Auburn Football: Projecting the Tigers' Top 5 Receiving Targets in 2012

The Auburn Tigers find themselves embattled at the quarterback position for the fifth time in six years. Projecting the Tigers top receiving targets in 2012 should be a tough task when no one is quite sure who will be tossing the pigskin to begin with. 

With that in mind, I decided to come up with a historically trending statistical look at how the Tigers receivers should fare in the Scot Loeffler offense. 

Taking a look at Scot Loeffler’s stops in college for the past eight years, I took the number of passing attempts by Loeffler quarterbacks and found an average of 335.5 attempts a season. 

Using the average number of attempts as a gauge, Auburn should try 335.5 passes this season. With a very modest 58 completion percentage for the future Auburn starter—Clint Moseley had a 61.1 CMP percentage in 2011—195 catches should land in the Tigers hands by the end of the year.

Keep in mind that 195 completions would place the Auburn quarterback tied for 64th in completions in 2011. It isn't a lofty goal for the Auburn offense. 

There are no Jedi mind tricks or future projections guided by a crystal ball here, but it is a fun way to look at how the Tigers could produce through the air this coming season. 

Emory Blake: WR

It was made clear by receivers coach Trooper Taylor during spring that Emory Blake was a target that the Tigers want to utilize this fall. 

Taylor has started the “80 for 80” campaign, meaning he wants at least 80 catches out of Blake this fall. Blake told The Auburn Plainsman “I love it…(catching) 80 would be very nice.”

With Blake being the obvious go-to guy for the Tigers this fall, he may draw a lot of attention from opposing defenses. Assuming Auburn can find other threats to draw attention away, Blake will have a tremendous senior campaign. 

Blake has the ability to use his frame and separate to make the catch. He has also shown the ability to make it past defensive backs in one-on-one coverage. With his skills and drive to finish his career with a NFL draft day visit to New York City, look for Blake to get his 80.

Projections: 84 catches, 16.9 YPC, 1,420 yards, 11 TDs

Philip Lutzenkirchen: TE

Philip Lutzenkirchen has been the most productive tight end in Auburn history. He holds the record for most touchdowns by a tight end with 14 receiving TDs and only 44 total receptions. 

Those are great numbers for any pass catcher, much less an under-utilized tight end. 

Lutzenkirchen was stuck in the H-back role for the past two seasons, sharing time with Eric Smith in 2010 and owning the position in 2011.

This season the Tigers will have Jay Prosch to handle the H-back and fullback blocking, which should free up Lutzenkirchen more in the passing game. Scot Loeffler will implement the tight ends often in the passing game this year. Look for big things from Lutzenkirchen. 

I figure 43 catches for Lutz, why not hit his jersey number?

Projections: 43 catches, 11.3 YPC, 486 yards, 9 TDs

Onterio McCalebb: RB

Onterio McCalebb had a huge season for the Tigers last year from the backfield. Auburn struggled to find consistent production on offense in 2011.

When the Tigers did find consistency on offense, Onterio McCalebb usually had something to do with it.

McCalebb quietly became the Tigers second leading receiver last season with 32 receptions, 344 yards, 10.4 YPC and two touchdowns.

I expect McCalebb to continue to be a threat in the passing game from the backfield as he has shown great hands and a knack for finding holes in the defense.

Projections: 24 catches, 9.7 YPC, 233 yards, 4 TDs 

Trovon Reed: WR

Not many recruits receive the fanfare that came with Trovon Reed. So far he has battled numerous injuries in his time with the Tigers, causing him to fall very short of expectations. 

This is Reed’s year to prove that he can be effective in the Tigers offense. 

In the slot the Tigers will look for Reed to find space and use his quickness to exploit defenses in the middle third of the field. Screen plays will also be a part of the game for Reed. He showed the ability to use screens to make plays in 2011. 

Assuming Reed stays healthy, he could be a great safety valve for the Auburn quarterback this season.

Projections: 23 catches, 8.8 YPC, 202 yards, 3 TDs

Travante Stallworth: WR

Travante Stallworth is expected to share starting snaps for the Tigers opposite Emory Blake at outside receiver. He is battling with DeAngelo Benton for the starting spot. 

Stallworth is a bit undersized for the outside—he stands at 5’9”—but he has the speed and shiftiness to make a difference at the position. 

Assuming that Stallworth will stay healthy and play a significant amount of snaps, 21 catches is a number that is modest enough to be attainable. Stallworth could land more, but for this scenario’s purposes, that’s all he gets. 

I think Stallworth will show off this year when he does catch the ball and could lead the Tigers in yards per catch. Stallworth is explosive with the ball in his hands and as a senior will be looking to put together his first complete season.

Projections: 21 catches, 21.8 YPC, 458 yards, 4 TDs 

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