Gus Malzahn has a lot to say about his wide receiving corps -- will the NFL listen?
According to the Auburn coach, the Tigers have three NFL receivers in D'haquille Williams, Ricardo Lewis and Melvin Ray. Could it be a better group without Pittsburgh Steelersthird-round draft pickSammie Coates? Malzahn seems to think so:
"The thing that probably stands out about this group is we've got three seniors that have a lot of experience coming back that have a chance to really lead our group and I think all three of the seniors we've got coming back will have a chance to play at the next level," Malzahn said, according to al.com. "I'm not for sure we've ever had that in the past."
The praise of Williams is certainly warranted. The junior college transfer had a better season than Coates did a year ago, and is poised to be one of the most productive receivers in the college game this season. For Williams, a senior, being drafted isn't a question of if, it's a question of how early. At the other extreme, Ray has made just 13 career receptions and, though this will be his fourth year in the program, his game experience is definitely lacking.
New Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson -- who is expected to take over for Nick Marshall as a better passing threat for the Tigers, though not more of a running threat -- will throw to Williams plenty. How many passes he can get into Ray's hands remains to be seen, but Malzahn's effusive praise of the trio suggests Johnson will have plenty of targets to work with in Coates' absence.
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