Auburn Football: Spring Practice Stock Report

Oct 12, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Tony Stevens (8) celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

UP: WR Tony Stevens

Speaking of replacing Coates and Bray, one of the top candidates to make an impact in 2015 is Tony Stevens. And while his stock is on the rise this spring, it could still go much higher.

The 6-foot-4, 198-pound rising junior only caught one pass last season, but he’s got a ton of upside. As the tallest wideout on the roster, Stevens has the size to become a matchup nightmare for smaller cornerbacks on the outside. As a former four-star recruit, he has the speed and athleticism to stretch the field in the vertical passing game. Simply, he’s got the potential to become a breakout player.

“He’s one of the guys we are ready to see take that next step,” Gus Malzahn said of Stevens last week. “He has shown signs of being able to do that. It’s just a matter of being consistent. This spring will be very big for him. We are giving him a lot of opportunities, quite a few with the ones to see what he can do. It’s just a matter of him being consistent.”

Ricardo Louis is the favorite to step into Coates’ role as a vertical deep threat, but he is also an asset in the slot as a ball carrier on jet sweeps – in fact, Louis is the Tigers’ leading returning rusher heading into 2015. That fact could make Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee hesitant to change Louis’ role next season and give Stevens and fellow big target wideout Melvin Ray a little extra time to establish themselves on the outside.

Next: Dontavius Russell