Okay yeah, it's July and we haven't even seen these guys all play together. I get it. But when I look at the talent of this group, I really believe this is the most talented group of receivers Auburn has ever had; at least while I've been watching Auburn. This group has the capability to win routes all over the field, continuously putting pressure on opposing defenses. Let's break down the key players and how the Auburn coaching staff can use the weapons in tandem.

Cam Coleman

We have to start with Cam Coleman. At 6'3", 197 pounds, he has the ideal frame and length to dominate as an X receiver at the college level. Last season, he flashed the physical traits scouts wanted to see, beating corners over-the-top, winning 50/50 balls, and showing polish on shorter routes like slants and comebacks. His combination of size, body control, and route versatility makes him a threat at all three levels. He's one of those guys that looks like he's coasting, but he's running by corners that possess 4.4 speed. If Cam isn't a 1,000 yard receiver in 2025, it will be because the room has so much depth that the ball must be shared!

Eric Singleton Jr.

Line this guy up anywhere, and he's going to get open and make plays. In 2024, Georgia Tech moved Singleton Jr. all over the field, scheming him touches out of the backfield to take advantage of his explosiveness in space. He finished the season with 56 catches for 754 yards and 3 touchdowns, showing off elite twitch, body control, separation ability.

If you talk to coaches at Auburn, they’ll tell you the same thing: Eric’s a real football guy. He pairs natural talent with work ethic - the kind of mix that sets up for a breakout year.

Auburn hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 1999. Could that change in 2025? It’s a stretch to say they’ll have two, but with Singleton Jr. and Cam Coleman in the mix, it's not out of the question - if the quarterback play holds up.

Horatio Fields

With 39 receptions for 463 yards at Wake Forest last year, Horatio Fields is no slouch. He's a veteran, and sure hands and reliability can't be understated. Although he's good a great frame at 6'3 / 205 lbs, he's not necessarily explosive or gifted in terms of physical attributes, but Fields demonstrates polished route running and catching capabilities. He keeps his feet on the ground when on the catching the ball on the move - imperative for maximizing yards after catch. He's more of a possession receiver, which complements the rest of Auburn's WR room nicely, who have more dynamic capabilities to win down the field. As of today, Malcolm Simmons status is in question, but I expect Horatio to command starter-level snaps and be a significant contributor for the Auburn offense regardless of the Simmons outcome.

Malcolm Simmons

As I mentioned above, Simmons's status is in question ahead of the 2025 season, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 13th. For the purposes of this blog, we're just going to speak as if Malcolm Simmons will be on Auburn's roster in 2025.

Looking back at the stats, 2024 was a really impressive year for Malcolm Simmons. As a freshman, he totaled 451 yards on 40 touches for the Tigers. While Cam Coleman and Keandre Lambert-Smith won matchups on the outside, Simmons made his money on the short stuff: swing routes, now screens, bubbles, etc. He became the go-to player when Auburn needed to get the ball to players in space who can make plays. Malcolm has long speed, confirmed. Defenses have to know where he is on the field at all times, because he's liable to win over the top at any moment - out of the slot or lined up outside. He shows a little stiffness, meaning he doesn't have great stick his foot in the ground/change of direction, but there's a suddenness to his movement that gives him enough wiggle to make players miss along with his speed.

Sam Turner

This one is kind of going off things I've heard inside the department. People are reaaalllly starting to murmur that Sam Turner is a ballplayer. I'm talking potentially already on the two-deep type ballplayer. Apparently he was making plays that Perry Thompson hasn't made yet. Again, that's just the grapevine talking. But, in my experience, when a freshman comes on campus and starts balling immediately, the entire building knows. I'm not saying Perry is bad player, but we certainly haven't seen it from him yet.

If Sam Turner could come along and provide depth for an already super talented room, that could prove huge down the stretch for Auburn as players inevitably get banged up.

Bonus Content

This article really isn't about the other WR groups in Auburn history, but I wanted to rank them quickly and I'm sad to say... um, we haven't been loaded at receiver maybe, ever? Lol. For context, Auburn's last 1,000 yard receiver was Ronney Daniels in 1999. Anyway, here's the groups:

1.) 2017 - Darius Slayton and Ryan Davis

• Darius has played significant snaps in the NFL since getting drafted in the 5th round in the 2019.

• RD leads Auburn in single season receptions, and although he never played in the NFL, he was a consistent route winner for Auburn. RD was a tough cover. Nick Saban even said, "We just couldn't cover #23".

2.) 2014 - Ricardo Louis and Sammie Coates

• Ricardo Louis was unbelievably inconsistent, but he had skills physical tools that not many Auburn receivers have had. He had a couple decent NFL seasons before a neck injury that basically sidelined him for good.

• Sammie Coates, another receiver who made unbelievable plays down the field but lacked consistency with the little things. Even still, he had a decent NFL stint because of his physical playmaking ability.

3.) 2024 - Keandre Lambert-Smith, Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons

• The first run through at this list, I didn't even have these guys included because of how recent it was. However, when I took a look at each room and the talent, this group may end up having an argument for number one. KLS had 981 yards receiving in 2024. Cam Coleman finished with 598, and Malcolm Simmons had 451. So even though Cam and Malcolm were true freshman, this group was really gifted (which is why I'm so high on the 2025 group).

4.) 2004 - Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu, Devin Aromashadu

• While this group seemed to be very good, all-in-all, they were just okay. No significant NFL contributors. Courtney Taylor was a super solid college receiver with extremely reliable hands, but not crazy talented. (Courtney if you read this, I love you, and 2004 was amazing buddy)

Closing Thoughts

Speaking from a true scouting and evaluation perspective, the group going into 2025 is probably the most talented WR Room in Auburn history. Can they get it done on the field? We're a month away from finding out.