Auburn Football vs. Arkansas State: Five Surprise Impact Players
By Ty Roush
A list of five players for Auburn football players who could have a huge impact in the game against Arkansas State Saturday night.
A quarterback situation meant to be resolved by the start of the season results in a three – even four at times – quarterback rotation that produced nothing but irritation.
This offensive debacle, despite being one pass away from a victory, exposed a revamped defense, which held the Clemson Tigers to just 19 points.
Certain players shining at different moments – especially those who brought hope to crumbling offensive play-calling – showed that there might be a way more can be accomplished this season.
These are five players that I see potentially making a difference this weekend against Arkansas State, a team that lost to Toledo 31-10.
- Will Hastings
Hastings looks like the last person deserving to be on a football field. This sophomore kicker lined up at receiver and racked up just three receptions for 29 yards with a long for 11 and an average of 9.7. The last time Hastings appeared for a play was a 29-yard kickoff against LSU last season.
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Even though he looked to belong more on a golf course rather than lined up at receiver, Hastings reminded me of other small slot receivers.
If you add on a bit more muscle and some weight, I saw Wes Welker running slant routes.
Yes, that Wes Welker.
Certainly Sean White is no Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but the output was the same. The route running was phenomenal, and he even drew a pass interference call with his size
Hastings has earned more playing time, more snaps and more targets.
Even without any sort of advantage, he has the ability to get to the ball and find holes in the defense.
If he’s the last person you expect to be on the field, he’ll be the last person you expect to get the ball.
- T.J. Neal
T.J. Neal let the world know he could have helped out following a rant on Twitter. Neal ran just one defensive snap and was practically unnoticeable in the loss to Clemson.
Without receiving a single statistic, graduate linebacker transfer Neal found himself frustrated and without hope in his coaching staff.
After later deleting his tweets, he then apologized and showed thanks for the opportunity presented to him at the university.
A career junior season at the University of Illinois with 109 tackles, 15 for loss and two sacks showcased great potential for Neal at Auburn.
Hopefully against a team like Arkansas State, which should not give Auburn much hassle, T.J. Neal presents an opportunity to show what he is capable of at linebacker.
- Deshaun Davis
An ACL tear that left him out for the better part of two years, Davis did in one game what he did all in the entirety of his 2015 campaign. With five total tackles and a pass deflection, Davis dominated for the Auburn defense.
Often times it felt as if Davis was part of every defensive play, his presence was clear and observably felt.
If paired with Carl Lawson, the linebacker position appears to be stacked on a defense that has the whole field seemingly covered.
Against Arkansas State, Davis will look to bring back his performance against Clemson with a bit more added on, hoping to stop the Red Wolves’ rushing game as he did against Deshaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman.
- Nate Craig-Myers
Craig-Myers signed on to the Auburn football team as the sixth rated wide receiver in the country, and although he may be just a freshman, he has the size and speed to be a weapon on the offense.
Targeted just twice against Clemson, which can be blamed on quarterback musical chairs and the bizarre fullback plays, Craig-Myers will look to showcase his talents to become part of the offensive rotation.
Unless the absurdity in the play-calling is cleaned up, however, I do not see Craig-Myers living up to expectations anytime soon.
Though, as Gus Malzahn has stated that he has since disagreed with his quarterback gambling, we can look to see more of our offensive weapons like Craig-Myers, at play.
- Byron Cowart
The expectations of Byron Cowart have gone unnoticed after a lackluster freshman season and arrest earlier in April.
The top prospect for the 2015 season was not penalized for his actions and was not held out of the game against Clemson, tallying just one assisted-tackle.
I highly doubt anyone noticed that tackle, too.
A highly touted defensive end for Auburn has yet to make a difference on the football field, and even though it may just be his sophomore year, he does not look to have deserved the nationwide praise he received in high school.
If there is any hope for me to believe he is the next big thing for this football team, then by all means it will be against Arkansas State.
If not now, then maybe Louisiana-Monroe, Vanderbilt or Alabama A&M.
Next: Auburn vs. Arkansas State: 5 Players to Watch
With a defense that looks to outshine a routinely well run offense, Cowart will need the present to look bright more than ever.