Auburn Football: 5 breakout players to watch for in 2018

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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 02: Ryan Davis #23 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball away from Dominick Sanders #24 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Ryan Davis, WR

Ryan Davis is one of the most experienced receivers on Auburn’s roster. He was extremely undervalued at the start of his career, but in the 2017 season he was everything to Jarrett Stidham and the Auburn offense. He now owns the Auburn single season reception record at 84 and his teammates call him one of the hardest to guard in the game.

That isn’t hard to believe watching the video below. He may be smaller than his younger counterparts, but he has speed and a pretty decent set of hands. His age is a running joke for the Tiger players, calling him the “old man” of the receiving core. While he doesn’t mind the jokes, he proved that he was one of the best the team has to offer.

Highlight of the first half, and Auburn had many highlights, goes to Ryan Davis. 75-yard TD as he sifts through Ole Miss for some major YAC. pic.twitter.com/1R7GEWBhtV
— Tyler Greever (@Tyler_Greever) October 7, 2017

Near the end of the 2017 season, head coach Gus Malzahn was pleased with the player that Davis has become. He said that Davis has “really come into his own and established himself as one of the better receivers in our league.” He was PFF’s fifth-highest graded receiver this season.

Look for him to leave the old man jokes in the locker room and show out on the football field much like he did in 2017. As the player with what seems to be the most established chemistry with quarterback Jarrett Stidham, he will likely take on a big role in the Tiger offense in 2018. This kid is special and could make a splash in the NFL Draft after next season.

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