So, who's the top college basketball coach in the state of Alabama?
According to voters on al.com, it's Auburn's Jeff Lebo, and by a large margin. A check of the vote just minutes ago, at 1:10 a.m. central on Thursday, he had 43.9 percent of the vote.
The next-closest coach was UAB's Mike Davis, with 29.5 percent. South Alabama's Ronnie Arrow was the only other coach in double figures with 12.1 percent.
It's an interesting vote for Lebo, who has not won more than 17 games in any of his four Auburn seasons. With Auburn standing at 14-12, 4-9 SEC after losing at Mississippi State on Wednesday, the Tigers would have to win their final three regular-season games and one SEC Tournament game to best 17 victories this season.
The vote for Lebo shows a perception that he does more with less. He's dealt with injuries and unexpected personnel losses each year and eked out more wins than remaining talent justified.
Auburn entered this season with expectations of a breakthrough. The Tigers were to return their top eight players from a 17-win team.
A transfer, injuries, academics and forward Josh Dollard's unexpected medical redshirt for unspecified reasons reduced Auburn to seven available scholarship players for most of this season.
The Tigers were expected to fade in February, but they've won two of their last four games. They've continued to play hard and find ways to eke out wins here and there. They've played close against good teams like Vanderbilt.
So Lebo gets the vote this year, and he'll have a chance to breakthrough next year. Assuming everyone who could have eligibility is available ... and all four members of a top 25 recruiting class qualify ... he'll get the chance to show what he can do with a full roster of his recruits.
Then, perhaps, we can take another vote.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
An interesting night ... and day ... in the life
Hello.
This is normally the place for Auburn fans to read about, well, Auburn, but an occasional shared experience can't hurt, can it?
I bet that a lot of folks around here have flu stories to tell, either from direct experience or vicariously through loved ones. I bet a lot of folks had storm stories today, too.
I have both.
My wife Rhonda has the flu, or is it the other way around? A nurse, she had heard that a flu strain was exploding around here. As soon as we realized she might have it, we quarantined my 22-month-old son Hayden at mom-in-law's.
He was down with a light strain of pneumonia just last week.
Anyhoo, my work today involved all writing, which I did on my laptop at home. In between writing sessions, I went back and forth between houses, taking care of Rhonda, playing with Hayden ... and surveying storm damage.
That sure was a wicked thunderstorm that came through here about 4:15 this morning. And I mean wicked, as in the worst thunderstorm I've experienced in recent memory.
The storm siren, which is about 50 yards from our house, roared at 4:10. I got on weather.com, because they always have details. The National Weather Service warning bulletin placed the storm east of Lincoln and heading right at us here in Oxford. It was packing 80 mph wind gusts and "destructive hail."
The storm was moving at about 70 mph, so there had to be incredible wind force pushing it.
We have tall trees across the street from our house and in the woods out back, so I was concerned. Just about the time that thought occurred, hail started pelting the roof. The house creaked so hard it cracked. The power went out.
I took my flashlight and poked my head out the front door for a second, and I've never seen trees bent so far over that close to my home. The wind howled like the devil's own voice.
It was scary, but it passed quickly. The worst passed elsewhere.
Mom-in-law's street has huge oaks uprooted and lying on the ground. You can tell straight-line winds did the damage, because all trees fell the same way.
That worked well for her street, because the trees fell sideways instead of back on the houses. A family living on a perpendicular street wasn't so lucky, and the neighborhood was abuzz with power company trucks, tree cutters, emergency management personnel and folks in my line of work.
Damage for the in-laws was light ... shingles, fallen limbs and debris. A rainbow-colored volleyball parked in the middle of the front yard, and Hayden claimed it with a happy grin.
I'm sure he's already forgotten it, so the rightful owner need only email me at jmedley@annistonstar.com.
I hung out there for awhile, then came back home to write two stories and baby Rhonda.
Then it was back over to mom's to play with Hayden. I got on all fours and rode him on my back around the house. I played for him a video cell-phone message from Rhonda, which opened his lips in a wide grin around his left thumb.
When the message ended, he said, "Bye bye mommy. I wuh you."
I headed back home for the night, picking up dinner along the way. I saw what would have been a great picture ... a gaggle of cherry-picker trucks parked at Western Sizzlin. I thought, "They've had a hard day. They've earned their dinner bar."
Once back home, I helped Rhonda devour pepperoni pizza and cheese sticks. We popped a movie in the DVD player, and I got a kick out of watching four guys go all midlife in "Wild Hogs."
I related to that movie, better than I could have at any other time in my life. I don't even want to think about why.
After the movie, Rhonda went to bed, and now I'm writing this.
I never want Rhonda or Hayden to be sick, and I would never wish storm damage or injuries on anyone. On the upside, an unshaven day in sweats and fleece, spent mostly in the loving service of family, can't be all bad.
Best to all,
(-:
Joe
This is normally the place for Auburn fans to read about, well, Auburn, but an occasional shared experience can't hurt, can it?
I bet that a lot of folks around here have flu stories to tell, either from direct experience or vicariously through loved ones. I bet a lot of folks had storm stories today, too.
I have both.
My wife Rhonda has the flu, or is it the other way around? A nurse, she had heard that a flu strain was exploding around here. As soon as we realized she might have it, we quarantined my 22-month-old son Hayden at mom-in-law's.
He was down with a light strain of pneumonia just last week.
Anyhoo, my work today involved all writing, which I did on my laptop at home. In between writing sessions, I went back and forth between houses, taking care of Rhonda, playing with Hayden ... and surveying storm damage.
That sure was a wicked thunderstorm that came through here about 4:15 this morning. And I mean wicked, as in the worst thunderstorm I've experienced in recent memory.
The storm siren, which is about 50 yards from our house, roared at 4:10. I got on weather.com, because they always have details. The National Weather Service warning bulletin placed the storm east of Lincoln and heading right at us here in Oxford. It was packing 80 mph wind gusts and "destructive hail."
The storm was moving at about 70 mph, so there had to be incredible wind force pushing it.
We have tall trees across the street from our house and in the woods out back, so I was concerned. Just about the time that thought occurred, hail started pelting the roof. The house creaked so hard it cracked. The power went out.
I took my flashlight and poked my head out the front door for a second, and I've never seen trees bent so far over that close to my home. The wind howled like the devil's own voice.
It was scary, but it passed quickly. The worst passed elsewhere.
Mom-in-law's street has huge oaks uprooted and lying on the ground. You can tell straight-line winds did the damage, because all trees fell the same way.
That worked well for her street, because the trees fell sideways instead of back on the houses. A family living on a perpendicular street wasn't so lucky, and the neighborhood was abuzz with power company trucks, tree cutters, emergency management personnel and folks in my line of work.
Damage for the in-laws was light ... shingles, fallen limbs and debris. A rainbow-colored volleyball parked in the middle of the front yard, and Hayden claimed it with a happy grin.
I'm sure he's already forgotten it, so the rightful owner need only email me at jmedley@annistonstar.com.
I hung out there for awhile, then came back home to write two stories and baby Rhonda.
Then it was back over to mom's to play with Hayden. I got on all fours and rode him on my back around the house. I played for him a video cell-phone message from Rhonda, which opened his lips in a wide grin around his left thumb.
When the message ended, he said, "Bye bye mommy. I wuh you."
I headed back home for the night, picking up dinner along the way. I saw what would have been a great picture ... a gaggle of cherry-picker trucks parked at Western Sizzlin. I thought, "They've had a hard day. They've earned their dinner bar."
Once back home, I helped Rhonda devour pepperoni pizza and cheese sticks. We popped a movie in the DVD player, and I got a kick out of watching four guys go all midlife in "Wild Hogs."
I related to that movie, better than I could have at any other time in my life. I don't even want to think about why.
After the movie, Rhonda went to bed, and now I'm writing this.
I never want Rhonda or Hayden to be sick, and I would never wish storm damage or injuries on anyone. On the upside, an unshaven day in sweats and fleece, spent mostly in the loving service of family, can't be all bad.
Best to all,
(-:
Joe
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Preaching to the choir, leveling with the press
AUBURN -- Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville poured it on Sunday, assuring a crowd of 10,500 at Auburn's men's basketball victory over Alabama that tales of Auburn's football decline are greatly exaggerated.
