Auburn Parts Ways with Preseason All-American WR D’haquille Williams

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Duke of Auburn is no longer an Auburn Tiger. Monday night Gus Malzahn made the announcement that he had dismissed his star wide receiver via a statement.

D’haquille “Duke” Williams was an offensive star for the Tigers in 2014 leading the team with 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns scored despite missing three games. With dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall graduating and pass-first quarterback Jeremy Johnson expected to have a breakout junior season, expectations were high that Williams would be an unstoppable force in Malzahn’s offense this season.

Expectations for both Auburn and Williams have gone by the wayside with Auburn struggling to a 2-3 mark, with the two wins coming against a FCS and Group of Five member and neither victory being a statement type win for the preseason No. 6 team in the nation. In five games this season, Williams has 12 receptions for 147 yards with one touchdown. His season-high was a four reception game for 49 yards against Mississippi State.

Malzahn and Williams have butted heads since last season with the head coach suspending his junior college transfer receiver for the Outback Bowl and for a week during fall camp due to a “discipline issue.” Malzahn’s statement Monday night explained the dismissal adding, “When individuals fail to meet the expectations of our program, there has to be consequences. I gave D’haquille the chance to prove himself. I am disappointed that it did not work out.”

Speculation had Williams as a high draft pick had he entered the 2015 NFL Draft after his junior season. Many draft boards still predict him as a second round pick for the 2016 draft even though his production during his senior season has been low.

Auburn is on a bye this week before back-to-back road games against Kentucky and Arkansas.

Photo credit: chatsports.com; “Duke” Williams tries to silence the Gator faithful in the Swamp (2014).