Football: Catching On

[mgsteve]

DRC

[KRAM1]

It certainly looks like UNT will be just fine at the receiver position....I think, after watching him at practice...that Outlaw will be a very exciting player for the Mean Green. Good to see the report. Thanks.

[chrisfisher]

I am a little disappointed that I won't get to see Outlaw today... but also thankful that the injury will not threaten his playing time come August.

[Green Crazy]

I am a little disappointed that I won't get to see Outlaw today... but also thankful that the injury will not threaten his playing time come August.

yep, i really wanted to see both in person myself. i guess stratford can only practice and not participate in today's game?

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

As we saw, Stradford played in the scrimmage, which was just another glorified practice.

When last season ended with three former walkons starting the final last few games, and only two scholarship receivers with playing experience returning, I thought that this would seal our doom. Now we have 15 receivers that seem very capable of playing at the FBS level.

Scholarship Players:

Tyler Stradford...Rated at 5.6 by Rivals....transfer from Oklahoma...4.4 forty

Mike Outlaw...Rated 5.4 by Rivals...12th in receptions (NJCAA) last year

Jamaal Jackson...Rated 5.4 by Rivals...4.4 forty...5.13 receptions per game last year

Sam Roberson...Rated 5.4 by Rivals...started aeveral games last year...still raw but great potential

Desmond Brigham...Rated 5.4 by Rivals...redshirt with a lot of regional HS honors

Breece Johnson...Rated 5.3 by Rivals...two year letterman but has played sparingly

Kenny Barrett...Rated 5.3 by Rivals...rated 13th best athlete in central Texas as senior

Forrest Rucker...Rated 5.3 by Rivals...great prospect who vows to return in fall

Darius Carey...Rated 5.3 by Rivals...played qb as senior but good hands...4.5 speed...9 yards per carry

Daniel Mayberry...Rated 5.3 by Rivals...WR as senior with 30 catches in run offense...4.4 forty

Willie Taylor...Rated 5.2 by Rivals...HS qb w/good hands...caught three in spring game

B.J. Lewis...Rated 5.1 by Rivals...lettered as WR in 2007...returning from defense

That's 12 receivers that should be available in the fall and most come highly rated by Rivals. The only drawback is lack of experience. Only five have any game experience beyond high school. Nearly all have 4.5 or better forty speed.

Walkon Players:

Alex Lott...returning leader with 26 catches...starter at end of year

Kevin Dickerson...second in catches last year among reterning lettermen

Jamel Jackson...Speedster who excels as return specialist..(I believe that he is on a track scholarship)

Bennie Jones...Transfer from Navarro who has caught a lot of attention this spring

Chris Brainard...Good route runner and hands per ESPN...I think that he was Dodge's favorite receiver in HS

Greg Brown...Probably our best walkon WR ever who stands virtually no chance of getting a scholarship

These non-scholarship athletes are worth retaining and I wish that a scholarship were available for all. It would not surprise me that the above six have forty speeds of 4.5 or more. It's been stated that Jackson and Brainard do.

There are no real stars but the talent is strong. I don't think that we've had a receiver with a Rivals Rank of 5.4 and in this group we have five of them. With such depth, fresh legs are available for every play, if needed. Only the running back position is this deep.

[meangreendork]

These non-scholarship athletes are worth retaining and I wish that a scholarship were available for all. It would not surprise me that the above six have forty speeds of 4.5 or more. It's been stated that Jackson and Brainard do.

Jackson does.

[Charlie NT 73]

I was impressed with all the receivers. I do beleive all the receivers

will contribute through the season. Here are some of my notes-

Breece Johnson caught several passes that resulted in 1st downs.

Now that Casey Fitzgerald is not in front of Breece, this season will

be his year. Johnson can play both WO and Slot receiver. Strong player

that is very tough to bring down. He will be a go to guy just like Casey!

Tyler Stradford is very good, and has great hands. Several 10-15 yd

passes came his way. He made several difficult catches for a 1st down.

Looked to me the NT secondary was keying on Stradford to prevent the

big pass play. I hope Stradford can play this season, because he will

draw double team coverage, which is very good for the other receivers.

Sam Roberson certainly has become a weapon. Roberson looked more

polished with his routes, and caught several passes in traffic. Roberson

was aggressive, had some good blocks too. Roberson looks more solid

and physical than he did in '08. Big at 6-4, looks to be in 225-30lbs range.

Bennie Jones- what a very good suprise here. I can see why the coaches

were talking about his pass catching abilities. Jones is alot faster and quicker

than I was expecting, and can jump up for a high pass. Very good eye to

hand coordination, concentration on the ball. Jones is a player.

R/S's Kenny Barrett and Desmond Brigham both caught passes- looked good.

Chase Baine did line up at slot for several plays- I like his speed in the slot.

With Mike Outlaw being injured last week, Baine brings another slot receiver

talent on the field. (yes I know he wants to be a QB), but the coaches want

Baine on the field. Baine is a good athlete, so why not play him at slot receiver?