Gus Malzahn-coached former Auburn football WR signs with Jaguars
Former Auburn football wide receiver Seth Williams, who played under Gus Malzahn for three seasons catching passes from Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham, has signed a futures/reserves contract with the Jaguars.
A contract is designated a futures/reserves contract in the NFL when the player is not officially under contract until the start of the following league season and the player counts against the offseason 90-man roster limit, per Pro Football Network’s Ben Rolfe.
Williams was previously signed to Jacksonville’s practice squad at the end of the 2022 preseason. Before that, he played in two games and was targeted one time during his rookie season on the Broncos. Williams was selected with the No. 219 pick (sixth round) of the 2023 NFL draft.
Auburn football needs to produce NFL-caliber receivers like they used to
Of the many issues Auburn football was plagued with during the Bryan Harsin era, an underwhelming receiving corps is often overlooked. His first season featured Kobe Hudson, Shedrick Jackson, and Demetris Robertson cobbling together good, if not standout, receiving totals. Ja’Varrius Johnson was the only receiver with remotely notable numbers in 2022 from the WR room.
While the tight end position was featured heavily the past two years with the ascension of John Samuel Shenker, there was no NFL talent from the receiving corps. That has to change under Hugh Freeze. It at least needs to get back to a Malzahn era level.
Malzahn got five wideouts drafted during his eight years as head coach and three as offensive coordinator on the Plains. That number isn’t exceptionally high, but with eight running backs (including Tank Bigsby this spring) also getting their names called on draft night, it’s certainly acceptable.
What has been witnessed in recent years continue to age poorly, but Freeze could have things changed very quickly. Recruits look for a proven track record, and nothing proves a coaching pedigree more than producing professionals.