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Auburn Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Oct 22, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pittway (36) celebrates a touchdown with fullback Chandler Cox (27) and quarterback Sean White (13) during the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 56-3. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pittway (36) celebrates a touchdown with fullback Chandler Cox (27) and quarterback Sean White (13) during the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 56-3. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Darius Slayton (81) catches a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Darius Slayton (81) catches a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Finding playmakers at receiver

Auburn has relied heavily on its running game during the Malzahn era, and 2017 should be no different. However, with Lindsey as the new play caller and the coaching staff’s desire to find balance between the running game and the passing game, expect the Tigers to put the football in the air more often this year.

Therefore, one of the top priorities for Auburn this spring is finding playmakers at wide receiver. The Tigers must replace top target Tony Stevens, a 6-foot-4 wideout that led the team with 31 receptions, 487 yards and three TD catches last season. Marcus Davis, who grabbed 17 passes for 160 yards, also graduated.

Kyle Davis was explosive last season and averaged 20.7 yards per catch. Davis made one start and played in all 13 games last season as a true freshman. He ranked third on the team with 248 receiving yards and caught two touchdowns, but hasn’t participated in spring drills. Davis has been sidelined with “personal business,” not due to injury. He is likely to return in the fall.

Fellow sophomore Darius Slayton was also dynamic last season, but hernia surgery cost him the first two weeks of spring practice. Slayton ranked second on the team with 292 receiving yards and averaged 19.5 yards per catch. He hauled in a 56-yarder against Oklahoma.

With Davis and Slayton unavailable, former top recruit Nate Craig-Myers and Eli Stove have had an opportunity to shine alongside former quarterbacks Jason Smith and John Franklin III, as well as juniors Ryan Davis and Will Hastings. Craig-Myers caught four passes for 70 yards and a TD in 10 games last season and Stove tallied 23 receptions for 224 yards and added 131 yards on the ground including a 78-yard TD. Both were true freshmen.

Franklin ranked third on the team last season with 430 rushing yards, and he averaged 9.3 yards per carry. Smith caught four passes for 60 yards. Davis ranked second on the squad with 25 receptions, including a touchdown, and finished fifth on the team with 194 yards. Hastings, a former kicker, recorded 11 catches for 98 yards and a score. Stanton Tuitt, who had 100 receiving yards, 187 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns, is also in the mix.

Auburn is also likely to get tight ends involved in the passing game more with Lindsey pulling the strings. Jalen Harris caught two touchdowns last season on his only two receptions, which totaled 16 yards.

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