Tigers filling kicking needs

[quietfan 233]

This is something I've been worrying about a little. There's no doubt in my mind that we have the best triumvirate of kickers in the conference right now, but next year will be a total unknown. Good to know we're working on it:

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/mobilereg....xml&coll=3

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Kicker John Vaughn is a senior. Punter Kody Bliss is a senior. Kickoff specialist Matt Clark is in his last season.

That leaves some question marks for Auburn's special teams next year and beyond. It also makes it likely that the Tigers will sign a new kicker in February.

Auburn extended an offer to kicker Wes Byrum last week, AuburnSports.com reported.

Byrum attends St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a school that has sent eight kickers to Division I programs.

While many teams are hesitant to give scholarships to kickers and punters, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has doled out scholarships liberally.

True freshman Ryan Shoemaker is redshirting this year, but he could replace Bliss as starting punter next year. Sophomore Zach Kutch might take a redshirt this year. If he comes back in 2007, he could compete for one of the kicking jobs.

If Auburn signed Byrum, or another top prep kicker, the newcomer could be right in the thick of the competition as a freshman.