Auburn Tigers 2015 Spring Game Preview: Five things to watch for
By Logan Shaw
Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers receiver D’haquille Williams (1) celebrates with fans after defeating the LSU Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn beat LSU 41-7. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
3. How do the Tigers replace Sammie Coates?
Following the departure of 2nd team All-SEC wide receiver, Sammie Coates, the Tigers will be faced with replacing a large bulk of their receptions. Fortunately, for Auburn, the big man, D’haquille Williams is returning for his senior season after bypassing the NFL Draft.
Williams was the No. 1 JUCO prospect a year ago and lived up to the billing in his first season at Auburn. He caught 45 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns in his first year with the Tigers, even though he played only 10 games due to suspensions and injury. Williams will be main focal point this season for the Tigers.
Filling Coates’ shoes will be a key reason in Auburn’s success this season, as the Tigers relied heavily on Coates’ efforts the past two seasons. The two emerging wide receivers for the Tigers are Ricardo Louis and Melvin Ray, both seniors with much experience. This wide receiver group is very talented and are always poised to have inflated stats in Malzahn’s fast-pace offense.
Another couple of guys, with less experience, that could emerge this season are Tony Stevens and Marcus Davis. Davis’ 2014 campaign was slightly lesser than his 2013 season due to more passes going to Williams and Coates. Davis sort of fell off behind much talent at the position. Stevens, however, is your prototypical ‘big guy’ receiver, who hasn’t seen much playing time these past few seasons.
There are many guys that will step up this season for the Tigers, but none more so than at the wide receiver position. I’d definitely be watching them come Saturday if I were you.
Next: Young Running Backs