D'haquille Williams settling in at Y receiver

AUBURN – The biggest new addition to Auburn's offense has a more defined role.

After working at several of the wide receiver spots during the spring, D'haquille Williams has found a home at the Y receiver spot, but the top junior college player in the country last season will go outside as well.

"I think he's improved since the spring," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "He's got a better understanding of our offense, and we kind of zeroed in on one position for him. The thing that has stood out to me is that he's given outstanding effort. He wants to be good, he wants to be coached, and his effort is tremendous."

The addition of the 6-foot-2, 216-pound Williams is the key to Auburn opening up the passing game.

"I think it stresses defense a little more," wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig said. "He's going to have be game-planned, point blank. It'll be interesting to see how he progresses and how people try to defend us this upcoming season."

Williams, who had 51 catches for 733 yards and nine touchdowns while at Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. last season, was the headliner in last year's signing class. He gave a preview of what may be coming this fall during the A-Day game, with five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

"He's very natural catching that football," Craig said. "It's like God put his hands on him and said 'hey, you're going to be a receiver.'"

Williams, who has not been available for interviews in his seven months on campus, will also be utilized to block in the running game.

"He's playing well without the ball," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "He's been unselfish, he's blocking and he's making plays when he gets opportunities, too."

Early in preseason camp, Williams was lined up opposite Sammie Coates with the first-team offense. It's unclear when he started working more on the inside, a spot usually reserved for split-out tight ends or smaller, faster receivers who cross the middle of the field.

Regardless of where Williams lines up, his coaches and teammates are confident in his ability.

"You throw it anywhere around him," fellow wide out Marcus Davis said, "I believe he'll make a play against anybody."