JasonS
Football Moderator
Wide Receivers
This has been a strength of our team for the better part of the last 4 years and it has the potential to be that again. There are far more questions this year than years past, however. DJ Woods is a known commodity and will be the leader of the unit. He is poised for a big year but needs to hold onto the ball and avoid taking the huge hits he seems to every game. After DJ, the only real experience is from Sophomore Anthony McClung. McClung showed promise last year as a freshman and should be even more of a weapon this year. After these two, the questions start.
The New Comers
The potential talent of this group is mindboggling but I always caution against the word "potential." Red Shirt Freshman Dyjuan Lewis is eligible and could have a huge impact. Transfer Kenbrell Thompkins has been hyped for over a year now. Will he live up to the hype? Could he be the best WR on the team (next to DJ)? Will it take him time to adjust to the speed of the D-I game since he has never played at snap at this level? These are all valid questions that only time can answer.
There are some very talented true Freshmen on this team as well. Alex Chisum, Chris Moore, Max Morrison, and Shaq Washington will try to figure out where they fit in on this team. Chisum was the highest rated recruit of the bunch (if memory serves me correctly) and at 6'2.5" could be a nice threat on the outside. Shaq Washington might be the most intriguing of the four. The kid is a winner. If anyone saw the state championship game where he led his team to a win from a big deficit, you know this kid has the "IT Factor" about him. His size (5'8.5") and quickness has slot receiver written all over it. As he gets older and the coaching staff has more confidence in him, he could be a trick play kind of guy since he played QB in HS and can throw the football.
Crazy Prediction
I think DJ will have a typical good DJ year but I predict that he will only have 1 fumble the entire season. I think the sense of urgency as a senior will have him paying more attention to details. I think McClung will double his production and catch about 45 balls. I put him at 45 balls for about 550 yards and 4 TDs. I think one of Dyjaun Lewis and Kenbrell Thompkins will have a big impact. I am leaning towards Kenbrell based on what I heard out of practice last year. I expect him to be the deep threat on this team, lining up opposite DJ most of the time except for when UC overloads one side with a trips formation. I think Kenbrell will have 40 catches but will have 700 yards and 6 TDs. I may be wrong but I seem him as our deep threat this year.
I expect 7 guys to get decent playing time this year at the WR position with DJ, McClung, and Thompkins getting the majority of it (add Lewis in a 4 wide set). This unit is going to have an opportunity to put up big numbers as teams will definitely focus on shutting down Pead. If the O-Line can perform well, this offense should be electric this year.
This has been a strength of our team for the better part of the last 4 years and it has the potential to be that again. There are far more questions this year than years past, however. DJ Woods is a known commodity and will be the leader of the unit. He is poised for a big year but needs to hold onto the ball and avoid taking the huge hits he seems to every game. After DJ, the only real experience is from Sophomore Anthony McClung. McClung showed promise last year as a freshman and should be even more of a weapon this year. After these two, the questions start.
The New Comers
The potential talent of this group is mindboggling but I always caution against the word "potential." Red Shirt Freshman Dyjuan Lewis is eligible and could have a huge impact. Transfer Kenbrell Thompkins has been hyped for over a year now. Will he live up to the hype? Could he be the best WR on the team (next to DJ)? Will it take him time to adjust to the speed of the D-I game since he has never played at snap at this level? These are all valid questions that only time can answer.
There are some very talented true Freshmen on this team as well. Alex Chisum, Chris Moore, Max Morrison, and Shaq Washington will try to figure out where they fit in on this team. Chisum was the highest rated recruit of the bunch (if memory serves me correctly) and at 6'2.5" could be a nice threat on the outside. Shaq Washington might be the most intriguing of the four. The kid is a winner. If anyone saw the state championship game where he led his team to a win from a big deficit, you know this kid has the "IT Factor" about him. His size (5'8.5") and quickness has slot receiver written all over it. As he gets older and the coaching staff has more confidence in him, he could be a trick play kind of guy since he played QB in HS and can throw the football.
Crazy Prediction
I think DJ will have a typical good DJ year but I predict that he will only have 1 fumble the entire season. I think the sense of urgency as a senior will have him paying more attention to details. I think McClung will double his production and catch about 45 balls. I put him at 45 balls for about 550 yards and 4 TDs. I think one of Dyjaun Lewis and Kenbrell Thompkins will have a big impact. I am leaning towards Kenbrell based on what I heard out of practice last year. I expect him to be the deep threat on this team, lining up opposite DJ most of the time except for when UC overloads one side with a trips formation. I think Kenbrell will have 40 catches but will have 700 yards and 6 TDs. I may be wrong but I seem him as our deep threat this year.
I expect 7 guys to get decent playing time this year at the WR position with DJ, McClung, and Thompkins getting the majority of it (add Lewis in a 4 wide set). This unit is going to have an opportunity to put up big numbers as teams will definitely focus on shutting down Pead. If the O-Line can perform well, this offense should be electric this year.