Previously suspended Auburn wide receiver D'haquille "Duke" Williams has been reinstated to the team, putting to rest for now the latest drama with the Tigers' gifted but often-troubled star.
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn had withheld Williams from fall camp practices for a disciplinary issue which he never did elaborate, initially only saying that "nobody is bigger than the team." It would appear Williams has come to the same realization, because in answering questions about his reinstatement Thursday, Malzahn said "I try to keep the same standard for everybody. That's how we operate around here," according to AL.com.
Williams and Pittsburgh Steelers third-round draft pick Sammie Coates were the Tigers' top two receivers last year. Williams is expected to be the primary target for new quarterback Jeremy Johnson this fall, but after being suspended for Auburn's bowl game in December and suggesting via Twitter in the spring that he might not care to finish his career at AU, the latest suspension had given way to questions about whether Williams would be around to do so.
Truth is, Auburn needs Williams as much as Williams needs Auburn, and Malzahn never suggested the latest suspension was anything more than an attitude adjustment.
Regardless of what Williams did to sit out the first week of fall camp, his NFL draft stock will depend far more heavily on how he performs on the field this fall.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
