Auburn University stars
by Jeff Dantzler
Number 55 Corey Lemonier, DE
6-4, 246 Jr.
Hialeah, Fla. (Hialeah H.S.)
One of the top pass-rushers in the Southeastern
Conference, Lemonier is a standout for the
Auburn defense. For the Tigers to pull the
upset, he’ll have to get a big push, play strong
against the run and pressure Georgia quarterback
Aaron Murray. A 2011 first team All-SEC
selection, Lemonier had a standout season. He
ranked amongst the league leaders in sacks
with nine and a half, and tackles for loss, tallying
13 and a half. In Georgia’s win over the
Tigers between the hedges last season,
Lemonier chalked up two sacks and six tackles.
Against Florida last year, Lemonier had a
memorable performance with two sacks, three
tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and
six stops, earning SEC Defensive Player-of-the-
Week honors. Two years ago, he was a key
back-up on the defensive front, as the Tigers
won it all, and earned Freshman All-SEC honors.
Number 43 Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE
6-5, 255 Sr.
Marietta, Ga. (Lassiter H.S.)
We rarely include injured players in this segment of
the B.I. But this kid has been such a positive for
college football, he has to be mentioned. One of
Auburn’s most beloved players of the 2000’s, this
nails tough tight end was a major part of the Tigers
2010 dream season – highlighted by his go-ahead
touchdown catch in the incredible 28-27 comeback
victory at Alabama – and one of the best players in
the rugged Southeastern Conference. Pro scouts
love Lutzenkirchen. He has talent, size and great
versatility. He has played fullback, H-back and tight
end, excelling everywhere. He has a big time physical
blocker on the edge and is an excellent receiving
target. Though Auburn is just two years
removed from that national and Southeastern Conference
crown campaign, Lutzenkirchen and Onterio
McCalebb are the only two major contributors
still in the program. For a team that has had a tough
season, this was another big blow, losing this standout
favorite for the rest of the campaign.
Number 23 Onterio McCalebb, TB/KR
5-11, 173 Sr.
Fort Meade, Fla. (Fort Meade H.S.)
The strength of the Tigers is their standout tailback
duo of McCalebb and Tre Mason. These are two of the
elite backs in the Southeastern Conference and pose
huge problems for defenses. McCalebb is the classic
scat-back. He has blazing speed and tremendous maneuverability.
He has been a mainstay for the Tigers
since emerging as one of the league’s top freshman in
2009. McCalebb is doubly dangerous, not just as a
runner and receiver out of the backfield, he is a dynamite
kickoff returner. His highlight play of the year was
a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Mississippi
State. McCalebb was a prime weapon for Auburn’s
2010 national championship squad and was the Most
Valuable Player of last season’s Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
win over Virginia. Mason, too, (a 5-10, 200 pound
sophomore from Lake Worth, Fla.) is a stellar back with
tremendous power and good speed. This has been
an obviously disappointing campaign for the Tigers,
but these two give the Tigers a puncher’s chance any
time out.
Tagged: jeff dantzler, georgia sports news, sec football, georgia football, uga football, auburn, corey lemonier, philip lutzenkirchen, onterio mccalebb
