Boulware looking for playmaker

Special teams coach Jay Boulware said he is in need of a dynamic kick returner to increase special teams production. Onterio McCalebb has been the primary returner for the Tigers. McCalebb has 11 returns for 293 yards, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown against Mississippi State.

Recently Boulware has sent Tre Mason and Quan Bray back to return. Mason has three returns for 79 yards, with a long of 32, and Bray has one return for 21 yards.

“We can pretty much roll with whoever has the hot hand because in reality its up to the guys in front of him to do their job,” Boulware said. “If they don’t do their job, we don’t have a guy that’s dynamic. Not to say that those guys aren’t good players, but I don’t have a guy that’s making a bunch of guys miss.”

Bray has been the primary punt returner for the Tigers, with nine returns for 34 yards. Trovon Reed filled in for Bray while he was suspended and has two returns for 25 yards. But with the longest return this season an 18-yarder by Bray, Boulware has the same concerns at punt returner.

“Quan’s solid, he catches it,” Boulware said. “I wish that, again, that we had a dynamic guy back there that can do some things. We’re 12th or 13th in the league in punt returns and that’s unacceptable. I wish I had a guy that could do some things but at the same time, the most important thing to me is catching the football. We still need to upgrade that position for us. I need some more competition in that room and we’re trying to work a number of different guys in there and we’re trying to see if we can get some guys ready and see if we can have a dynamic player back there someday for Auburn.”

In search of a spark at punt return, Boulware said freshman wide receiver Ricardo Louis has been getting more reps in practice. However, Lois remains third on the depth chart behind Bray and Reed.

“We’ve been working Ricardo Louis back there quite a bit,” Boulware said. “He’s been taking the majority of the reps. You don’t want to work too many of the guys because then you kind of water down the reps. If we can’t find a guy on the team that’s dynamic in that position then we’ll eventually go recruit one. Coach Chizik and I have had conversations about that.”