Two injuries at wide receiver have opened up an opportunity for a bigger offensive role for Sal Cannella.
With Will Hastings and Eli Stove both recovering from spring ACL injuries, Auburn has turned to Cannella to help fill its slot receiver position in fall camp. Cannella, who signed with Auburn out of JUCO as a tight end, provides the Tigers with a bigger look than the team has traditionally used in the slot -- something that could give the offense a new wrinkle when it opens the season Sept. 1 against Washington.
"He's a bigger guy, so he brings a different element to the game, different route-running, he's a bigger target as well, so it's kind of fun to see him as a bigger guy in that role," receiver Ryan Davis said. "He brings a different matchup problem to defenses, as well, he has some wiggle to him, he has great route-running stuff, so it's good to see him in that role and see him do something different as well."
The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Cannella was expected to be a "matchup nightmare" at tight end when he signed with Auburn prior to last season, as the Tigers spoke of expanding the tight end role within the offense. Under offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, the Tigers utilized more tight-end sets last season but did not incorporate the position much in the passing game.
Projected Auburn depth chart for Week 2 of fall camp
Cannella finished his first season on the Plains with just three receptions for 31 yards in 10 games and did not see the field in either of Auburn's final two games of the season, losses to Georgia and UCF. For the year, Cannella was targeted just eight times -- receiving just 2.1 percent of Auburn's targets in the passing game -- and touted just a 37.5 percent catch rate, according to an advanced statistical profile compiled by Football Study Hall.
Cannella figures to see more opportunities in the passing game this season, according to Lindsey.
"Sal is a really versatile guy," Lindsey said. "He has played some tight end, he has played some slot, he has played what we call our big three, which is kind of H-back kind of deal.... Sal has got a chance to help us in a lot of ways. He is a long, athletic guy. He did have a very good spring and he has shown some flashes in the fall. I think he will have a big role for us."
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said receivers coach Kodi Burns will probably rotate a couple of players at the slot position, with freshman Matthew Hill -- who has earned ample praise in fall camp -- another possibility, but Cannella is the veteran most likely to help fill the role held by Hastings (26 catches, 525 yards and four touchdowns last year). So far in fall camp, according to quarterback Jarrett Stidham, Cannella has gotten "a lot of balls" and made "a lot of plays."
"Sal's been great," Stidham said. "He's really taking it a step up this fall, I think. He's worked really hard throughout this whole summer and I think he's ready for this season; I think he's going to take another step forward this season, and I think we need him to. He's obviously a big body and can catch well.
"He can go up and he can high-point the ball, so he's been doing some really good things as a bigger slot than maybe we haven't had before, so it's kind of a new thing that I think we've added a bit to our offense. He's been doing some really good things, I think."
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.
from Auburn Sports Impact http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2018/08/sal_cannella_slot_wr.html
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