Forget offense

[AWK 0]

Defensively in 2006, the Auburn Tigers played well. Their linebackers-- known for being a fast yet undersized group -- came through for quite nicely. Still, losing both Karibi Dede and Will Herring to graduation means finding some replacements for both this season and the future.

Well, the good news is that the future seems taken care of. The Tigers brought in a bunch of highly talented guys with both size and speed at the linebacker position with their 2007 recruiting class. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find many schools out there, if any, that did better at recruiting the position this year than the Tigers.

Take a look at the list.

Josh Bynes (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.) -- Bynes is a 6-foot-2, 212-pounder who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. In 2006, the four-star linebacker totaled 110 tackles, of which 99 were unassisted. Rivals had him rated as the ninth-best inside linebacker in the 2007 class, and the laundry list of big schools that were after him (Iowa, Louisville, Notre Dame, South Carolina, UCLA and Arizona State) would seem to serve to reinforce just how good he is. Oh yeah, and word is he may be getting bigger as we speak (some report that Bynes is weighing in at 230 right now).

Eltoro Freeman (Alexander City, Ala.) -- This four-star outside linebacker doesn't tip the scales much (he's listed at 5-11, 199). That said, he's fast (runs the 40 in 4.5) and unbelievably strong (benches 385 and squats 455). Rivals had him ranked 22nd in the nation at OLB. That said, a ton of big schools wanted Freeman to come play for them, and his upside seems huge.

Bo Harris (Conyers, Ga.: now at New Milford Academy) -- Harris is a four-star Rivals recruit who could almost play anywhere, including linebacker. Back in high school (Heritage), he played defensive end and running back oh so well. Unfortunately for Harris, he had to go from high school to New Milford Academy to raise his GPA. Now that he's ready to arrive with the Tigers, his measureables-- 6-2, 235 -- and speed make him a possible linebacker for sure.

Adam Herring (Springdale, Ark.)--This 6-2, 218-pound three-star inside linebacker fell in at No. 20 on the Arkansas state list as a recruit. Herring's one of the less hyped from this group (even though he posted 101 tackles last season with limited playing time). He likely has a good mind for the game, being the son of Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring.

Carlton Johnson (Lynn Haven, Fla.) -- The 6-1, 184-pound Johnson is a four-star OLB who runs the 40 in 4.5 and benches 315. Over the past two seasons in high school, Johnson accumulated 274 total tackles (and posted eight sacks in his junior campaign). Thus, the Tigers are high on this small, fast and productive prospect who was 23rd on Rivals' rankings at his position.

Chris Zinn (Olive Branch, Miss.) -- The 6-2, 235-pound Zinn, an inside linebacker, was only a Rivals two-star recruit. Still, the fact that Auburn wanted him (and he great size) must mean something.

Don't do it

[saniflush 0]

It would not surprise me if a couple of those guys ate and Yoxed their way into being defensive ends.

[BiggestAUfan 0]

I'm not so sure about that flush, with CWM on board you will probably see us signing bigger LB and DE than in the past. We'll still go for speed first, but speed with size...

[Tigerguy 1]

I like our LBs. We may have a Mike Kolen or two somewhere just waiting to emerge. If so, the LB position could be a real strong position for the D.