Auburn All-Decade Team Announced

Published April 13, 2010 at 3:53 p.m.

AUBURN—The Auburn football All-Decade Team for the 2000s, featuring
six former All-Americans and 16 first-team All-Southeastern Conference
players, has been announced after nearly 10,000 Auburn fans voted on
AuburnTigers.com during the month of April.  The 25-player roster
includes 11 offensive players, 11 defensive players and three special
teams players, 17 of whom were on Auburn’s 13-0 perfect season in
2004.

The offense includes running back Ronnie Brown, quarterback Jason
Campbell, guard Monreko Crittenden, guard Ben Grubbs, center Danny
Lindsey, tackle Marcus McNeill, wide receiver Ben Obomanu, tackle
Kendall Simmons, wide receiver Courtney Taylor, tight end Cooper Wallace
and running back Carnell Willliams

The defense consists of end Antonio Coleman, linebacker Karlos Dansby,
end Quentin Groves, safety Will Herring, tackle Sen’Derrick Marks,
tackle DeMarco McNeil, cornerback Jerraud Powers, cornerback Carlos
Rogers, safety Junior Rosegreen, linebacker Dontarrious Thomas and
linebacker Travis Williams.

The special teams unit includes punter Kody Bliss, return specialist
Tristan Davis and placekicker John Vaughn.

Members of the All-Decade Team will be recognized at A-Day on April
17.

AUBURN ALL-DECADE TEAM (2000s)

Offense
QB—Jason Campbell
RB—Ronnie Brown
RB—Carnell Willliams
WR—Ben Obomanu
WR—Courtney Taylor
OT—Marcus McNeill
OG—Ben Grubbs
C—Danny Lindsey
OG—Monreko Crittenden
OT—Kendall Simmons
TE—Cooper Wallace

Defense
DE—Quentin Groves
DT—DeMarco McNeil
DT—Sen’Derrick Marks
DE—Antonio Coleman
LB—Karlos Dansby
LB—Dontarrious Thomas
LB—Travis Williams
CB—Carlos Rogers
CB—Jerraud Powers
S—Junior Rosegreen
S—Will Herring

Special Teams
PK—John Vaughn
P—Kody Bliss
RS—Tristan Davis



ALL-DECADE BIOS

Kody Bliss, P #30
2003-06
5-10, 173, 4L
Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)

An academic All-American for the 2006 season, Bliss was a four-year
letterman from 2003-06 as a punter. As a senior in 2006, Bliss earned
Coaches All-SEC second-team and AP All-SEC second-team honors. He was
named to the Coaches’ All-SEC first-team and the Associated Press
All-SEC first-team following the 2005 season, during which he led the
SEC in punting with a 44.9-yard per kick average. He registered a
69-yard punt at South Carolina in 2006, which stands as the ninth
longest punt in Auburn history. Bliss is second in Auburn career history
in punting average with a 43.87-yard mark, third in punting yards with
8,861 total yards and ties for third in number of punts with 202.


Ronnie Brown, RB #23
2001-04
6-1, 232, 4L
Cartersville, Ga. (Cartersville)

Brown finished his career seventh all-time at Auburn in rushing yardage
and currently ranks eighth with 2,707 yards. A two-time All-SEC
selection, He also ranks eighth all-time in all-purpose yards as his
2,707 on the ground combine with 688 receiving yards and 15 from kick
returns for 3,390 all-purpose yards. Brown’s 29 rushing touchdowns
rank him fifth all-time. He had a breakout year in 2002, rushing for
1,008 yards, scoring 13 touchdowns. He also tallied 166 receiving yards
and hauled in a touchdown pass. Brown teamed with Carnell Williams to
form one of the most explosive backfields ever for Auburn, leading the
Tigers to an undefeated season in 2004. Brown was selected by the Miami
Dolphins with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and was named
to the Pro Bowl in 2008.


Jason Campbell, QB #17
2001-04
6-5, 228, 4L
Taylorsville, Miss. (Taylorsville)

Campbell quarterbacked Auburn from 2001-04, starting 40 games,
including every game in 2003 and 2004. He led Auburn to an undefeated
season in 2004, setting an Auburn single-season record for passing
efficiency while earning first-team All-SEC honors as well as the
Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Amateur Athlete of the Year
award. He was named MVP of the 2004 SEC Championship game and the 2005
Sugar Bowl, which was his fourth consecutive bowl victory, and finished
seventh in the Heisman voting. Campbell tied the then-school record with
20 touchdown passes that year while throwing for 2,700 yards, which is
the second-highest total in school history. He ranks second in Auburn
history for career passing yards (7,299), completions (552) and
touchdowns (45) and helped lead Auburn to three SEC Western Division
titles and one SEC Championship. He was selected with the 25th pick in
the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.


