I have to admit I really like what AU has done thus far. For the most part they have (or are in the immediate process of) adressing all areas of need with improved talent.
Lets start with the obvious: QB
-Jackson Arnold was the best available/most talented QB in the portal. NOT THE MOST PROVEN. He will be the most talented QB AU has had taking snaps since Narshall, whether or not he's productive enough to get AU to winning at the level Freeze needs/we all want is up to the coaches. Arnold gets the ball out quick and decisively, is a very adept runner (think Garret Greene/Avery Johnson wheels), and should be a legitimate two way threat. I HATED LOSING WALKER WHITE, but after watching AL/MS practices and the game he is much farther along than anticipated. His athleticism is second to none at the position, and he will need to have a play package as a freshman. Adding Daniels gives you an experience player with mobility, who has shown at times that he can play winning football at the P4 level. Floor raised several stories collectively. I expect them to snag a JUCO or a G5 grad transfer to fill out the QB4 spot.
RB:
-Alston and Cobb can be a legit SEC duo with play calling targeted to their strenghts and an off season focus on ball-security. DRob is a big hammer of a back, which AU hasn't had. He manufactures a lot of broken tackles and yards after contact, he could very well become RB1. Alvin is a Kenny Irons redux IMO. Going to be a great back, probably in small dosed and on special teams this year. Strong room, winning group, not an elite group (but has potential to be).
WR: Sky is the limit here. IF AU adds Singleton they get a dynamo that can threaten a defense at all three levels, which means you can't consistently double team anyone on the outside. Coleman has arrived, Malcom is on the way. I expect Freeze to play a lot more "positionless" receiever group and live in a lot more 10 personnel. Simple calls like a BINGO (big inside -or-best inside) could flip an outside receiver like Coleman or Perry to the inside to essentially become the Big Slot/Y that Rivaldo played without actually changing personnel. If you get Singleton you're going to want him and Simmons on the field at the same time. IF AU adds Horatio then they have another big bodied X receiever for the perimeter. Arnold spinning it to a group that looks like: Coleman, Singleton, Thompson/Fields, Simmons is a dangerous enough to get excited about.
TE: = ???? What can Rico do? How ready will the freshman be? Do you add another?
OL= Chaplin is the biggest portal get of the off-season, literally and figuratively. He will be the best LT Auburn has had since GRob. A group the looks something like Chaplin, Carter, Lew, and 2 of Wright (?), Wade, or Martin should be a pretty solid group. Hopefully a healthy Tyler Johnson improves and plays his way into the mix as well.
DL/EDGE: Keeping Amaris was a W, adding Walker is a W. If they add Lubin he will fill the void left by McLoud. Need to add another interior DL and another DE. I think Crawfords playes effectively inside from Day 1. Hated losing TJ Lindsey, he was built to be an SEC 3 tech and 4i. He warmed up to the wrong guys and developed a mind set that robbed of him of the right perspective and opportunities as a freshman.
LB: I liked the idea of adding Phoenix Jackson, he's a top shelf coverage LB which AU needs badly. The number of times LBs were at fault on 3rd and 7+ conversions in the pass game this year was painful. However, adding a tandem of Xavier Atkins and Jalen Smith adds two elite level athletes at the respective Mike and Will positions. Neither have worlds of experience, but have the ideal physical skill sets to DJD's scheme.
DB- Added the best available cover corner, which is HUGE. He may not supplant Lee or Crawford but he gives you an experienced winner at 3rd corner spot and flexibility to play one over the slot in dime packages. Taye Seymore has dynamic speed and explosion and is a physical presence as a tackler. He isn't well versed in playing a true third level safety spot, and will have to prove himself as a coverage asset. (He reminds be a lot of Ladarius Tennison) However, I think Fagans plays early and effectively on the back end. Harris is a rising star, and Sly Smith improved tremendously as the season went on. Getting several talented DBs back from injury will also help this group. This room is in damn good shape.
Special Teams: Added a weapon of a punter, but as far as place kicking at this point f'kit let @BrianStultz do it. Really need Towns to shake the yips. That kid can still be elite. Praying McPhereson can one day play football again.
