Position Group Rankings Part 2 - Wide Receivers

BillySee58 · February 12, 2016

Losses: Carlos Harris, Darvin Kidsy (potentially), Marcus Smith*, Chris Loving*

Top Returners: JR Turner Smiley, SO Tee Goree

Additions: HS WR Deion Hair Griffin, HS WR Rico Bussey, HS WR Tyler Wilson

Other Returning Players: SR Thaddeous Thompson, SO O'Keeron Rutherford, SO Daniel Khan, FR Rodney Bendy, FR Kelvin Smith*, FR Kevin Dillman*

*tight ends in the previous offense

Of one of the bigger disappointments last year was, for the second straight year, failing to have a consistent number two receiver opposite the now departed Carlos Harris. Now we head into this year with just one receiver who has more than 120 career receiving yards (Turner Smiley), should Kidsy not return.

We're all looking for big things from Tee Goree. Still a young player, as he was just 18 heading into fall camp last year, but this year needs to be a big step forward for the promising receiver. With an offense that will likely feature four starting receivers this year, I expect Goree to have one of the outside starting spots and Smiley to take one of the inside spots.

As for the other two spots, I think we should see a position battle between Rutherford and Thompson for the other outside spot. Daniel Khan had a good spring and fall last year, and was put on scholarship. He's in a good position for the other inside spot, but there's also an off chance we see Ivery there. For now Ivery is a running back, but it's definitely a possibility. Also I expect to see at least one of the incoming freshmen challenging for playing time at inside receiver.

We also are expected to phase out the tight ends on our roster. Kelvin Smith could be a candidate for a big-bodied slot receiver. I don't know where Dillman fits, but I don't think it's likely he'll be a receiver. Reinhardt will almost assuredly be moved to the line.

Overall, this group is probably our most unproven unit but has some talent. The good news is, the offense should work in their favor, and there will be more combination routes, allowing the receivers to not need to win as many one-on-one battles. Also a good chance our entire starting four will be guys we get back in 2017. But overall just asking too many guys to do things they've never come close to doing before. Talent gives them a chance to be a pleasant surprise.

Position Group Rank: 7th

Edited February 12, 2016 by BillySee58

MeanGreenTexan · February 12, 2016

I think the system will do these guys wonders. Hopefully, by the end of OOC, we'll be saying that the WR corps is a strength of the team, due to their production.

Aldo · February 12, 2016

In an air raid, do we see lots of subbing from the receivers for breathers?

MeanGreenTexan · February 12, 2016

1 minute ago, Aldo said:

In an air raid, do we see lots of subbing from the receivers for breathers?

Littrell has said ideally there will be an 8-man rotation of WRs, so yeah, I would expect quite a bit of substitutions if he has his way.

Aldo · February 12, 2016

12 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Littrell has said ideally there will be an 8-man rotation of WRs, so yeah, I would expect quite a bit of substitutions if he has his way.

I hope Ivery gets special plays named after him. I am excited (in the hope that) he sees an expanded receiver role.

51 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

I don't know where Dillman fits, but I don't think it's likely he'll be a receiver.

You don't see Dillman as a big bodied receiver? He's got some speed and ability. Not to mention strength. But I feel he might be a little stiff for a DE or OL role. Your thoughts?

I wasn't as big of a Rico fan as others, but I'm slowly warming up. Mainly due to realizing how much opportunity he'll actually have. I hope Hair-Griffin can make an impact right out of the gate.

HarringtonFishSmeller · February 12, 2016

Assume they can all catch. Fine.

But, with the "throw five yard behind or in front of" the line of scrimmage, what matters is how well they block.

Eagle-96 · February 12, 2016

2 minutes ago, HarringtonFishSmeller said:

Assume they can all catch. Fine.

But, with the "throw five yard behind or in front of" the line of scrimmage, what matters is how well they block.

This cannot be understated. They must be complete(blocking, catching, route running) receivers in this offense.

GMG24 · February 12, 2016

11 minutes ago, Aldo said:

I hope Ivery gets special plays named after him. I am excited (in the hope that) he sees an expanded receiver role.

You don't see Dillman as a big bodied receiver? He's got some speed and ability. Not to mention strength. But I feel he might be a little stiff for a DE or OL role. Your thoughts?

I wasn't as big of a Rico fan as others, but I'm slowly warming up. Mainly due to realizing how much opportunity he'll actually have. I hope Hair-Griffin can make an impact right out of the gate.

If Dillman is too stiff to play on the OL or DE then he sure doesn't need to play WR. I think Dillman can do whatever the coaches ask of him. Kid is a heck of an athlete who should be able to help us somewhere.

BillySee58 · February 12, 2016

4 minutes ago, Aldo said:

I hope Ivery gets special plays named after him. I am excited (in the hope that) he sees an expanded receiver role.

You don't see Dillman as a big bodied receiver? He's got some speed and ability. Not to mention strength. But I feel he might be a little stiff for a DE or OL role. Your thoughts?

I wasn't as big of a Rico fan as others, but I'm slowly warming up. Mainly due to realizing how much opportunity he'll actually have. I hope Hair-Griffin can make an impact right out of the gate.

No, I don't really see Dillman as a receiver. I mean, he could get moved there, but I don't know how much of an impact he can make. As a QB prospect he was agile enough to be classified as a dual-threat, but wasn't breaking off long runs and didn't look like a QB who could also play D1 receiver like some dual-threats. Just looked like a decently mobile QB. Like GMG24 said, if he's too stiff for OLB or DE then receiver isn't a great fit.

As a tight end he's always been an unknown. He has tight end size, but has only played on the JV level and just redshirted last year. I just haven't seen anything to lead me to believe he has the quickness or speed for receiver.

meangreendork · February 12, 2016

24 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

No, I don't really see Dillman as a receiver. I mean, he could get moved there, but I don't know how much of an impact he can make. As a QB prospect he was agile enough to be classified as a dual-threat, but wasn't breaking off long runs and didn't look like a QB who could also play D1 receiver like some dual-threats. Just looked like a decently mobile QB. Like GMG24 said, if he's too stiff for OLB or DE then receiver isn't a great fit.

As a tight end he's always been an unknown. He has tight end size, but has only played on the JV level and just redshirted last year. I just haven't seen anything to lead me to believe he has the quickness or speed for receiver.

I'd like the new staff to give him at shot at QB. Might be nice to see if he could step in as a solid #2 this year and maybe #1 next year. Fine might take time to be ready and unless Smith is greatly improved in judgment and touch, he might be out of the running this year. Mind you, all this assumes Morris is as good as we hope he is.

BillySee58 · February 12, 2016

23 minutes ago, meangreendork said:

I'd like the new staff to give him at shot at QB. Might be nice to see if he could step in as a solid #2 this year and maybe #1 next year. Fine might take time to be ready and unless Smith is greatly improved in judgment and touch, he might be out of the running this year. Mind you, all this assumes Morris is as good as we hope he is.

I don't see the harm, especially when you consider he doesn't really fit elsewhere with no tight end anymore.

Edited February 12, 2016 by BillySee58

Wag Tag · February 12, 2016

2 hours ago, BillySee58 said:

Losses: Carlos Harris, Darvin Kidsy (potentially), Marcus Smith*, Chris Loving*

Top Returners: JR Turner Smiley, SO Tee Goree

Additions: HS WR Deion Hair Griffin, HS WR Rico Bussey, HS WR Tyler Wilson

Other Returning Players: SR Thaddeous Thompson, SO O'Keeron Rutherford, SO Daniel Khan, FR Rodney Bendy, FR Kelvin Smith*, FR Kevin Dillman*

*tight ends in the previous offense

Of one of the bigger disappointments last year was, for the second straight year, failing to have a consistent number two receiver opposite the now departed Carlos Harris. Now we head into this year with just one receiver who has more than 120 career receiving yards (Turner Smiley), should Kidsy not return.

We're all looking for big things from Tee Goree. Still a young player, as he was just 18 heading into fall camp last year, but this year needs to be a big step forward for the promising receiver. With an offense that will likely feature four starting receivers this year, I expect Goree to have one of the outside starting spots and Smiley to take one of the inside spots.

As for the other two spots, I think we should see a position battle between Rutherford and Thompson for the other outside spot. Daniel Khan had a good spring and fall last year, and was put on scholarship. He's in a good position for the other inside spot, but there's also an off chance we see Ivery there. For now Ivery is a running back, but it's definitely a possibility. Also I expect to see at least one of the incoming freshmen challenging for playing time at inside receiver.

We also are expected to phase out the tight ends on our roster. Kelvin Smith could be a candidate for a big-bodied slot receiver. I don't know where Dillman fits, but I don't think it's likely he'll be a receiver. Reinhardt will almost assuredly be moved to the line.

Overall, this group is probably our most unproven unit but has some talent. The good news is, the offense should work in their favor, and there will be more combination routes, allowing the receivers to not need to win as many one-on-one battles. Also a good chance our entire starting four will be guys we get back in 2017. But overall just asking too many guys to do things they've never come close to doing before. Talent gives them a chance to be a pleasant surprise.

Position Group Rank: 7th

I could easily see KD at DE. Last year he was 6'4" 249.(maybe he is 260) In a 4-2-5 defense the safeties are responsible for the wide containment this would allow for more bull rushing by the DE's.

Mean_Green09 · February 12, 2016

1 hour ago, Aldo said:

I hope Ivery gets special plays named after him. I am excited (in the hope that) he sees an expanded receiver role.

You don't see Dillman as a big bodied receiver? He's got some speed and ability. Not to mention strength. But I feel he might be a little stiff for a DE or OL role. Your thoughts?

I wasn't as big of a Rico fan as others, but I'm slowly warming up. Mainly due to realizing how much opportunity he'll actually have. I hope Hair-Griffin can make an impact right out of the gate.

I DO see Dillman as a big bodied receiver. He wont be listed as a TE, but his position will be like a flex TE. Guy who cant block on the inside, but can be valuable on the outside blocking. Also could be a big target in the red zone where you dont need speedier WRs. I wouldn't be surprised if this staff told him to lose weight.

TE hybrids can be very successful in the Air Raid.

BillySee58 · February 12, 2016

14 minutes ago, Mean_Green09 said:

I DO see Dillman as a big bodied receiver. He wont be listed as a TE, but his position will be like a flex TE. Guy who cant block on the inside, but can be valuable on the outside blocking. Also could be a big target in the red zone where you dont need speedier WRs. I wouldn't be surprised if this staff told him to lose weight.

TE hybrids can be very successful in the Air Raid.

There's no doubt he will be told to lose weight. Kind of unfortunate, because he seemingly worked so hard to get up to that optimal tight end weight.

untjim1995 · February 12, 2016

55 minutes ago, meangreendork said:

I'd like the new staff to give him at shot at QB. Might be nice to see if he could step in as a solid #2 this year and maybe #1 next year. Fine might take time to be ready and unless Smith is greatly improved in judgment and touch, he might be out of the running this year. Mind you, all this assumes Morris is as good as we hope he is.

I have a strong feeling that Dillman will be our starting QB in 2017...give him time with Harrell's coaching and Littrell's offense and I bet he shows up as the QB a lot of people wanted him to be at Nebraska.

Edited February 12, 2016 by untjim1995

MeanGreenTexan · February 12, 2016

22 minutes ago, untjim1995 said:

I have a strong feeling that Dillman will be our starting QB in 2017...give him time with Harrell's coaching and Littrell's offense and I bet he shows up as the QB a lot of people wanted him to be at Nebraska.

If so, this can only remain close to the vest for so long... as in next month, when Spring Practice starts.

akriesman · February 12, 2016

3 hours ago, BillySee58 said:

For those who think Dillman is too big to play WR, I have one name for you.

Alejandro Villanueva

This guy was 6'10 283 pounds of nightmare when we played Army around 2009/2010. I probably won't ever forget that guy. We had no answer for him

Aldo · February 12, 2016

26 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

There's no doubt he will be told to lose weight. Kind of unfortunate, because he seemingly worked so hard to get up to that optimal tight end weight.

41 minutes ago, Mean_Green09 said:

I DO see Dillman as a big bodied receiver. He wont be listed as a TE, but his position will be like a flex TE. Guy who cant block on the inside, but can be valuable on the outside blocking. Also could be a big target in the red zone where you dont need speedier WRs. I wouldn't be surprised if this staff told him to lose weight.

TE hybrids can be very successful in the Air Raid.

