D'haquille Williams still mulling whether to stay or go

AUBURN – Any words D'haquille Williams shares in reference to his future seem to have Auburn fans on the edge of their collective seats.

The Tigers wide receiver, who remains undecided as to whether or not he'll declare for the NFL Draft or return for his senior season, sparked instant reaction with a tweet many felt indicated he had chosen to go pro.

"I have to do what's best for me and my family," Williams tweeted during Auburn's practice Tuesday afternoon, which he was not at due to an undisclosed sickness, according to offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.

Auburn's leading wide out (45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games) later clarified his remarks, saying he has not made up his mind.

"I said I have to do what's best for my family," Williams tweeted. "So that don't mean I'm going pro or coming back yet."

Two weeks away from the field since the Iron Bowl was not enough time for Williams to make a decision. A source close to Williams confirmed the LaPlace, Louisiana native is still mulling his options.

Should Williams go, he would join Sammie Coates, who declared for the draft on Monday.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. feels Williams is likely a second-round pick, with the possibly of moving to late in the first round.

"The talent level's there," Kiper said last week. "The smaller corners in the NFL are going to have trouble with him but he's got to round off his game. He's got to become more complete. He's got to understand the intricacies of playing the receiver position. It's not just running down the field and making a play; there's a lot more into it and they'll all have to learn that but I think he more than any other, he's only had one year at the major college level. If he comes out I'd say second round."

Like Coates, Williams has spoken with Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, Lashlee and wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig about his decision.

"He's not quite sure what he's going to do yet," Lashlee said. "Sammie a little further along in that. He was 100 percent, and of course Sammie graduated. That had a lot to do with it. We're real happy for him. But (Williams' decision) really hasn't been determined yet."

Lashlee would obviously like to have the 6-foot-2 Williams back as the top target for, presumably, Jeremy Johnson to throw to. However, Lashlee concedes it would be "crazy" for any player to stay if he's most likely going to be a first-round pick.

"As much as we'd hate to lose him, and sometimes that's tough because if you didn't plan for it in recruiting, you may have quicker holes to fill, but that's what's best for him," Lashlee said. "It's good for our program when we have young men being recognized for leaving early in back-to-back years already, and hopefully the guys that leave this year will get early draft status, too, it's a positive."

Of the record 98 underclassmen to enter last year's draft, 36 went undrafted.

Though Williams would almost certainly not risk such a fate, Lashlee wants to make sure any player thinking of leaving early gets the best information possible.

"I think there are some things that he would do very well that would translate," Lashlee said. "I think there some things that he would benefit from staying."