Wide Receivers - 2011 outlook

[AlferdJasper]

I didn't want to pose this question in a recruit's thread, but what IS our WR situation?

Here are returning players (the grade shown is from last season.)

I removed the seniors (Patterson, McKnight)

31 Canty, Keenan Wr FR (frosh in 2010)
35 Kyle Cefalo, Kyle WR Jr. (sr. in 2010)
17 Clemons, Toney WR Jr. (sr. in 2010)
89 Conte, Mario WR So. (status?)
82 Darden, Jarrod WR Fr.
83 Ebner, Dustin WR So.
15 Espinoza, Jason WR Jr.
16 Jefferson, Will WR So.
80 Richardson, Paul WR Fr.
22 Robbins, Parker WR Fr. (Who knows about this player? I'm :wow: blank.)
86 Turbow, Alex WR Fr.

Read somewhere that Mario Conte might not be coming back. (Please jump in and correct me if you know better. I wanted to see what he could do - really good kid.) And it doesn't look good for Andre Simmons to stick with the team (a guy who I REALLY wanted to have a great year and a happy ending to a long story.)

We have incoming freshman Nelson Spruce (and I hope Michael Thomas is a buff.)

Any other status changes to list above?
This is what Buffnik had on the 2011 roster thread:
http://www.allbuffs.com/showthread.php/41374-Colorado-Buffaloes-Roster-for-2011

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

Nice speed, athleticism, and skills between the top 3 of Clemons, Richardson, and Jefferson. Truly an unknown after that. I hope Darden steps up and becomes our possession receiver -- he seems to have the tools for that role. Anyone hear anything about him from his r/s and scout team time, last year?

 

[Quattro]

I think Spruce will jump in next year and help our receivers and provide a compliment to Clemons and Richardson. I haven't heard of half of those receivers though.

 

[bigbang]

Canty could be a suprise. But the key would be Jeferson and Darden. Darden in particular has to step up. Cefalo is a possesion reciever. Richardson and Clemons should provide the big plays, Darden is a red zone weapon. Thornton i know is a TE could have a monster year, suprised that he didn't get alot o playing time after the 2 TD spring game performance.

WR1 Clemons(SR), Cefalo(SR), Darden(SO), Espinoza(SR)
WR2 Richardson(SO), Jeferson(JR), Canty(RFR), Spruce(FR)


We may need to sign one more WR, and most likely need to sign about 3 WR next year.

 

[Unleash Hell]

Clemons and Richardson could give us one of the top WR pairings in the Pac-12. Jefferson will be thrown in and maybe Spruce can make an immediate impact as a slot reciever like Scotty McNight did his freshman season. I just hope none of these guys get hurt or leave, because then we're screwed.

 

[slider]

Wow our depth is turrible and you forgot Canty. Lucien... big loss. And come to think of it... our depth is pretty atrocious at nearly every position. Thanks Hack

 

[Darth Snow]

Wow our depth is turrible and you forgot Canty. Lucien... big loss. And come to think of it... our depth is pretty atrocious at nearly every position. Thanks Hack

Yup. We need at least one frosh to step up this year at wr ( that may be spruce by default, but hopefully he gets some company)

 

[ScottyBuff]

I think you forgot Kyle Cefalo as well. He had some good moments during last spring and fall practices.

Espinoza, Conte, Cefalo, Ebner, and Canty should all compete for a slot position.

Most likely that position isn't going to be such a huge factor as it was during the Scotty McKnight era; but still important.

As everyone else says, the top four of: Clemons, Richardson, Jefferson, and Darden are going to be key for us.

We all know that Clemons and Richardson can be big contributors. Jefferson despite being moved around is still a playmaker. Darden stepping up behind Clemons would be a great insurance policy and give us hope for next season.

I don't think we need to rely on incoming freshman as much as others do for this season. With Deehan, Thornton, and possibly Kyle Slavin being utilized more in the offense, it should take the pressure off finding a "4th WR".

