D'haquille Williams not with Auburn at Outback Bowl

D'haquille Williams

Auburn receiver D'haquille Williams was considering turning pro after the Outback Bowl. As of Friday, he may have already played his last college game.

Williams, the team's leading receiver with 45 catches for 730 yards, did not travel with the team to Tampa on Friday for the Outback Bowl, where Auburn will face Wisconsin on Jan. 1.

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Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Williams and linebacker Cassanova McKinzy were "running late," according to the Montgomery Advertiser. It's still unclear whether Williams will play against the Badgers.

The junior college transfer arrived at Auburn as the nation's top junior transfer and had his breakout performance in the season opener against Arkansas with nine catches for 154 yards. He caught seven passes for 122 yards in the team's 55-44 loss to No. 1 Alabama in the regular season finale. He missed the previous two games with a knee injury.

Williams did not practice all week with an undisclosed illness, leading to more speculation about his future.

Williams hinted at going pro earlier this month, tweeting that he has to do what's best for his family. He later backtracked, but his absence in Tampa may indicate a decision has already been made. The 6-2, 216-pound receiver is projected as a second-round pick.

Auburn's other top receiver, Sammie Coates, had already declared for the NFL Draft.

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