AUBURN, Ala. – Given his credentials, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that the start of Anthony Schwartz's Auburn career can be described in one word: fast.
But not even Schwartz himself expected to be leading Auburn in receiving yards after just four college football games.
"I'm actually very surprised, because I came in thinking I was going to be a specialty guy, whatever the team needs me to do," he said. "I come in and they want me to play meaningful snaps and run everything."
Averaging 20.38 yards on eight receptions, Schwartz's 163 receiving yards exceed the total of his mentor, Ryan Davis (149 yards on 19 catches).
"I work with Ryan Davis after practice every day to make sure I know my plays and make sure I know my routes and make sure I can do everything perfect, like Coach wants me to do."
Having Davis as a tutor eased Schwartz's transition from high school football to the SEC.
"He's very poised," Schwartz said. "He loves seeing everyone succeed. I just try to do whatever he does because I see how he turned out here. He's a great receiver. He's a great person, and so I just try to emulate everything he does."
Davis says he's paying it forward, just like Marcus Davis did for him when Ryan was an underclassman.
"I feel like 'Flash' has some ability nobody else has with his speed, and I feel like he can be a special player, even better than I am," Davis said. "I just see so much potential. I just know he has so much in him. I can't wait to see him grow and get better each and every game."
Schwartz arrived at Auburn later than most of his fellow freshmen, after competing in track and field during the summer.
"He's been a pleasant surprise, how quickly he's caught on," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "The moment's not too big for him. He's protected the football. He's a real football player and he just happens to be one of the fastest guys in the country, too."
"For me, he's been a huge surprise," offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said. "He's a more polished receiver, probably, than I gave him credit for. He's really intelligent, a bright kid. Cares a lot about it, and he's going to be really good. There's no question, he's got a bright future here."
With his world-class speed, Schwartz is Auburn's fourth-leading rusher, averaging 8.8 yards on six carries with a touchdown.
"I feel like I'm fitting in great," Schwartz said. "Whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do it. I feel like I bring speed and I can stretch the field. I can open up the field. I can help the run game get better. I can help the underneath game get better.
"I've always loved football since I was little. I make sure to get extra work almost every day. It's a very physical game in the SEC, especially the SEC West, so I've just got to fill out more. Everyone's fast. Usually in high school, I could just run away from them. Now, they can actually kind of catch me on the perimeter, so I've got to get faster still."
"I've always loved football since I was little."@anthony_flash10 on his fast start for @AuburnFootball, balancing 🏈 & @AuburnTFXC, & adjusting to the @SEC
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) September 26, 2018
"I've got to get faster still." pic.twitter.com/iKjJnH5kGf
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer