Ready or not? Who may emerge during Auburn's fall camp

AUBURN | Before Auburn fall camp gets going, Auburn Live is taking a quick look at players that could make impacts in August. Bryan Harsin has quickly stamped the mantra of competition above all else on his players.

No job is safe and competition is king. Welcome to the new regime.

A quick note: These are simply players to watch closely, players that are intriguing, as they try and bolster Auburn’s chances of winning on Saturdays.

Tar’Varish Dawson Jr. and Ja’Varrius Johnson

When it comes to Dawson Jr., he’s fast. He’s very fast. The Fort Meyers, Florida receiver was ranked as one of the top 60 prospects in the state of Florida by most recruiting services, including being one of the top-ranked “athletes” in the nation.

The Lehigh Senior High School product recorded over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns. He added seven interceptions and a punt return for a touchdown.

Johnson is in the same mold as Dawson Jr., but with two years of college experience. Johnson was dynamite at Hewitt-Trussville High School, recording over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. He earned first-team all-state honors and four-star rankings by some recruiting services.

When you look at Auburn’s roster at receiver, there is intrigue with both guys.

Insiders around the program have mentioned both by name at different times as players that could be fun to watch develop this fall. Between Demetrius Robertson, Ze’Vian Capers, Elijah Canion, Kobe Hudson and others, the size is there. Auburn needs a player to emerge that creates separation in tight spaces and finds ways to get open, and help Bo Nix move the chains.

Sidenote: The state in which Robertson shows up will also dictate playing time as well. Robertson should be on campus after he finishes classes at Georgia this week, but what physical shape he’s in and how quickly he picks up the offense will create a ripple effect among the receiving corps.

Think Ryan Davis. In a perfect world, think Jaylen Waddle. Per insiders, Dawson Jr. has really opened eyes with his speed and elusiveness. He’s really small, but good luck staying with him in the open field.

Johnson is the most likely to rise to the occasion this fall, but Dawson Jr. could really set himself up for a bright future with a big fall camp.

Ze’Vian Capers

Speaking of Capers, now is his time. The flashes of real production are there. He’s Auburn’s most proven receiver returning.

At 6-foot-4, there’s a bunch of things to like about what Capers brings to the offense. He’s battled injuries and COVID-shortened practice time that’s hindered his development.

This particular Auburn receiving corps is incredibly unproven overall, but the talent is there, and Capers may lead the way. Robertson’s development will factor in here, but Capers has the opportunity to break out from the pack and make tremendous strides to help Bryan Harsin and Mike Bobo’s offense succeed this fall.

Jarquez Hunter

The only thing we know for sure about this Auburn football is that Tank Bigsby will start. However, the other thing we know about SEC football is you better have a stable of capable backs.

Enter true freshman and Mississippi’s most recent Mr. Football, Jarquez Hunter.

Bigsby’s shadow is large, and senior Shaun Shivers is a team captain and fan favorite. It’s easy to let Hunter fly under the radar, but you better not count out the Philadelphia, Mississippi native for legitimate playing time right away. Hunter has an impressive build at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds. He racked up nearly 1,700 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns during his senior season at Neshoba Central High School. He tallied over 2,000 all-purpose yards.

In fact, Hunter left high school with 93 career touchdowns, which is a new school record.

According to insiders, Hunter is a beast in the weight room. He squats 600 pounds.

Bigsby will get 20 carries a game, Shivers will serve his purpose, but insiders say Hunter has the size, build and toughness to get real carries in conference play. The degree of Hunter’s emergence could be a major factor in the health of Bigsby and the effectiveness of Auburn’s rushing attack this season.

Bydarrius Knighten

Outside of Roger McCreary and Smoke Monday, Auburn’s secondary is the wild, wild west entering fall camp. There’s a bunch of playing time up for grabs at the safety, nickel and corner positions.

One of, if not the most intriguing players to watch, is Bydarrius Knighten. The Southeast Missouri State transfer had a fantastic career in the Ohio Valley, racking up all-conference honors twice and leaving school with 245 career tackles, six interceptions and 18 pass break-ups. Originally from Tunica, Mississippi, Knighten is finishing his college career fairly close to home.

Like Dreshun Miller, Knighten will be a senior. That means he’s not coming to Auburn to mess around. Harsin recruited these guys to make an impact during their one season.

At 6-foot-1, 201-pounds, Knighten has the size to rotate between multiple positions in the secondary, with the focus being safety and nickel. Insiders are really impressed with his athletic ability and football savvy.

Lee Hunter

The difference between Auburn’s defense taking a step forward or not under Harsin and Derek Mason could come down to the defensive tackles.

Can Auburn find the depth to be competitive stopping the run against the league’s best? If they can, true freshman Lee Hunter will likely be part of the equation.

Colby Wooden and Zykevious Walker are budding stars. Tyrone Truesdell and Marquis Burks are veterans with good ability. Hunter brings a little something different to the table.

The fleet-footed 6-foot-4, 320-pound youngster from Mobile, Alabama had a marvelous senior season at Blount High School with 54 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He followed that up by putting some nice plays on tape during the A-Day game. Hunter absolutely has that coveted dual-threat ability to take up space and get to the quarterback.

Insiders view Hunter as a big-time variable on this defense. He has the ability to develop quickly and be a legitimate factor in what the Tigers want to do on defense. He’s also a great teammate. Some inside the program believe he’s a future team captain.

Hunter, a top-10 defensive tackle by some recruiting services, could really, really give Auburn a dual-threat boost on the inside.

Follow Justin Hokanson on Twitter at @_JHokanson. Follow Auburn Live on Twitter at @auburnliveon3.