Auburn enters its fifth year under head coach Gus Malzahn looking to improve upon its 8-5 record from a year ago. The Tigers hope to build upon a promising defense that turned out to be the team's strength in 2016, and the offense has high expectations under first-year coordinator Chip Lindsey and his revamped scheme that will expand the passing game.

Which 10 members of the 2017 team will prove to be the difference between a successful season or a disappointing one? AL.com delves into the topic as it unveils Auburn's 10 MVPs for the 2017 season.

9. Daniel Carlson, kicker

Not many teams in the country can count a kicker among its most critical positions and most important players.

Not many teams have a kicker the caliber of Daniel Carlson. Auburn does.

Carlson checks in at No. 9 on the countdown as he returns to the Plains for his senior season as the top kicker in all of college football. The 6-foot-4, 223-pounder could have opted to turn pro after last season, but the Colorado native decided to return to Auburn for one final year.

The two-time Lou Groza Award finalist has been a precision weapon for Auburn throughout his career, not only with his accuracy on field goal and extra-point attempts, but in his ability to help control field position on kickoffs. It's the reason he makes this list.

Carlson recorded a career-high in made field goals last season, connecting on 28 of his 32 tries throughout the year, with two of those misses coming on partially blocked kicks. He had a long of 53 yards and has eight makes of at least 50 yards for his career -- one of the 12 program records he holds.

Carlson also made all 44 extra-point tries last season to remain perfect (141-for-141) for his career, and he added his first career touchdown on a fake field goal attempt against Arkansas State early in the season.

While Carlson remained Auburn's most reliable offensive weapon, he continued to be a factor in the field position battle. Of his 72 kickoff attempts in 2016, 57 resulted in touchbacks, resulting in the nation's second-best touchback percentage at 79.17 percent.

Carlson showed no signs of slowing down this spring. On A-Day, he earned special teams MVP honors for the fourth straight year, drilling all five of his field goal attempts while also averaging 43.8 yards on six punt attempts, handling both jobs while punter Ian Shannon missed A-Day due to a death in the family.

"Daniel Carlson, once again, showed why he's the best kicker in college football," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said.

While it's unlikely Carlson will assume punting duties this fall -- like he did in 2014 -- it hasn't been completely ruled out. Shannon has struggled to lock down the starting punter job, and all options are on the table entering fall camp, including Carlson, though the preference would be for him to focus solely on placekicking.

Coming Wednesday: Auburn's all-purpose running back comes in at No. 8.