Big East Notes and News

When preseason all conference teams are announced and coaches start getting that focused look in their eyes you know that football is almost here. For the players that means the lazy days of summer will soon give way to hot two-a-days(except at Georgia) and receivers who make playing the game look cool with their speed and acrobatic abilities.

As we continue looking at the “best of” for each position group in the conference we will turn our attention to the wide receivers today. What most of us see when watching a game is the incredible catch on the sideline with toes barely in or the diving catch in the middle of the field. What transforms a good receiver into a great one is what he does when the ball is not coming his way. Does he run his route with gusto when not the primary target? When blocking downfield does he really get after defensive backs or is he just a shadow blocker?

With this in mind here is what the Big East has to offer at the receiver position:

Cincinnati

Mardy Gilyard will be tough to replace catching the ball, but expect the Bearcats to still have one of the best receiving corps in the Big East.  D.J. Woods and Armon Binns were the team’s next two leading receivers, and USC transfer Vidal Hazelton started seven games in 2007 for the Trojans. Another newcomer expected to contribute right away is highly touted juco player Kenbrell Thompkins. After the top talent there is also depth as the teams 4^th, 5^th and 6^th leading receivers from last year also return.

Quarterback Zach Collaros threw for more than 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns in relief of Pike last year, so there is a guy pulling the trigger who has shown an ability to get the ball downfield. This group will be a strength in 2010 for the Bearcats.

Pittsburgh

When the Panthers are not handing off to speedster running back Dion Lewis, they will be passing to the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Jon Baldwin at wide receiver. Baldwin leads a unit that has potential, but lacks real experience. Baldwin is a genuine threat downfield, and defenses doubling him will take some of the pressure off the new guys. Last year Baldwin averaged almost twenty yards per catch.  Two new guys on campus are expected to make an immediate impact catching the ball for Pitt. Drew Carswell and Salath Williams should be two of the best freshmen receivers in the nation.

If Tino Sunseri, the front runner for the starting quarterback job, can form a connection with Baldwin early, it may spell trouble for Big East defensive backs. Baldwin has showed he can carry the load, and with the help of Lewis taking the attention off the receivers, this could be Baldwin's best year yet.

West Virginia

Jock Sanders is the leader of a group that has a lot of potential. Sanders is a definite deep threat, and the Mountaineers want to get the ball in his hands. Last year he was the team's leading receiver with 72 catches, 688 yards and three touchdowns receiving. He also scored one rushing the ball. He is a versatile player who should be a great dual threat for West Virginia when combined with running back Noel Devine. If he can form a bond with first-year starting quarterback Geno Smith, good things could happen. The unit also has junior Brad Starks, who could be a deep threat for the team if he can show some consistency.

Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights have plenty of talented receivers for quarterback Tom Savage to connect with this season. Savage and fellow sophomore Mohamed Sanu may turn into one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the nation over the next few years, so expect this year to be a solid one for this duo. Sanu is a tremendous athlete and besides being talented catching the ball he was the second leading rusher for the Knights last year, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.  Sophomore Tim Wright and freshman Brandon Coleman will look to contribute as the other starters for this unit.

Connecticut

Kashif Moore may not be the prototypical No. 1 receiver, but in spring practice the indications were there that he is ready to be the man for the Huskies when it comes to catching the ball. Moore will lead a unit that has experience, but did not have much production past departed star Marcus Easley. Easley was the team’s leader last year with 893 yards, and  Moore was second best with just 370 yards.

Another Moore, Isiah, made three starts last year and grabbed 24 balls for 283 yards and a touchdown. He is the tallest of the three projected starters, and he has the ability to out jump some cornerbacks, but it will all be a guessing game with this unit.

The rest

Doug Beaumont is the best the Louisville Cardinals have to offer. He should lead the Cardinals in all receiving categories and emerge as the go-to guy in the absence of Scott Long. Alec Lemon showed in the final game of the season for Syracuse that he does not mind being the top target. He hauled in nine balls for 140 yards and a touchdown. He should get a shot to take over for Mike Williams as the team's top target. Junior Marcus Sales will be his top competition for touches. Dontavia Bogan leads a young group of receivers at South Florida. Senior A.J. Love was the leading returning receiver, but he tore his ACL in the spring game. Bogan will pair with sophomores Sterling Griffin and Evan Landi for the bulk of the receiving yards this season.