Auburn’s football program is loaded with some top-end talents for the 2020 NFL Draft. But the Tigers go deeper than Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Noah Igbinoghene, who are all likely top-50 overall selections.
Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia was prominent at Auburn’s pro day on Friday. Notably, he was the first coach in the door to the indoor practice facility. Patricia, who was joined by Lions GM Bob Quinn on the trip, was prominent in several videos on social media showing workouts of DTs Brown and Davidson. But he also paid attention to a lesser-known Tigers prospect.
Patricia was personally introduced to slot receiver Will Hastings by Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. Hastings has quite a story, too.
The 5-foot-10, 174-pounder began his Auburn career as a walk-on kicker before moving to wide receiver in his sophomore season of 2016. He missed all of 2018 with two separate knee injuries. Hastings caught just 19 passes in 2019.
That doesn’t sound like an optimal draft candidate, but this is the exact kind of player those followers of the Patriot Way gravitate towards. Gritty, smart, insatiable work ethic, versatile, those are all apt descriptions of Hastings.
He’s extremely unlikely to be selected but if the 2020 NFL Draft ends and you see Will Hastings signing with the Lions as a free agent, remember this pro day.
