• RB Onterio McCalebb, 5-10, 170, So.
• RB Dontae Aycock, 5-10, 218, rFr.

• RB LeAlice Crayton, 5-9, 210, Sr.
• RB Davis Hooper, 6-0, 207, Jr.
• FB Jacob Kerby, 6-1, 222, rFr.

• RB Michael Dyer, 5-8, 201, Fr.
• FB Ladarious Phillips, 6-1, 275, Fr.

Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn promised a run-first, smashmouth offense and they delivered. The Tigers thrived last year at running the ball, rushing for 212 yards a game, the 12th best mark in the country. Ben Tate finally realized his potential, finishing with 1,362 yards in his senior season and turning himself into a second-round NFL Draft pick, reviving Auburn's history of top-flight running backs in the process. With four starters back on the offensive line, there's no reason to think that streak won't continue with Fannin.

Fannin, who is back home at running back after moving around to different positions throughout his career, answered every question people had about him this spring. He secured the ball (not one fumble all spring). He got his pad level lower to run between the tackles better. He didn't get hurt, although the true test will come once the season starts. Fannin's spring was so promising that running backs coach Curtis Luper guaranteed a 1,000-yard season for the senior, just like he did with Tate last year. And we all know how that turned out. Behind Fannin, things are looking up. McCalebb has bulked up to over 170 pounds, hoping to be more durable after an ankle injury limited his effectiveness last season. And Smith, who is back from an academic suspension for the bowl game, might be a better option at H-back than Fannin was last year with all the things he is able to do. Overall, a well-rounded group.

There wasn't much to be worried about in the backfield. We didn't hear much about Aycock this spring, mostly because Fannin and McCalebb were getting most of the looks. Luper expected Aycock to move around when two-a-days begin (translation: Dyer is going to get plenty of carries). It means Aycock's future most likely is at H-back, a position he hasn't played before. That's always a concern. Also, Auburn is a little light on fullbacks after John Douglas and Jason King decided (or were told) they weren't coming back next season. But the Tigers don't really use a traditional fullback all that much, so that isn't a major blow.

Perhaps you've heard, but some guy named Dyer will arrive this summer. He's most heralded Auburn running back recruit since Carnell Williams in 2001. That's a big name to follow, but everyone seems to think Dyer, the top-ranked running back signee in the country by ESPN, is capable of doing it. Dyer isn't big (5-8), but he is a rock solid runner, a pinball according to most scouting reports. Rivals called him "a slightly taller Joe Morris, a two-time Pro-Bowler in the mid-'80s for the Giants." The question with freshman running backs is always how quickly they can pick up the blocking aspect of college ball, something most of them never have to do in high school. While it might take Dyer some time, it's likely Malzahn won't hesitate to use the freshman in the offense right away, especially with the skill set he possesses. But with Fannin the clear-cut No. 1, Dyer won't need to contribute immediately (I argued in January that that's usually the case with freshman RBs). However, I can certainly envision a scenario where his role grows from week to week to the point that he's getting major carries by the end of the year. Hey, it worked for Alabama last year with Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, right?

Fans have waited for Fannin to have a breakout season every year he's been on the Plains. This is finally it. Dyer is young and McCalebb is essentially still a speed guy. Fannin is going to be the primary ballcarrier and if he can stay healthy (bold, italicize and underline that if) he should be The Man this year. Malzahn has never had an offense in which a running back didn't thrive. Fannin has the physical tools and the offensive line to make it happen. Plus, he'll be plenty motivated to thrive in his final year.

Once Dyer arrives, it'll be interesting to see who becomes the primary backup — him or McCalebb. McCalebb has worked on being a more well-rounded back, bulking up, working on his receiving, trying to run between the tackles more. But his game will always be about speed. Malzahn knows this, which is why he uses McCalebb in situations where he can run in space. What Auburn needs is a complement for Fannin as a between-the-tackles runner. That's where you make most of your yardage in the SEC, something McCalebb struggled with last season (although the ankle obviously had some impact). Whoever can be a better physical runner between Dyer and McCalebb will likely get more carries. My money's on Dyer.

"Mario will run for 1,000 yards if he stays healthy. No question. Write it down. Bold letters. It's a combination of things. The offense lends itself to it. And he has everything that you need to get that done. But I have to say, if he stays healthy, because he has a propensity to get banged up every now and then" — Luper

29, 188 and 56 — Rushing yards, receiving yards and return yards Fannin needs to top 1,000 yards in each category for his career.

There aren't many other positions on Auburn's roster with fewer question marks than running back. Fannin looks very much like Tate prior to his senior season — he's just waiting for a chance to put everything together. The Tigers have a great speed option (McCalebb), a good power option (Smith) and the running back of the future (Dyer) all lined up. Things would have been even better had Marcus Lattimore signed with Auburn in the offseason. But all that does is keep open the possibility that the Tigers sign another top-flight running back this year. With this school's and this coaching staff's track record, it seems like a safe bet.