Marcus Davis: Returning Auburn football WR stepping into leadership role

The Auburn football wide receivers room is undergoing a lot of changes during this offseason. Obviously, the biggest one is the coaching change, which most position groups are dealing with, as well. But there has also been a lot of turnover in regards to the players, especially with new guys coming in through the transfer portal.

The Tigers have lost receivers Ze’Vian Capers, Dazalin Worsham, Tar’Varish Dawson, and Landen King to the portal, but they have brought in three additional transfers in former Cincinnati WR Nick Mardner, former Ohio State WR Caleb Burton, and former North Texas WR Jyaire Shorter.

The transfers will join a room full of players with mixed experience, including veterans Koy Moore, Malcolm Johnson Jr., and Ja’Varrius Johnson—who is expected to be a starter at the slot position— as well as some underclassmen who are looking to break into the rotation like Camden Brown, Jay Fair, and Omari Kelly.

So far during this offseason, there is one player that has really stood out to wide receivers coach Marcus Davis. Senior Ja’Varrius Johnson has been impressive in his playmaking abilities, but is also stepping up as a leader, per Auburn Rivals:

"“It is good to have a guy like ’Var in that room, a guy that has got experience and has been out there and has been productive to a point,” said first-year receivers coach Marcus Davis. “It is good to have that and it is good to see him and his work ethic because he naturally has influence and it rubs off.”"

With Auburn football’s new offense under offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery, there is an expectation that the wide receivers room will pick up in production, especially with the staff bringing in several experienced receivers through the portal alongside the addition of former Michigan State QB Payton Thorne.