As the injuries pile up in the Auburn wide receiving corps, head coach Gus Malzahn will attempt to patch the leaks with a skill position transplant.
According to a report from 247 Sports' Brandon Marcello, rising sophomore running back Devan Barrett began to take reps at wideout Tuesday at the team's spring practice, which was closed to the media.
Barrett's move comes in the wake of ACL injuries to receivers Will Hastings and Eli Stove. According to the report, Barrett will fill the void left by Stove in Auburn's speed-sweep formations. Freshman quarterback Joey Gatewood also saw time at receiver in practice, Marcello added.
As a freshman tailback out of Tampa, Florida, Barrett saw action in the backfield and as a return man for the Tigers in 2017. The former four-star athlete carried the rock 14 times for 79 yards, but seemed more comfortable snaring passes, hauling in 10 for 33 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown in the team's Peach Bowl loss to UCF.
Suspicions arose about the position change Monday night when Malzahn tweeted a photo of the running backs, tight ends and specialists at his house, and Barrett was not present. However, the next night, Barrett was in attendance with the quarterbacks and wide receivers.
Big crew at the house tonight. Thank you running backs, tight ends and specialists for coming over!#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/OWVJE4qlXV
— Coach Gus Malzahn (@CoachGusMalzahn) April 3, 2018
Quarterbacks and wide receivers tonight. A lot of fun!#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/WXJAPlNcDM
— Coach Gus Malzahn (@CoachGusMalzahn) April 4, 2018
Barrett found himself trapped in a spring log-jam in the backfield. Kam Martin is assumed as the starter, and backups Jatarvious Whitlow, Asa Martin and Malik Miller have been receiving praise from coaches in the past weeks.
The new look from offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey's offense will be on display Saturday at 3 p.m. CT when the Tigers return to Jordan-Hare Stadium for their annual A-Day spring game. The action will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
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