FOLEY — Auburn's Tommy Tuberville was on hand to scout players at the 2007 Football Classic in hopes to continue this years recruiting success in the Gulf Coast area.

"Every year they have a lot of good players around here, and we have been pretty successful," Tuberville said. "I think this year is no exception with a lot great players out here today."

The Tigers incoming freshman class is featured by defensive backs Ryan Williams out of B.C. Rain and Michael McNeil from Davidson. Williamson's Nick Fairley also signed with the Tigers.

In addition to Tuberville, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, linebacker coach James Willis and wide receivers coach Greg Knox were in attendance. Muschamp and Willis were recently on hand for a coaching clinic at Fairhope High School.

"All up and down this part of the state we have been searching and this year we brought more coaches, and I think its going to help us in our effort," Tuberville said.

The Tigers lost 10 starters six on offense and four on defense and recruiting efforts such as Foley's spring classic will help to fill the gaps, Tuberville said.

"We have a lot of rebuilding to do," he said. "The next two months will be the deciding factor for us coming in in good shape and working hard to build team leadership over the next two months."

The biggest question mark for the Tigers will be an offensive line that lost four-of-five starters in Joe Cope, Tim Duckworth, Ben Grubbs and Jonathan Palmer. The positive for the Tigers o-line is the return of anchor left tackle King Dunlap. Lining up beside the six-foot-nine-inch senior will be junior Tyronne Green, center Jason Bosley, right guard Leon Hart and right tackle Antwon Daniels.

Tuberville said the main focus of the spring was creating continuity between players.

"We just started summer school yesterday and we are still kind of an unkown team," he said. "We have a lot of talent, but we have a lot of young players. Experience wins games for you. We have some experience in some areas and hardly any in others."

Tuberville was placed in a similar situation in 2005 after coming off a perfect 13-0 season in 2004 that ended with a Nokia Sugar Bowl victory in New Orleans. After having four players selected in the first round of the NFL draft, including the entire backfield, Tuberville and company surprised many experts, finishing 9-3 and earning a share of the SEC Western Division title.

Over the past three seasons the Riverboat Gambler carries an .868 winning percentage, which is tied for third best in the country.