 

[Buffnik]

Here's the list with the 2011 eligibility for each guy:

Senior - Toney Clemons
Senior - Jason Espinoza
Junior - William Jefferson
Sophomore - Jarrod Darden
Sophomore - Paul Richardson
RS-Freshman - Keenan Canty
Walk Ons - Kyle Cefalo (Sr), Dustin Ebner (Jr), Mario Conte (So), Alex Turbow (RS-Fr), Parker Robbins (RS-Fr)
Incoming Freshmen: Nelson Spruce

I think we've got to look at Mobley as a WR (assuming he doesn't shock everyone at QB).

And I'd like to sign as many as 2 more (1 JUCO and 1 freshman).

 

[AlferdJasper]

Wow our depth is turrible and you forgot Canty. Lucien... big loss. And come to think of it... our depth is pretty atrocious at nearly every position. Thanks Hack

Canty could be a suprise. But the key would be Jeferson and Darden. Darden in particular has to step up. Cefalo is a possesion reciever.

I think you forgot Kyle Cefalo as well. He had some good moments during last spring and fall practices.

Thanks for catching those two - I added them in the OP.

 

[ScottyBuff]

I think we've got to look at Mobley as a WR (assuming he doesn't shock everyone at QB).

Good point, he certainly has the "diva-WR" attitude down pat!

 

[lawdogg]

Somebody refresh my memory. In the traditional "West Coast Offense" how much of the three receiver sets would you typically see. Definitely seems like it would be nice to get t clem and p rich on the outside, jefferson and/or spruce working out of the slot, with a tight end adding another threat in the receiving game. This would eliminate the FB from the formation, and would require a RB with some good pass blocking ability, but seems like it would be worthwhile.

 

[Duff Man]

Mentioned it on signing day, but it bears repeating: getting no on-field contributions from Blackmon, Simmons, and Ussery hurts. So does Simas making all the mistakes he did. That is a lot of attrition over three classes.

I expect Spruce to play a lot next season.

 

[sackman]

Sure would be nice if Simmons, Simas and Celestine were all still here and eligible. I remember the year we recruited D Scott we also got Simas, Celestine and Josh Smith. How would a WR lineup of Simmons, Smith, Celestine, Simas, Clemons and Richardson look? I'll tell you how it would look - awesome.

And yes, I blame Hawk for that attrition. Jackass.

 

[Darian3Hagan]

No prob we will just get a walk on from Holyoke.

 

[AlferdJasper]

Here's the list with the 2011 eligibility for each guy:

Senior - Toney Clemons
Senior - Jason Espinoza
Junior - William Jefferson
Sophomore - Jarrod Darden
Sophomore - Paul Richardson
RS-Freshman - Keenan Canty
Walk Ons - Kyle Cefalo (Sr), Dustin Ebner (Jr), Mario Conte (So), Alex Turbow (RS-Fr), Parker Robbins (RS-Fr)
Incoming Freshmen: Nelson Spruce

I think we've got to look at Mobley as a WR (assuming he doesn't shock everyone at QB).

And I'd like to sign as many as 2 more (1 JUCO and 1 freshman).

I just looked at the handout we got at the recruiting/preview luncheon: see page 20.

"No Longer on the Team" Dec. '10/Jan. '11:
WR: Gabe Castillo, Kendrick Celestine, Mario Conte, Heath Davis, Andre Simmons
P/PK: Dillan Frieberg, Marcus Kirkwood (although I have heard at least one rumor that Marcus may come back in June, he's just got a tough senior courseload this spring and may come back for summer conditioning. Frieberg is gone.)
OLB: Michael O'Connor
DL: Dakota Poole
DB: Terdema Ussery
​

WR Mario Conte surpises me; he's a Mullen kid and good friends with Parker Orms. He also filled in as snapper before we got Iverson. Well, stuff happens, don't know the story there.

 

[Buffnik]

Interesting. Adam still had Conte on his roster on Rivals. I'll remove him.