Auburn football all-time roster: Offensive starters and backups

There is a storied history when it comes to the Auburn Tigers football program, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

The first players that often come to mind are Pat Sullivan, Cam Newton, and Bo Jackson. Each of the three players won a Heisman Trophy while playing on the Plains.

But who are the best of the best when it comes to the offense? Auburn Wire put together our all-time 2-deep offensive roster.

For more on War Eagle check out Auburn Wire’s football coverage.

Check out our other College Wire all-time lineups: Alabama / Arkansas / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin

Starting QB: Pat Sullivan

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Sullivan became Auburn’s first Heisman Trophy winner in 1971 after passing for 2,262 yards and 21 touchdowns. In his three-season career on the Plains, he completed 54.7% of his passes for 6,534 yards and 54 touchdowns.

Backup QB: Cameron Newton

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Newton was only a Tiger for one season, but he made sure to make it the most memorable season in recent memory.

Newton led Auburn to their second National Championship in 2010 and won the Heisman Trophy after passing for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,473 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. He became just the second quarterback to pass for 30 touchdowns and rush for 20 touchdowns in the same season.

Only Lamar Jackson of Louisville has accomplished that feat since.

Starting RB: Bo Jackson

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The legendary Bo Jackson was a two-sport athlete on the Plains from 1982-85. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1985 after rushing for a career-best 1,786 yards and 17 touchdowns. Following his Auburn career, Jackson went on to play seven years in Major League Baseball, and three seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders.

He still stands atop the Auburn career leaderboard with 4,303 yards.

Backup RB: Cadillac Williams

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Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was the early 2000s Bo Jackson as far as memorable careers go.

Williams holds two 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including the 1,165 yards that he accumulated while splitting time with Ronnie Brown during Auburn’s undefeated season in 2004.

Williams is second on Auburn’s rushing leaderboard with 3,831 career yards and is Auburn’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 45, two more than Bo Jackson.

Starting WR1: Terry Beasley

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Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley graced the field from 1969-71. In three seasons, Sullivan completed 472 passes for 6,534 yards. Beasley was on the receiving end of 147 of those passes and was on the receiving end for 2,624 yards. He still holds the program’s receiving yards record, which is 341 yards better than the second-place holder.

His No. 88 is one of three numbers to be retired by Auburn Football, joining Pat Sullivan’s  No. 7, and Bo Jackson’s No. 34.

Backup WR1: Ryan Davis

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Ryan Davis was a consistent target for quarterback Jarrett Stidham during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He caught 84 passes in 2017, which is 55 more than the next leading receiver. He led the team in receptions again in 2018, but his 546 yards were second-best to Darius Slayton, who recorded 670 yards.

In his career, Davis caught 178 passes for 1,555 yards.

Starting WR2: Karsten Bailey

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Former Tiger quarterback Dameyune Craig continues to be Auburn’s leader in single-season passing yards thanks in part to Karsten Bailey. Bailey reeled in 53 catches for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in Craig’s record-breaking season in 1997. Bailey is third all-time in receiving yards with 2,174 yards and is tied with Darvin Adams and Seth Williams for the second-most touchdown receptions in a career with 17.

Backup WR2: Frank Sanders

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The first two seasons under Terry Bowdon were magical for the Auburn Tigers. Auburn held a record of 20-1-1 over the 1993 and 1994 seasons, and a key reason for that success was Frank Sanders.

Sanders led the team in receiving yards in both seasons and was on the receiving end of several important moments during that timespan. Most notably, he caught a touchdown pass from Patrick Nix with thirty seconds remaining in the 1994 game at Florida. Auburn would go on to upset the No. 1 Gators in The Swamp, 36-33.

Starting WR3: Tyrone Goodson

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The 1997 season was spectacular for the Auburn offense, as Dameyune Craig broke the single-season record for passing yards with 3,277. Craig had two reliable receivers to rely on in Karsten Bailey and Tyrone Goodson. Goodson held a slight edge over Bailey in production that season, making 48 catches for 906 yards and five touchdowns. Over a four-year career, Goodson reeled in 2,283 yards, which is second-best in program history.

Backup WR3: Seth Williams

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The transition from Ryan Davis to Seth Williams as Auburn’s premier receiver was nearly seamless. As Davis was the No. 1 target for Jarrett Stidham, Williams was the receiver of choice for Bo Nix.

