Big South WRs 2014

[bjtheflamesfan]

We continue our look at the offensive skill players with a look at the wide receivers.

Charleston Southern

Kevin Glears 31 Catches 456 Yards 6 TD
Colton Korn 26 Catches 271 Yards 2 TD
Larry Jones III 25 Catches 380 Yards 2 TD

The Bucs certainly have an embarrassment of riches at the wideout position, so whoever wins the quarterback position will have plenty of targets to throw to next year. Not included in this group is Nathan Perera, former all-conference wideout returning after missing 2013 due to injury.

Coastal Carolina

Tyrell Blanks 23 Catches 353 Yards 3 TD
Bruce Mapp 20 Catches 287 Yards 1 TD
John Israel 13 Catches 258 Yards 3 TD

The one area CCU probably took the biggest hit was at the wideout position, losing Matt Hazel (now with the Miami Dolphins), South Carolina transfer DeMario Bennett and dynamic receiver/kick returner Niccolo Mastromatteo all to graduation. Blanks, Mapp and Israel combined for fewer catches than Hazel had by himself, but Coach Moglia, as a former CEO at TD Ameritrade, knows how to make a "million dollar investment" and will be hoping for big time returns from the three in 2014

Gardner-Webb

Kenny Cook 76 Catches 1008 Yards 9 TD (2013 Big South All Conference First Team)
Deonte Swinton 26 Catches 274 Yards 0 TD
DeMarcus White 23 Catches 251 Yards 1 TD

After the loss of Carlton Heard, Kenny Cook really served as the only vertical threat in the passing game, and it showed, with Cook the only receiver finishing with over 500 yards on the season. Swinton and White will have to step up their game and serve as secondary threats when teams focus on Cook in the passing game.

Liberty

Darrin "Petey" Peterson 58 Catches 825 Yards 7 TD (2013 Big South All Conference First Team)
Gabe Henderson 47 Catches 641 Yards 3 TD
Dante Shells 29 Catches 432 Yards 1 TD

Peterson established himself as an elite wideout in the Big South in 2013, opening the season with a pair of 100 yard games against Kent State and Monmouth on his way to first team all-conference honors, first receiver to earn first team honors, the fourth straight year Liberty has had a first team all conference wideout (Chris Summers 2010-2011, Patrick Kelly 2012). After a circuitous route, Henderson settled in as a slot threat opposite Petey and Dante Shells, after dealing with injuries, played the whole year for the first time and became a valuable third option for the Flames offense.

Monmouth

Neal Sterling 57 Catches 647 Yards 6 TD
Lamar Davenport 25 Catches 348 Yards 3 TD
Eric Sumlin 17 Catches 265 Yards 1 TD

Sterling had an outstanding season in 2013, leading the Hawks in all three categories. The big senior will certainly challenge defensive backs in single coverage, much like Chris Summers did when he suited up for Liberty. Davenport and Sumlin will have to step up and take the load off Sterling much like Swinton and White at Gardner-Webb

Presbyterian

Tobi Antigha 54 Catches 764 Yards 6 TD (2013 Big South All-Conference Second Team
Jeremiah McKie 38 Catches 487 Yards 2 TD (2013 Big South All Conference First Team *Punt Returner*)
Devron Glenn 7 Catches 43 Yards 0 TD

Antigha emerged as the top receiver for the Blue Hose following the graduation of Anderico Bailey and Michael Ruff, while McKie gave PC a good 1-2 punch, although it will depend in large part on the protection up front for the QBs to be able to find the two.

Team Rankings

1. Liberty
2. Gardner-Webb
3. Coastal Carolina
4. Charleston Southern
5. Presbyterian
6. Monmouth

Individual Rankings

1. Darrin Peterson, LU
2. Kenny Cook, GWU
3. Toby Antigha, PC
4. Kevin Glears, CSU
5. Tyrell Blanks, CCU
6. Gabe Henderson, LU
7. Deonte Swinton, GWU
8. Bruce Mapp, CCU
9. Colton Korn, CSU
10. Jeremiah McKie, PC

[bjtheflamesfan]

Neal Sterling was recently named to the CFPA Watch List for Wide Receiver along with Presbyterian's Tobi Antigha and Liberty's Darrin Peterson