"Regardless what you read and what you hear, we will still have a football team next year," he said in a thundering voice.
Tuberville was speaking during ceremonies to mark Auburn's retention of the James Foy/ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, which goes each year to the winner of the Alabama-Auburn football game. Auburn won 17-10 on Nov. 24 2007, marking the Tigers' sixth consecutive victory over its chief rival.
However, Alabama stole Auburn's thunder on National Signing Day earlier this month. Second-year coach Nick Saban energized the Tide fan base with the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, according to most recruiting services.
Auburn's class was ranked 20th, but Alabama won all head-to-head battles with Auburn and took most of the state's top prospects.
The recruiting news caused much angst among the Auburn fan base, but Tuberville sounded a resounding and reassuring note Sunday.
"We've won six, and we're working on seven. War Eagle!" Tuberville said.
He sounded a slightly more cautious note after Sunday's opening session of spring practice.
"We've got a chance to have a good football team," he told a huddle of reporters. "I think this group has jelled to do something special, but we have to wait and tell as we go through spring.
"You never want to make any predictions until you see what this group is about, but I like the attitude, and that's where you start."
Here's what else Tuberville had to say after day one of spring practice:
--Opening comment:
"Good first day, good intensity. With this offense, you have no choice but to do that, but it was great weather, and I thought our guys came out in the right frame of mind. You've got to do two days in shorts, so we'll do this same thing very early Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock, so we'll see all of you here.
"I watched the quarterbacks today. I'm pretty impressed with all of our quarterbacks, how they're picking all of this stuff up. We only got a small portion of what we want to run in for the bowl game, so we've got a lot to do, but I like what we're doing.
"Defensively, there's not a lot you can do without pads on, but we've got good leaders this year. I think this group will be the best leadership we've had the last few years, and we've had good leadership to this point, so that will make us even better.
"We've got a chance to have a good football team. I think this group has jelled to do something special, but we have to wait and tell as we go through spring. You never want to make any predictions until you see what this group is about, but I like the attitude, and that's where you start."
--Newness create more energy?
"There's not a lot new on defense. New guys. I'll have to wait until we get in pads. Offensively, this offense still amazes me, how many reps you can get in practice, and it really keeps everybody, coaches and players, managers, everybody on their toes. When you go against your defense, it really keeps everybody concentrating. I think sometimes you need that in practice, because you can get a little bit lackadasical. With this tempo, nobody can drop their guard. You've got to be ready to go and concentrating. The new clock rules, the 40-second clock rule, I think that will help us a little bit more, so we'll see what happens."
--Anyone not here?
"Ben Tate had an award that he didn't get in high school that he want to California to pick up today. He wouldn't have practiced. He's got a thigh bruise or something, but he'll be back tomorrow. … High school award. He got the award, but he didn't go. They asked him to come and be a part of it this year. They had somebody else getting that award, but he's never attended the banquet, so that was good."
--Tyronne Green (starting offensive guard)?
"I don't know. He's got a sore thigh. He's been out for about two weeks. He's been out for about two weeks, but he'll be ready to go soon."
--Any one quarterback stick out?
"Nah. We'll hold judgment until Saturday. Saturday will be judgment day, when we scrimmage. We'll practice Tuesday and Thursday, Thursday in pads, morning again. Friday afternoon. It'll be a good practice, and then we'll flip it around and go 9:30 on Saturday morning and probably go about 170-180 plays. All of these guys will get good looks. They'll get 30-40 plays each, so it'll be a pretty good report card coming out Saturday afternoon."
--Going in the stadium?
"Going in the stadium."
--Did you watch new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads today at all?
"I heard him a couple of times. I thought he broke down well. I thought he hollered well. He ran drills well. He's going to have to get some sun on his legs, being from Pittsburgh. It's a little bit bright. He had to wear some sunglasses early."
--Talk about induction to Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame?
"It was good. A lot of those guys like Jerry McKinnis, I grew up watching them on television. It was two days of festivities. It was to spend a lot of time with them away from the banquet and a lot of guys that I watched in football over the years play. I saw a lot of high school friends. My college coach was there. He did remember my name and number. We had a good talk. Everybody gets a little (couldn't hear). We had a lot of family, so it was a fun night. It was something I'll always remember. … My speech, I did talk about Tubby's Catfish."
