It’s been one of the busier summers of my career and I’ve fallen way behind on position discussions. We’ve got 1 spot left on offense, a topic of a lot of debate – wide receiver. Let’s get this discussion going! Being that there’s a heavy rotation of WR’s I’m going to list 4 starters and 4 backups. Based on what we’ve heard time and time again Stitt intends to use around 8 WRs per game. Considering the fullback and tight end position is gone our starting roster should regularly list 4 starting WRs.
Starting 4
Jamaal Jones
Ellis Henderson
Chase Naccarato
Josh Janssen
Backups
Ryan Burke
Reese Carlson
Caleb Lyons
Tyler Lucas
Depth
Zach Hollenbeck
Nico Graham
Josh Horner
Massive Group of incoming freshman
Keenan Curran
Holden Ryan
Justin Calhoun
Dalton Daum
Kobey Eaton
Jerry Louie-McGee
Donovan Rooks
Colin Bingham
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While it’ll be a moving and rotating group our starting 4 could be one of the more formidable group of WR’s to defend in the Big Sky. It does come with some question marks and unknowns though. Ellis Henderson is back after having to leave last season for medical reasons, also there’s some academic rumors swirling. Naccarato has had bad luck with injury issues and is returning after missing practically a whole season. Jamaal Jones is the steady work-horse that’s been very reliable the last two seasons and while he’s had the occasional issue with drops he’s improved each of the last two years. The 4th spot I had a hard time picking between Janssen and Burke – both of whom I think will be major contributors. Assuming this group is intact you’ve got the “old pro” and legit #1 WR in Jones, the game-breaker and freak athlete in Hendu, the speed of Naccarato, and the great hands and zone-breaking skill of Janssen (or Burke). That’s about as good of a group as you can surround Gus with to be honest.
The backups are maybe just that in title, as we know they’re going to get a lot of time as well. I think of this group Burke and Carlson are locked in. Lyons had a great spring and survived the wave of cuts but he’ll have to fight off competition from the incoming freshman. Lucas as a senior I’m just going to assume is a guy they’ll use – even though I haven’t seen him practice with the team it’s hard to imagine he won’t get a chance. The depth beyond with guys from the spring roster are mostly guys that probably just have to put in their time for now and wait for some graduations to get their chance to play on Saturdays.
Then there’s all these freshman. Stitt’s obviously going to play the guys he thinks will make this team better. We’re enamored with Daum, Calhoun, and Ryan – could one of these guys (or another) make a big enough splash to get plugged in right away? One would think they have a chance, we’ll get to see it unfold as fall camp gets going. I’m really not one of these “red shirt them all” kind of guys anymore – if the guy is a better fit and will get the job done then he should be playing.
What honestly worries me is some of the unknown that will be naturally swirling with the health/academics of Hendu and the health of Naccarato. While I’m sure the coaches are prepared if those two are slowed down (or out) that really jumbles up the roster. On the other hand that will most certainly open the roster for at least 1 or 2 incoming freshman to play right away. There’s also the question of if Lucas can perform and if some of these depth guys or true freshman will be able to pick things up and take an increased role right away. Add in the mix that we’ve got a new QB and there’s going to be a lot of adjustment!
What I like about this whole group is that it’s top-heavy with experienced WRs that should help the adjustment go through. Jones, Hendu, Naccarato, Burke, and Janssen – as well as the transfer Lucas – all have good experience and playing time from prior years. That really helps that we’re not throwing a ton of 18 or 19 year old underclassmen out there and expecting them all to be the main producers in the offense. There’s a good mix of height and speed with these guys as well and a couple that seem to rotate around and play all positions across the field. Additionally some of our guys in this grouping are excellent blockers (Janssen, Burke, and Jones have stood out to me). While that may seem silly in a pass-happy offense think about the screens, draw plays, quick passes, and even yes the fly sweep – they’ll turn into bigger gains with better blocking.
The WR group should have the most amount of excitement around it. I’m anxious to see how all of the new guys fit in and who emerges for the NDSU game. Should be a fun one to watch unfold!
Starting 4
Jamaal Jones
Ellis Henderson
Chase Naccarato
Josh Janssen
Backups
Ryan Burke
Reese Carlson
Caleb Lyons
Tyler Lucas
Depth
Zach Hollenbeck
Nico Graham
Josh Horner
Massive Group of incoming freshman
Keenan Curran
Holden Ryan
Justin Calhoun
Dalton Daum
Kobey Eaton
Jerry Louie-McGee
Donovan Rooks
Colin Bingham
--------------
While it’ll be a moving and rotating group our starting 4 could be one of the more formidable group of WR’s to defend in the Big Sky. It does come with some question marks and unknowns though. Ellis Henderson is back after having to leave last season for medical reasons, also there’s some academic rumors swirling. Naccarato has had bad luck with injury issues and is returning after missing practically a whole season. Jamaal Jones is the steady work-horse that’s been very reliable the last two seasons and while he’s had the occasional issue with drops he’s improved each of the last two years. The 4th spot I had a hard time picking between Janssen and Burke – both of whom I think will be major contributors. Assuming this group is intact you’ve got the “old pro” and legit #1 WR in Jones, the game-breaker and freak athlete in Hendu, the speed of Naccarato, and the great hands and zone-breaking skill of Janssen (or Burke). That’s about as good of a group as you can surround Gus with to be honest.
The backups are maybe just that in title, as we know they’re going to get a lot of time as well. I think of this group Burke and Carlson are locked in. Lyons had a great spring and survived the wave of cuts but he’ll have to fight off competition from the incoming freshman. Lucas as a senior I’m just going to assume is a guy they’ll use – even though I haven’t seen him practice with the team it’s hard to imagine he won’t get a chance. The depth beyond with guys from the spring roster are mostly guys that probably just have to put in their time for now and wait for some graduations to get their chance to play on Saturdays.
Then there’s all these freshman. Stitt’s obviously going to play the guys he thinks will make this team better. We’re enamored with Daum, Calhoun, and Ryan – could one of these guys (or another) make a big enough splash to get plugged in right away? One would think they have a chance, we’ll get to see it unfold as fall camp gets going. I’m really not one of these “red shirt them all” kind of guys anymore – if the guy is a better fit and will get the job done then he should be playing.
What honestly worries me is some of the unknown that will be naturally swirling with the health/academics of Hendu and the health of Naccarato. While I’m sure the coaches are prepared if those two are slowed down (or out) that really jumbles up the roster. On the other hand that will most certainly open the roster for at least 1 or 2 incoming freshman to play right away. There’s also the question of if Lucas can perform and if some of these depth guys or true freshman will be able to pick things up and take an increased role right away. Add in the mix that we’ve got a new QB and there’s going to be a lot of adjustment!
What I like about this whole group is that it’s top-heavy with experienced WRs that should help the adjustment go through. Jones, Hendu, Naccarato, Burke, and Janssen – as well as the transfer Lucas – all have good experience and playing time from prior years. That really helps that we’re not throwing a ton of 18 or 19 year old underclassmen out there and expecting them all to be the main producers in the offense. There’s a good mix of height and speed with these guys as well and a couple that seem to rotate around and play all positions across the field. Additionally some of our guys in this grouping are excellent blockers (Janssen, Burke, and Jones have stood out to me). While that may seem silly in a pass-happy offense think about the screens, draw plays, quick passes, and even yes the fly sweep – they’ll turn into bigger gains with better blocking.
The WR group should have the most amount of excitement around it. I’m anxious to see how all of the new guys fit in and who emerges for the NDSU game. Should be a fun one to watch unfold!