Marcus Davis interview takeaways: Fixing missed assignments, rotations, transfer standouts and more

AUBURN — Auburn football wide receivers coach Marcus Davis spoke to the media on Tuesday. It’s the first time Davis has spoken to the media since the spring. Davis talked about the development of his wide receiver room, bouncing back from a tough scrimmage, the addition of transfers Shane Hooks and Jyaire Shorter and more.

Saturday’s first fall scrimmage was a rough one for the Auburn receivers. Freeze said he wasn’t sure if the wideouts were “loafing” or simply missed too many assignments, but he wasn’t pleased. Davis offered his take after watching the film, saying he “feels good” about his group for now, but needs his players to continue to “master the mundane” and play with tempo throughout practice.

“Some of it is the option routes, getting a better understanding of coverages and everything, but it’s nothing that repetitions can’t fix. The more they get those reps, the better they’ll get at it. That’s like anything that you have an option on. The more you do it, the better you’ll get at it. That’s why we’re really taking advantage of this week.

“We all know we want to be the best we can be. We take it as a challenge to get better and to really hone in the things we need to get better at. And we don’t take it as a negative by no stretch, we have a clear understanding of what we need to get better at, and once we get better, we’re on to the next challenge. That’ show we look at it. That’s with any position. Take on the challenge and get better from it.”

Hooks caught two touchdowns during the Saturday scrimmage. Davis loves what the Jackson State transfer brings to the table.

“The guy is talented. He’s talented. He can win the 50-50 ball. To be that big, he comes out of his breaks at a good pace. He tries to play the game physical, too. We’re glad he’s part of our team. He’s an older guy that’s played a lot of football. When you ask him to do something, there’s some experience behind it. It’s easy to move a guy like that.”

Speaking of transfer wideouts, North Texas arrival Shorter has been equally impressive from talking to observers.

“His tape is a direct reflection of what he’s shown so far. Big, physical guy. It’s hard for the defender to get their hands on him, and he’s got solid speed as well. He’s a bigger guy, super strong, and has good speed. That helps him to get open. That’s what’s been showing so far.”

Coaches and players alike have sung the praises of sophomore Jay Fair. Davis echoed those positive sentiments.

“That dude has had a really good camp. His approach. The main thing is you know what you’re getting with Jay. He’s communicating. He’s trying to do the little things right. He has some strong arms to be a smaller guy, he can catch the ball across the middle. If he keeps doing what he’s doing, I don’t see why he can’t be productive for us in this offense.”

How will Davis go about narrowing down the receiver room and creating consistent rotations? It’ll take time. Davis said the time hasn’t come yet to narrow things down, choosing instead to allow the competition to play out.

“It’s super important. The guys know that. It’s been a consistent message of competition all fall camp. The competition is going to make the guys get better. When you’re talking about those MAs (missed assignments), if the guy you are competing against is limiting those MAs, it’s going to make you step up your game and do a better job. I’m looking forward to what this week brings.

“Right now, those guys are still competing. It’ll be a two-deep of guys rolling. The offenses I’ve been part of, you have to keep fresh legs no matter what if you view them as as starter or not. Coach them the same because the results are going to show what you’re coaching.”

Will there be set positions? Sure, but Davis said the offense will call for plenty of moving around, creating opportunities inside and outside.

“That’s a big part of what this offense is, putting guys in position to make plays. You’ll see guys inside and outside, it’s all about what play gets called. Anybody has an opportunity to make a play or run a different route.”

Davis was also asked about the quarterback competition and how that impacts the development of his receivers’ room, and how his receivers will impact the quarterback battle.

“You want to help your brother out, your teammate out. By us doing what we’re supposed to do, we make it easier for others. That’s something that the guys are aware of, even with the different rotations, we aren’t worried about who is in, we’re worried about what we need to do.”

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