Depth chart analysis: Split end
This is the fifth of a 24-part series that will run up to SEC Media Days detailing Auburn's depth chart heading into the 2014 season. This comes well after the Tigers concluded their 15 spring practices and includes insight from nearly every position coach on the staff.
AUBURN -- The runaway statistical leader of Auburn's receiving corps last season, Sammie Coates, returns to be the primary target for Nick Marshall.
Coates was one of the best deep threats in the country in 2013, with 17 catches of over 20 yards. He was almost exclusively lined up wide left of Marshall and the trend continued on A-Day.
Until Jaylon Denson returns from his torn patellar the second option at split end is more fluid, though Quan Bray is a good option.
The Two-Deep
Sammie Coates (6-foot-2, 201 pounds, junior)
Quan Bray (5-foot-10, 187 pounds, senior)
Gus Malzahn's take
"I think we have more depth at the wide receiver position than any of the three years I was here before. That's a good thing. We've not made any decision past that but the good thing is we have a lot of options. We moved some people around we tried to figure out what their strengths were and we tried to develop some depth thinking specifically for next fall and we've got a lot of good options."
POSITION ANALYSIS: QB | RB | HB | TE
Starter
Sammie Coates was the most consistent and productive receiving threat for the Tigers last year and that should only increase in the fall.
The Leroy native had 42 catches for 902 yards with seven touchdowns in 2013, accounting for more than a third of Auburn's receiving yards (2,422) and TD (20). It was a huge jump from his redshirt freshman campaign, which was noted more for his tirade than his production.
Now Coates is a leader of the receivers on and off the field.
"I think you have to have faith in your guys. I think you have to pinpoint their weaknesses," wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig said. "I think there was a reason for his immaturity. I think there was reason for his drops last season. There was a reason for his acting out (in 2012). We had to pinpoint those things and we had to fix them.
"We had to give him ownership of himself, we had to give him ownership of his teammates, we had to give him ownership of his ability. I think once he recognized what he could be, he started gaining confidence throughout the season and right now we're seeing a person that's able to take that next step into possibly one of the greatest receivers to come play at Auburn."
Coates is already No. 24 on Auburn's all-time career receiving yardage list and if he has 1,000 yards this season, he'll shoot all the way up to No. 6.
Backup
Quan Bray will line up all over the field, as several other receivers do as well. On A-Day he opened at split end but spent time in the slot as well.
The lone senior among the receiving corps, Bray is a leader in the room. He had 23 catches for 195 yards and three touchdowns in 2013 and is a viable deep threat.
Next Wave
Jaylon Denson (6-foot-3, 218 pounds, junior) was at split end prior to tearing his patellar against LSU. He's expected to return for fall camp and was Auburn's best blocking receiver prior to his injury.
Dominic Walker (6-foot-1, 217 pounds, redshirt freshman) is coming off a redshirt season and is a relative unknown at this point. He snagged a five-yard catch on A-Day.
Summer Arrivals
Myron Burton Jr. (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) is the lone summer arrival at wide out and it'll remain to be seen where the coaches feel he fits best in a very crowded receiving corps.
Quotable
"I'm just working on being an all-around wide receiver and just making plays. Not only deep down the field, but short plays, too. I want to be one of those guys you can go to at any time." – Sammie Coates