--Talk about Junior Day for recruits?
"Junior day went real well. We invited 52 juniors, and 52 of them showed up, a lot of them with parents, and that's another reason we wanted to practice today is to give them the opportunity to watch these guys, but it was also a good day to start. You know, with the basketball game and be able to talk about academics a little bit with them, about the beginning of recruiting, the baseball game going on and then practice, so we had a lot of activities going on, but we had a lot of good players here. Had some interest. Hopefully, we'll have some guys make decisions early."
"Regardless what you read and what you hear, we will still have a football team next year," he said in a thundering voice.
Tuberville was speaking during ceremonies to mark Auburn's retention of the James Foy/ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, which goes each year to the winner of the Alabama-Auburn football game. Auburn won 17-10 on Nov. 24 2007, marking the Tigers' sixth consecutive victory over its chief rival.
However, Alabama stole Auburn's thunder on National Signing Day earlier this month. Second-year coach Nick Saban energized the Tide fan base with the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, according to most recruiting services.
Auburn's class was ranked 20th, but Alabama won all head-to-head battles with Auburn and took most of the state's top prospects.
The recruiting news caused much angst among the Auburn fan base, but Tuberville sounded a resounding and reassuring note Sunday.
"We've won six, and we're working on seven. War Eagle!" Tuberville said.
He sounded a slightly more cautious note after Sunday's opening session of spring practice.
"We've got a chance to have a good football team," he told a huddle of reporters. "I think this group has jelled to do something special, but we have to wait and tell as we go through spring.
"You never want to make any predictions until you see what this group is about, but I like the attitude, and that's where you start."
Here's what else Tuberville had to say after day one of spring practice:
--Opening comment:
"Good first day, good intensity. With this offense, you have no choice but to do that, but it was great weather, and I thought our guys came out in the right frame of mind. You've got to do two days in shorts, so we'll do this same thing very early Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock, so we'll see all of you here.
"I watched the quarterbacks today. I'm pretty impressed with all of our quarterbacks, how they're picking all of this stuff up. We only got a small portion of what we want to run in for the bowl game, so we've got a lot to do, but I like what we're doing.
"Defensively, there's not a lot you can do without pads on, but we've got good leaders this year. I think this group will be the best leadership we've had the last few years, and we've had good leadership to this point, so that will make us even better.
"We've got a chance to have a good football team. I think this group has jelled to do something special, but we have to wait and tell as we go through spring. You never want to make any predictions until you see what this group is about, but I like the attitude, and that's where you start."
--Newness create more energy?
"There's not a lot new on defense. New guys. I'll have to wait until we get in pads. Offensively, this offense still amazes me, how many reps you can get in practice, and it really keeps everybody, coaches and players, managers, everybody on their toes. When you go against your defense, it really keeps everybody concentrating. I think sometimes you need that in practice, because you can get a little bit lackadasical. With this tempo, nobody can drop their guard. You've got to be ready to go and concentrating. The new clock rules, the 40-second clock rule, I think that will help us a little bit more, so we'll see what happens."
--Anyone not here?
"Ben Tate had an award that he didn't get in high school that he want to California to pick up today. He wouldn't have practiced. He's got a thigh bruise or something, but he'll be back tomorrow. … High school award. He got the award, but he didn't go. They asked him to come and be a part of it this year. They had somebody else getting that award, but he's never attended the banquet, so that was good."
--Tyronne Green (starting offensive guard)?
"I don't know. He's got a sore thigh. He's been out for about two weeks. He's been out for about two weeks, but he'll be ready to go soon."
--Any one quarterback stick out?
"Nah. We'll hold judgment until Saturday. Saturday will be judgment day, when we scrimmage. We'll practice Tuesday and Thursday, Thursday in pads, morning again. Friday afternoon. It'll be a good practice, and then we'll flip it around and go 9:30 on Saturday morning and probably go about 170-180 plays. All of these guys will get good looks. They'll get 30-40 plays each, so it'll be a pretty good report card coming out Saturday afternoon."
--Going in the stadium?
"Going in the stadium."
--Did you watch new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads today at all?
