Recruiting Recap (Part II)

Defense

Defensive End:

Joel Bonomolo- 6-3, 245 - Fullerton, California - 4 Stars: Bonomolo caused a bit of a scare yesterday, as he was the final player to fax in his LOI. I the end, Auburn safely secured his signature, making him yet another exciting athlete ready to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. Joel is another JUCO recruit, so hopefully he will be ready to step in immediately and provide some help on the weak side. His speed off the line is almost as impressive as his last name. If this kid makes a name for himself, he deserves a better nickname than "Jo-Bo" or "J-Bone". We can't let that happen.

Video Evidence Joel can rush the QB: He's got some burst

Justin Delaine- 6-5, 225 - Linden, Alabama - 3 Stars: Delaine is an impressive athlete with a lot of speed. He was a Mr. Everything three sport athlete in high school. It remains to be seen if he will be able to harness his raw talent and become a productive SEC player. Also, earning playing time over the other three ends in his class may prove to be quite difficult.

Corey Lemonier- 6-4, 223 - Hialeah, Florida - 4 Stars: Yesterday, landing Corey was little more than a 50/50 proposition. Although many pundits had him leaning towards Auburn, Florida State was still looming large; especially with all of the momentum Jimbo Fisher had going. As it turned out - in what is becoming a pleasing trend - Chizik failed to disappoint. Lemonier committed to Auburn live on ESPNU's signing day special extravaganza. Like most prized D-end prospects, Corey is a huge kid with a ton of athletic ability. He has a great first step, as well as excellent agility and instincts. Rivals.com favorably compares Corey to former Auburn terror, Quentin Groves. I think we'll all be ecstatic if we've got another Groves on our hands. He will need to bulk up to reach his full potential.

Video Evidence Corey will blow up your backfield: And disrespect your Right Tackle

Craig Sanders- 6-4, 230 - Ariton, Alabama - 4 Stars: Yet another athlete with the ability and talent to make impact plays, Sanders lined up all over the field in high school. His toughness and intensity helps make up for his lack of size in the trenches. Like the rest of the D-ends in Auburn's class, he must add some bulk if he hopes to evolve into an impact player in the SEC. I have faith Auburn's staff will be able to develop at least one of these four into a sack accumulating terror beast over the next couple of years. Ideally, one or two of these kids will be able to step in this season and provide some reinforcement for Carter and Goggans. Otherwise those two could have a very long, very tiring season.

Defensive Tackle:

Kenneth Carter- 6-5, 267 - Greenville, Alabama - 4 Stars: Carter is the first of two much needed tackle prospects. He comes highly decorated from Greenville High, where he recorded 90 tackles during his senior season. An explosive athlete who uses his body well, Carter seems to be able to get to where he needs to be in order to make the play. He will need to improve his size and technique if he hopes to accomplish the same thing at Auburn. Regardless of any knocks on his size and ability, Kenneth remains an impressive prospect, and has proven in the past he can get the job done.

Jeffrey Whitaker- 6-3, 295 - Warner Robbins, Georgia - 4 Stars: One of Auburn's latest commitments, Whitaker is a critical addition to the class. Without him, we may have actually had something to complain about. Two defensive tackles might not be as many as some fans were hoping for, but at least the two Auburn did land are both highly ranked at their position. Whitaker is the 5th ranked DT in the nation, and possesses huge size and strength. In the future, it looks like he will be a highly effective run stopper. If Whitaker ever develops the ability to rush the passer, he could very well be unstoppable. Worst case scenario - he should command double teams, clog the middle, and make things easier for his teammates.

Video Evidence Jeffrey would crush you: Not to be trusted in close proximity of children, puppies, or aloof midgets

Linebacker:

Jessel Curry- 6-2, 215 - Buford, Georgia - 3 Stars: One of the less impressive raw athletes in the class, Curry's value comes from his instincts and strong fundamentals. He also plays a tough, hard-nosed brand of football that's difficult not to appreciate. With his football IQ, he could someday find himself manning the middle of the Tiger defense, assuming his physical tools make the grade.

Jake Holland- 6-1, 228 - Pelham, Alabama - 4 Stars: Holland is another hard-nosed inside linebacker who has a reputation of being extremely instinctive and coachable. Much like Curry, Holland's discipline, instincts, and technique will never be questioned. However, also much like Curry, his quickness, lateral movement, and coverage skills could use some improvement. At Pelham High, Jake somehow managed to amass over 350 tackles in 31 games. I don't care who you are, or where you are playing, that is impressive. Also - and this is perhaps his most exciting trait - Jake once rocked a glorious Jew-fro.

