Sept. 4, 2016
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - It's not a position change Southeastern Conference fans are used to seeing every day.
From walk-on designated onside kicker as a freshman, to clutch receiver as a sophomore.
At least one person at Jordan-Hare Stadium was not surprised Saturday to see Auburn repeatedly throwing to No. 33, Will Hastings, to move the chains.
Hastings, himself.
"In the winter, we did all of the agility drills, and I thought I had a chance," said Hastings, who piled up huge receiving stats, 2,040 yard as a high school senior, at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. "Spring came, and I did some good things. From there, they kept putting me at wide receiver. In the fall, I just did my thing. Worked hard. Did what the coaches said. That's how I got to play."
Each of Hastings' three catches resulted in first downs, two on third down, and one of fourth down. With 29 yards, he was Auburn's second leading receiver, behind Marcus Davis with 56.
"I felt good. Imagined myself back in high school," he said. "We practiced all week, and I felt very confident about it."
Hastings was on the field for the final play, when Sean White's pass to end zone was tipped, then batted down, securing Clemson's 19-13 win.
"I've been working hard, all of us have been working hard. I wish we could have gotten that one," he said.
The Tigers reached the end zone in the second half on Kerryon Johnson's 9-yard touchdown run.
"We went back in the locker room. We just talked, and got a better game plan. We just came out and played Auburn tough."
Hastings' first career catch, an 8-yarder in the first quarter, provided Auburn's initial first down.
"I think I'm really quick, and fast. I think I have good hands. I think I can be an attribute," he said.
Listed at 5-10, 172 pounds, Hastings relies on that quickness to separate from defensive backs.
"Repping it over and over in practice. A lot of people said I couldn't do it. It just gave me more motivation to do it. That means a lot to me."
Last season, Hastings attempted one onside kick, against LSU. This year, he figures to play a much larger role.
"It definitely meant a lot to me. Gave me a lot of satisfaction," Hastings said. "We've got to step it up. We've just got to keep working hard."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer