AUBURN, Ala. - No longer the fastest player on Auburn's offense - thanks to the arrival of world-class sprinter Anthony Schwartz - receiver Darius Slayton finds other ways to stand out.
Like his 22.2 per reception average last season, No. 3 in the SEC. Or his string of four consecutive games with touchdown catches in wins over Arkansas, Texas A&M, Georgia and Louisiana-Monroe.
A redshirt junior, Slayton wants to be known as more than a deep threat.
"I've just been trying to work on completing my game," he said. "Being able to run every route on the route tree and catch balls short, intermediate and long. I feel like I've put together a really strong first few days. Going on my fourth year, I just feel really comfortable and I feel good right now."
Working for the second season with quarterback Jarrett Stidham increases Slayton's comfort level.
"We got to a point where we're on the same page more times than not," Slayton said. "I think it just goes a long way when you have a good connection with your quarterback. He always throws a great ball, an easy ball to run up under. If anything he is not doing anything but getting better so I feel like we should be just able to improve."
Slayton and Ryan Davis, who led the SEC with 84 receptions in 2017, give Stidham diverse weapons to employ in Auburn's passing game. They combined for 10 touchdown catches (five each) last season.
Last fall, Darius Slayton finished with 643 yards receiving and five touchdowns and was third in the SEC averaging 22.2 yards per catch. Photo: Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics
"I feel like we complement each other really well," Slayton said. "He is more of a shorter, quicker guy. I am a little bit longer and a little bit faster. I think it is tough for defenses to try to stop one or the other, and then you throw in guys like Nate [Craig-Myers] and other people like that who can also make plays and I think it will be tough to cover us."
At 6-2, 190 pounds, Slayton's investment in Auburn's strength and conditioning program produced results.
"Like anybody who comes into college, gaining weight and getting stronger helps your confidence, especially in a league like the SEC where everybody is big, fast and strong," he said.
"I definitely feel better. I am a little bit heavier now, a little bigger than I was before. I have always been fast. It feels good to be a little bit bigger and be able to take more contact and get physical, even in the blocking game."
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn noticed Slayton's improvement during the Tigers' first three practices.
"He's off to a really good start these first three days," Malzahn said. "We're going to be asking a whole lot of him and we'll be asking a whole lot of Nate and then Ryan. Those are the three guys that really have the experience with Will and Eli's situation up in the air. We're going to be relying on some of those young guys for depth, but those three guys, we're really challenging them, all three, to really take that next step. We're off to a good start so far."
"I feel like we complement each other really well."
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) August 6, 2018
🗣 @Young_Slay2 on @AuburnFootball 1-2 receiving 🥊
Slayton averaged 2️⃣2️⃣ yards/catch in '17 (No. 3 in @SEC). @thaRD5 led league with 8️⃣4️⃣ receptions. pic.twitter.com/ouzS8yH2Zi
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: