Who will be the impact players in Auburn's 2010 signing class?

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on February 08, 2010 at 8:50 AM, updated February 08, 2010 at 8:52 AM
cameronnewton.jpgCameron Newton
If I get these right, I will revisit this prediction again and again. If I get it wrong, you'll never hear about it again. The good news is, you get to do the same.

So let's hear what you think: Who will be the biggest impact signee in 2011, who will have the biggest impact over the course of his four- or five-year career, and who is the so-called sleeper of the class?

My responses:

1. To answer the first question, let's look at positions of need. Auburn is losing its starting offensive tackle in Andrew McCain. While there are some candidates already on last year's roster, nobody jumps out at as an obvious choice. 

Auburn recruited a big ol' juco tackle from California via Minnesota in Roszell Gayden. He's got a chance to win the starting job and have an immediate impact.

Other candidates? Here are a couple obvious ones: quarterback Cameron Newton and running back Michael Dyer. If Newton wins the starting job, and I assume he will, no single player will have a greater impact on the team (for better or worse). Dyer should play and get a lot of carries immediately.

2. What about long-term impact? Dyer definitely is a good choice if he stays healthy throughout his career. But for the sake of being different, let's select defensive linemen Corey Lemonier and Jeffrey Whitaker. If they pan out like coaches hope, they could make up a very imposing line in 2012 and beyond.

3. Sleepers? A handful of good candidates here, but I'm going to go with linebacker LaDarius Owens and athlete Ladarious Phillips.

Owens really shouldn't be considered a sleeper, but he committed a while ago and many people have forgotten about him. Like all the freshmen linebackers, he'll have a chance to break into the two-deep from Day 1.

I have no idea what position Phillips is going to play in college, but everyone who has seen him raves about him. He is a bonafide sleeper, as he came from a rural/small-town high school and was bound for Georgia Southern until picking up a late offer from Auburn. 

OK, so what do you think? Let me know in the comments below...