Bryan Harsin content with Auburn receiver options ahead of Akron opener

Bryan Harsin is just a few hours away from formally beginning his tenure at Auburn. The Tigers begin their 2021 season against Akron at home at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Harsin will look to revamp an Auburn offense that averaged just 25.1 points per game last season. They will need a dynamic wide receiver room to do so, and they are working with some new faces. Auburn lost their top three receivers from last season.

Johnson is the most consistent receiver for the Tigers

Redshirt sophomore Ja’Varrius Johnson had a great spring and fall camp, and Harsin believes he is the most steady member of the receiving corps. 

“When we talk about consistency, I think that’s been the most consistent player in the wide receiver room — has been Ja’Varrius,” Harsin said. “You know, he comes out every day, works hard. He knows what to do. I’ve seen him make some really good catches in practice… I like his attitude.”

Johnson, who has also been working with the special teams unit, does not usually make the same mistake twice, Harsin added.  Johnson battled injuries his first year and did not see a lot of action last season, but he is poised to breakout this year.

Georgia transfer picked up on offense quickly 

Auburn is Demetris Robertson’s third school; he played at Cal from 2016-2017 and Georgia from 2019-2020. His best season was his freshman year at Cal where he had 50 receptions for 767 yards and seven touchdowns with an average of 15.3 yards per catch. Last season in Athens he had just 12 receptions for 110 yards, which was fifth on the team.

Harsin cited that there is always a concern new players will struggle to catch on to the broader scheme when they arrive at their new school. With Robertson, that has not been the case. 

“He’s done a heck of a job at just catching on to what we’re doing,” Harsin said. “He’s very bright. His study habits, not just here in the building but away from here in his dorm room or whatever he’s got to do to get himself ready to go each and every day. I think he grasps things pretty well and has done a good job of putting himself in a position where he can move around. We can use him in different positions.”

Robertson left Georgia because of a loaded wide receiver room. Even with George Pickens out with an ACL tear, Dominick Blaylock still recovering from an ACL tear and Arik Gilbert currently away from the team for personal reasons, Georgia has several other options at the position: Kearis Jackson, Jermaine Burton and tight end Darnell Washington. Robertson was going to struggle to make an impact in Athens.