In Auburn's second scrimmage, last Saturday, explosive plays were the highlight of the day. The majority of those explosive plays were the result of sophomore wide receiver Ricardo Louis' play.
"They told me before the scrimmage they were going to try and get me the ball and they got me the ball and I made plays," Louis said. "We've been working hard this whole offseason, and I just felt like I had to show them what I could do and make a lot of plays."
Louis was a highly touted high school recruit who was expected to come in and contribute early to the Tiger's offense, but things didn't work out that way for him as he had some growing pains just like many freshman do.
This season he wants to rebound from his average freshman season, and live up to the high standard the coaches have for him.
"Last season everybody was saying I was going to be a good receiver for the quarterbacks to throw it to, and now I want to live up to that standard and keep it up," Louis said. "I just want to compete for a starting spot and produce for this offense."
While last season did not go the way Louis would have liked it to have gone he does not regret his freshman season.
"I learned a lot, actually. It wasn't frustrating because I was learning behind Emory Blake and all the senior receivers. I just took it all in as a learning experience and learned from what they did, so I can make my game better."
What he took away from playing behind Blake was the importance of running crisp smooth routes. So far this has really improved Louis' game.
Louis is a very versatile receiver that can do several different things, something that Gus Malzahn can utilize in his offense.
"I pretty much can do anything you want me to do, go deep, little short routes, screens and whatever else they need me to do," Louis said.
Even with his strong performance in the second scrimmage, Louis is still looking to earn a starting spot and Saturday's scrimmage will go a long way toward helping him solidify his role in this offense.
"It's going to be pretty big," Louis said. "I'm just going to do what they ask me to do, and try to get the ball in my hand as much as possible and do what I can."
Auburn will hold it's fourth scrimmage in Jordan Hare Stadium on Saturday morning.
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