Auburn Football: Offensive Depth Chart Projections – Wide Receiver

Aug 30, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Melvin Ray (82) scores a touchdown in the first quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Ray

Do people already use the nickname “Big Play” to describe 6-foot-3, 207-pound rising senior wide receiver Melvin Ray? If not, they probably should.

Despite catching only eight passes as a junior in 2014, Ray had 182 receiving yards – which actually made him the team’s leader in yards per reception with 22.8 yards per catch, and ahead of Sammie Coates, who finished in the nation’s top five with a 21.8-yard average.

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Even better, six of Ray’s eight catches game Auburn a first down, plus he scored the season’s first touchdown – a 49-yarder from Jeremy Johnson in the 45-21 season opening win over Arkansas.

Of course, the biggest problem with Ray throughout his career is that he can go long stretches without a catch. After grabbing four passes for 107 yards and a TD combined between the first two games, Ray was shut out over the next six.

Though it’s not always his fault.

“Melvin has been steady all year,” offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said prior to the Outback Bowl. “I know he hasn’t gotten as many balls as he probably deserves, to be honest with you, because he does all the little things right and when he has gotten the ball thrown his way, he’s made a play every time. I’ve got a lot of faith in Melvin.”

The Tallahassee native caught one pass in four of the final five contests, but the Tigers need Ray to step up in 2015 to help replace the production of graduated receivers Coates and Quan Bray, as well as tight end C.J. Uzomah.

After all, he’s “Big Play” Melvin Ray. Or, at least he should be.

Next: Tony Stevens