re: Auburn in the NFL

6 players drafted so far, tied for our most in the modern draft era (7 rounds).

Good chance that Coe and J-Davis both get selected in the 7th.

quote:

---

6 players drafted so far, tied for our most in the modern draft era (7 rounds).

Good chance that Coe and J-Davis both get selected in the 7th.

---

We had such a talented 9-4 team.

Having both OT drafted should hopefully shut up some of the negative recruiting

Hastings agrees to deal with Patriots

quote:

---

Former Auburn receiver Will Hastings will catch footballs from a
familiar quarterback.

Hastings agreed to a deal as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots following the NFL Draft on Saturday, a source familiar with the terms tells Auburn247. Hastings reunites with former Auburn teammate Jarrett Stidham, who takes over at quarterback for future Hall of Famer Tom Brady.

The Auburn receiver garnered attention from two NFL head coaches March 6 during the Tigers’ Pro Day. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn made sure of it, by introducing the 5-foot-10, 175-pound former walk-on to Detroit’s Matt Patricia and the New York Giants’ Joe Judge.

“That was awesome,” Hastings said. “Coming from where I come from, that’s an honor to be able to talk to a head coach like that. It was cool being able to meet some people and meet some scouts who seem interested, so that’s always awesome.”

Hastings walked on at Auburn as a kicker, specializing in onside kicks. His first two onside kicks were not up to snuff, which led to a demotion. Later, with receiver depth an issue in 2016, Malzahn made the decision to move the walk-on kicker to receiver. After all, Hastings was one of only two players in Arkansas history to record 2,000 yards receiving in a single season. He had the skills, just not the body frame everyone is accustomed to seeing in the SEC.

Hastings exploded in 2017 with 525 yards and four touchdowns on 26 catches, but disaster struck when he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a knee during spring practices in 2018. Auburn tried to push him back on the field, but the knee was re-injured and he underwent a second surgery in the fall. He did not record a catch.

Healthy again, he finished his career with 19 catches for 222 yards and one touchdown — and he did it on scholarship.

Are NFL teams worried about his injury history?

“They’re like, ‘We really like you. Agility-wise, you’re really good. You’re getting out of your breaks,’” Hastings said. “There’s nothing that they’ve kind of asked me that’s been like, well — I mean, they haven’t asked me any knee questions or anything. So there’s not been a hard question at all, really.”


Hastings owns several in-house agility records in Auburn’s strength-and-conditioning program.

He didn’t burn the competition, however, at Pro Day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, had a team-low nine reps in the bench press and had the fourth-best vertical at 33 inches. Those numbers would have ranked tied for 21st in the 40 and second-to-last on the bench. His vertical, however, would have ranked in the top 15.

“He's one of the quickest guys I've ever coached,” Malzahn said. “I think he can get open versus any man. I think he's in a good spot. I think he'll have a chance to play at the next level. I couldn't be more proud.”


Time will tell whether Hastings gets an opportunity. He likely will not be selected in the seven-round NFL Draft later this spring and will have to find a spot in free agency.

“It’s just an honor,” Hastings said.

“It’s something you always grow up and think, ‘Maybe one day I can do it.’ When I came here as a kicker, I never thought I would be doing this right now. So it’s really an honor being able to be out here and run and pass and catch and have some teams talk to me and say ‘We’re interested in you’ and ‘Just keep working hard.’ It’s always cool to do that.”

---

Yeah I could’ve told you that 2.5 years ago

Lot of free agent action

Lions - Siposs

quote:

---

Patriots - Hastings

---

Why did it always feel like Hastings was destined for the Patriots?

Detroit