Hard to argue with the off field results right now, BUT Top tier high school class and top tier portal class leave little room for excuses going forward.
Lets start with the obvious: QB
-Jackson Arnold was the best available/most talented QB in the portal. NOT THE MOST PROVEN. He will be the most talented QB AU has had taking snaps since Narshall, whether or not he's productive enough to get AU to winning at the level Freeze needs/we all want is up to the coaches. Arnold gets the ball out quick and decisively, is a very adept runner (think Garret Greene/Avery Johnson wheels), and should be a legitimate two way threat. I HATED LOSING WALKER WHITE, but after watching AL/MS practices and the game he is much farther along than anticipated. His athleticism is second to none at the position, and he will need to have a play package as a freshman. Adding Daniels gives you an experience player with mobility, who has shown at times that he can play winning football at the P4 level. Floor raised several stories collectively. I expect them to snag a JUCO or a G5 grad transfer to fill out the QB4 spot.
RB:
-Alston and Cobb can be a legit SEC duo with play calling targeted to their strenghts and an off season focus on ball-security. DRob is a big hammer of a back, which AU hasn't had. He manufactures a lot of broken tackles and yards after contact, he could very well become RB1. Alvin is a Kenny Irons redux IMO. Going to be a great back, probably in small dosed and on special teams this year. Strong room, winning group, not an elite group (but has potential to be).
WR: Sky is the limit here. IF AU adds Singleton they get a dynamo that can threaten a defense at all three levels, which means you can't consistently double team anyone on the outside. Coleman has arrived, Malcom is on the way. I expect Freeze to play a lot more "positionless" receiever group and live in a lot more 10 personnel. Simple calls like a BINGO (big inside -or-best inside) could flip an outside receiver like Coleman or Perry to the inside to essentially become the Big Slot/Y that Rivaldo played without actually changing personnel. If you get Singleton you're going to want him and Simmons on the field at the same time. IF AU adds Horatio then they have another big bodied X receiever for the perimeter. Arnold spinning it to a group that looks like: Coleman, Singleton, Thompson/Fields, Simmons is a dangerous enough to get excited about.
TE: = ???? What can Rico do? How ready will the freshman be? Do you add another?
OL= Chaplin is the biggest portal get of the off-season, literally and figuratively. He will be the best LT Auburn has had since GRob. A group the looks something like Chaplin, Carter, Lew, and 2 of Wright (?), Wade, or Martin should be a pretty solid group. Hopefully a healthy Tyler Johnson improves and plays his way into the mix as well.
DL/EDGE: Keeping Amaris was a W, adding Walker is a W. If they add Lubin he will fill the void left by McLoud. Need to add another interior DL and another DE. I think Crawfords playes effectively inside from Day 1. Hated losing TJ Lindsey, he was built to be an SEC 3 tech and 4i. He warmed up to the wrong guys and developed a mind set that robbed of him of the right perspective and opportunities as a freshman.
LB: I liked the idea of adding Phoenix Jackson, he's a top shelf coverage LB which AU needs badly. The number of times LBs were at fault on 3rd and 7+ conversions in the pass game this year was painful. However, adding a tandem of Xavier Atkins and Jalen Smith adds two elite level athletes at the respective Mike and Will positions. Neither have worlds of experience, but have the ideal physical skill sets to DJD's scheme.
DB- Added the best available cover corner, which is HUGE. He may not supplant Lee or Crawford but he gives you an experienced winner at 3rd corner spot and flexibility to play one over the slot in dime packages. Taye Seymore has dynamic speed and explosion and is a physical presence as a tackler. He isn't well versed in playing a true third level safety spot, and will have to prove himself as a coverage asset. (He reminds be a lot of Ladarius Tennison) However, I think Fagans plays early and effectively on the back end. Harris is a rising star, and Sly Smith improved tremendously as the season went on. Getting several talented DBs back from injury will also help this group. This room is in damn good shape.
Special Teams: Added a weapon of a punter, but as far as place kicking at this point f'kit let @BrianStultz do it. Really need Towns to shake the yips. That kid can still be elite. Praying McPhereson can one day play football again.
Hard to argue with the off field results right now, BUT Top tier high school class and top tier portal class leave little room for excuses going forward.
