WFE12 9,190 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 ‘I want the ball’: WR Marquis McClain seeks major role in Auburn’s 2019 offense Josh Bean -al.com Marquis McClain admitted he considered transferring or giving up football. After three seasons at Auburn, McClain has caught two passes and didn't catch a single pass in 2018 while playing in every game. But he's got high hopes for 2019. "I want to be the guy when the game is on the line, I want the ball," he said after Saturday's scrimmage. "When it comes down to it, that's what I see myself as." Auburn lost leading receiver Ryan Davis, who set the Auburn career receptions record, to graduation, and No. 2 receiver Darius Slayton left early for the NFL Draft. That leaves sophomores Seth Williams and Anthony Schwartz as the top returning receivers, and spring practice gives others the chance to impress the coaching staff. With Schwartz is running track this spring and fellow receivers Eli Stove and Will Hastings still recuperating from knee injuries, McClain has a prime opportunity to establish a role in Auburn’s offense. “This is the year,” McClain said. “Darius left. Ryan left. Who are we going to go to? I just made the decision, like it’s going to be me. I’m going to be the go-to guy. That’s been my plan, that’s the goal, that’s the dream.” At 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds, McClain has played as an inside receiver during his Auburn career, but made the move outside this spring. He working to replace Slayton as an outside receiver and deep threat. "He had his best practice (last Friday), best practice he's ever had here," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said when asked about McClain. "We're really counting on him to take that next step, and he's shown some really good signs this spring." McClain said offseason discussions with his parents, Malzahn and other coaches galvanized his resolve to carve himself a role in the 2019 offense. Fans will get a chance to see McClain's progress in Saturday's A-Day Game. “It’s supposed to be a big spring for me, as far as taking the next step and getting better,” he said. “I sat down with my parents and told them, ‘I think this is the spring where I really buckle down and no distractions and just focus on me and focus on getting better as a receiver.’ I talked to Malzahn, I talked to Coach (Kodi) Burns about me just taking that next step and being the guy.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFE12 9,190 Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 Saying it again...He is my man crush...I expect great things from him. Dude is too athletically gifted. This article is music to my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey 16,461 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 The staff has said for several years now that the only thing keeping McClain from becoming a very good player was McClain himself. Whatever served as his wakeup call, it's better late than never. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weagl1 1,780 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 You just look at that guy physically and the flash he showed in that spring game two years ago you have to think he could be a total stud. Of course, we don’t get to see practice but whatever it is that has been holding him back I hope he has worked it out. It’s a shame to waste that type of athleticism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 8 hours ago, WFE12 said: ‘I think this is the spring where I really buckle down and no distractions and just focus on me and focus on getting better as a receiver.’ Sounds like he owns the fact that he hasn't made more of an impact. I hope that he and the staff can work together to change his path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle 3,895 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 I'll believe it when I see it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 17 minutes ago, Sizzle said: I'll believe it when I see it Seems we always get one or two of these stories in the spring, and this might mostly be about who left. But at least there is a real opportunity there and he really is an athletic weapon. As always, Auburn fans: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle 3,895 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 7 minutes ago, McLoofus said: Seems we always get one or two of these stories in the spring, and this might mostly be about who left. But at least there is a real opportunity there and he really is an athletic weapon. As always, Auburn fans: yep these stories come out every summer. I hope McClain finally balls out tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexava 6,972 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Football is a tough game. Players bloom at different times. This could be his time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle-1 3,821 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 At least Gus seems to be high on him this year. He has mentioned his name more than any player on the team this spring. For me, it's been an impatient wait. The guy's physical tools certainly makes one optimistic. I'm really excited about the size of some of our receivers this year. Whether we can consistently get the ball to them remains to be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aujeff11 6,243 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 5 hours ago, McLoofus said: Seems we always get one or two of these stories in the spring, and this might mostly be about who left. But at least there is a real opportunity there and he really is an athletic weapon. As always, Auburn fans: I mean, I think it’s cool that they’re just kinda hanging out, shooting the breeze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auburn2Eugene 2,317 Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 14 hours ago, McLoofus said: Seems we always get one or two of these stories in the spring, and this might mostly be about who left. But at least there is a real opportunity there and he really is an athletic weapon. As always, Auburn fans: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auburn2Eugene 2,317 Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 Dang you @McLoofus. You have made me pull out the old school "Monty Python Sings" cd. I havent listened to this since the mid 90s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaker 2,457 Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 On 4/8/2019 at 11:44 PM, Mikey said: The staff has said for several years now that the only thing keeping McClain from becoming a very good player was McClain himself. Whatever served as his wakeup call, it's better late than never. This is a fact. I recall 2 yrs ago, I think it was KJ that said he was one of the most improved or impressive receivers during bowl practice. We all thought that spring game he was going to set a tone or make an impression....crickets. I hope he is just a late bloomer like Ron Stallworth was in the 80's on the DL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger 8,801 Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 They've been writing this article every year lol. They know the fans love our annual Marquis McClain update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Loblaw 636 Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 The dude had an nfl body as a freshman. It’s crazy that he’s never been able to to seethe field. Playing WR is not that complicated. He’s either a scatter brain or just a baby who refuses to block or be physical. Hopefully that’s changed cuz we could really use another BIG bodied receiver besides Seth Williams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddc 13,194 Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 41 minutes ago, Gene Loblaw said: The dude had an nfl body as a freshman. It’s crazy that he’s never been able to to seethe field. Playing WR is not that complicated. He’s either a scatter brain or just a baby who refuses to block or be physical. Hopefully that’s changed cuz we could really use another BIG bodied receiver besides Seth Williams It’s of no benefit to call our players names like this! You don’t know if any of these things are true, respect for players is warranted here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird 60,288 Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 3 hours ago, Gene Loblaw said: The dude had an nfl body as a freshman. It’s crazy that he’s never been able to to seethe field. Playing WR is not that complicated. He’s either a scatter brain or just a baby who refuses to block or be physical. Hopefully that’s changed cuz we could really use another BIG bodied receiver besides Seth Williams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc4aday 1,887 Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 I am pulling for the young man and hope he makes us all proud at season's end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cole256 16,951 Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 On 4/12/2019 at 2:30 PM, Gene Loblaw said: The dude had an nfl body as a freshman. It’s crazy that he’s never been able to to seethe field. Playing WR is not that complicated. He’s either a scatter brain or just a baby who refuses to block or be physical. Hopefully that’s changed cuz we could really use another BIG bodied receiver besides Seth Williams You played wr gene? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 22 minutes ago, cole256 said: You played wr gene? On the PS4 most likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Win4AU 4,043 Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 I was slightly underwhelmed by the two long shots that he slowed up on yesterday. I think one he never saw the ball and the other I don’t think he expected to get thrown to and slowed up. Gotta go non stop in the real games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steeleagle 2,945 Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Win4AU said: I was slightly underwhelmed by the two long shots that he slowed up on yesterday. I think one he never saw the ball and the other I don’t think he expected to get thrown to and slowed up. Gotta go non stop in the real games. I was thinking the same thing on those plays. He doesn’t seem aggressive going for the ball like Seth Williams has shown the last 2 years.i agree it seemed like he kinda gave up on the plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C'viewTiger 242 Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 3 hours ago, Win4AU said: I was slightly underwhelmed by the two long shots that he slowed up on yesterday. I think one he never saw the ball and the other I don’t think he expected to get thrown to and slowed up. Gotta go non stop in the real games. He did the same thing in HS also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oracle79 3,569 Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 18 hours ago, steeleagle said: I was thinking the same thing on those plays. He doesn’t seem aggressive going for the ball like Seth Williams has shown the last 2 years.i agree it seemed like he kinda gave up on the plays. Agreed. I don't see much changing for him this year unfortunately. Something isn't clicking for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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