Post-NSD Grades for Auburn's '12 class

I feel that Auburn did a fantastic job of meeting needs. When you look at our avg star ranking we had a pretty good year reeling in talented guys that could help fill our depth chart with more talent, since we return about 37 guys on our 2-deep.

The OL was probably our biggest need coming in, and we've filled that and then some with as of now about the 5th ranked OL class, or so. Adding Jordan Diamond, hopefully, later tonight would certainly put us right there behind Stanford as the #2 OL class, or close to it.

Next was adding some playmakers at WR, and keeping JaQuay Williams and Ricardo Louis is more than enough for me. I have felt that Louis is vastly underrated as a playmaker, he's just raw. Really like how we met this need. Adding Diggs would be some REALLY good icing on the cake, but not counting on it.

Next was TE. After Lutz is gone we only have Brandon Fulse at TE, so getting some immediate help there was crucial just in case one of those guys goes down. Ricky Parks is a physical specimen and should be able to contribute right away. Darrion Hutcherson is a 6'7, 250 lb athlete that could stay at TE or move to the DL/OL, but either way he needs to develop a little more of a meanstreak. However the biggest pickup we got for our TEs was getting fullback Jay Prosch as a Transfer from Illinois. This will allow the TE to play TE exclusively. Lutz has been underutilized because he was probably our best blocker last year but is such a great receiving TE too. Prosch will help big time.

Lastly, our last need would be considered getting a few quality LBs. I feel that getting a MLB was more important than OLB, and Cassanova McKinzy is, physically, ready to help out right away if need be. He is another kid that needs to learn to play with more effort consistently and get a little meaner on the field but he certainly has the size and talent to help. Mitchell is a project, plain and simple, but has tons of athleticism at 6'2, 200 lbs and runs in the 4.4s. I think he could move to safety if VanGorder chooses to go back to having bigger LBs.

Grades:

QB- B (Pike has huge boom or bust potential, but with Loeffler's QB coaching ability I think Pike should be thrilled)
RB- B+
TE- A+ (I think Parks and the TE from USC are the 2 best in the class)
WR- A
OL- A+

DL- C (wasn't a need, but missing on Goldman, Ward, Jenkins and Williams hurt....still like Nero and President's upside though)
LB- B
CB- B+
S- n/a

Overall I'd say Auburn had a B+ class. The meat of the class is on par with what we've had the past two classes, we just didn't have the two or three 5* guys that we've gotten recently to really anchor the top.