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Auburn Football: Can Duke Williams Put Up Amari Cooper Numbers in 2015?

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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In a surprising turn of events, Auburn wide receiver Duke Williams announced in late December that he planned to return to school in 2015. So, what sort of numbers can we expect in 2015? Can he approach Amari Cooper territory?

With the official deadline to declare for the NFL Draft officially passing Thursday, it finally feels safe to discuss what sort of impact D’haquille Williams will have on the Auburn football team in 2015.

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Williams transferred to Auburn from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the spring of 2014. A 6-foot-2, 216-pound wideout, Williams led the team with 45 receptions, 730 receiving yards and five touchdown catches in the regular season despite missing two full games with a knee injury and a third (the Outback Bowl) due to suspension.

The Louisiana native has the talent to be a first round pick, and he’s taking a risk returning to school. But, he’s also got an opportunity to do great things as a senior.

“He’s going to be able to play inside and outside,” wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig told AL.com Thursday. “Right now, we’re trying to get him to lose about 10 or 15 pounds and if he can do that he’s going to be really special next year.”

So, what would be considered a special year?

How about the one Amari Cooper had in 2014? While playing in a pro style offense with a first-year starting quarterback, Cooper rewrote the Alabama record books as a junior. Cooper caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns in one of the best seasons a wide receiver has ever had.

Can Williams compete with those statistics? It’s not out of the question.

Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver D’haquille Williams (1) pulls in a pass over Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Matthew Wells (22) during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Despite a history of rushing success under head coach Gus Malzahn, coupled with  talented running backs like will be sophomore Roc Thomas, junior college star Jovon Robinson and incoming freshman Kerryon Johnson, expect to see the Tigers go to the air more often in 2015 than they did last season.

And with rocket armed Jeremy Johnson taking over at quarterback for the fleet-footed Nick Marshall, it shouldn’t be a shock see some very big passing numbers next year.

After all, as an offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn led Tulsa to a No. 3 national ranking in passing offense in 2007. That season the Golden Hurricane became the first squad ever to produce a 5,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, and three 1,000-yard receivers. Quarterback Paul Smith connected on 327 of 544 passes (60.1%) and threw for 5,065 yards and 47 touchdowns.

As for the receivers, in 2007 Brennan Marion had 39 receptions for 1,244 yards and eleven touchdowns (an eye-popping and nation-leading 31.9 yards per catch), and Trae Johnson led the Hurricane with 70 catches and 13 touchdowns while accumulating 1,088 yards.

In 2008, Malzahn again orchestrated the Tulsa offense and led them to top ten rankings in rushing (fifth) and passing (ninth). His new signal caller David Johnson amassed 4,059 passing yards and 46 touchdowns on 258-for-400 passing (64.5%). Marion led the team with 43 receptions, 1,112 yards and a 25.9 average but his eight TD grabs tied for third on the team. Tied for third.

So with that in mind, and Williams back as one of the best offensive weapons in the SEC, can Duuuuuuuuke put up numbers similar to those that made Amari Cooper a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2014?

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    • Everyone (including Auburn) knew Cooper would be targeted early and often, and it simply didn’t matter. He gashed defenses. Against the Tigers, Cooper had 13 receptions for 224 yards and three touchdowns, all of which tied his season and career highs.

    Cooper and Williams are roughly the same height, and they have roughly the same physical tools. Cooper is a little faster, and Williams is a little thicker, but they are both talented playmakers at the wide receiver position and their offensive play-callers know how to best utilize the players at their disposal.

    Interestingly enough, Cooper’s sophomore season stat line is almost identical to Williams’ this year: 45 receptions, 736 yards and four touchdowns. Under new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, Cooper flourished into a Heisman contender and a sure-fire first round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

    Can Duke Williams make a similar jump in production? If he stays healthy, stays out of trouble and Malzahn turns the Auburn offense loose like he did at Tulsa, absolutely.

    Next: Recruiting: 12 Auburn Targets & The Odds They Sign

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