Jamari Staples will take an official visit to Auburn, and it won't be after Christmas when he does.

It'll be today.

The former UAB wide receiver is scheduled to arrive in Auburn around noon and stay until Thursday.

"Coach (Rhett) Lashlee called me (Monday) morning and asked if I wanted to visit today," Staples said Tuesday. "I told him 'Yes'."

Staples, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, is looking for a new place to play after University of Alabama officials earlier this month shut down the Blazers football program.

As a true freshman in 2013, Staples had 31 receptions for 458 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 14.8 yards per catch. In 2014, Staples was limited because of an injury, but still finished his sophomore season averaging 21.1 yards per catch.

"This visit is all business to me. This is my future," Staples said in an earlier interview. "I really want to get a feel for the campus, just how the atmosphere is, the people, the coaches and the facilities. I just want to really get a good feel for everything Auburn."

Staples, from Lineville, Ala., initially planned to visit Auburn last week, but was asked to postpone until after Christmas.

But things changed.

Auburn junior receiver Sammie Coates on Monday declared for the NFL draft. Staples received the call from Lashlee a few hours before. Now, Staples hopes he's the guy Auburn wants to replace Coates.

"I think it's a big possibility that they will extend an offer," Staples said. "If they do, I will take it."

Staples has three years left to play two. He would not have to sit out a year after transferring.