"I heard him a couple of times. I thought he broke down well. I thought he hollered well. He ran drills well. He's going to have to get some sun on his legs, being from Pittsburgh. It's a little bit bright. He had to wear some sunglasses early."
--Talk about induction to Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame?
"It was good. A lot of those guys like Jerry McKinnis, I grew up watching them on television. It was two days of festivities. It was to spend a lot of time with them away from the banquet and a lot of guys that I watched in football over the years play. I saw a lot of high school friends. My college coach was there. He did remember my name and number. We had a good talk. Everybody gets a little (couldn't hear). We had a lot of family, so it was a fun night. It was something I'll always remember. … My speech, I did talk about Tubby's Catfish."
--Talk about Junior Day for recruits?
"Junior day went real well. We invited 52 juniors, and 52 of them showed up, a lot of them with parents, and that's another reason we wanted to practice today is to give them the opportunity to watch these guys, but it was also a good day to start. You know, with the basketball game and be able to talk about academics a little bit with them, about the beginning of recruiting, the baseball game going on and then practice, so we had a lot of activities going on, but we had a lot of good players here. Had some interest. Hopefully, we'll have some guys make decisions early."
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Auburn announces spring practice schedule
Here's the tentative spring football practice schedule announced by Auburn on Wednesday.
Feb. 24 - approx 3:15 p.m. (helmets/sweats)
Feb. 26 - 7 a.m. (helmets/sweats)
Feb. 28 - 7 a.m. (pads)
Feb. 29 - 4 p.m.
March 1 - 10 a.m.
March 2 - 4 p.m.
March 4 - 7 a.m.
March 7 - 4 p.m.
March 8 - 10 a.m.
March 11 - 7 a.m.
March 14 - 4 p.m.
March 23 - 5 p.m.
March 25 - 7 a.m.
March 28 - 4 p.m. (helmets/sweats)
March 29 - A-Day – 1 p.m.
Feb. 24 - approx 3:15 p.m. (helmets/sweats)
Feb. 26 - 7 a.m. (helmets/sweats)
Feb. 28 - 7 a.m. (pads)
Feb. 29 - 4 p.m.
March 1 - 10 a.m.
March 2 - 4 p.m.
March 4 - 7 a.m.
March 7 - 4 p.m.
March 8 - 10 a.m.
March 11 - 7 a.m.
March 14 - 4 p.m.
March 23 - 5 p.m.
March 25 - 7 a.m.
March 28 - 4 p.m. (helmets/sweats)
March 29 - A-Day – 1 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Spring Football
For those of you wanting to keep up with the rest of the league, here's the spring football dates as released by the SEC.
Alabama (Start: March 13 / Finish: April 15 / Spring Game - April 12)
Arkansas (Start: April 3 / Finish: April 26)
Auburn (Start: Feb. 28 / Finish: March 29)
Florida (Start: March 19 / Finish: April 12)
Georgia (Start: March 3 / Finish: April 5)
Kentucky (Start: March 26 / Finish: April 19)
LSU (Start: Feb. 29 / Finish: April 5)
Ole Miss (Start: March 17 / Finish: April 12)
Mississippi State (Start: Feb. 26 / Finish: March 29)
South Carolina (Start: March 19 / Finish: April 19)
Tennessee (Start: March 11 / Finish: April 19)
Vanderbilt (Start: March 11 / Finish: April 5 / Spring Game - March 29)
Alabama (Start: March 13 / Finish: April 15 / Spring Game - April 12)
Arkansas (Start: April 3 / Finish: April 26)
Auburn (Start: Feb. 28 / Finish: March 29)
Florida (Start: March 19 / Finish: April 12)
Georgia (Start: March 3 / Finish: April 5)
Kentucky (Start: March 26 / Finish: April 19)
LSU (Start: Feb. 29 / Finish: April 5)
Ole Miss (Start: March 17 / Finish: April 12)
Mississippi State (Start: Feb. 26 / Finish: March 29)
South Carolina (Start: March 19 / Finish: April 19)
Tennessee (Start: March 11 / Finish: April 19)
Vanderbilt (Start: March 11 / Finish: April 5 / Spring Game - March 29)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tubs' Takes on signees
What Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville had to say about Auburn's 28 football signees, from Auburn athletics media relations:
Quoting Auburn Head Coach Tommy Tuberville
Auburn 2008 Signees
Darvin Adams
“Darvin Adams is an excellent outside receiver. He’s got height and speed and should be very good in this offense.”