Antonio Coleman, DE #52
2006-09
6-3, 261, 4L
Mobile, Ala. (Williamson)

Coleman played defensive end at Auburn from 2006-09, earned All-SEC
first-team honors in his junior and senior seasons. He finished his
Auburn career ranked third all-time in quarterback sacks with 24.5,
including 9.0 during his senior year – a mark that ranks tied for
eighth all-time at Auburn. Coleman finished his career with 151 tackles
(95 solo, 56 assist), 46.5 of which were for loss for 205 yards. He
forced two fumbles and recorded his first career interception during his
senior season against Mississippi State, returning it for a touchdown.


Monreko Crittenden, OG #65
2000-03
6-5, 350, 4L
Montgomery, Ala. (St. Jude)

Crittenden played in 44 games from 2000-03, starting 36 contests. He
earned first-team All-SEC honors as a senior in 2003, when he started
every game at right guard. Crittenden helped Carnell Williams rush for
1,307 yards that season as the Tigers averaged 184.0 yards per game that
season on the ground. He was part of teams that won three consecutive
SEC Western Division titles from 2000-02 and went to four straight bowl
games during his four years. He played in the NFL for the Baltimore
Ravens in 2004.


Karlos Dansby, LB #11
2001-03
6-5, 235, 3L
Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn)

Dansby played linebacker at Auburn from 2001-03, earning All-America
honors in 2003 after posting a team-best 84 tackles, 14 of which were
for loss, with four forced fumbles and six pass breakups. He was also a
semifinalist for the Butkus award that season and was the Atlanta
Touchdown Club SEC Defensive Back of the Year. A two-time All-SEC
first-team selection, he finished his Auburn career with 218 tackles
(128 solo, 90 assist), 30.5 of which came at a loss of 123 yards. He
deflected 23 passes, intercepting eight. He also forced seven fumbles
and totaled 10 quarterback sacks on his career. Dansby was selected with
the 33rd overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals,
and helped lead them to an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII.


Tristan Davis, RS #9
2005-08
5-10, 211, 4L
East Point, Ga. (Tri-Cities)

Davis was a four-year letterman from 2005-08 and is third all-time at
Auburn in kickoff returns (55) and kickoff return yardage (1,455).  His
career kickoff return average of 26.45 yards ranks first all-time in
school history. He ranks first in Auburn single-season history in
kickoff return yardage with 713 yards (2006) and ranks fourth in
single-season history in kickoff return average with 27.0 yards (2006).
Davis was named to Phil Steele’s All-SEC first-team offense as kickoff
returner in 2008 after averaging 27.4 yards per return. He returned two
kickoffs for touchdowns in his AU career.


Quentin Groves, DE #54
2004-07
6-3, 254, 4L
Greenville, Miss. (Weston)

Groves played defensive end at Auburn from 2004-07, earning All-SEC
first-team honors in three of his four seasons. He is tied for the
all-time Auburn record in career quarterback sacks with 26, including a
standout season in 2006 when he tallied 9.5 – a mark that ranks in a
tie for sixth all-time at Auburn. He also tied the Auburn single-game
record with four sacks against Kentucky in 2004. Groves finished his
Auburn career with 120 tackles (75 solo, 45 assist), 36 of which were
for loss for 194 yards. He also finished with eight forced fumbles.
Groves was selected with the No. 52 overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft
by the Jacksonville Jaguars.


Ben Grubbs, OG #69
2003-06
6-3, 318, 4L
Eclectic, Ala. (Elmore County)

A model of consistency on the Auburn offensive line, Grubbs started 38
consecutive games at guard over his final three seasons during a career
which spanned from 2003-06. He helped pave the way for 26 100-yard
rushing performances during that 38-game stretch. He was named a
first-team All-American in 2006 and was twice named SEC Lineman of the
Week. During his three years as a starter Auburn posted a record of
33-5. He was selected with the 29th overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft
by the Baltimore Ravens.


Will Herring, S #35
2003-06
6-3, 221, 4L
Opelika, Ala. (Opelika)

Herring was a four-year letterman from 2003-06 at linebacker and holds
the Auburn record for consecutive games started with 49. Following the
2005 season, Herring was named to the Coaches’ All-SEC second-team and
the Associated Press All-SEC second-team. Herring led the team in
tackles in the 2005 and 2006 seasons with 69 and 72 tackles,
respectively. He was named the Defensive MVP of the 2006 Cotton Bowl,
recording seven solo tackles in Auburn’s win over Nebraska. Herring
finished his career with 250 total tackles, 147 unassisted, eight
interceptions and six forced fumbles. Herring was drafted in the fifth
round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2007.


