True or False?

Daren Bates has moved from safety to linebacker.

• This is TRUE. Bates has moved to outside linebacker since injured players will be returning from last year.

Tyrik Rollison has told the staff he wants to transfer.

• This is also TRUE. Rollison's father told Jeffrey Lee of AuburnSports.com that Rollison plans to leave Auburn for Sam Houston State.

Tyrik Rollison has left Auburn.

• This is FALSE. Rollison has not left and there appears to be a chance that he could still stay on the Plains. Some close to the situation say Rollison may be having second thoughts about the move.

Gus Malzahn is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC.

• This now is TRUE ever since Malzahn's pay raise earlier this month.

I usually only do football but: John Brady will replace Jeff Lebo next season:

• Assuming Lebo will get the ax at the end of the season, sources have told me Brady is THE MAN our administration has their eye on. The former LSU coach lead the Bayou Bengals to the Final Four in the 2005-2006 season.

Chizik Speaks

Here are some highlights of Gene Chizik's meeting with the media today:

• "There will be a battle at the quarterback position, and [Cam Newton will] be a part of that battle. May the best man win."
• "Zac [Etheridge] is a day to day progression whether he can play again. But I feel very encouraged about the progress he has made."
• "[Kodi Burns is] a wide receiver. He'll still play wildcat, but his predominant position is wide receiver"
• Spring practice will be in the mornings this season. It will begin March 24. Practices will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with possible scrimmages on Saturdays.
• Daren Bates will not participate in spring contact after having shoulder surgery.
• Mario Fannin, Eric Smith and Onterio McCalebb will fight it out for the tailback position in the spring. Dontae Aycock will be used in multiple roles.

Bates Honored

Daren Bates made the Freshman All-SEC team. He had 63 tackles (40 solo), 1 fumble recovery and an interception.

News Updates

• Eric Smith will play on Saturday. Eltoro Freeman might. Chizik said he really hoped Freeman will play.
• Curtis Luper says he hopes to redshirt Dontae Aycock.
• Tommy Thigpen complimented his safeties but says they need to do better tackling and says Bates should have had another pick and Etheridge missed an opportunity for one.
• Jay Boulware has come down hard on Mario Fannin and I would not expect to see him returning kicks this weekend.
• Curtis Luper says he wants to lower Onterio McCalebb's touches to about 15.
• Anthony Gulley, Emory Blake, Demond Washington, Quindarious Carr, Zac Etheridge and Walt McFadden are all being considered at punt returner.
• The offensive line appeared to be in shape on Saturday but Jeff Grimes says the linemen need to work on their conditioning.

Quick Notes

• Tonight's practice was full pads.
• Gene Chizik says a depth chart will be released sometime this week.
• ESPNU's announcers Saturday will be Eric Collins (play by play), Brock Huard (analyst) and Beth Mowins (sideline reporter).
• Kodi Burns says he will likely be the Wildcat quarterback this season.
• Mario Fannin says he is the top punt returner right now. McCalebb, Zachary and H. Adams are also sharing reps.
• Daren Bates may start Saturday.

Notes

• Eltoro Freeman was back in full pads and no longer has a cast on his wrist but it was taped.
• Adam Herring was back today after not practicing since spring.
• Tyrik Rollison was not at practice today,
• In 11 on 11's, Harry Adams had an interception off of Neil Caudle (the ball went through the receiver's hands).
• Jonathan Evans (I have heard conflicting reports regarding him), T'Sharvan Bell and Byron Isom were all back in full pads today.
• Spencer Pybus was not wearing full pads.
• Daren Bates, Wade Christopher and John Sullen all worked with the first team.
• Coleman, Ricks, Blanc and Fairley were the front four on defense.

More Notes

I never really finished up notes last night.

• Daren Bates is staying at safety and was just working with linebackers for a bit.
• LB injuries forced Auburn to use walk-on Ashton Richardson at first team lwill inebacker yesterday.
• Mike McNeil is on track and rehabbing well. He is expected to return early in the season.
• John Sullen showed up to Auburn way overweight but Yoz has whooped him and he has lost 25 pounds since arriving.
• Curtis Luper says Dontae Aycock may redshirt.
• Mike Berry has worked some at left tackle but is still expected to start at guard.

Early Practice Notes

• Practice was shoulder pads, helmets, shorts...
• A lot has been asked about Jay Wisner and Philip Pierre-Louis both wearing number 82. Today, Pierre-Louis was wearing 6.
• Freshman John Sullen was working with first team at right guard. Byron Isom was not wearing pads.
• Daren Bates was working with linebackers.
• Terrell Zachary has some sort of injury but no need for concern right now.
• Eltoro Freeman is now wearing a plaster cast on his right wrist.
• Clint Moseley was wearing number 11 tonight.
• Not sure if Spencer Pybus was out there...
• Ben Tate was not in pads today.
• Kodi Burns was taking a few snaps with quarterbacks tonight.

