Here is a capsule look at Auburn's signing class for 2011
EARLY ENROLEES
CB Jonathan Rose, 6-2, 170, Leeds/Leeds
Rose is the son of former Auburn defensive back Charles Rose, who signed in 1992. The younger Rose played both wideout and cornerback at Leeds, which helps explain his ball skills. He has natural hands. He showed them during the Class 3A championship game in December by returning an interception 84 yards for a touchdown. That was a Super Six record. Rose also scored on a 38-yard catch. He's not the fastest recruit around. Rose makes up for that with good instincts and a physical approach to the game. He's expected to challenge for a back-up spot immediately. Rivals.com and Scout.com rate him a four-star recruit.
C Reese Dismukes, 6-4, 287, Spanish Fort/Spanish Fort
Dismukes grew up in an Auburn family -- his mother is a pharmacy graduate -- and didn't spend much time considering other options once the Tigers came calling. He had offers from Alabama, Florida State, Ole Miss and Stanford. Dismukes is expected to emerge immediately as the starter or back-up at center. His only real challenger there is walk-on Blake Burgess, but Dismukes could have the inside track with a strong showing in spring ball and summer workouts. He is a confident player and a good student. Coaches believe he can emerge quickly as a competent option. Rivals.com and Scout.com rate him a four-star recruit.
G Thomas O'Reilly, 6-3, 315, Marietta. Ga./Pope
O'Reilly is in a difficult spot. He signed with Auburn at a time when Reese Dismukes was the bigger name and O'Reilly is somehwat lost in the shadow. He's a good player. What jumps out most is O'Reilly's quickness relative to size. He should have no problem fulfilling his assignments as a pulling guard, which became trendy after Mike Berry and Byron Isom's outstanding season in 2010. Not every 300-pound guard can move laterally. Assistant coach Jeff Grimes isn't afraid to redshirt his newcomers and at least two players from the team's 2010 scout team (Ed Christian and Eric Mack) are projected to play guard. Rivals.com and Scout.com rate O'Reilly as a three-star recruit.
