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Auburn’s 2015 recruiting class ranked eighth in the nation and fifth in the SEC.
How much did this year’s true freshmen and first-year, junior-college transfers contribute to a 7-6 season capped by a victory over Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl?
| Player | Position | Starts | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Byron Cowart | DE | 0 | 13 |
| Jovon Robinson | RB | 1 | 8 |
| Kerryon Johnson | RB | 1 | 13 |
| Maurice Swain (JUCO) | DL | 1 | 13 |
| Jeffrey Holland | LB | 0 | 13 |
| Jalen Harris | TE | 0 | 12 |
| Jeremiah Dinson | DB | 1 | 9 |
| Darrell Williams | LB | 0 | 9 |
| Ryan Davis | RB | 0 | 8 |
| Jason Smith (JUCO) | WR | 1 | 13 |
| Montavious Atkinson | DB | 0 | 10 |
| Tim Irvin | DB | 1 | 10 |
| Carlton Davis | CB | 9 | 13 |
| Chandler Cox | FB | 10 | 13 |
Gus Malzahn redshirted 14 of of the 28 players in the 2015 recruiting class, making it hard to evaluate the class. The 14 that played totaled 157 games, starting 25.
The biggest contributor was RB Jovon Robinson, who rushed for 639 yards and three touchdowns on 117 carries.
Freshman FB Chandler Cox started 10 games. Freshman Carlton Davis started nine at cornerback. Six different first-year players, including junior-college transfers Maurice Swain and Jason Smith had one start each.
OFFENSIVE IMPACT
Running backs Robinson and Kerryon Johnson each made one start. Johnson rushed for 208 yards and three TDs on 52 carries.
Chandler Cox made 10 starts at fullback, serving mostly as a blocker. He did make three catches for 25 yards. He did not have any rushing attempts. The Tigers did not play any freshmen offensive linemen.
DEFENSIVE IMPACT
Carlton Davis was the defensive star of the recruiting class becoming the Tigers’ new shutdown corner. The 6-1, 190-pound Davis led the team with three interceptions and eight pass breakups and made 45 tackles, 32 unassisted.
REDSHIRTS AND DEFECTIONS
Defensive back Jordan Colbert left the Tigers program after a redshirt freshman season to transfer Holmes Community College in Mississippi. He would be eligible to play for an FBS program in 2017.
