We now know the class that the Tigers have acquired. It is hard to predict and most players will not have impact this year, at least that is what the coaches prefer. Terry Bowden insists this class is up to par with his other recruiting classes. It has been ranked 7th in the SEC and #20 in the nation by various groups. It seems to have met the Tigers needs. There was only one Offensive Lineman - few were needed with 16 on scholarship. They missed their top 2 QBs but got some good ones. They went for bigger running backs which is a smart move, even if it was to appease the frustrated alumni who complained last year. Overall I give the class a solid "B" grade. We may know by 1999 if this is correct.

**UPDATE 7/21/98**
Recent news is that seven and popssibly 8 of the Auburn recruits will not be eligible this year. Details on each player is indicated below. This is a serious problem for the Tigers and their player depth. There will not be as many quality players this year (think back to how many true freshmen have player the last few years) and in the next few years depth will be a problem in the upper classes as well. I am concerned that Auburn is not screening their recruits well enough to prevent such problems. They are taking chances on marginal scholars with the hopes they wil be a great athlete.

The list is as follows:

Quarterbacks

9-Jeff Klien 6-3, 185, Alpharetta, GA
Good QB from Atlanta area. Had a solid senior season. Is an early enrollee and will be in Spring practice. May be redshirted in 1998. Became #2 Qb in 1999
16-Gabe Gross, 6-3, 195, Dothan, AL (Northview)
Was a good passing and running Qb in HS. Played baseball and basketball and will play baseball at AU in addition to football. Came in for injured Ben Leard in Tenn game, started Miss State game and afterwards. UPDATE 9-21-99 Off TEam - will focus on Baseball.

Running Backs

21-Michael Burks, 5-11, 215, Kenner, LA
LEFT TEAM - TRANSFERRED TO TULANE. All-State selection with 2,078 yds.rushing averaging 8.6 per carry. Played in VA game; starter for Ole Miss game and afterwards. Announced intention to transfer 6/99

25-Damien Postell, 6-1, 205, Baldwin, FL
All-star player in Florida. Has over 1,500 yds. rushing, scored a record 146 pts. and recorded 94 tackles as a linebacker. Excellent special teams capabilities.
45-Curtis Lee, 6-1, 195, Jacksonville, FL
Good and fast back with 5,000 career yards. Led team to state championship as a senior.
Wide Receivers

84-Willie Northern, 6-2, 180, Quincy, FL
OFF SCHOLARSHIP Was Superprep #6 receiver in the nation. Was an all-american in HS. A very fast and dangerous receiver - another stolen from Spurrier territory. **UPDATE 4/30/99: Not getting scholarship in '99.
22-Ronney Daniels, 6-3, 215, Lake Wales, FL ACADEMIC INELIGIBLE - ACT (Will re-take ACT test)
Originally signed with FLA State last year and played in Expos ML baseball org. Was a top 10 player in FL in 1995. **UPDATE 1/99 - will sign with Auburn and participate in Spring drills.**
26-Mario Bynes, 5-11, 160, Ft. Lauderdale, FL ACADEMIC INELIGIBLE - GPA (JUCO probable)
Fastest receiver in state of Florida. Was an all-purpose back in HS and rated one of the top 8 in the southeast. Part of the Dillard H.S. pipeline.
81-Derek Caldwell, 6-4, 190, Brantley, AL

Tight Ends

83-Shawn Bushong, 6-4, 238, New Smyrna Beach, FL
OFF SCHOLARSHIPWas a QB in HS. Was a wing-T QB in HS and rated #1 QB at Spurrier's Camp. **UPDATE 4/30/99: Not getting scholarship in '99.
47-Michael Lindsay, 6-5, 270, Atlanta, GA
Played TE and Defensive lineman. Was rated #2 TE in Georgia. Also plays basketball, baseball and tennis.
49-Lorenzo Diamond,6-4, 210, Biloxi, MS
Rated top TE in MS by Prepstar. All-state TE as a senior. Rated #9 prospect in state. Played in MS-AL all-star game.
80-Jack Schweiger, 6-5, 245, Chicago, IL
Played at Snow Junior College in Utah and prior to that one year at Illinois State. Excellent receiver and blocker. Has started every game at TE.

Offensive Linemen

55-Ben Nowland, 6-2, 270, St. Augustine, FL
Three year starter at guard. Had a 4.0 GPA. Was 18-1 as a wrestler. Injuries in OL had Ben as a backup Center by Ole Miss game; came in for injured Karl Lavine in Tenn game and started Miss State game.

Defensive Linemen

94-Davern Williams, 6-4, 265, Montgomery, AL
TRANSFERED Helped Jeff Davis to State championship in 1996 over Tyler Watts' Pelham team. Rated top 12 prospect in Alabama. Announced intention to transfer to UAB 6/99
92-Robert Malone, 6-5, 255, Prichard, AL (Blount) ACADEMIC INELIGIBLE - ACT (Partial qualifier will enroll at AU)
Rated #2 prospect in Alabama; led Blount HS to 2 state championships Was a 4 year starter.
85-Brian Parchinski, 6-4, 235, Melbourne, FL
OFF SCHOLARSHIP Played TE and Defensive back in HS. Recorded 78 tackles as a senior. **UPDATE 4/30/99: Not getting scholarship in '99.
99-Derrick Magwood, 6-3, 230, Garden City, GA
Had 107 tackles as a senior - also played TE. Played in FL-GA allstar game. Caused 6 fumbles and recovered 4.

Linebackers

23-Don Page, 6-3, 230, Foley, AL ACADEMIC INELIGIBLE - GPA (Will return to HS to improve GPA
Changed from ALA to Auburn in December. Super-prep All-american as a senior. Missed 3 games as a senior with a shoulder injury and had 58 tackles. Also played in the backfield rushing for 475 yds. **UPDATE 1/99 - will sign with Auburn and participate in Spring drills.**
43-Asa Francis, 6-2, 225, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Was recrited in 1997 and kicked-off team 10/22/97.
52-Mark Brown, 6-2, 220, Germantown, TN
All-state selection as a junior. Misses senior year with an ankle injury.
60-Roderick Jones, 6-2, 220, Prichard, AL
Superprep All-american with 113 tackles as a senior. Also rated #19 overall prospect in state.
36-Kenny Kelly, 6-1, 214, Panama City, FL
All-American at ECMJC in Mississippi with 117 tackles last season. Played Special Teams in VA game and afterwards.
Xavier Lewis, 6-0, 220, Ft. Lauderdale, FL ACADEMIC INELIGIBLE - GPA (JUCO probable)
Multi-sport star in HS (part of the Dillard H.S. pipeline). Had 110 tackles as a senior. Is Frank Sanders' cousin.
Alton Moore, 6-7, 225, Bay Minette, Alabama ACADEMIC INELIGIBLE - GPA (JUCO probable)
Plays linebacker and defensive lineman; has played TE. Moore was named as a honorable mention 6-A All State Member by the Birmingham News.

Defensive Backs

46-Brandon Reed, 5-10, 174, Mobile, AL
Was an option QB at B.C. Rain H.S. who will be converted to CB. A good versitile athlete.
29-Tim Carter, 6-1, 182, St. Petersburg, FL
Three-year starter and option QB in HS. Has a 4.31 sec 40 yd. dash. Played Special Teams in VA game, being switched to WR for Miss State game.
Stanford Simmons, 6-3, 195, Ashland, AL ACADEMIC INELIGIBLE - ACT (Will enroll in Prep School in VA)
Parade All-american in 1996. Led Clay County to 3 State Championships. Did not qualify for last season - did not qualify in time for Spring practice. UPDATE 12/16/98 - Committed to Georgia. UPDATE 1/04/99 - Changed his mind and recommitted to Auburn.
37-Rashaud Walker, 6-0, 190, Decatur, GA
Three year starter at CB with 16 career interceptions. Was rated top 5 DB in GA and top 8 in southeast.

Kickers

20-Damon Duval, 6-1, 175, Chattanooga, TN
Two-time all-state punter/kicker in TN. Averaged 44.7 yds/punt, Kicked 90% of kickoffs in end zone. Had 5 FGs 55 or more yards. 1999 - became #1 PK