Danny Lindsey, C #68
2001-04
6-3, 306, 4L
Douglas, Ga. (Coffee)

Lindsey played in 44 games from 2001-04, starting 40 of them. He
started 11 games at left guard and three at center during the 2001-02
seasons, before starting every game at center in 2003. He moved to right
guard to start all 13 games during Auburn’s undefeated 2004 season.
Auburn won three SEC Western Division titles and one SEC Championship
during his four year career.


Sen'Derrick Marks, DT #94
2006-08
6-1, 294, 3L
Mobile, Ala. (Vigor)

Marks played defensive tackle at Auburn from 2006-08, finishing with
114 tackles, 30.0 of which came for a loss of 101 yards. Marks tallied
7.5 quarterback sacks on his career while forcing two fumbles and
recovering four. He also tallied an interception and three blocked kicks
during his career. He was named a second-team All-SEC pick as a junior
and was a Sporting News Freshman All-American in 2006 after registering
a career best 11.0 tackles for loss. He was selected in the second round
of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.


DeMarco McNeil, DT #92
2000-03
6-2, 300, 4L
Prichard, Ala. (Blount)

McNeil played defensive tackle for Auburn from 2000-03, earning All-SEC
first-team honors as a senior. On his career, McNeil tallied 150 total
tackles (106 solo, 88 assist), 34 of which came at a loss for 150 yards.
He deflected 16 passes and forced five fumbles while recording 13
quarterback sacks. As a senior in 2003, McNeil had 55 stops, including
13.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 quarterback sacks. McNeil also accumulated
three interceptions on his career.


Marcus McNeill, OT #73
2002-05
6-9, 337, 4L
Decatur, Ga. (Cedar Grove)

McNeill was a four-year starter at offensive tackle for Auburn,
starting 41 games from 2002-05. He was a two-time All-American for the
Tigers, including consensus honors as a senior in 2005. McNeill was a
coaches and Associated Press All-SEC first team member as a junior and
senior, and received the Jacobs Trophy as the SEC’s top blocker
following his senior campaign. He was also one of three finalists for
the Outland Trophy in his senior year. He was selected in the second
round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, and became just
the second offensive lineman in NFL history to play in the Pro Bowl in
his first two seasons


Ben Obomanu, WR #2
2002-05
6-1, 198, 4L
Selma, Ala. (Selma)

Obomanu led all Auburn receivers in touchdowns during the decade, and
in fact, his 18 career touchdown receptions from 2002-05 rank second in
school history. Obomanu, who also scored two career rushing touchdowns,
ranks ninth in Auburn history with 97 career receptions, and his 1,313
career receiving yards are 14th best. Seven of his touchdown catches
came during the 2004 season, which is tied for sixth most in a season in
school history. He was a model of consistency, catching between 17 and
33 passes during each of his four seasons with the Tigers. He was
selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Seattle
Seahawks.


Jerraud Powers, CB #8
2006-08
5-9, 191, 3L
Decatur, Ala. (Decatur)

Powers was a three-year letterman from 2006-08 at cornerback. Prior to
the 2008 season, he was named to the second-team Preseason Media All-SEC
team, second-team Preseason Coaches’ All-SEC and Athlon Sports
Preseason third-team All-SEC. Powers was named to the Coaches’
Freshman All-SEC Team following the 2006 season. In his career, Powers
tallied 136 total tackles, 97 of which were unassisted, six
interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Powers was a third-round pick
by the Indianapolis Colts in 2009 and as a rookie starter, helped the
Colts to Super Bowl XLIV.


Carlos Rogers, CB #14
2001-04
6-1, 194, 4L
Augusta, Ga. (Butler)

Auburn’s first Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s best
defensive back, Rogers lettered from 2001-04 for the Tigers. Rogers
earned the Thorpe Award as a senior in 2004 and was one of five
finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award which is presented to the
nation’s top defensive player. Rogers was a consensus All-American in
2004 and considered the Tigers’ top cover cornerback. Rogers ranks
second in SEC history with 40 pass deflections and finished his career
with seven interceptions. He was selected with the ninth overall pick in
the 2005 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.


Junior Rosegreen, S #4
2001-04
6-0, 196, 4L
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard)

Lettering from 2001-04, Rosegreen was a Sportsline.com and SI.com
All-American as a senior in 2004. Rosegreen was an All-SEC first-team
selection in 2004 after recording 57 tackles with a team-best six
interceptions. Against Tennessee in 2004, Rosegreen tied a Southeastern
Conference and Auburn record with four interceptions. Rosegreen started
51 games over four years and registered 196 tackles and nine
interceptions. His 51 career games tied an Auburn record for most games
played in a career.