Practice Notes

• Practice was in full pads.
• Dee Ford is back at defensive line.
• Philip Pierre-Louis cannot participate in full contact until later this week due to NCAA rules.
• Chizik said the Tigers could have a third scrimmage this Saturday.
• Daren Bates did indeed work with the first team opposite of Zac Etheridge.
• Aubrey Phillips is rehabbing but Chizik is confident Phillips will play.
• Tyrik Rollison will continue to get a ton of reps with the second team.
• Eltoro Freeman missed practice due to a hamstring injury.
• Spencer Pybus is out with a concussion.

Two Quick Notes

• Philip Pierre-Louis is now back with the team and will return to practice tonight.
• It appears as if freshman Daren Bates will be working with the first team at safety.

A Few More Scrimmage Notes

• Mario Fannin returned a punt for a 70 yard touchdown.
• Anthony Gulley returned one punt for about 20 yards.
• Tyrik Rollison's touchdown to Stallworth was approximately 65 yards with the ball traveling about 62 yards in the air.
• Daren Bates received a ton of praise and has been getting a lot of help from Mike McNeil.
• Dontae Aycock was impressive.

Todd Works With First Group

Chris Todd has moved from the second group into the first group during practice. Practice has been split up with the first group being the more likely to play but nothing is close to set in stone yet. The other quarterback in the first group is Kodi Burns.

• Ralph Spry, Jr., Woody Parramore and Daren Bates have been added to the roster.
• Nosa Eguae continues to work with and impress in the first group.

Like I said, full wrap up late tonight.

Confirmed: Bates Is In

Daren Bates has been cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. He is the 21st of 28 signees to enroll. The only one awaiting official clearance is Taikwon Paige who does not appear likely to clear.

Bates Cleared

According to his Facebook, Daren Bates has been approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Washington Cleared

Demond Washington has been cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse, as expected. Washington will report today. Also, Daren Bates appears to be on track to be cleared.

2009 Signee Update

• Izauea Lanier has not qualified and will enroll in at East (Mississippi) Community College.
• Demond Washington has passed his classes and is only waiting on his transcript in order to get to Auburn.
• Taikwon Paige failed one of his classes but is appealing the grade. If his appeal is unsuccessful, he will not be coming to Auburn this year.
• Terrance Coleman is being delayed due to the fact he attended two other high schools in the last four years. He says he expects to be in Auburn in the next week.
• Daren Bates is awaiting his final grade. He thinks he "killed the exam".

A Defensive Move

Freshman cornerback T'Sharvan Bell will move from cornerback to strong safety. He is very happy about the move. It will bring a bit more depth to a thin safety position. So far this spring and summer, Christian Thompson has been dismissed, Aairon Savage suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the season, Mike McNeil broke his leg and Zac Etheridge did not participate in spring due to a shoulder injury. Coach Tommy Thigpen says he felt Bell was the perfect candidate for the move. Etheridge is back healthy and hopefully Izauea Lanier and Daren Bates can qualify.

Know A Signee: Daren Bates

• Two star safety according to Rivals. Considered the "sleeper" of the class. Rated a 77/100 by ESPN.
• Olive Branch, Mississippi (Olive Branch High School)
• Born November 27, 1990
• Committed on January 29, 2009
• 5'11", 195 lbs, 4.5 sec 40 yard dash, 2.7 GPA
• Teammates with 2010 offensive line target Damien Robinson
• 2008 stats: 90 tackles and four interceptions in his senior season. Also had almost 900 offensive yards.
• Named to the MHSAA All Region 1 Class 5A team. Selected to the Commercial Appeal Shelby Metro All-Suburban team. Named BankPlus Player of the Week after a win in which he had 107 total yards, three touchdowns, ten tackles and an interception.
• Had offers from Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas State, Tennessee, Louisiana Tech and Central Arkansas.
• Took official visits to Auburn and Arkansas State.
• He was previously committed to Arkansas State. When Auburn offered, he changed his commitment within two days. Right before he committed, Alabama tried to get him to visit and he told them was was "all Auburn" now.
• Says he never spoke to the previous staff. Trooper Taylor began recruiting him at Oklahoma State and played a major role in pulling him to Auburn.
• Says if he did not go to Auburn he probably would have chosen Tennessee.
• Bates may need to take another class this summer before he can gain admittance. He will likely be ready to play in the fall.

Lattimore Expected At A-Day

Running Back U has made great strides so far in the 2010 recruiting season for the top running backs. The number one running back, Lache Seastrunk, visited Auburn and said it was the best visit he's had and I believe Auburn is in his top 2. The third best running back in the nation, Michael Dyer, has visited Auburn and lists them in his top 3. It's not surprising, then, that the number two running back in the nation, five star Marcus Lattimore, will take in A-Day. The ESPNU 150 back out of South Carolina has not really mentioned much about Auburn but will be one of many recruits in attendance. Lattimore has previously mentioned Auburn in his top 10.

There are expected to be around 60 recruits in Auburn on Saturday. Auburn has to compete with other spring games this weekend such as Alabama, West Virginia and Tennessee. Damien Robinson was originally supposed to visit this weekend has since backed out. Brian Vogler attended practice today.

2008 signees Robert Cooper, Anthony Gulley, Daren Bates, Andre Harris, John Sullen, Philip Lutzenkirchen, Taikwon Paige and Travante Stallworth will also be in attendance.