He was a Tiger with wings in 2004, helping the Auburn University football team soar to incredible heights.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Selma native and Auburn wide receiver Ben Obomanu wants to put behind him the disappointment of not playing for a national championship.

Instead, he wants to prepare himself for the 2006 NFL Draft and concentrate on having his best season ever for the Tigers.

“The most gratifying part of this season,” Obomanu said, “was finishing undefeated and doing something that had never been done before at Auburn.

“It was disheartening,” he added, “because the guys had expected to go to the Orange Bowl and play for the national championship.”

That, as it turned out, never happened. The Tigers were shunned in the BCS and finished their season with a victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

“We did take care of business,” he said. “I’m just really disappointed with the system.”

Obomanu finished with fewer receiving yards this year (359) than in 2003 (373), but had seven touchdowns this season, most by any Auburn receiver, compared to three the year before.

His 359 yards this year ranked third on the team behind Courtney Taylor (737) and Devin Aromashodu (513).

Obomanu said he hopes his best season is yet to come.

“My main goal next year,” he said, “is to be the best wide receiver in the SEC. We’re losing the majority of our wide receiving group. I’m going to be called upon to be one of the best wide receivers. I’m going to take advantage of the opportunity I’ll have.”

When Obomanu returns next season, he will notice quite a change in personnel. The Tigers are expected to lose as many as 18 starters to the NFL Draft, including senior quarterback Jason Campbell and senior running backs Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams.

While Brown and Williams again had solid seasons, Campbell assembled one of his best campaigns. Obomanu said he has confidence in Brandon Cox, who will likely be the Tigers’ opening-day quarterback in 2005.

“He’s got a pretty good arm and he has knowledge of the game,” Obomanu said of Cox. “He’s gotten a lot of knowledge from (offensive coordinator) Al Borges.”

One constant in Auburn’s camp will be head coach Tommy Tuberville.

Obomanu said he empathizes with Tuberville’s plight over nearly losing his job after a disappointing 2003 season.

Tuberville recently signed a multi-year extension with a considerable pay increase.

“I feel like with the things Coach Tuberville went through,” Obomanu said, “he the opportunity to go other places. I’m proud to see him and all of our staff get the respect they deserve. They’re good people who love this team.”

Obomanu said following the 2005 season, he would be ready for next year’s NFL Draft.

“I’d be lying if I said the draft didn’t go through my mind a little bit this year,” he said. “I did have a legitimate shot at going. But there are a lot of things I still want to accomplish at Auburn.

“I think we can win another SEC championship next year,” he added. “I think we can play for the national championship.”