Auburn Signees Making an Impact

  Despite the recent run of both rivals and scout magazine Top 20 signing classes, AU hasn’t been effective in translating that onto the field with incoming impact players. A couple of notable exceptions can be found along the offensive line in juniors Lee Ziemba and Ryan Pugh. Both have played since early in their true freshman years, and Ziemba has never missed a start. Several others have seen some playing time as true freshmen but nothing on the scale of these two. This year AU will likely have to rely on several signees, both freshman and JUCO transfers to fill a depleted depth chart. Several of these players have a legitimate chance at becoming real impact players this year. Let’s take a closer look at some of these new faces. 5. Darren Bates- A two-star commit from Olive Branch, Miss., Bates got a late start due to the NCAA clearinghouse. He arrived three days into fall practice. After a horrible first day, Darren quickly be...