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BACK-IN-TIME:
Sen'Derrick Marks Celebrates Sack in
Auburn's 2007 Win Over Alabama.

Auburn rising sophomore offensive tackle Lee Ziemba played in all 13 games for the Tigers last season as a true freshman and started 12 of them at right tackle. Usually, that would be surprising.

But with Ziemba? Not so much.

This season, the 6-foot-8, 288-pound Ziemba will move from right tackle to the all-important left tackle spot.

When Ziemba decided on the Tigers over the Arkansas Razorbacks and the rest of his would-be suitors during the 2007 recruiting season, a ripple of anticipation went through the Auburn football community.

Despite the fact that offensive linemen generally don't get fans going like skill-position players, you kind of knew that there might be something different about Ziemba.

Beyond his size, there was also his athleticism (he ran the 40 in 5.17 seconds). And, of course, all of this compelled one national recruiting service to rate Ziemba, a high school All-America, to be the 61st-best overall prospect in the nation.

Moreover, the four-star Rogers High School athlete was also thought to be the fourth-best offensive tackle in the nation and the top player from his home state of Arkansas when he signed with Auburn.

Here's the point: Ziemba was able to pull off something that many cannot. He started as a freshman for an upper-echelon SEC team. In fact, he played well enough to be named a Freshman All-American by nearly every source out there. And that has to mean good things for Auburn's future.

Consider this: With new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin implementing the spread offense, that has people excited.

Also, the Tigers will see a new quarterback this fall, whether it's Kodi Burns or Chris Todd, who exited spring as co-No. 1. In reserve are sophomore Neil Caudle and true freshman DeRon Furr.

However, Auburn's offensive line will still be the deciding factor. The unit will have to fare better than it did the past two seasons for the team to have a realistic shot at an SEC championship.

Those running backs won't find yards without it; the quarterbacks won't find time without it.

And Ziemba, along with a few other youngsters who grew up in 2007, brings a legitimate reason for dreaming big on offense next season.

After all, if Ziemba can play as well as he did as a freshman with no college experience, imagine what might happen with a year in the SEC under his belt.

This fall, the Tigers will be well-represented at left tackle. -- RealFootball360