Antonio Coleman surprised a lot of people when he decided to come back to Auburn for his senior season.
He may have surprised even more when he had a comeback season within the same season, which was more than enough to land him on the Associated Press’ first-team All-SEC.
Tailback Ben Tate, center Ryan Pugh and cornerback Walt McFadden were named to the second-team, while Lee Ziemba made the honorable mention list.
Coleman had a tough start to his senior season, but rebounded with a vengeance when he ditched the cast on his ailing wrist. He went two games in
October without a single tackle, but still managed to lead the league in both sacks (9.0) and tackles for loss (15.5).
He also intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against Mississippi State, blocked a kick, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble this year. Coleman goes in the books with the third-most sacks in Auburn history (23.5).
Tate picked a bad time to have his biggest year with the Tigers, as Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon and Alabama’s Heisman-frontrunner Mark Ingram took the two tailback spots on the first team.
Tate ranked fourth in the SEC and 23rd nationally in rushing, averaging 104.5 yards per game. He had six 100-yard rushing games this season, and his 1,254 yards on the ground ranked eighth on the school’s single-season rushing list.
McFadden led Auburn with four interceptions, one of which he took back for a highlight-reel touchdown against Ole Miss. His 12 passes defended this year was good for sixth-best in the SEC.
Pugh started all 12 games this season at center, one year after playing most of his snaps at tackle.
Ziemba hasn’t missed a game in his Auburn career and has been speculated as a first-day pick in the NFL Draft if he opts to skip his senior season.
Tigers lose 4-star commit
Wide receiver Antonio Goodwin, who committed to Auburn in July, has reopened his recruitment, according to Inside the Auburn Tigers.
Goodwin told the Web site he regretted committing so early and that Auburn is by no means out of the race.
Goodwin, a four-star prospect from Atlanta, has offers from most major schools in the Southeast, but has shown significant interest in Auburn, Georgia, West Virginia and North Carolina.
agribble@oanow.com | 737-2561
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