WR Preview 2014

http://deepshadesofblue.com/2014-outlook-byu-wide-receivers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One with the elite speed to stretch defenses vertically. Just one. And, even then, only if he is switched from DB back to WR.



Injury prone - Apo, Kurtz, and Matthews.



Inexperience.



I hope the WRS over achieve and surprise us this year.



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Along with the offensive line, the receivers are going to need to improve a TON over the 2013 play in order for BYU to be able to do to this next years schedule what everyone hopes. Our receiver play has been soft for far too many years now. We need some toughness at that position and it doesn't sound like we are going to get it from that article.

Is Davis really a threat to be good? If not, then unless Kurtz is an instant star, we're in trouble on offense next year. MM has never proven that he can be consistent and Apo is Apo so it's quite possible that our WR core really sucks next year. Just remember everytime Hoffman was out what our passing game was like...

mizzoucoug wrote:
Is Davis really a threat to be good? If not, then unless Kurtz is an instant star, we're in trouble on offense next year. MM has never proven that he can be consistent and Apo is Apo so it's quite possible that our WR core really sucks next year. Just remember everytime Hoffman was out what our passing game was like...

This is what I am afraid of. Last year, there was only 2 guys in our receiver corps that would actually physically fight for every ball thrown at them and both guys graduated. Mitch Matthews gave up an interception in the Houston game that should have never happened. Of course he may not have seen the db come from no where but that and other things kind of proved to me that he is soft. Apo is a marshmallow, I don't know what Kurtz is, maybe Davis is tougher and that is why they moved him to defense when they did. We need some guys to really toughen up or our passing game is going to be bad next year and, of course, Hill will take all the blame.

frdbtr wrote:

Is Davis really a threat to be good? If not, then unless Kurtz is an instant star, we're in trouble on offense next year. MM has never proven that he can be consistent and Apo is Apo so it's quite possible that our WR core really sucks next year. Just remember everytime Hoffman was out what our passing game was like...

This is what I am afraid of. Last year, there was only 2 guys in our receiver corps that would actually physically fight for every ball thrown at them and both guys graduated. Mitch Matthews gave up an interception in the Houston game that should have never happened. Of course he may not have seen the db come from no where but that and other things kind of proved to me that he is soft. Apo is a marshmallow, I don't know what Kurtz is, maybe Davis is tougher and that is why they moved him to defense when they did. We need some guys to really toughen up or our passing game is going to be bad next year and, of course, Hill will take all the blame.

They moved Davis to D because they were desperate for DBs. Eventually, they realized that the best receiving corp in history was actually desperate for receivers - too late - they had already moved him. We have no evidence of how good he is or could be. We just know he has legit speed. But the last really fast guy we had could not catch the ball.



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http://www.loyalcougars.com/2014/02/25/byu-football/3817-2014-prospectus-preview-wide-receiver-apo-leslie-blackmon-kurtz/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Leslie ought to be a sure thing for some moderate level of production. The rest we just have no way of knowing anything about.

mizzoucoug wrote:
Leslie ought to be a sure thing for some moderate level of production. The rest we just have no way of knowing anything about.

Agree. He is proven at D1 level.



In 2010 or so, iirc, we had 5 highly touted Tight Ends. Not much came of that. So you really cannot know until you see rookies do it on the field of play - as you indicated.



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Cougarbib wrote:

Leslie ought to be a sure thing for some moderate level of production. The rest we just have no way of knowing anything about.

Agree. He is proven at D1 level.



In 2010 or so, iirc, we had 5 highly touted Tight Ends. Not much came of that. So you really cannot know until you see rookies do it on the field of play - as you indicated.



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Unknown and unproven are what comes to mind when thinking about the 2014 WR corps. I think we return two guys who are decent at times but who both have shown a propensity for injuries that derail seasons.



There is not one WR I'm ready to say we can for sure count on if it's 3rd & 7. Last year, I think we had two (Hoffman & Falslev).

http://deepshadesofblue.com/cougars-gaining-speed-at-wide-receiver/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Speed speed speed

We should have several candidates to compete to replace Falslev in the slot and as a punt returner.



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Cougarbib wrote:
But the last really fast guy we had could not catch the ball.



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Todd Watkins?

Rod Wilkerson I believe

I feel bad for Matthews and Apo...they were just starting to turn it on like they never had before, and then they get hurt.

scott715 wrote:
Rod Wilkerson I believe

Yes. This is who I meant, although Watkins got less reliable catching the ball toward the end.



But, yes - Wilkerson was very fast by BYU standards, but poor at catching the ball. Seems like he was either a converted track star or DB they tried to make into a receiver.



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Cougarbib wrote:

Rod Wilkerson I believe

Yes. This is who I meant, although Watkins got less reliable catching the ball toward the end.



But, yes - Wilkerson was very fast by BYU standards, but poor at catching the ball. Seems like he was either a converted track star or DB they tried to make into a receiver.



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OK Got it. I recalled that they brought in Watkins near the end of Wilkerson's senior year,a nd he Watkins wa the last "fast" reeiver that I could recall.



Wilkerson did star in track and I recall calling him "50/50" like everyone else did

Getting back to the post...



Kurtz - 6-6/4.5-40. He can blow past DBs and use his height to haul in passes over the outstretched hands of defender. He appears to run better routes and has better speed than Hoffman. Conditioning is currently his achilles heel as the GFGH got to him in practice.



Davis - 6-2/4.3-4.4-40. Legit speed and having played DB can now read the tendencies of the DBs and position himself to adjust to their schemes/coverage. Already caught a TD pass in Spring practice and has shown the ability to get open vs Daniel, Trammel and co.



Dye - 5-10/4.4 - 40. Likely will split time in the slot with Backmon. A big play WR and has great genes from his dad James "To Dye For" Dye. His dad says he has more talent than he did in college. Sounds to me like we have a player as JD led the country in either KO or Punt Returns when he played.



Backmon - 5-10/4.3-40. If he was good enough to be recruited at Oregon - he has talent. He didn't play their much, not because of his talent, but because he had trouble adjusting to college life. It seems like a year of JC ball got him somewhat straightened out, and he was recruited by big-time programs. They clearly saw something in his skill level - he will be a big part of the O as a slot receiver. A true mismatch for safety or LB trying to cover him over the middle or in the flats.



Leslie - 6-3/4.5 - 40. He is fast - not like Backmon or Dye but fast. Already a proven commodity at TX-EP, will have an EE and pursuing MPA at BYU. He is very intelligent, will bring 3-years of game-time college experience and has already worked with his step-father Holliday. He will know what is expected of him and the correct route running technique. Look for him to be a leader and one of TH's main targets.



In summary, with the addition of these four, plus Apo Matthews and company, we have the depth to shuttle in a number of WRs to take advantage of defenses and have enough speed to cause them not to play at LOS (tight coverage). This opens up the middle and run support defense. We have just opened up the playbook for a lot more options than we had last year.

I am almost giddy over the WRs.

I believe in transfers, much like HS recruits, only when they perform on the field at BYU.