SPORTS

Auburn depth chart analysis: Flanker

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn wide receiver Ricardo Louis celebrates after making a catch during the Auburn A-Day spring game on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.

AUBURN – Ricardo Louis has an ideal skillset for the flanker position.

The senior receiver has the speed to be a vertical threat and is a danger when put in motion or used out of the backfield.

"Right now, he runs probably as good as anybody on our football team," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said earlier this spring. "Having him and Sammie (Coates) together we always had two possibilities."

Louis could see time at split end as well, as he and D'haquille Williams will likely rotate a lot at the outside roles.

Though he had just 21 receptions for 261 yards and three touchdowns last season, Louis could see a jump in production with the departures of Coates and Quan Bray, who played both the slot and flanker last season.

"We need someone to assume that (vertical threat) role and we've been really good the last couple of years of taking the top off and opening things up," Lashlee said. "But I think Ricardo, he can still be an all-around, well-rounded receiver. From intermediate routes and maybe getting more involved in that regard -- and obviously he's really good running the football, whether it's bubbles, jet sweeps, what have you."

Gus Malzahn's take

"Ricardo's a guy that has made some big plays for us the last two years. He understands our offense very well. He's one of those guys -- one of those seniors that has a lot of experience, a lot of big game experience and has played well in big games. We really just want (him) to take that next step. He's one of our leaders, so we'll expect big things out of him next year."

The Two-Deep

Ricardo Louis (6-foot-2, 215 pounds, senior)
OR D'haquille Williams (6-foot-2, 224 pounds, senior)
Marcus Davis (5-foot-9, 180 pounds, junior)

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

Auburn wide receiver Ricardo Louis catches a pass as Auburn defensive back Kamryn Melton guards him during the Auburn A-Day spring game on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.

Starter

Louis has all the traits of a good flanker, but has been effective in a variety of roles.

"He's played outside. He's played at Z receiver, we call the 2 man. He's played the 4/slot receiver, he's played the big slot receiver," wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig said. "I think what you'll see out of Ricardo, we'll have multiple positions for him."

While Louis may be the fastest receiver and one of the quickest players on the team, he was not called upon much in the deep game last season, with just three receptions for over 20 yards compared to nine by Williams and 12 by Coates.

It's what makes him less likely to be at split end, where Williams fits better, or an inside role.

Williams could also see time at flanker, though he is far less likely to ever be used in motion as an outside receiver.

Auburn wide receiver Marcus Davis (80) runs downfield during the NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, between Auburn and Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.

Backup

Marcus Davis cut his teeth as a slot receiver but moved outside this spring in an effort to expand his role in the fall.

Craig refers to Davis as the "quiet leader" of the receivers and as a former quarterback, his knowledge of the game helps him with routes, which is more important at flanker than the more straight forward split end.

"He's a great route runner, he understands how to get open," Craig said. "He understand how to beat press man, doesn't have the top end speed that you would love but he has great speed and tremendous quickness."

Davis had just 13 receptions for 92 yards with one score last season, but Craig attributed that to increased focus on Williams and Bray.

Next Wave

Jonathan Wallace (6-foot-2, 214 pounds, senior) is transitioning to receiver after three years at quarterback. With little time or experience to rely on, Wallace is likely to be asked to do a lot of perimeter blocking.

Summer Arrivals

Darius Slayton (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) is more likely to be used at split end but like other outside receivers, could see time at both spots.

Quotable

"(Louis is) someone you would look for now. He's going into his senior year. He wasn't a high school wide receiver. He was a quarterback, an athlete. So he's been transitioning to receiver this whole time. He's really been running good routes. He's catching the ball better. He's someone you really hope just explodes and has that senior year you're looking for." – Rhett Lashlee