5 Auburn Tigers to Watch vs. Kansas State

Sep 6, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates (18, right) runs off the field at halftime during the game against the San Jose State Spartans at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

#18 Sammie Coates, 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, Junior, Wide Receiver

Junior wide receiver Sammie Coates made our list of five Auburn Tigers to watch last week against San Jose State, but when the game kicked off at Jordan-Hare Stadium, it was Coates that was doing the watching.

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The Tigers held the explosive wide receiver out of the Week 2 matchup to rest a minor knee injury that had been hobbling him throughout the week. According to head coach Gus Malzahn, the decision to sit Coates against the Spartans was purely “cautionary” and he should be fully recovered in time for the road trip to Kansas State.

Coates became one of college football’s most exciting playmakers in 2013 with his 902 receiving yards, seven touchdowns and 21.5 yards per catch average that led the nation. The 2014 season is off to a very slow start for the speedy receiver. He had just one catch against Arkansas, which went for 13 yards.

Next Thursday, fans will be excited to see Sammie Coates back on the field instead of watching from the sidelines.