Can Tony Stevens be consistent, earn starting spot?

AUBURN – There is a big void to fill at wide receiver on the Plains after the departure of Sammie Coates, and Tony Stevens is being talked up as the heir apparent.

Though he had only one catch for 22 yards last season and saw action in just seven games, Stevens is the leading candidate to take over for Coates at split end, where he led Auburn in receiving yards the last two seasons.

"He's one of the guys that we're ready to take that next step," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said of Stevens. "He has shown some signs of being able to do that. It's just a matter of being consistent.

"This spring will be very big for him. We're giving him a lot of opportunities, quite a few with the (first team) just to see what he can do."

Consistency is what has kept Stevens off the field, according to the coaches.

"Tony will make the Top 10 'SportsCenter' play and then he'll make a JV high school play," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "It's Tony's time and he knows that. I think he has really embraced that opportunity. Tony has all of the ability in the world, and he can really help us."

Stevens does have something that can't be taught: height. At 6-foot-4, he's Auburn tallest wide receiver and a natural fit as a vertical threat.

He's also got the confidence of his quarterback.

"He's 6-4 and he can run, he can catch and he can make plays," Jeremy Johnson said. "Now that his time is here, he's going to do big things for us. He's just a great athlete."

The hope is for Stevens, who has not been available for interviews, to capitalize on the opportunity presented to him this spring and prove he's worthy of being on the field opposite D'haquille Williams.

Still, with a player whose career totals are six catches for 90 yards with one touchdown and whose consistency has been the primary concern, it's difficult to know during 15 practices in March and April what will be reliable some September.

The best Auburn can do for now is simulate game-like situations and hope Stevens makes the plays presented to him.

"When you get in a scrimmage-type situation from a coach's standpoint, even though it's spring, you really find out," Malzahn said. "A lot of guys mature, a lot of guys the light will click on and they'll turn into a different player and really want the ball and all that. That's what we're really hoping for him.

"We're going to give him plenty of opportunities in scrimmage situations. When we go over to (Jordan-Hare) Stadium, it's a little bit different when we're scrimmaging. We're just hoping, not only him, but there's a handful of other guys, we're really hoping to take that next step forward."