Can Auburn secondary lockdown Tyler Lockett?

AUBURN – Though his production was comparable last season, Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockettis not Mike Evans.

At 5-11 and 175 pounds, Lockett is not Kelvin Benjamin, nor does he possess the game-breaking speed of Odell Beckham Jr.

Yet Lockett is perhaps the best at his position in the country. He is the most productive returning receiver from a year ago, and he doesn't need to be any of those now-NFL receivers to pose a major threat to the Auburn secondary.

Top receivers were able to carve up the Auburn defense last season. Lockett could add his name to the list of banner receiving performances against the Tigers, who can't afford to double-team him because of the dual threat posed by Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters.

"You start double-covering him, that leaves all those quarterback lead runs open — that's what is such a big challenge with him," Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "They're going to run the quarterback with the lead blocker, and when they do that, base defenses don't have enough people on that chalkboard to make the plays. ... If you're going to line up and play him one-on-one with nobody over the top, he's a really good athlete. Their routes are designed to take advantage of that."

Lockett had seven 100-yard games last season on his way to 81 receptions for 1,262 yards with 11 touchdowns. Though it came in defeat, he had 12 catches for 278 yards and three touchdowns against a very good Oklahoma pass defense last season.

Waters will look for Lockett in open space, and Johnson said all of Auburn's corners will likely have to match up with him.

"You can't always match up onto him with who you want, and you can't necessarily put a designed defense on him," Johnson said. "It's going to be a deal where we're going to have to get lined up, and wherever he shows up, somebody's going to have to step up."

Kansas State's objective is to find Lockett, whom Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said has "very big-play ability" alone in single coverage.

Waters connected with Lockett on 10 touchdowns last season, averaging 40 yards per play on those scores.

"He is a really good receiver," Johnson said, "but he also benefits from the aspect of getting that zero coverage out there one-on-one quite a bit."

Lockett, who was not available for interviews Tuesday, has a reception in 31 straight games. His 150 career receptions for 2,340 yards and 19 touchdowns are all within shouting distance of the program records set by his father, Kevin Lockett.

Fellow receivers Curry Sexton and Deante Burton will occupy their fair share of attention as well.

"They have a lot of great receivers, and you can tell that they're really disciplined as a team," Tigers linebacker Kris Frost said.

Auburn corners Jonathon Mincy, Jonathan Jones, Josh Holsey and Trovon Reed will have their hands full. No member of the secondary was available for interviews.

"They are a fast and physical defense," Burton said. "A lot of people talk about the SEC and how they are known for defense, and I think these guys fit that mold. They are very quick, talented and athletic, but I think if we play our game we should be all right."