Harry Adams
“Harry is probably the most versatile athlete that we signed. He could be a kick returner, punt returner, could also play receiver and also play some defensive back. He has outstanding speed as evident by the fact that he’s run a 10.3 100 meters.”
Ken Adams
“Ken is a big kid that can run. He’s very athletic for someone his size and he has great hands.”
Dashaun Barnes
“Dashaun comes from the tradition-rich Tallahassee Lincoln program. He’s got great quickness and speed and is very strong. He will play outside linebacker but could possibly grow up to an inside linebacker.”
T’Sharvan Bell
“T’Sharvan played quarterback in high school, and is one of thebest players in the state of Florida. He will play cornerback and is a player that reminds me a lot of Carlos Rogers.”
Drew Cole
“Drew Cole comes from an athletic family, as his brother played at LSU. Drew is an all-around athlete who could play safety or cornerback.”
Dax Dellenbach
“Dax comes from a family that has been in football a long time. His dad, Jeff, played in the NFL for many years. The only thing Dax will do for us is be a long snapper, and he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen in high school. He’s very fundamentally sound, and you can tell his father’s brought him along and done a great job with him.”
DeRon Furr
“DeRon led his team to a state championship as quarterback for Carver. He has an opportunity to be a great quarterback in the spread offense. He’s big and strong and can run and throw.”
Raven Gray
“Raven is a junior college transfer that we signed two years ago. He was the top junior college player in the country and at 6-5, 263-pounds, he’ll be a big asset to our defensive line.”
Cameron Henderson
“Cameron is a tall, rangy defensive lineman, who will play defensive end. He has a great first step and is an excellent pass rusher.”
D’Antoine Hood
“D’Antoine is the cousin of former Auburn standout Roderick Hood. He is fast, quick, and very good in man coverage as a corner. He will play nickel and dime for us while he learns the position.”
Reggie Hunt
"Reggie is one of the quickest running backs that we saw on film during the year. He has excellent football skills and can really catch and run with the football.”
Marcus Jemison
“Marcus is a defensive back that plays safety and has very good range. He has a knack for being around the football. His high school coach says he’s one of the hardest hitters he’s ever seen.”
Jermaine Johnson
“Jermaine is probably one of the better offensive linemen that we’ve signed in the long line of guys we’ve signed on the offensive line. He comes from a very good high school system at St.Thomas Aquinas and will have an excellent opportunity to start his first year.”
Neiko Lipscomb
“Neiko is a tall, rangy defensive back that can play cornerback or safety, and has lots of speed.”
Derrick Lykes
“Derrick is a big, strong defensive lineman that will have a chance to play end or tackle. He’s very athletic and he kind of reminds me of former Auburn offensive lineman Ben Grubbs.”
Onterio McCalebb
“Onterio is extremely quick and fast. He is one of the better athletes that I saw on film during the 2007 season.”
Phillip Pierre-Louis
“Phillip will be an outside receiver in the spread offense. He isvery good at carrying the football from the backfield position and also has great hands.”
Spencer Pybus
“Spencer has the potential to be a very good player at Auburn. He has a great work ethic, outstanding strength and speed and will fit inwell with our linebacker corp.”
Jomarcus Savage
“Jomarcus is one of the top defensive linemen in the south, who will end up being a 300-pounder that has great quickness.”
Eric Smith
“Eric is very similar to former Tiger running back Rudi Johnson. He’s a real quick type of running back that runs very well both inside and outside.”
Vance Smith
“Vance comes from an Auburn family and loves Auburn. His dad is the defensive coordinator at his high school, so he has very good football knowledge. He has a great opportunity to be an outstanding tight end in this offense.”
Freddie Smooth
“Freddie is 6-5, 305 pounds, but runs like a 215-pounder. He has alot of speed, quickness and determination.”
Christian Thompson
“Christian is a safety that played on a state championship team at St. Thomas Aquinas. He was the leader of their defense and their offense. He’s very athletic, and a very skilled football player.”
