AUBURN, Ala. - It's a good time to be a young player at Auburn.

If you can catch, kick or block, then there might just be a spot for you on the Tigers' depth chart even if you're a new recruit still finding your way around campus.

The team that has averaged 11 wins in the past three seasons is hardly depleted of talent or expecting the dreaded rebuilding year. But there are some "depth wanted" signs out, particularly at wide receiver, offensive line and in the kicking game.

Coach Tommy Tuberville is hoping some of Auburn's recent winning ways will continue, like last year's team that won 11 games even with injuries slowing quarterback Brandon Cox and tailback Kenny Irons.

"The one thing I think our football team has done over the years is we've learned how to win," Tuberville said. "If you learn how to win, then sometimes it filters down to your younger guys. Sometimes even though you might not be the best team on the field, you find a way to win the game. We're going to have to do some of that this year."

First things first.

The Tigers will have four new starters on the offensive line blocking for a new tailback, and Cox no longer will be able to look for reliable receiver Courtney Taylor.

Auburn also had to pick out its latest star tailback - or tailbacks - to replace Kenny Irons, a second-round NFL draft pick. That, at least, does not appear to be a problem.

Junior Brad Lester ran for nine touchdowns and 510 yards last season, and Ben Tate showed plenty of potential as a freshman. And redshirt freshman Mario Fannin has an enticing mixture of speed and power.

But Lester is expecting to get the starting nod Sept. 1 against Kansas State. He got his first start early in 2005 against Arkansas but was injured. After that, Kenny Irons took over, with Lester getting starts only as a fill-in when Kenny Irons was hurt.

"I've just been waiting ever since then," Lester said. "It seems like now I'm about to get that chance, and there's no looking back from there."

Tuberville plans to let all three get plenty of action.

The Tigers likely won't have a placekicker or punter who has played in a college game. Freshman Wes Byrum and redshirt freshman Ryan Shoemaker are among the candidates vying for those jobs.

On the offensive line, 6-foot-8 left tackle King Dunlap is the only returning starter. Freshman Lee Ziemba has been one of several players to take turns at No. 1 right tackle in an ongoing competition.

The biggest void was left at guard, where Ben Grubbs was a first-round NFL draft pick. Like Grubbs, first-year starter Tyronne Green is a converted defensive player.The only proven receiver is former walk-on Rod Smith. The other likely starters include Robert Dunn (five catches last season) and Prechae Rodriguez (14).

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