During Coach Fritz’s six years, the production in general from our wide receivers has been disappointing. Along with inconsistent play from the offensive line and QB's, failure to get open and an inexcusable number of dropped passes have contributed to a “sketchy” passing attack. Although the staff has professed a preference for tall receivers, we haven’t been very successful in signing those that contribute significantly.
We’ve gone the transfer and JC route a few times, bringing in Jabril Clewis, Jalen McCleskey, the Watts twins, Mykel Jones, Shae Wyatt, and Cyron Sutton. Of these, the only ones who were purportedly taller than 6’0” were Clewis (6’2”) and Deuce Watts (also 6’2”). Although these transfers probably didn’t all perform as well as we’d hope (Jones was a particular disappointment), I think (subject to other’s opinions) they played better than the majority of our freshmen recruits. Hopefully, this guy from Notre Dame can exceed all expectations; we'll see.
By my count, we’ve also signed 14 wide receiver recruits out of high school over the past six years. Only three were rated at 3 stars by both Rivals and 247: Khalikl McClain in 2017; Jha’quan Jackson in 2019; and T.J. Huggins in 2021. McClain left after a year; Jackson has suffered injuries that have limited his playing time; and Huggins just completed his freshman year and may still contribute greatly.
Of those 14 wide receivers we signed, 11 were listed as taller than 6’0”. These included Chris Johnson in (6’3”) and Darnell Mooney (6’1”) in 2016, all four receivers in 2017 (Jaetavean Toles, 6’1”; Travis Tucker, 6’4”; Keven Ledue, 6’3”; and the aforementioned Khalil McClain, 6’3”). Jorian Vallian, 6’2”, was a 2018 recruit and Tyriek Presley, 6’3”, was a 2019 recruit. Reggie Neely, 6’1’, came in 2020, and T.J. Higgins, and Jeff Nwanko, 6’6”, were 2021 signees. Though we’ve signed a lot of bigger receivers, only Mooney, who became a star, and Toles, who has excelled at special team while being a serviceable receiver, have made significant contributions.
So, while we’ve recruited bigger guys, very few were highly rated. Moreover, with the exception of 2-stars, Mooney and Toles, it’s hard to say we’ve done much of a job in developing whatever potential we recruited. Some would even suggest that despite his standing in the top ten of Tulane receivers for catches, yards, TD’s and yards/catch, Mooney wasn’t sufficiently developed. Still, he did pretty good for the Wave as a 2-star recruit. Nonetheless, he appears to be an exception.
So, what’s it all mean? No real surprise. We’re not recruiting very well for wide receivers and our coaches aren’t developing them—a bad combination. I tend to agree with most fans at this point—a better, maybe better-known, wide receiver coach might help both with recruiting and development. I hope we see that soon.
Roll Wave!!!
We’ve gone the transfer and JC route a few times, bringing in Jabril Clewis, Jalen McCleskey, the Watts twins, Mykel Jones, Shae Wyatt, and Cyron Sutton. Of these, the only ones who were purportedly taller than 6’0” were Clewis (6’2”) and Deuce Watts (also 6’2”). Although these transfers probably didn’t all perform as well as we’d hope (Jones was a particular disappointment), I think (subject to other’s opinions) they played better than the majority of our freshmen recruits. Hopefully, this guy from Notre Dame can exceed all expectations; we'll see.
By my count, we’ve also signed 14 wide receiver recruits out of high school over the past six years. Only three were rated at 3 stars by both Rivals and 247: Khalikl McClain in 2017; Jha’quan Jackson in 2019; and T.J. Huggins in 2021. McClain left after a year; Jackson has suffered injuries that have limited his playing time; and Huggins just completed his freshman year and may still contribute greatly.
Of those 14 wide receivers we signed, 11 were listed as taller than 6’0”. These included Chris Johnson in (6’3”) and Darnell Mooney (6’1”) in 2016, all four receivers in 2017 (Jaetavean Toles, 6’1”; Travis Tucker, 6’4”; Keven Ledue, 6’3”; and the aforementioned Khalil McClain, 6’3”). Jorian Vallian, 6’2”, was a 2018 recruit and Tyriek Presley, 6’3”, was a 2019 recruit. Reggie Neely, 6’1’, came in 2020, and T.J. Higgins, and Jeff Nwanko, 6’6”, were 2021 signees. Though we’ve signed a lot of bigger receivers, only Mooney, who became a star, and Toles, who has excelled at special team while being a serviceable receiver, have made significant contributions.
So, while we’ve recruited bigger guys, very few were highly rated. Moreover, with the exception of 2-stars, Mooney and Toles, it’s hard to say we’ve done much of a job in developing whatever potential we recruited. Some would even suggest that despite his standing in the top ten of Tulane receivers for catches, yards, TD’s and yards/catch, Mooney wasn’t sufficiently developed. Still, he did pretty good for the Wave as a 2-star recruit. Nonetheless, he appears to be an exception.
So, what’s it all mean? No real surprise. We’re not recruiting very well for wide receivers and our coaches aren’t developing them—a bad combination. I tend to agree with most fans at this point—a better, maybe better-known, wide receiver coach might help both with recruiting and development. I hope we see that soon.
Roll Wave!!!