reese Dismukes (jr.), Patrick Miller (so.), Greg Robinson (so.), Chad Slade (jr.)
Returning backups: Shon Coleman (r-fr.), Tunde Fariyike (jr.), Alex Kozan (r-fr.), Avery Young (so.)
On roster, on scholarship: Will Adams (r-fr.), Shane Callahan (r-fr.), Jordan Diamond (r-fr.), Robert Leff (r-fr.)
Signed early letter of intent: Devonte Danzey
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (6, including Bradley)
Returning starters: Angelo Blackson (jr.), Jeffrey Whitaker (sr.)
Returning backups: Kenneth Carter (sr.), Gabe Wright (jr.)
On roster, on scholarship: Tyler Nero (r-fr.)
Signed early letter of intent: Ben Bradley
DEFENSIVE ENDS (9)
Returning starters: Nosa Eguae (sr.), Dee Ford (sr.)
Returning backups: LaDarius Owens (jr.), Craig Sanders (sr.), Devaunte Sigler (jr.)
On roster, on scholarship: Justin Delaine (jr.), Keymiya Harrell (so.), JaBrian Niles (so.), Gimel President (r-fr.)
LINEBACKERS (6)
Returning starters: Jake Holland (sr.)
Returning backups: Kris Frost (so.), Justin Garrett (jr.), Cassanova McKinzy (so.)
On roster, on scholarship: JaViere Mitchell (r-fr.), Anthony Swain (so.)
CORNERBACKS (6)
Returning starters: Chris Davis (sr.), Joshua Holsey (so.), Jonathon Mincy (jr.)
Returning backups: Jonathan Jones (so.), Robenson Therezie (jr.)
On roster, on scholarship: T.J. Davis (r-fr.)
SAFETIES (5)
Returning starters: Demetruce McNeal (sr.), Jermaine Whitehead (jr.)
Returning backups: Trent Fisher (jr.), Erique Florence (jr.), Ryan Smith (sr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS (4)
Returning starters: K Cody Parkey (sr.), P Steven Clark (sr.), HLD Ryan White (sr.), DS Jake Lembke (sr.)
Returning contributors: Mason, Bray, Louis, Jones, etc.