Chris Todd
“Chris has run the spread offense all of his life and understands it. He has a great arm and I’m looking forward to having him.”
Barrett Trotter
“Barrett is probably the best quarterback that we saw running the spread offense consistently. He can throw or run and has the opportunity to continue running the spread offense and we’re excited about it.”
Andre Wadley
“Andre is the top defensive lineman in the state of Mississippi, who reminds us of a little bit bigger Quentin Groves. He’ll play that position – linebacker/defensive end. He’s a very athletic player.”
Derek Winter
“Derek caught over 150 passes combined his junior and senior year with 40-plus touchdowns. He’s very productive with great hands. He’ll play both inside and outside receiver and we’re excited to have him, plus he’s a 4.0 student.”
Quoting Auburn Head Coach Tommy Tuberville
Auburn 2008 Signees
Darvin Adams
“Darvin Adams is an excellent outside receiver. He’s got height and speed and should be very good in this offense.”
Harry Adams
“Harry is probably the most versatile athlete that we signed. He could be a kick returner, punt returner, could also play receiver and also play some defensive back. He has outstanding speed as evident by the fact that he’s run a 10.3 100 meters.”
Ken Adams
“Ken is a big kid that can run. He’s very athletic for someone his size and he has great hands.”
Dashaun Barnes
“Dashaun comes from the tradition-rich Tallahassee Lincoln program. He’s got great quickness and speed and is very strong. He will play outside linebacker but could possibly grow up to an inside linebacker.”
T’Sharvan Bell
“T’Sharvan played quarterback in high school, and is one of thebest players in the state of Florida. He will play cornerback and is a player that reminds me a lot of Carlos Rogers.”
Drew Cole
“Drew Cole comes from an athletic family, as his brother played at LSU. Drew is an all-around athlete who could play safety or cornerback.”
Dax Dellenbach
“Dax comes from a family that has been in football a long time. His dad, Jeff, played in the NFL for many years. The only thing Dax will do for us is be a long snapper, and he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen in high school. He’s very fundamentally sound, and you can tell his father’s brought him along and done a great job with him.”
DeRon Furr
“DeRon led his team to a state championship as quarterback for Carver. He has an opportunity to be a great quarterback in the spread offense. He’s big and strong and can run and throw.”
Raven Gray
“Raven is a junior college transfer that we signed two years ago. He was the top junior college player in the country and at 6-5, 263-pounds, he’ll be a big asset to our defensive line.”
Cameron Henderson
“Cameron is a tall, rangy defensive lineman, who will play defensive end. He has a great first step and is an excellent pass rusher.”
D’Antoine Hood
“D’Antoine is the cousin of former Auburn standout Roderick Hood. He is fast, quick, and very good in man coverage as a corner. He will play nickel and dime for us while he learns the position.”
Reggie Hunt
"Reggie is one of the quickest running backs that we saw on film during the year. He has excellent football skills and can really catch and run with the football.”
Marcus Jemison
“Marcus is a defensive back that plays safety and has very good range. He has a knack for being around the football. His high school coach says he’s one of the hardest hitters he’s ever seen.”
Jermaine Johnson
“Jermaine is probably one of the better offensive linemen that we’ve signed in the long line of guys we’ve signed on the offensive line. He comes from a very good high school system at St.Thomas Aquinas and will have an excellent opportunity to start his first year.”
Neiko Lipscomb
“Neiko is a tall, rangy defensive back that can play cornerback or safety, and has lots of speed.”
Derrick Lykes
“Derrick is a big, strong defensive lineman that will have a chance to play end or tackle. He’s very athletic and he kind of reminds me of former Auburn offensive lineman Ben Grubbs.”
Onterio McCalebb
“Onterio is extremely quick and fast. He is one of the better athletes that I saw on film during the 2007 season.”
Phillip Pierre-Louis
“Phillip will be an outside receiver in the spread offense. He isvery good at carrying the football from the backfield position and also has great hands.”
Spencer Pybus
“Spencer has the potential to be a very good player at Auburn. He has a great work ethic, outstanding strength and speed and will fit inwell with our linebacker corp.”
Jomarcus Savage
“Jomarcus is one of the top defensive linemen in the south, who will end up being a 300-pounder that has great quickness.”
