Leading up to the start of the college football season, we look at the New Mexico State Aggies in respective position-by-position breakdowns. Thus far, quarterbacks and running backs have been previewed. Today, we continue with the wide receiver position:
This is an Aggie unit that's developed some very good players in recent years - Taveon Rogers, Todd Lee, Kemonte Bateman and Austin Franklin were all talented pieces to play the position for NMSU the past two seasons.
This year there doesn't appear to be one single player that encompasses such skills - Franklin, of course, would have been that player, but the team was dealt a big blow when he was ruled academically ineligible earlier this month.
With that, a collective group takes shape, with players such as Joseph Matthews (junior), Jerrel Brown (junior), Adam Shapiro (junior), and Jordan Bergstrom (transfer from Santa Rosa Junior College) having to step up to fill the void. And even while players such as Matthews and Brown have shown potential as nice pieces, none of the aforementioned Aggies seem to have the gamebreaking ability that Franklin possesses (he was one of the team's few big-play threats to begin with, entering the year). Perhaps, as the season progresses, someone will take on the role of No. 1 target in the passing offense. And even if the Aggies don't find a true gamebreaker on the outside, a short-to-intermediate passing attack can work, as long as the top three or four receivers are reliable and catch the ball consistently.
One intriguing player to keep an eye on is Travaughn Colwell, a quarterback-turned-wide receiver who has the physical tools to play the position - listed at 6-foot-3 and just over 200 pounds, Colwell has good hands, speed and is one of the team's top athletes. Of course, he'll have to get accustom to the physical nature of the position, not the least of which will be blocking in the quarterback-option offense.
Head coach Doug Martin has spoken highly of tight end Perris Scoggins, and frankly the junior-college transfer from a year ago has always looked the part (listed at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds). Perhaps in a new offense with quarterback Andrew McDonald under center, Scoggins will see his production increase in the passing game.
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2 comments:
What ever happened to Coach Walker's son, he was a WR and never played due to transffer rules/injuries?
The WR position is scary thin!! However, if we have guys that are good route runners and can catch anything.
We should be good in the short/ medium passing game.
If not, heaven help us!!!
Jefe
Went to the spring game. Two unknowns put up the numbers at wr. Shapiro and Bowen. Mathews and brown looked a little flat. If this is any indicator, Mathews and Brown step up and Shapiro and Bowen stay solid, we should be in good shape. Not too sure on the reserve players and with this schedule they will be a major factor!
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