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Does Auburn Need WR Duke Williams to Be a Superstar in 2015?

Barrett SalleeJun 23, 2015

When mentioning the top stars in the SEC, it won't take you long to land on Auburn wide receiver D'haquille "Duke" Williams.

For good reason.

The 6'2", 224-pound monster was a solid weapon for head coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee in 2014, hauling in a team-high 45 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns and establishing himself as one of the best all-around wide receivers in college football.

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Now, with Auburn breaking in new quarterback Jeremy Johnson and a new No. 1 running back, it's up to Williams to be one of the leaders of the offense.

But does he need to be a superstar?

Not really, although I'm sure Williams, Malzahn and Lashlee would welcome that title if he earns it in 2015.

MANHATTAN, KS - SEPTEMBER 18:  Wide receiver D'haquille Williams #1 of the Auburn Tigers makes a catch in the endzone for a touchdown as defensive back Nate Jackson #24 of the Kansas State Wildcats defends during the game at Bill Snyder Family Football St

Williams is going to demand plenty of attention from opposing defensive backs and defensive coordinators. While plenty of passes will still go his way, in a perfect world for the 2015 Tigers, it might be best to have Williams serve as a decoy from time to time and let the rest of the talented wide receiving corps take advantage of one-on-one coverage.

It seems like Ricardo Louis has been on the Plains for a decade. Now the 6'2", 215-pound speedster is entering his senior season with an opportunity to take the place of former Tiger standout Sammie Coates as the primary deep threat in the offense.

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 29:  Ricardo Louis #5 of the Auburn Tigers catches a pass in the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 29, 2014 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Ge

Pressure? Not according to Louis.

"Pressure, to me, is like I have to do it," Louis said in April, according to former AL.com writer Joel A. Erickson. "I don't want to put that on myself, because I know I'm a great player if I just go out and play."

The duo of Williams and Louis could prove to be one of the SEC's best and further open up an Auburn offense that is going to be more balanced anyway thanks to the presence of Johnson—who's much more dangerous as a passer than his predecessor, Nick Marshall.

There are even more weapons around Williams who absolutely have the talent to make an impact.

Marcus Davis and Melvin Ray are veteran backups who have been part of the rotation for the last two years and know what's expected of them by the offensive staff.

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 06:  Wide receiver Melvin Ray #82 of the Auburn Tigers scores on a 50-yard touchdown pass against the Florida State Seminoles in the second quarter of the 2014 Vizio BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl on January 6, 2014

Tony Stevens has plenty of potential, and at 6'4", 205 pounds, can present matchup nightmares for the third- or fourth-best defensive backs on the other side of the ball. Can he be consistent, though?

"The thing with Tony that I've liked is from a mental standpoint," Lashlee told Ryan Black formerly of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. "He should be after two years. I feel like he feels (good enough) about the system to where we can move him around a little bit. That will give him a chance to get on the field more and to help us more."

There are even more stars waiting in the wings who don't have that experience.

Myron Burton caught seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in the spring game, according to the school's stats. At 5'9", 184 pounds, Stanton Truitt has the size and quickness to be dangerous in the slot. Meanwhile, 4-star signee Darius Slayton has all the makings of a potential superstar.

If things go according to plan, Williams' most important work for Johnson and the 2015 Tigers will be as a threat who not only succeeds as a receiver but creates advantageous matchups for the rest of the receiving corps.

He's one of the best receivers in the SEC, and as long as "Duke" reminds the opposing defense of that from time to time, the Auburn offense will be tough to stop.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

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