AUBURN — Gene Chizik’s third signing class, finalized on Wednesday, wasn’t a home run.

It lacks a superstar name.

It lacks widespread appeal and, perhaps most important to people inside these borders, doesn’t compare favorably to the group Nick Saban signed at Alabama.

Yet this could be the Tigers’ most valuable class in years.

Auburn ended the 2011 season with several areas of major concern and Chizik addressed those concerns with a well-designed supply of newcomers. The Tigers didn’t get exactly who they wanted, but it appears they got what they needed.

“We targeted needs we had on our football team. We addressed those needs,” Chizik said. “We feel great about the quality of the class. Very, very happy with how the class turned out.”

A late rally made the difference.

Auburn extended its recruiting scope throughout 2011 in an effort to maximize inertia gained from the national championship season. Chizik and his staff positioned themselves as finalists with several major, five-star players who didn’t commit until National Signing Day.

While most top programs began Wednesday with only a few uncommitted players on their board, the Tigers were forced to wait for seven players to reveal decisions on live television.

Several didn’t go the Tigers’ way.

Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman chose Florida State. So did another Washington, D.C., prospect — cornerback Ronald Darby. Defensive end Leonard Williams from Daytona Beach, Fla., signed with USC.

Auburn’s plan appeared to be failing.

Still, two of the Sunshine State’s most coveted prospects – offensive tackle Avery Young and wideout Ricardo Louis – chose Auburn later in the day. Those signatures turned an average class into something better, though its true value can’t yet be assessed.

With that in mind, here’s a look at how Auburn fares at each position heading into the 2012 season:

Quarterbacks

B — Junior Clint Moseley and sophomore Kiehl Frazier return after so-so seasons, but their value and purpose under new offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler is unknown. Frazier, of course, was the crown jewel of the Tigers’ 2011 signing class.

Auburn added Zeke Pike in January. He’s a talented player who drew a pair of suspensions last season and has the appearance of someone with emotional baggage. Jonathan Wallace of Phenix City was a signing-day surprise and could emerge as a useful option in a few years.

Running backs

A minus — Senior Onterio McCalebb and sophomore Tre Mason return in a backfield that will be without Mike Dyer next season. Mason is just 5-foot-10, but has enough size and strength to handle punishment between the

tackles.

Mike Blakely, a transfer from Florida, is eligible after sitting out a season and newcomer Jovon Robinson is a made-to-order power back. The Tigers have several competent options here.

Receivers/Tight Ends

C – Senior wideout Emory Blake is excellent when healthy and senior tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen is just as good. The Tigers’ problem is that opponents aren’t worried about anyone beyond those two players.

Newcomers Ricardo Louis and JaQuay Williams have game-breaking potential, which is something Auburn lacked last season. Also, redshirt freshman Sammie Coates returns after missing 2011 with a broken foot.

Offensive Line

C — On returning talent alone, Auburn deserves a D. Yet there’s reason to believe things will be much better this fall when redshirt freshmen Greg Robinson (tackle) and Christian Westerman (guard) challenge for spots along the left side.

The Tigers have signed five new linemen and two of them – Patrick Miller and Shane Callahan – already are enrolled. This was the team’s biggest area of need and its biggest signing-day haul.

Defensive Line

B minus — All four starters return from a group that was a little below average last season, but youth inside played a big role. Angelo Blackson, Gabe Wright and Devaunte Sigler won’t be freshmen next season. Also, Dee Ford and Justin Delaine won’t be injured.

Missing on Goldman hurt here, but the additionl of end Gimel President, a Parade All-American, and tackle Tyler Nero provides some intriguing options down the road.

Linebackers

C+ — Middle linebacker Jake Holland presumably will be healthy for the first time in a year and Daren Bates, who plays on the weak side, was the team’s most improved player in 2011. The situation on the strong side is less clear, but sophomore Justin Garrett is expected to force his way into the lineup.

Newcomer Cassanova McKinzy could be ready to play a role this fall at least as a pass-rush specialist, but fellow freshman Javiere Mitchell likely will need a year to get up to speed.

Secondary

D — Auburn returns 11 scholarship defensive backs and has added three more during the offseason. That’s 14 players for new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to evaluate, and only one of them, injured senior T’Sharvan Bell, is a proven commodity.

Newcomers Joshua Holsey and T.J. Davis have some bulk, so they probably will be used primarily on special teams. Freshman Jonathan Jones currently weighs less than 170 pounds. Options abound, but are any of them really good?

Special Teams

A — Kicker Cody Parkey and punter Steven Clark return to a unit that was outstanding in almost every way last season.

The 2012 signing class includes several fast guys with speed – namely Davis, Holsey, McKinzy and President – who could become the next generation of coverage stars.