1 hour ago, GMG24 said:

If Dillman is too stiff to play on the OL or DE then he sure doesn't need to play WR. I think Dillman can do whatever the coaches ask of him. Kid is a heck of an athlete who should be able to help us somewhere.

He definitely doesn't fit the mold of a WR, but he's got enough speed for a receiving TE, that he can at least exploit zone for a mismatch against a LB, or use his size for some short yardage play. He's no Jordan Reed-type, but maybe over time he can develop into a Owen Daniels or Dennis Pitta type. Good route running, beat-linebacker speed, and great hands. Some wiggle, just not all the waggle.

This all based on hope, though.

Mean_Green09 · February 12, 2016

1 hour ago, Aldo said:

This all based on hope, though.

All these WR's predictions are based on hope and potential. Not a lot of provens in this group.

BillySee58 · February 12, 2016

1 hour ago, akriesman said:

For those who think Dillman is too big to play WR, I have one name for you.

Alejandro Villanueva

This guy was 6'10 283 pounds of nightmare when we played Army around 2009/2010. I probably won't ever forget that guy. We had no answer for him

That guy was used as an outside receiver. We're talking about Dillman being a big slot in our offense. Not being too tall for people to contain.

2 hours ago, Aldo said:

He definitely doesn't fit the mold of a WR, but he's got enough speed for a receiving TE, that he can at least exploit zone for a mismatch against a LB, or use his size for some short yardage play. He's no Jordan Reed-type, but maybe over time he can develop into a Owen Daniels or Dennis Pitta type. Good route running, beat-linebacker speed, and great hands. Some wiggle, just not all the waggle.

This all based on hope, though.

I feel like Dillman's projections as a tight end are mainly based on body type and hope. Where has he shown potential to be a receiving threat on the D1 level? On his film he was mainly just running simple, easy routes and making uncontested catches on the JV level.

Texas Stranger · February 14, 2016

On 2/12/2016 at 11:15 AM, Aldo said:

In an air raid, do we see lots of subbing from the receivers for breathers?

Not so much, only on first downs and other clock stoppage. Otherwise, subbing any offensive player allows the defense to sub also, negating some of the benefit of the hurry-up.

GrandGreen · February 14, 2016

WR is a very weak position and that may be a big problem with the new offense. However, Texas Tech had a lot of success with unknowns becoming stars in that offense, so there is hope. Numbers also become a concern if Littrell wants to play at least eight. Don't believe any of the tight ends will fit in this offense. I doubt Littrell is going to waste the time putting a big body in his receiver corp particularly unproven players which all NT's tight ends are.

It is a great time to be a wr at NT, if you can play at all you should see the field. Expect Goree, Khan and freshmen to get a lot of snaps.

Edited February 14, 2016 by GrandGreen

NorthTexan95 · February 14, 2016

2 hours ago, GrandGreen said:

WR is a very weak position and that may be a big problem with the new offense. However, Texas Tech had a lot of success with unknowns becoming stars in that offense, so there is hope. Numbers also become a concern if Littrell wants to play at least eight. Don't believe any of the tight ends will fit in this offense. I doubt Littrell is going to waste the time putting a big body in his receiver corp partially unproven players which all NT's tight ends are.

It is a great time to be a wr at NT, if you can play at all you should see the field. Expect Goree, Khan and freshmen to get a lot of snaps.

Agreed. I'm excited to see how things turn out.

adman · February 15, 2016

There are so many questions for QB that I think you HAVE to put Dillman back at that position. If Morris doesn't get it done then what? You've got year one with nothing and then you're moving to a RS freshman the next year with the OK Kid? what a huge roll of the dice. (Insert Indian Casino joke here) Of course there is the chance you land another transfer QB or Juco QB again next year but that seems more rinse and repeat.

VideoEagle · February 15, 2016

Last year, there were far too many plays where the ball hit a receiver in both hands and they just dropped the ball. I know this is going to happen. I had an NFL receiver tell me EVERY receiver will drop a ball that they should catch at a key moment at some point in their career, but the HOF's find a way to have more catches than drops. We simply have to find a way to have more catches. I don't know what the answer is, but last year we didn't have it. Until we do, no quarterback is going to be consistent for us.