AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn made progress in raising its scholarship numbers Wednesday, adding four players — two from junior college and two from high school — on the first day of the signing period for early enrollees.

Junior college transfers Roszell Gayden and Brandon Mosley joined high schoolers Craig Sanders and Jessel Curry in signing with the Tigers.

Mosley, Sanders and Curry are expected to enroll in January. Gayden is still working toward getting in, according to various recruiting Web sites.

Because Auburn only added 20 scholarship players last season, it can count as many as five January enrollees against its 2009 recruiting class. Schools are allowed to add 25 scholarship players per year.

Gayden, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound tackle who played at Visalia (Calif.) College of the Sequoias last year, and Mosley, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive lineman/tight end who played at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, add immediate depth to an Auburn offensive line in need of it.

Gayden chose the Tigers over Oklahoma and California. Mosley had offers from Arkansas, Florida State and Ole Miss, among others. Rivals.com ranks them both as four-star players.

Auburn head coach Gene Chizik said the team is “really excited” about what Gayden brings to the table. He called Mosley an athlete whose “potential is unlimited.”

Sanders is a four-star defensive lineman from Ariton (Ala.) High. He originally committed to Alabama but switched to Auburn.

Curry, a three-star linebacker from Buford, Ga., is the son of former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Buddy Curry.

Per NCAA rules, Chizik could not comment specifically about the two high school additions, but he did talk about the trend of players graduating early to enroll in college.

“For young men that decide to do that, it’s a great start on a college career,” Chizik said. “They have five-and-a-half years to play four, really. It’s a great proposition in terms of them getting a degree and getting an early start on their education.

“It helps for a young man that does that to be able to participate in spring practice.

“The young men are usually excited about it, but they give up a lot. They sacrifice a lot because they’re missing half of their senior year.”

Auburn has 21 other commitments expected to sign on Feb. 3, 2010, National Signing Day. The Tigers are allowed to sign up to 28 players in February, although they can admit only 25 before next season.

Here are Gayden and Mosley's bios from Auburn Sports Information:

ROSZELL GAYDEN

• OT, 6-7, 310
• New Hope, Minn. (College of Sequoias [Calif.]/Robbinsdale Cooper HS)
  
• JUNIOR COLLEGE: Junior College Coach: Curtis Allen … Ranked as a four-star offensive tackle prospect by Scout.com and Rivals.com … Rated No. 11 on the Rivals.com junior college top 50 … A top five JUCO offensive lineman prospect by Scout.com.
• HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the 2007 Associated Press All-State First Team … Rated as the No. 48 offensive tackle in the nation by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Named the nation’s No. 58 offensive tackle by Scout.com … Rivals.com ranked him No. 7 on the Minnesota top 10 and the No. 69 offensive tackle in the nation … Named North Suburban Conference honorable mention as a junior … Missed his sophomore season with an MCL injury … Also played on the basketball team.
• PERSONAL: Born May 18,1990 … Son of Rossano and Alethea Gayden.

BRANDON MOSLEY

• TE, 6-6, 285
• Roswell, Ga. (Coffeyville [Kan.] CC/Jefferson HS)
• JUNIOR COLLEGE: Junior College Coach: Darian Dulin … In 2009 played mostly defensive end during the first half of the season and tight end the second half … Named to the All-Jayhawk Conference team as a tight end after having 12 catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns … Defensively recorded 35 tackles, including 4.0 for loss and 1.5 sacks.
• HIGH SCHOOL: High School Coach: Bill Navas … Named to the Class A All-State First Team as a tight end as a senior … As a senior was also an all-region linebacker and punter, while earning all-region honors as a basketball player … Was an all-region tight end during sophomore campaign.
• PERSONAL: Born Dec. 21, 1988 … Son of Tracy and Nancy Beckett.

Follow the blog on Twitter. And read some more (quick) notes from today's round of interviews ...

• Running back Eric Smith was not at practice Wednesday, raising questions as to whether there was a change in his status with the team. Chizik addressed the sophomore’s absence briefly after practice. “Eric is finishing up some academic appointments,” Chizik said, not elaborating much. “That’s what he was doing today.” Smith, who was suspended earlier this year after being arrested on a third-degree assault charge, played in the final 11 games of the season, running for 99 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 18 passes for 226 yards and a score.

• Injured safety Mike McNeil wore a No. 10 scout-team jersey and practiced Wednesday. The junior broke his leg last spring and missed the entire season. “He’s moving around well,” Chizik said. “I feel like he’s trying to get that step that he had lost back. It’s been really good to see him out there running around and pretty much cutting it loose. That’s a good thing to see. I think he’s having fun out there.” McNeil is not expected to play in the bowl game, in order to preserve his redshirt.

• Defensive end Antonio Coleman was named a third-team All-American by Phil Steele Publications. Coleman, who led the SEC in sacks (9) and tackles for a loss (15.5), was also a first-team All-SEC selection by both the coaches and media.

• Auburn’s players wrapped up finals Tuesday, but Chizik said the team will know more about grades by Friday. “Really, we should have everything in at that point,” he said.

• Daily practice report, per DE Antoine Carter: "We had a meeting before practice and talked about how our approach to the game is going to be physical. So we went out there and did a lot of running."
  

• Carter, by the way, said he's getting the "Hot Boy" tattoo that is under his eyes removed, wanting to look more professional. "People make their thoughts about you when they first look at you," he said. "I don't want anybody getting off to a bad start."
  

• RB Onterio McCalebb declared his injured ankle 100 percent.

• Defensive lineman Cameron Henderson was on the practice field today. Henderson has been in Chizik's doghouse all season and has not gotten on the field.

• WR Darvin Adams, as you'll recall, didn't make the All-SEC team, despite tying for the league lead in touchdown catches with 10. He didn't seem too upset about it. "I look at it as motivation, just coming out playing as hard as I can," he said. "I don’t think it matters." He later added, "It’s OK. I feel they’ll notice me pretty soon."