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You know things are going well for your program when you lose your starting quarterback, your top two running backs and two of your top three receivers and still start the next season as one of the favorites to win an SEC title.
In addition to an overarching faith in Gus Malzahn and Will Muschamp, the expectations for Auburn this year reflect a belief in the big-time ability of some key returning assets. For example, it’s widely believed that:
- Quarterback Jeremy Johnson will thrive as a passer and the offense will follow.
- NFL-caliber linebackers Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost will be the centerpiece of a much-improved defense.
- Carl Lawson will continue to be unblockable.
- Duke Williams could be the best receiver in the conference — assuming he gets back on the field.
You’ve probably heard some iteration of those predictions countless times by now. But regardless of the validity of each preceding point, they won’t win the conference title on their own.
What follows is our attempt to project some of the Tigers’ off-the-radar leaders who will help shape the direction of the team heading into the 2015 season.
DEEP THREAT – RICARDO LOUIS
It’s been a tumultuous start to fall camp at the wide receiver position for Auburn, but regardless of what happens with Duke Williams’ ongoing disciplinary situation, the Tigers are going to need another true threat on the outside.
Sammie Coates, who has since departed for the NFL, played the role last year, leading Auburn in receiving yards.
Assuming Williams is on the field for all 12 games this season, he’ll be top target and likely will lead the Tigers in most receiving categories. But don’t be surprised if Louis emerges as the team’s top deep threat and finishes with the team-high in yards per catch.
Auburn likes to throw it deep under Malzahn, and heading into his senior season, Louis is primed to be the beneficiary in 2015 — particularly if Williams is there to draw attention to the opposite side.
THE DISRUPTOR – DAVONTE LAMBERT
Despite tying for the team lead in sacks last season, Lambert feels like a forgotten man on Auburn defensive front. That’s largely due to the much-anticipated return of Carl Lawson and the arrival of super recruit Byron Cowart.
Lambert may not have the upside of either of those, but the senior defensive end has the kind of versatility that could make him a major asset to the Tigers — and benefit the entire defense, as well.
Auburn struggled to get a consistent pass rush last season, finishing 11th in the conference with 21 sacks on the season. Lawson’s presence will rectify much of that problem, but Lambert’s ability to slide inside from time to time—especially on passing downs—could allow Cowart to get on the field more often and give Auburn a fearsome front four when it needs to turn up the pressure.
With Lawson and others taking the attention of opposing offensive coordinators, Lambert could find himself among the team leaders in tackles for loss in 2015.
GIVE HIM THE ROC – ROC THOMAS
It’s hard to deny the allure of the shiny and new. That truth has led many onlookers to predict big things for incoming JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson at running back this year. And while the former four-star recruit has the look of a potential bell cow in Auburn’s offense, he might have to wait a while, because given the performance of Roc Thomas this spring and summer, the sophomore appears to be emerging the front runner at running back.
Thomas doesn’t have Robinson’s 230-pound frame, but he has been Auburn’s “most consistent, steadiest” running back and he brings a lot of skills with which Malzahn can work. A touted recruit in the class of 2014, Thomas has added 10 pounds since last year and appears more prepared for the physical rigors of the SEC.
Also, keep an eye on Thomas in the passing game. He entered college already possessing polished receiving skills, and though the running backs have not been featured prominently in the passing game in the last two years, the potential is there. When Malzahn was the helm of Tulsa’s pass-happy version of the spread in 2007-2008, his running backs averaged more than 50 receptions per year as a group.
Brent Holloway is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State.
