Summer training regimen gives Auburn’s Bates shot at starting

The tagline on SPARQtraining.com reads like any other that tries to hawk its product for a not-so-affordable price.

“Better athletes make better players.”

For Auburn freshman safety Daren Bates, a proud SPARQ customer, it certainly made him better prepared.

Bates, who spent the summer at his home in Olive Branch, Miss., and arrived to camp three days late because of NCAA Clearinghouse issues, has emerged as a surprise contender for Auburn’s open safety job.

It’s the result of a fast impression that was predicated by a strict, self-imposed training regimen.

“I was going to make sure I was going to be in shape for when I got down here,” Bates said. “I was just trying to work so when I got here, I’d be ready.”

At times, Bates doubted if he’d even make it to Auburn. But he prepared as if he were already in training camp.

Bates said he worked out twice a day — sometimes by himself and sometimes with his old high school team. The routine went outside the norm for an 18-year-old when his father, Michael, purchased a SPARQ kit, which includes medicine balls, ladders and even parachutes.

This intensive training served two purposes: It prepared him for the grind of SEC football and it took his mind off the Clearinghouse issues that were out of his hands.

“It was hard. It was tough,” Bates said. “Sometimes I didn’t think I was going to be able to play and thought I was going to have to go to JUCO or something like that. I was happy to get that call.”

He’s gotten the call, all right.

Bates didn’t arrive until the third day of camp and, really, he should have waited one more. He was so embarrassed by his performance that he personally apologized to safeties coach Tommy Thigpen and cornerbacks coach Phillip Lolley.

“He was bumbling and stumbling and falling to the ground,” Thigpen said. “You’re just like ‘Oh my goodness, can he play here?’”

He proved that shortly thereafter.

His apology behind him, Bates, working with the second team, led all players in tackles and added an interception and forced fumble in the team’s first scrimmage. In last Saturday’s scrimmage, Bates’ name was the first mentioned by both head coach Gene Chizik and defensive coordinator Ted Roof as a player that stood out.

And he was impressing with both the ones and the twos.

“However fast he is, he hits you at that speed,” Roof said. “We’re all making way too many mistakes, but he’s a guy that seems to show up with the ball a lot.”

Bates’ opportunity to even be in the starting lineup for Auburn’s season opener against Louisiana Tech is a product of both his strong play and the Tigers’ injury-ravaged group of safeties.

Mike McNeil, who started every game at safety in 2008 opposite Zac Etheridge, has yet to practice, as he continues to recover from a broken leg. Sophomores Drew Cole and Mike Slade have been battling for the first-man-behind spot since the spring, but neither has impressed enough to claim the job. T’Sharvan Bell and D’Antoine Hood were converted from cornerback to safety before fall camp, but both have been hindered by injuries.

“We’re doing a lot of studying and doing a lot of tests,” Thigpen said. “We’re going to put the guys out there that will help us win.”

So far, it’s been Bates.

Chizik said Tuesday that Bates was getting reps with the first team. From a physical standpoint, Bates has “a chance to play in this league early,” Chizik said.

His teammates have been equally impressed.

“This guy’s a blue-collar football player,” cornerback Walt McFadden said. “He’s a headhunter. He’s running around making tackles, making plays. That’s a guy sticking out on defense.

“You’ll see him soon.”

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