Following Davis’ departure, Williams took over as the team’s leading receiver in 2019 and 2020. He caught 59 passes for 830 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019 and caught 47 passes for 760 yards and four touchdowns during the COVID-altered schedule in 2020.

Davis is in fourth place all-time on Auburn’s receiving yards list with 2,124 yards, and he is tied for third in touchdown catches alongside Darvin Adams and Karsten Bailey with 17.

Starting TE: Walter Reeves

After his departure from the Plains, Walter Reeves would go on to become the most successful tight end in Auburn history. He spent eight seasons in the NFL, playing for three different franchises.

Backup TE: Phillip Lutzenkirchen

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Philip Lutzenkirchen’s life was tragically cut short due to a car accident in 2014. Before his death, Lutzenkirchen was a fan favorite during his time as a Tiger not only for his performance on the field but for his genuine personality and his dedication to the community.

“Lutzie” caught 14 touchdown passes during his career, which is the program record for tight ends. His most famous touchdown grab happened during the 4th quarter in the 2010 Iron Bowl. Lutzenkirchen was on the receiving end of what eventually became the game-winning score, erasing Alabama’s 17-point halftime advantage.

Starting Center: Ben Tamburello

Sure, Bo Jackson is one of the most talented running backs to ever play the game. But, most of his career rushing yards would not be possible without the help of a great offensive line.

Enter Ben Tamburello, a key piece to Jackson’s success. Tamburello played at Auburn from 1983-86. He would go on to become the SEC lineman of the Year, as well as a first-team All-American in 1986. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987 and would play for the franchise until 1991.

Backup Center: Walter Gilbert

Football truly was a different game 90 years ago. Walter Gilbert became Auburn’s first NFL Draft pick in 1937 after a decorated career that saw him become an All-American three times. Not only did Gilbert snap the football for Auburn, but he also played linebacker for the Tigers.

Starting OG1: Zeke Smith

Zeke Smith was a key member of one of Auburn Football’s greatest teams. He was a part of Auburn’s first National Championship squad in 1957, and would go on to win the Outland Trophy, as well as be named an All-American in 1958.

Backup OG1: Ben Grubbs

ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 12: Ben Grubbs #69 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 31-30 during their game on November 12, 2005 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo By Streeter Lecka)

Ben Grubbs began his career at Auburn as a defensive tackle, then moved to tight end before ultimately ending up at guard. The move would pay off for Grubbs, as he anchored one of Auburn’s most successful offensive lines during the mid-2000s. He started 25 games between the 2004 and 2005 seasons and would go on to be drafted 29th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2006.

Starting OG1: Ed King

King had a great career at Auburn and ended up having a better career in the NFL. King came to Auburn from nearby Phenix City in 1988 and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1991 following an All-American season in 1989. He played six seasons in the NFL between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints.

Backup OG2: David Jordan

Jordan, like Grubbs, was considered a tight end early in his career in Auburn, but ultimately moved to guard, where he succeeded in blocking for Auburn greats Lionel “Little Train” James and Bo Jackson. After playing for an SEC Championship in 1983, Jordan went on to play three seasons in the NFL for the New York Giants, winning a Super Bowl in 1986.

Starting T1: Greg Robinson

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Robinson was highly recruited by Auburn, signing with the program as a member of the 2011 class. He played significant time at tackle for Auburn from 2012 to 2013 and was placed on the All-SEC team in 2013 after Auburn’s run to the National Championship. He would go on to become Auburn’s highest-drafted lineman, being taken 2nd overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.

Backup T1: Wayne Gandy

Gandy was named All-American as a member of Auburn’s 1993 undefeated team, and went on to have an illustrious NFL career. Gandy was drafted 15th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 1994, and would play in the league for 15 years for the Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons. Over his career, Gandy started in 205 games.

Starting T2: Willie Anderson

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Anderson is another Tiger that would ultimately become an NFL legend. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1996 as the 10th overall pick and would stay with the franchise for 12 seasons.

As a Bengal, he was a three-time first-team All-Pro selection and played in the Pro Bowl four times.

Backup T2: Lee Ziemba

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Ziemba started in all 52 games of his Auburn career from 2007-10. In 2007, he was named Freshman All-American and was a starter for Auburn’s National Championship team in 2010.

Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire