white wide receivers

[texasheat]

Jimmy --
Thanks for getting those 2 pics of Quinn posted! I was trying to put up those same pics last night & was getting wore out trying to get that stuff to download, so I finally gave up & went to bed. BUT, I see you took care the problem. One of these days I'll figure out proper downloading methods.

Thanks again!

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

as mentioned on the Nebraska thread, the Cornhuskers have a brilliant young talent at wide receiver. sophomore Nate Swift has already forged a spot for himself in Nebraska's record book after just his freshman year. he's big and fast, and in Nebraska's recent more pass-happy scheme he's likely to get more opportunities to show his stuff. here's his player bio: link

Nate celebrating another TD

 

[Guest]

wow, i just read Swift's bio...very impressive as a freshmen...imagine how much better he will be in his 2nd year...if he stays healthy he should put together a great college career.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

the University of Illinois has a tremendous young talent at wide receiver, as well. Kyle Hudson led the Illini in receiving last year as a true freshman. despite below average size (5'11", 165 pounds), Kyle has spectacular athletic ability. he has 4.4 40 speed, has won a state high jump title with a leap of 6'10" (WOW!

), and much like more-heralded Notre Dame wideout, JS, he plays a big role for both the football and baseball teams. here's his player bio: link

here's an interesting article on Kyle's ability, including some non-caste insight to his talent such as:

Baseball coach Dan Hartleb and football coach Ron Zook agree Hudson has impressive speed and overall athleticism that make him stand apart.

"Those are things you can't teach," Hartleb said.

...at the plate he creates so many opportunities because of his running speed," Hartleb said. "When he's on base he just creates havoc, puts pressure on the defense."

here's the full deal: article

Kyle:

celebrating with his 'mates after scoring:

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Foxsports is finally giving a couple of white receivers some deserved credit. most of us are familiar with Iowa State's Todd Blythe, but i've not talked about his teammate Austin Flynn. that changes now. here's what Foxsports had to say:

Best Offensive Player: Junior WR Todd Blythe. He's not the most consistent receiver around, but the 6-5 speedster is one of the Big 12's most dangerous weapons with 90 catches for 1,833 yards and 18 touchdowns over his first two seasons. Forget about stopping him in the red zone unless you have a tall defensive back who can jump out of the stadium.

Todd Blythe, Jr. - 51 catches, 1,000 yds, 19.6 ypc, 9 TD
He has it all from 6-5, 210-pound size, excellent leaping ability around the goal line, and big play ability on deep plays. He's a tough receiver who attacks the ball when it comes his way. Now the key is consistency after struggling to break out over the first half of last season until a 214-yard, four touchdown day against Texas A&M. He could stand to do more after getting the ball in his hands.

Austin Flynn, Sr. - 56 catches, 624 yds, 11.1 ypc, 3 TD
Flynn went from being the starting quarterback to the team's number one receiver. He's a steady, smart route runner and a tough playmaker who's not afraid to make the in-traffic catches. He's a surprisingly good downfield blocker and makes more than his share of big plays.

of course they include the obligatory Route-running reference, but Flynn is a superb athlete who is a very gifted player. and Blythe might be the most gifted receiver in the country. wow! go Iowa State, i guess.

here's Austin in action:

and here's his bio.

and here's another couple o' Todd pics:

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Michigan State has a very talented young white receiver. Ryan Allison is just a sophomore, but look for him to explode over the next couple of seasons. here's his bio.

and here's what Foxsports has to say about him:
Allison saw time in nine games as a true freshman getting the most work against Northwestern catching three passes for 34 yards. The 6-3, 215-pound sophomore with 4.4 speed and NFL athleticism will be in the hunt to be the team's number one receiver next year, but this season he'll play behind Matt Trannon and push for time in three and four wide sets.[/b]

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

as i mentioned, in the DB thread, the state of Utah is doing a great job of giving opportunities to white players.

at BYU, i have already mentioned true freshman McKay Jacobson, but fellow true frosh Mike Hague, who is listed as a running back but is currently playing slot receiver, is making some noise, as well. here's a piece on the expectations of the dashing duo who are probable starters at kick returner:

When BYU lines up for its first kickoff return of the season in Tucson on Sept. 2, it's likely a couple of freshmen will be waiting for the ball.

Not your ordinary freshmen, either. Both McKay Jacobson and Mike Hague have proved over the past several months that they are capable of making an impact during their first year of college football.

In Monday's morning practice, Hague blew up a defender while blocking for Jacobson on a kickoff return to open a big hole. Later that evening, Jacobson found a hole and returned a kick untouched for a touchdown.

"It was good," Jacobson said. "I finally hit the hole. It really starts with the guys blocking, that's a big key. It's easy when they're opening up big holes."

Hague was even more direct: "To the house, baby. That's what we've got to do."

Jacobson, the leading prep receiver in the state of Texas last season, graduated from high school early and has been with the team since the spring. Hague, last year's Utah 5A player of the year, switched over from the defense a week into fall camp and has excelled in the slot receiver spot.

"You have to come in with the mentality that you're gonna play or at least make a difference in the program," Hague said. "That's what you have to do. You're here for a reason and you've got to come to prove that."

The freshman pair figure to make an improvement over last year's paltry 17.19 yards per return. The last time a BYU player returned a kickoff for a touchdown was in 1998.

But both players will get the opportunity to impact the game on offense, as well. Jacobson is the fastest receiver on the team and Hague has taken advantage of several injuries at the slot receiver position to show coaches he is capable.

"It's been a new experience and it's been hard to learn the offense," Hague said. "I finally got it now and I'm working on the precision of my routes. That's been the hardest part for sure.

"We have limited depth at that position based on injury," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "We think it's a natural fit for high school tailbacks for that position because the nature of the throws are shorter and they have to do something after the catch."

here's another article on Mike's unexpected rise up the depth chart:

Hague impresses with big play
By Jay Drew
The Salt Lake Tribune

PROVO - Just more than a week ago, freshman Mike Hague was buried on Brigham Young's defensive depth chart with the other fourth-stringers at safety and wondering if he would even get many practice reps, let alone some actual game time.

Playing receiver Wednesday, the former Brighton High star and Class 5-A MVP turned a pass from John Beck into a 70-yard touchdown at LaVell Edwards Stadium, the only score in an otherwise low-key scrimmage near the midpoint of fall camp.

"It felt good, really good," said Hague, who was told Aug. 9 he was being switched from defense to offense. "It's funny, how things have changed so quickly."

That's what BYU's defense probably thought. It was dominating the scrimmage until Hague got behind the defense, took the throw from a scrambling Beck and used the speed that made him one of the state's most-recruited players last year to race untouched into the north end zone.

Will Hague play much once the season starts? Will he score a touchdown when the stadium is full and a bona fide first-team defense is on the field?

"Hague is running with the first team [at slot back] with Nate Meikle and Bryce Mahuika being injured, and he will fight to keep that spot when they get back," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Hague said he feels a lot of pressure to do big things because of all the hype that followed him from high school and because of last week's highly publicized position switch.

"I have to play well right off the bat, but there's plenty of room for improvement, and that's my goal - to improve every day," he said.

Asked whether he would be confident putting Hague into the game when BYU opens against Arizona on Sept. 2 in Tucson, Mendenhall responded, "I love Mike. I love his effort. I think he's football-smart and a quick learner. Each time we come out here in a team setting, and he gets the ball in his hands, he makes us all recognize he's out here."

Mike HagueEdited by: Jimmy Chitwood

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

additionally, the University of Utah has a new face to keep an eye on. Bradon Godfrey has made a name for himself the old fashioned way; he earned it. here's the story:

Walk-on now one of Utes' best receivers
By Michael C. Lewis
The Salt Lake Tribune

When receiver Bradon Godfrey accepted the only scholarship offer he received out of high school and headed down to Southern Utah University, he didn't have any idea what might happen.
"It was just all new to me," he said.
But what do you know?
Turns out, the kid could play.
In fact, Godfrey played so promisingly for the Thunderbirds that he left the program after just one season, following assistant coach Aaron Roderick to the Utah Utes and paying his own way for the opportunity to win a role with a team that had just won the Fiesta Bowl.
Now, after sitting out a year under transfer rules, the 6-foot-3, 207-pound Layton native has earned a scholarship and blossomed into a starter for the Utes by proving he can catch just about anything he sees - high, low, fast or slow. He's a huge part of a receiving corps that could rank as the best in the Mountain West Conference this season.
"He's one of the most improved players on the team from spring to now," offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said. "If the ball's in his area, he's going to make the play."
Finally.
Sitting out last season as a redshirt was agonizing, he said, even though he began attracting attention almost immediately by making catch after catch - most of the passes came from fellow transfer Tommy Grady, now competing for the starting quarterback job - while working on the scout team.
"It's just hard," he said. "It's very hard. It was a rough year, sitting out, practicing every week without being able to play. Games are your payday, you know? . . . But I knew that next year would be coming and guys would be graduating and I'd get a chance."
Godfrey had been the freshman of the year in the Great Western Conference with the Thunderbirds, after a solid career at Layton High School. But he suspected he could do a little better, so when Roderick left SUU to join coach Kyle Whittingham's new staff with the Utes following the 2004 season - the year after head coach Gary Andersen, who had recruited Godfrey to Cedar City, left to rejoin the Utes - Godfrey decided to follow.
"I loved the way he coached," Godfrey said. "I loved his style."
The feeling is mutual, naturally.
Godfrey is among three current or former walk-ons in the Utes' main group of eight receivers - junior Derrek Richards and sophomore Freddie Brown are the others - and figures to start at least some of the time when the Utes open in four-receiver formations. Roderick said Godfrey reminds him of former Utah receiver Travis LaTendresse, who led the Utes with 55 catches for 810 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
"He's a very sure-handed guy, a very competitive guy," Roderick said. "He finds a way to come down with the ball."
Godfrey did not have much opportunity to learn the offense while sitting out last season, since he spent the whole time on the scout team, imitating the upcoming opponents. He strained a bit to pick it up early during spring drills a few months ago, too, leaving the Utes to wonder about his ability to contribute. Godfrey's not even mentioned in the assessment of the receivers in the team's media guide.
But since then, everything has changed - and Whittingham has said that awarding him a scholarship a couple of weeks ago might be "the most satisfying part of my job."
"I've always worked hard," Godfrey said, "and I knew that if I came up here and gave it my best shot, things would turn out all right for me."

Bradon Godfrey

 

[Colonel_Reb]

I can't wait to see what happens with both these teams this year. I hope they are both 8-3 coming into the last game of the season against each other. I just might make the trip up to SLC and check it out.

 

[SteveB]

McKay Jacobson is a stud and will be a great college receiver. He was the #1 receiver and a track star in high school for Southlake Carroll, leading them to a state championship. I am glad that he chose to go to a school like BYU where they give white kids a chance. Look for this kid in the future because he will be a star.

BTW, great job Jimmy on the updates.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

thanks, Steve.

you won't read this in the morning paper. the fastest wide receiver in the Pac-10 might be Cal's white wideout, Sam Desa.

we know that speed isn't everything, and Sam's lack of production is yet another example of that. but he is just a junior, and still has time to become a big-time player. so he's another guy we can keep an eye on.

Edited by: Jimmy Chitwood

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

like so many white athletes, West Virginia's Jeremy Bruce is incredibly versatile. will the true sophomore line up at wide receiver or at tailback for the Mountaineers this year? either way, without a doubt Jeremy, who is one of the fastest players on WVU's roster, will be a key component of the game plan.

Jeremy Bruce showing some wheels

 

[bigman]

the University of Illinois has a tremendous young talent at wide receiver, as well. Kyle Hudson led the Illini in receiving last year as a true freshman. despite below average size (5'11", 165 pounds), Kyle has spectacular athletic ability. he has 4.4 40 speed, has won a state high jump title with a leap of 6'10"..(WOW)





6'10" HJ... wow is right!

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

North Texas' Johnny Quinn sure is one tough sucker. he had three catches today, despite playing with a cast on his left hand. amazing!

it's too bad his team got whalloped by the Longhorns.

 

[Guest]

Excellent list Jimmy. I'll try and add to it a bit. UNLV has Casey Flair and now they have Ryan Wolfe:

http://unlvrebels.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wolfe_ryan00. html

This guy came out of nowhere and lit up Idaho for 160 yards on only 6 catches in his true freshman debut. The next Mike Hass?

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

in a one-sided butt whooping from Louisville, Kentucky did have a couple of bright spots at wide receiver... one of whom was white. i know it's shocking.

sophomore Dicky Lyons had 2 catches, and they both went for touchdowns! a 4-yard TD catch and an 80-yard TD catch and run.

maybe this is just the start of something big for Lyons.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

is Dicky Lyons this year's Chad Schroeder? in two games, Lyons has 5 catches for 4 touchdowns!

also, he's totalled 138 yards, for a 27.6 per catch average, and he already has taken one 80 yards for the score! wow!

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Johnny Quinn currently has caught at least one pass in 38 straight games.

that includes two games this season when he's been wearing a cast on his left hand!

in his most recent game, against SMU, he finished with 9 catches for 132 yards.

Edited by: Jimmy Chitwood

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

the white receiving tandem at UNLV has been very productive so far early on in this season. in two games, true freshman Ryan Wolfe has 9 catches for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns (one was a 71-yarder!), while sophomore Casey Flair has 13 catches for 126 yards. pretty impressive!

in UNLV's season opener, Wolfe set a UNLV freshman record with 160 receiving yards as the Rebels beat Idaho State 54-10.

 

[Guest]

Is anyone getting the Kentucky game? Dicky Lyons already has 84 yards on 4 catches at the half. This guy could be the breakout player of the year.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

I'm not getting it, but keeping up with it online. We'll see how they use Lyons in the second half.

 

[Guest]

I'm not getting it, but keeping up with it online. We'll see how they use Lyons in the second half.

Well, looks like that's it for Lyons. Woodson only completed 5 passes in the second half.

I notice that true freshman Michael Strickland made his first career reception for 26 yards. Congrats to him.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

so far this year, that is 9 catches for 6 TDs for Lyons!!

that's incredible, as is his average of 24.6 yards per catch! wow!

here's a list of some more of our guys' performances...

tough day for the Shark against Michigan. Jeff had just 4 catches for 30 yards and a TD.

Kyle Hudson had 3 catches for 87 yards including a 69-yard TD for Illinois.

Iowa's Andy Brodell had 2 catches for 36 yards, including a nifty 11-yard touchdown catch-and-run, and added 3 punt returns for 57 yards.

Iowa State's Todd Blythe had 4 catches for 47 yards and a TD. while teammate Austin Flynn had just 3 cathces for 30 yards. Austin had a rough day, matched up mainly against Iowa cornerback Adam Shada who looked very impressive.

Kansas State's Jordy Nelson had 5 catches for 71 yards.

Texas' Jordan Shipley had 1 catch, a 38-yard TD.

Texas A&M's Chad Schroeder had 3 catches for 68 yards, including a 46-yard TD.

Ohio State's Anthony Gonzalez had 5 catches for 85 yards, while young Brian Hartline added a 27-yarder.

a guy we might need to keep an eye on is Cincinnati's redshirt freshman Jared Martin, who scored his first career TD against OSU, a 22-yarder. he was the Ohio state champion in the 300 hurdles as a high school senior.

Ohio's Scott Mayle had 3 catches for 49 yards.

Eastern Michigan's Eric Deslauriers had a tough day with just 3 catches for 12 yards. man, his QBs suck! i feel really bad for the guy. the QB tandem at EMU combined for the "awesome" stat line of 9-25 for 47 yards and 2 interceptions...

North Texas' Johnny Quinn kept his strewak alive, but had just 1 catch for 5 yards. but the game's high reciever was another white guy, Tulsa's Ryan Bugg. with 7 catches for 87 yards and a 34-yard TD.

Utah's Derrek Richards had 7 catches for 90 yards and 2 TDs.

UNLV's tandem had another solid game in another loss. Casey Flair had 4 catches for 87 yards, and Ryan Wolfe added 5 catches for 80 yards.

the highlight of the day was provided by Minnesota's normally steady Logan Payne. the senior exploded for 6 catches for 136 yards and 4 TDs!!!

did i miss anybody?

 

[Guest]

Nick Cleaver - this is another guy that's converted from safety to wide reciever a la Jordy Nelson. Has 240 yards for New Mexico State in 3 games.

miscellaneous young guys:

Chris McGaha - 40 yards and a nice touchdown catch for the Arizona State WR. Rudy Carpenter is a great throwing QB.

Tyler Grisham - I watched a good portion of the Florida State vs Clemson black bowl in order to see if they threw Tyler the ball. Finished 2 for 19. Great hands, one of his catches was a highlight on ESPN.

Sean McVay SO Miami of Ohio - 4 for 47 on saturday, 103 on the year.

Josh Wheeler SO Lousiana Tech - 2 for 37 and 106 in 2 games.

Mike McCoy - 1 for 39 and a TD.

Will Oakley SO Alabama - just starting to get playing time after missing his freshman season due to injury. 1 for 10 on Saturday.

Kris Durham FR Georgia - huge true frosh reciever. 1 for 15 against UAB.

Ross Lane and Eric Peterman SO Northwestern - 2 for 14 and 3 for 23 respectively.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

i guess they moved Peterson back to offense... he had a bright future at corner. i wonder why they changed him back, again... it would be nice if they gave him a position and left him there...