Auburn football: Demetris Robertson says WRs will “shock a lot of people”

Aside from the offensive line, Auburn football’s wide receivers room was one of the biggest question marks entering the 2021 season. With all of quarterback Bo Nix’s primary targets headed off to the NFL, the Tigers were left with receivers full of potential but lacking experience.

First-year head coach Bryan Harsin looked to solve that problem by bringing UGA wide receiver Demetris Robertson to the Plains for his final year of college football. Robertson started at the WR/Z position on Saturday and caught three passes for 28 yards in addition to carrying the ball once for seven yards, which is the most Robertson has touched the ball in one game since Georgia’s 2020 season opener.

Of course, a lack of playing time was one of the reasons that sent Robertson packing from Athens in the first place. The wide receiver credited Coach Harsin as the reason for choosing to spend his last season on the Plains, per Auburn Undercover:

"“Coach Harsin, mostly,” Robertson said Tuesday during a conversation with reporters. “When I got to meet him, he’s really a great, great person; he aligns with my values and how I am as a person. But also on the field, he’s a great coach, and he’s there to push you and make you a better person and athlete.”"

As far as the wide receivers room goes, Robertson knew coming in that his role was to be the experienced, veteran leader for the younger guys in the group. The returning receivers on the Tigers’ 2021 roster totaled only 23 catches last season.

"“My role on the team is to be a leader for the younger guys — to be consistent and show them the ropes of how to practice and how to play in games,” Robertson said. “… I feel like this group will shock a lot of people as this season goes along.”"

The starting receivers will remain the same for Auburn football’s week two matchup, with senior Shedrick Jackson at WR/X, sophomore Ja’Varrius Johnson at WR/H, and Robertson remaining at WR/Z.