Eric Smith
“Eric is very similar to former Tiger running back Rudi Johnson. He’s a real quick type of running back that runs very well both inside and outside.”
Vance Smith
“Vance comes from an Auburn family and loves Auburn. His dad is the defensive coordinator at his high school, so he has very good football knowledge. He has a great opportunity to be an outstanding tight end in this offense.”
Freddie Smooth
“Freddie is 6-5, 305 pounds, but runs like a 215-pounder. He has alot of speed, quickness and determination.”
Christian Thompson
“Christian is a safety that played on a state championship team at St. Thomas Aquinas. He was the leader of their defense and their offense. He’s very athletic, and a very skilled football player.”
Chris Todd
“Chris has run the spread offense all of his life and understands it. He has a great arm and I’m looking forward to having him.”
Barrett Trotter
“Barrett is probably the best quarterback that we saw running the spread offense consistently. He can throw or run and has the opportunity to continue running the spread offense and we’re excited about it.”
Andre Wadley
“Andre is the top defensive lineman in the state of Mississippi, who reminds us of a little bit bigger Quentin Groves. He’ll play that position – linebacker/defensive end. He’s a very athletic player.”
Derek Winter
“Derek caught over 150 passes combined his junior and senior year with 40-plus touchdowns. He’s very productive with great hands. He’ll play both inside and outside receiver and we’re excited to have him, plus he’s a 4.0 student.”
Signing-day update
Auburn received national letters of intent from the following football recruits Wednesday:
WR Darvin Adams, Kennesaw, Ga.
WR Harry Adams, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
TE Ken Adams, Enterprise
LB Da'Shaun Barnes, Tallahassee, Fla. (enrolled)
CB T'Sharvan Bell, Kissimmee, Fla.
DB Drew Cole, Picayune, Miss.
DS Dax Dallenbach, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
QB DeRon Furr, Columbus, Ga. (enrolled)
DE Raven Gray, Wesson, Miss. (enrolled)
DE Cameron Henderson, Birmingham
CB D'Antoine Hood, Phenix City
RB Reggie Hunt, Daphne
DB Marcus Jemison, McCalla
OL Jermaine Johnson, Chatham, Va.
DB Neiko Lipscomb, Tucker, Ga.
DE Derrick Lykes, Clanton
RB Onterrio McCalebb, Ft. Meade, Fla.
WR Philip Pierre-Louis, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
LB Spencer Pybus, Dothan
DE Jomarcus Savage, Huntsville
RB Eric Smith, Seffner, Fla.
TE Vance Smith, Pace, Fla.
DT Freddie Smooth, Baton Rouge, La.
DB Christian Thompson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
QB Chris Todd, Hutchinson, Kan. (enrolled)
QB Barrett Trotter, Birmingham
DE Andre Wadley, Hernando, Miss.
WR Derek Winter, Tampa, Fla.
WR Darvin Adams, Kennesaw, Ga.
WR Harry Adams, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
TE Ken Adams, Enterprise
LB Da'Shaun Barnes, Tallahassee, Fla. (enrolled)
CB T'Sharvan Bell, Kissimmee, Fla.
DB Drew Cole, Picayune, Miss.
DS Dax Dallenbach, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
QB DeRon Furr, Columbus, Ga. (enrolled)
DE Raven Gray, Wesson, Miss. (enrolled)
DE Cameron Henderson, Birmingham
CB D'Antoine Hood, Phenix City
RB Reggie Hunt, Daphne
DB Marcus Jemison, McCalla
OL Jermaine Johnson, Chatham, Va.
DB Neiko Lipscomb, Tucker, Ga.
DE Derrick Lykes, Clanton
RB Onterrio McCalebb, Ft. Meade, Fla.
WR Philip Pierre-Louis, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
LB Spencer Pybus, Dothan
DE Jomarcus Savage, Huntsville
RB Eric Smith, Seffner, Fla.
TE Vance Smith, Pace, Fla.
DT Freddie Smooth, Baton Rouge, La.
DB Christian Thompson, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
QB Chris Todd, Hutchinson, Kan. (enrolled)
QB Barrett Trotter, Birmingham
DE Andre Wadley, Hernando, Miss.
WR Derek Winter, Tampa, Fla.
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