Photographical evidence of aforementioned Jew-fro: Splendid, simply splendid

Bonus Video!: Jake could have gone to Penn State

LaDarius Owens- 6-2, 225 - Bessemer, Alabama - 4 Stars: Another physical specimen to add to the class of 2010. Owens, who played D-end in HS, will make the switch to Outside Linebacker at the next level. His speed and range should allow him to develop into capable defender. Extremely productive at Jess Lanier, Owen's biggest challenge appears to be mastering his new position. If he can develop instincts as an OLB, he certainly has all-conference potential.

Video Evidence I wasn't lying about Owens playing DE in HS: Ha! (also, sweet double kill at around 3:18)

Jawara White- 6-2, 220 - Troy, Alabama - 3 Stars: White was a tremendous two-way player in High School, and could be the best overall athlete of Auburn's incoming Linebackers. He also looks to be the best of the class in pass coverage, and pursuit skills. Because of this, it will be interesting to see if he sticks at Linebacker, or if the Roof decides to try him out at Strong Safety. However, White has a good chance to stick at OLB, considering how shorthanded the Tigers were at this position in 2009.

Defensive Back:

Demetruce McNeal- 6-0, 185 - College Park, Georgia - 3 Stars: Considering the relative ineptitude of Auburn's secondary last fall, you'd imagine defensive backs would be a recruiting priority. This is one of the few positions where the Auburn staff didn't exceed expectations. Not to knock on the secondary players we did bring in, but I don't feel as comfortable about the future secondary as I do about the future...everything else. Anyways, McNeal is a big safety known for his tackling ability and toughness. Unfortunately, he doesn't appear to be much of a coverage safety, and is not an elite athlete. However, scout's recognize his willingness to make big hits, and lay it all on the line. If Demetruce can improve in coverage, he will see the field.

Video Evidence he does indeed try: Nice Goal line stand at the 1:00 mark

Jonathon Mincy- 5-10, 175 - Decatur, Georgia - 3 Stars: Another unheralded DB out of Georgia, Mincy is a Cornerback known for his coverage ability. His biggest assets are reportedly his awareness and his hands. If Jonathon is able to stay with his man, he has the ability to make a play. On the other hand, his speed is all over the board (from 4.4 to 4.6) and there are concerns about his ability to deal with larger receivers.

Video Evidence Mincy can see through fog: (0:37 mark)

Athlete:

Chris Davis- 5-11, 175 - Birmingham, Alabama - 3 stars: A versatile athlete from B-ham, Chris has the ability to play QB, WR, and DB. Considering the team's positional needs, all signs point to Davis beginning his Auburn career as a DB. He has breakaway speed and knows his way around a football field. If he proves to have decent coverage skills, he has the chance to become a starting corner for Auburn in the future.

Shaun Kitchens- 6-3, 211 - College Park, Georgia - 3 Stars: Scout.com reports that Kitchens is a big, talented athlete who could wind up at outside linebacker, defensive end, or wide receiver for Auburn. I doubt he ends up at receiver, and I'd imagine his value would be the highest at OLB. If he wants to stick at that position, he will have to compete with the crowded incoming class of backers. Competition also looks to be fierce at defensive end, so it will be interesting to see where the staff initially chooses to deploy Shaun.

Video Evidence Kitchens can do lots of stuff: He runs, he throws, he tackles!

Ryan Smith- 6-2, 208 - Cordova, Alabama - 3 Stars: Scout.com has Smith listed as a safety, and he's a big one. It would seem to be in Auburn's best interest to play him at safety, where he has excelled in the past. Ryan is also the incoming freshman with the best ability to make a big hit out of the secondary. Hopefully he will have the instincts to be in position to make those big hits.

Photographical Evidence Smith plays football: He sure does

Ryan White- 6-0, 185 - Tallahassee, Florida - 3 Stars: A gifted athlete who starred at quarterback through his high school career. Because of the concerns in Auburn's secondary I've repeatedly mentioned above, White will most likely get a shot to play cornerback for the Tigers. White has all the physical tools to succeed, but will need to work on his tackling ability and coverage schemes.

Kicker:

Cody Parkey- 6-2, 195 - Jupiter, Florida - 3 Stars: With Byrum on the way out, Auburn needed a kicker. They went out and got one of the best in the nation. In some circles, he is considered the #1 kicking prospect in the nation, and should be the next great Auburn kicker. Auburn fans have been spoiled by solid, consistent kickers - for the most past (I'm looking at you, Vaughn) - for a very long time. Parkey should be the next on the assembly line.

Video Evidence the kid has a steel toe: I like touchbacks

Bonus! Photographical evidence Auburn recruited a 12 year old: Sweet

Steven Clark- 6-5, 230 - Kansas City, Missouri - 2 Stars: Although Rivals lists Steven as a kicker, he will come into Auburn to compete for the punting duties. Raise your hand if you care.

Photographical Evidence Steven is real: Once again, who really cares?

And that about wraps it up. If you're an AU fan, and your aren't psyched about this class, you are nuts. War Damn Eagle!