Auburn Tigers

“The age doesn’t matter,” said Tate, a true freshman running back who should be preparing for Senior Skip Day and high school graduation, not college spring football and classes.
Tate, the state of Maryland’s all-time leading high school rusher with 5,920 yards, is only concerned with learning Auburn’s offense and working his way into playing time by preseason camp. He’s with the Tigers because he graduated from Snow Hill High in Newark, Md., after the fall semester, which allowed him to enroll at Auburn in January.
“I think I just got to work hard, but I can definitely play on this level,” Tate said minutes after he led Auburn’s scrimmage Saturday with 61 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Already one coach appears smitten by the talent Tate brings to the backfield.
Running backs coach Eddie Gran has seen his fair share of top runners in his time at Auburn. They include Carnell Williams, last season’s NFL offensive rookie of the year; Ronnie Brown and Rudi Johnson.
Gran’s thoughts on Tate, easily the youngest running back he’s currently working with, might surprise you.
“I think (he’s) a lot like Carnell was,” Gran said. “Ben’s got a little maturity to him. That’s what’s going to help him in the long run. That’s what’s helping him now in the short run.”
During the scrimmage, it was easy to tell who the fans wanted to see. Every time Tate touched the football, the cheers got louder. Once the play ended, those in the stands at Jordan-Hare Stadium turned to the person sitting beside them and commented about the freshman.
What’s surprising, though, is that incumbent starter Kenny Irons, who led the Southeastern Conference in rushing a season ago, isn’t bothered by his sudden demotion to second favorite in the fans’ eyes.
“Me and Ben are real good friends,” said Irons, who finished with 1,293 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2005. “He’s a great guy. He’s a real cool guy. Every time he came on a recruiting visit, I showed him around. There’s no animosity between us.”
That maturity Gran spoke of, well, he’s not the only one to notice it.
“I am impressed, and the coaches are, too,” Irons said.
“They like to see him run. He picks up on things fast. He’s going to be a great asset to the team.”
It wasn’t hard for Tate to see the benefits to enrolling a semester early at Auburn.
“I just think it puts me ahead as far as everything, football and academics,” Tate said.
“You never know what can happen down the road. I may be able to graduate my junior year, and if I’m good enough to go to the NFL draft, there’s more options out there.”