Auburn
Auburn

Auburn Team Report

Updated: April 22, 2012 04:24 EST

Fifteen months after Cam Newton led the Tigers to the BCS championship, one can make the argument that no big-time program needs 15 spring practices more than this one.

With new coordinators on both sides of the ball and a new secondary coach who was a defensive coordinator -- Willie Martinez, late of Georgia -- Auburn fits the definition of a program in transition.

Fourth-year coach Gene Chizik got a grace period of sorts for last year's 8-5 record that included a 43-24 rout of Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but if the Tigers repeat that mark, their fans won't be happy.

The good news is that 17 starters are back from the bowl win, including eight on offense. The bad news is that one of them isn't tailback Michael Dyer, who took his 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns to Arkansas State with former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, the Red Wolves' new coach.

Defense is the main emphasis this spring for Auburn, which allowed nearly 29 points and more than 400 yards per game last year. New coordinator Brian VanGorder, late of the Atlanta Falcons, hasn't seen the practice-by-practice consistency he'd like from his players.

"I'm really interested in being a more disciplined defense," he said after a March 30 practice. "I'm looking at our body language on the field, the mechanics of the huddle, the communication that goes on."

With the spring game set for April 14, there's not much time left for Chizik and his new coaches to get the players used to the different systems that are being installed.

And in Auburn, where even the coaches' clothing choices can come under real scrutiny, two relatively new methods of playing the game will lead to a lot of talk this spring and summer.

KEY QUESTIONS: A quarterback is priority No. 1 after Barrett Trotter, who led the team to a Chick-fil-A Bowl rout of Virginia after starter Clint Moseley was injured, opted to bag his senior season. Moseley and Kiehl Frazier are getting most of the repetitions this spring. There's not much else to worry about from a personnel standpoint with the return of 17 starters from the bowl game. The big worry here is installing new systems on offense and defense with the arrival of new coordinators. The departure of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn for the head coaching job at Arkansas State puts a lot of pressure on replacement Scot Loeffler.

--Loeffler brings a varied background to his second coordinator gig after successfully running the Temple offense last year. He was a quarterbacks coach at Michigan, where as a graduate assistant he tutored Brian Griese and Tom Grady, and at Florida, where he helped Tim Tebow throw for nearly 3,000 yards as a senior. Former Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr praised Loeffler's flexibility as a game-caller, saying that he can work a game to suit the needs of his team on a weekly basis.

--Coach Gene Chizik restructured the defensive staff following the addition of former Georgia coordinator Willie Martinez in mid-February. Tommy Thigpen was shifted from the safeties to linebackers, while Martinez will take over the secondary. Mike Pelton remains the line coach while new coordinator Brian VanGorder will oversee all aspects of a unit which was lit up for 28.9 points and more than 405 yards per game last year, a performance which led to the departure of coordinator Ted Roof.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Kiehl Frazier -- With starter Clint Moseley continuing to struggle with injuries, this time a rotator cuff, Frazier is making a move to be the starter coming out of spring practice. Frazier has improved his passing game after being the Tigers' running quarterback in Wildcat sets last year. Chizik is pleased with Frazier's grasp of the new offensive scheme, although de-emphasizing the quarterback as a runner might take away one of Frazier's strengths.

WR Trovon Reed -- The team's fourth-leading receiver last year with 21 catches, Reed never showed the explosive big-play ability the coaches feel he has. Receivers coach Trooper Taylor said Reed has changed his demeanor this spring, improving his toughness and supplying more of a physical presence. If Reed can keep his health and strength, the explosive plays the coaches have been looking for from him might finally happen this fall.

S Jermaine Whitehead -- A nickel back and cornerback last year, Whitehead has moved to safety for the spring, which could be a gateway to more playing time. As a true freshman last year, Whitehead finished with 31 tackles and was one of just six Auburn players to notch an interception. While a bit undersized for a safety at just 195 pounds, Whitehead could add extra quickness to a secondary which didn't exactly sparkle last year.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I was pleased. It was a good, up-tempo practice. We are adding things and learning every day. I thought we came back with a physical practice, which is one of our objectives for the spring." -- Chizik after the team's seventh practice of the spring on April 2.

2012 OUTLOOK: Returning 17 starters in any other league but the Southeastern Conference and any other division but the SEC West might be a guarantee of a BCS bid. For Auburn, it just means that it might challenge Arkansas for third place in the West. If there is good news with the schedule, it's that most of the Tigers' "big" games are at home, including LSU, Arkansas and Georgia. But a season opener with Atlantic Coast Conference champ Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta means they have to be on point right away. If not, head coach Gene Chizik, along with new coordinators Scot Loeffler (offense) and Brian VanGorder (defense) will be under the gun from a demanding fan base.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The main difference from Loeffler to former coordinator Gus Malzahn is that the offense might not be as free-wheeling, with fewer called QB runs but more power football. Nevertheless, the Tigers will use the mobility of Kiehl Frazier in some role, especially if he beats out injury-prone Clint Moseley for the starting job.

Onterio McCalebb figures to be the featured running back, an opportunity he's been thirsting for the last couple of years, and made his case for the expanded role with 109 yards in the Chick-fil-A Bowl blowout of Virginia. The line returns three starters, including center Reese Dismukes, who was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: A lack of experience and playmakers haunted this unit most of 2011 as it allowed 34 points or more seven times and gave up 408 total yards per game. DE Corey Lemonier showed the ability to be a game-changing pass rusher, finishing with 9.5 of the team's 22 sacks. But someone else besides him must prove they can find the quarterback every once in a while. New coordinator Brian VanGorder has been stressing discipline as he tries to turn a below-average defense into a capable stop unit. The secondary gave up 63.3 percent completions, which has to excite the Clemson pitch-catch duo of Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins for the Sept. 1 season opener.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Here's where Auburn shined last year. P Steven Clark allowed just 62 return yards all season, downing 34 punts inside the 20-yard line and forcing 33 fair catches. K Cody Parkey was an acceptable 13-of-18 on field goals. In the return game, McCalebb and Tre Mason lugged kickoffs back for TDs. They are all back, so the Tigers can probably count on a win or two just off the kicking game.

TOP NEWCOMERS

OL Shane Callahan -- Auburn made a rare foray into Colorado for the 6-foot-6, 285-pound Callahan, considered the No. 4 prospect out of that state by Rivals.com. One of five early enrollees in the recruiting class, Callahan could see the field for a team which must replace both starting tackles.

CB Joshua Holsey -- A four-star prospect out of Georgia, Holsey returned two of his five interceptions for TDs last year at Creekside High School in the Atlanta suburbs. Given the Tigers' difficulties last season against the pass, Holsey has a chance to get immediate playing time if he performs well in August.

FB Jay Prosch -- A transfer from Illinois, the 250-pound Prosch started 12 of 25 games there the last two years, including seven in 2010 as the lead blocker for Mikel Leshoure. Prosch could be the road-grading lead blocker that could make the running game go this fall.

ROSTER REPORT:

--FB Ladarious Phillips has decided to give up football, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall with Prosch's arrival. Phillips was the team's only true fullback last year but barely played in a scheme which didn't have much use for a lead blocker.

--QB Clint Moseley (rotator cuff) has been limited to short passes during the first part of spring practice and might not be turned loose until August. Moseley told the Birmingham News recently that his arm still hurts too much to throw deep balls.

--OL Greg Robinson has missed practice time this spring while dealing with a family situation. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Robinson redshirted last year and is expected to fit into the picture in some capacity along the line in 2012.