Auburn football is right around the corner as the Tigers open the 2017 season against Georgia Southern Sept. 2. The Tigers lost talent on both sides of the ball this offseason, so take a look at some of the players we think are ready to step up and shine.

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Julie Bennett

Jarrett Stidham | QB

Gus Malzahn has decided to wait until fall camp to name his starting quarterback, and we fully expect Stidham to be his guy. The former Baylor standout carries plenty of expectations as the nation's No. 1 junior college transfer in the 247Sports Composite. He shined in the A-Day spring scrimmage, completing 16 of his 20 passes for 267 yards with one rushing touchdown.

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Julie Bennett

Nate Craig-Myers | WR

The former five-star prospect didn’t do much in his freshman season, catching just four passes for 70 yards. Auburn's 2017 receiving corps lacks experience, and someone will have to step up as the No. 1 target after the loss of Tony Stevens. We like Craig-Myers' chances of breaking out, especially after he reeled in five catches for 154 yards on A-Day to lead all receivers.

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Julie Bennett

Malik Miller | RB

Auburn already has a pair of stars in its backfield with Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson, but Miller is in a good spot to take over as RB3. He has recovered from the injury that cut his freshman campaign short and looked powerful on A-Day, rushing eight times for 42 yards. His 10.7 yards per rush with the first-team offense was the highest of the day.

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Julie Bennett

Mike Horton | OG

Horton is set to land a starting job on Auburn's offensive line after spending most of last season as the first man off the bench. He started and finished spring as the starter at right guard. Florida State transfer Wilson Bell could shake things up in fall camp, but Horton could also play left guard.

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Derrick Brown | DT

With the loss of Montravius Adams, Auburn will need a new face at defensive tackle and Brown looks the part. After tallying 11 tackles and a fumble recovery as a freshman, Brown could be in for a big sophomore campaign.

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Julie Bennett

Jeff Holland | DE

Holland recorded just 13 tackles and two sacks in his first two seasons, but his seven quarterback hurries are the most of any returning player. If he improves his run-stopping, he’ll be tough to avoid.

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Julie Bennett

Jeremiah Dinson | DB

Dinson has not played a football game since November 2015 when he suffered three devastating injuries in Auburn’s win over Texas A&M. He spent 2016 rehabbing and is now back to full strength. He spent the spring with the first-team defense and looks ready to take over for Rudy Ford, who led Auburn in tackles as a sophomore and junior.

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Julie Bennett

Daniel Thomas | DB

Thomas arrived to Auburn as the team’s lowest-rated signee of 2016. Following a promising freshman season in which he caught two interceptions in the Iron Bowl, he is in line for a big year. Thomas has been competing with Dinson at Nickel this spring, but has the versatility to play safety and cornerback as well.

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