Kendall Simmons, OT #73
1997-2001
6-3, 319, 4L
Ripley, Miss. (Ripley)

Simmons started in 36 games during his career, including 25 consecutive
during his final two seasons in 2000 and 2001. He was a first-team
All-SEC selection in both his junior and senior seasons and received the
Jacobs Award as the SEC’s top blocker in 2001. He helped pave the way
for Rudi Johnson to rush for 1,567 yards in 2000 when Auburn won the SEC
Western Division title. He helped the Tigers share another Western
Division title as a senior in 2001. He was selected with the 30th
overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was
part of teams that won two Super Bowls for Pittsburgh.


Courtney Taylor, WR #86
2003-06
6-2, 209, 4L
Carrollton, Ala. (Carrollton)

Taylor finished his career as Auburn’s all-time leading receiver,
hauling in 153 catches from 2003-06. He ranks fourth in school history
with 2,098 yards receiving, averaging 13.7 yards per catch, with nine
touchdown receptions. As a senior in 2006, he caught a career-high 54
passes, which ranks sixth best in school single-season history, for 704
yards. He is perhaps best remembered for two crucial catches during the
game-winning drive in a 10-9 victory over No. 5 LSU in 2004, hauling in
a 14-yard reception on fourth-and-12 and a 16-yard touchdown pass with
1:14 left. Taylor played for the Seattle Seahawks from 2007-09.


Dontarrious Thomas, LB #54
2000-03
6-4, 238, 4L
Perry, Ga. (Perry)

Thomas played linebacker at Auburn from 2000-03, earning All-SEC honors
in his sophomore and senior seasons. He was also named an ESPN The
Magazine Academic All-American, National Football Foundation
Scholar-Athlete and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2003. He ranks
eighth all-time at Auburn in total tackles with 351 (163 solo, 188
assist). Thomas also tallied 28.5 tackles for a loss of 87 yards and 5.5
quarterback sacks. He deflected 15 passes, intercepting two. For his
play at the 2003 Capital One Bowl, he was named the game’s defensive
MVP. Thomas was selected with the No. 48 overall pick in the 2004 NFL
Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.


John Vaughn, PK #37
2003-06
6-1, 195, 4L
Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)

As a kicker, Vaughn was a four-year letterman from 2003-06. Following
the 2006 season, he was named the SEC Most Valuable Player for special
teams, the Atlanta Touchdown Club Special Teams Player of the Year and
an All-SEC first-team member. Vaughn holds the single-game record for
most PAT kicks made with nine during the 2005 game against Ball State.
He also holds the single-season record for PAT kicks made with 51 during
the 2004 season. Vaughn’s consecutive PATs made record of one season
(50), two seasons (84) and three seasons (107) tops the record books at
Auburn. He is also the career-leader for most points scored,
individually and as a kicker, with 312, most field goals made with 50.
He ranks fifth in field goal percentage with a .725 mark, third in PAT
percentage at .994 and first in PATs attempted with 163.


Cooper Wallace, TE #8
2002-05
6-4, 265, 4L
Nashville, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian)

Starring for the Tigers from 2002-05, Wallace caught 63 passes for 829
yards and four touchdowns during his career. Wallace is first all-time
at Auburn in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end and third
all-time in yards per reception (13.2) and touchdown receptions. Wallace
caught 19 balls for 302 yards during Auburn’s undefeated 2004 season,
and 20 more for 195 yards as a senior in 2005.  His 302 receiving yards
are third-most in school single-season history by a tight end.

Carnell Williams, RB #24
2001-04
5-11, 204, 4L
Attalla, Ala. (Etowah)

Williams starred at Auburn from 2001-04, finishing his career as the
school’s all-time leader in rushing attempts (741), rushing touchdowns
(45) and scoring (276), and ending second all-time in career rushing
yards (3,831) and all-purpose yards (5,084). A two-time first-team
All-SEC pick, he earned All-American honors in 2004 after rushing for
1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns during Auburn’s undefeated season. He
was also named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year that season
after averaging 11.4 yards per punt return and 18.8 yards per kickoff
return. In 2003, he tied Bo Jackson’s single-season record with 17
touchdown runs while gaining 1,307 yards on the ground. He was selected
with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers and was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year for the NFC
that same year.


Travis Williams, LB #51
2002-05
6-1, 207, 4L
Columbia, S.C. (Spring Valley)

Williams played linebacker at Auburn from 2002-05, earning All-SEC
honors in his junior and senior seasons. He finished his Auburn career
with 224 total tackles (124 solo, 100 assist), leading the team with 80
during the undefeated 2004 season. He tallied 24.5 tackles for a loss of
54 yards and posted 5.5 quarterback sacks. Williams forced five fumbles
and intercepted four passes, deflecting an additional 10. Following his
time at Auburn, Williams played two seasons in the NFL for the Atlanta
Falcons.




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