Auburn depth chart analysis: Slot receiver

AUBURN – Marcus Davis burst on the scene as a true freshman with some big catches as Auburn's slot receiver and figures to be a factor in that role again as a junior.

Auburn saw Quan Bray deliver consistently from the slot last year, with cameos from Ricardo Louis, Davis and Stanton Truitt as well.

Bray's breakout year led to a drop in production for Davis, but wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig was not concerned about the player he calls the "quiet leader" of his group.

"His numbers dipped last year not because of him but because of the focus we put on the other guys," Craig said. "But we can't forget the plays he made as a true freshmen under the circumstances, on the road sometimes."

With D'haquille Williams fixing to face double-teams regularly, the rest of the receiving corps will have ample opportunity to take advantage of man-to-man coverage.

Melvin Ray is a bigger body and the likely leader at that for the inside Y receiver role.

Truitt, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that kept him out of contact in the spring as well, will return and could take the starting job if Davis is used on the outside.

Jason Smith is converting to receiver after a second stint at quarterback while in junior college and will be used in the slot.

Gus Malzahn's take

"Marcus Davis is one of the more reliable players we have on offense. He just does a lot of things right. He's made some big plays for us and I really believe this will be his year to take that next step, just really as a very reliable player."

The Two-Deep

Marcus Davis (5-foot-9, 180 pounds, junior)
OR Melvin Ray (6-foot-3, 215 pounds, senior)
Stanton Truitt (5-foot-9, 184 pounds, redshirt-freshman)

Starter

Davis is one of the many former high school quarterbacks playing receiver and perhaps the most natural.

He made the transition seamlessly as a true freshman in 2013 when he had 23 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown, with the game-saving catch at Texas A&M being his highlight to date.

Davis' production dropped to 13 catches for 92 yards and a score last season due in large part to Bray's breakout year and the emergence of Williams.

"The same type receiver, really quick, and I feel like I can make plays in space like (Bray) did last year," Davis said. "I'm looking forward to doing that."

Davis will appear on the outside as well, likely at flanker, and is a lead contender to contribute in the return game.

"I just want him to come out and continue to do what he's doing in spring," Craig said. "Mr. Consistency for us right now, on and off the field, and hopefully he'll be rewarded during the season. ... I want him to be more vocal.

"I think that comes with his opportunities on the field; I think that comes with mores touches during the game. I think once he gets that he'll have more confidence to step up and be more vocal."

Ray, who had eight receptions for 182 yards and a touchdown last season, will work at the Y receiver position on the inside, rotating with Williams, who flourished in the role last year.

AUBURN OFFENSE ANALYSIS:QB | RB | HB | SE | F | LT | LG | C | RG | RT

Backup

Truitt opened the season with early appearances out of the slot before a shoulder injury ended his season.

Expected to be back in the fall, Truitt will compete for reps and will likely be a factor on special teams as well.

Next Wave

After less than a week at quarterback in the spring Jason Smith(6-foot-1, 180 pounds, sophomore) moved to receiver, where he starred during the 2012 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game.

The former McGill-Toolen star was a mobile quarterback in high school and at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and possess the speed Auburn desires over the middle.

"He's a guy that we're trying to get on the field," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "He's a great kid who's willing to soak everything up and learn and play hard. He's getting better every day with reps."

Summer Arrivals

Ryan Davis (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) is in the same mold as Marcus Davis and Truitt and could be an early contributor, though he faces stiff competition.

Quotable

"I feel like I can get myself open no matter what the coverage is." – Marcus Davis