Ranking the Big Sky receivers

[SouthDakotaGrizzly]

Part three of the series:

TOP 10 WIDE RECEIVERS

1 - Ray Fry, Sr., Portland State
Comment: Small, speedy and set to shine again in new offense.

2 - Brandyn Reed, Sr., Sacramento State
Comment: Averaged 15.9 yards per catch, snagged 7 TDs in 2009.

3 - Mike Phillips, Sr., Weber State
Comment: Should be Cameron Higgins No. 1 target this year.

4 - Everett Gilbert, Soph., Montana State
Comment: Explosive playmaker presses defenses in so many ways.

5- Jabin Sambrano, Jr., Montana
Comment: Team's best deep threat came of age at the end of '09.

6 - Patrick Walker, Jr., Northern Colorado
Comment: Broke out as a sophomore; hopes to visit end zone more.

7 - Khalil Paden, Jr., Northern Arizona
Comment: NAU hoping this San Jose State dropdown can be a star.

8 - Kelvin Krosch, Jr., Idaho State
Comment: Made all-conference; his 6 TD grabs led the team.

9 - Elvis Akpla, Jr., Montana State
Comment: Has the ability to make plays; needs better QB performance.

10 - Dylan Lane, Sr., Sacramento State
Comment: Won't stretch the field but is a good possession guy.

[dbackjon]

With Herrick throwing to him, Paden will shoot up the rankings.

[BigSkyFootball]

Two other NAU receivers should appear somewhere on this list:
Daiveun Curry-Chapman Sr.
The "fourth" receiver on last year's outstanding receiving corps
Austin Shanks Jr.
Former CA prep sprint champion mostly returned kicks and punts last year

[SouthDakotaGrizzly]

One big question is, who besides Sambrano will rise up for the Griz? Given the expected increased emphasis on the passing game, it's gotta be someone. Gratton, maybe? Or the transfer, Atkins? One thing to note is that if you would have put this list together a few years ago, Mariani probably wouldn't have been on it, or would've been near the bottom. I think someone on the Griz corps will become a more household name this season.

[Silenoz]

One big question is, who besides Sambrano will rise up for the Griz? Given the expected increased emphasis on the passing game, it's gotta be someone. Gratton, maybe? Or the transfer, Atkins? One thing to note is that if you would have put this list together a few years ago, Mariani probably wouldn't have been on it, or would've been near the bottom. I think someone on the Griz corps will become a more household name this season.

I'd be very surprised if it was Gratton or Larson. More likely one of the new guys or Roberts is my guess.

[BigSkyBears]

I like the Patrick Walker pick. He's a stud at UNC. We will be very deep at that position with Brandon Smith, Walker and Dominick Gunn. Smith and Gunn both were out all last season with injuries.

[EWURanger]

Not one receiver for EWU on this list? Fairly understandable I suppose, having had to play in the shadow of Boyce, Davis, and Overbay.

EWU seems to be really loaded at WR this coming year, so if BLM turns out to be as effective as I think he will be, our passing attack might be much more potent than some think. Besides the three of note below, there are at least 3 other WR's on the roster that are 6'3" plus.

Three Sophomores for EWU who should see a large amount of playing time with the departure of Boyce and Davis:

1.) Nicholas Edwards, 6"3", 200 - Saw a good amount of playing time in the second half of last season after Boyce went out with his career-ending injury. Has the potential to be even better than Boyce at EWU. How is he not on this list??

2.) Greg Heard, 6'3", 200 - Another big target for BLM. Hasn't seen a lot of playing time yet, but really impressed during Spring Ball.

3.) Brandon Kauffman, 6'5", 205 - Should see a good amount of playing time - a lot of folks are excited about this guy.

Others of note:

4.) Ashton Gant, 5"10, 180, SR - Has a lot of game experience, should be the primary slot receiver this year.

5.) Tyler Hart, 5'11", 205, JR - Converted RB, very fast - will play in the slot.

6.) Ashton Clark, 5"11, 170, FR - Fairly highly touted out of HS - will also play in the slot.

[89Hen]

Look for a breakout year from Montana Sophomore Heywood Jablowme.

[SouthDakotaGrizzly]

Look for a breakout year from Montana Sophomore Heywood Jablowme.

Damn, that's clever. How long you been waiting to use that one?

[89Hen]

Look for a breakout year from Montana Sophomore Heywood Jablowme.

Damn, that's clever. How long you been waiting to use that one?

Almost as long as the Big Sky has waited to play defense.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Damn, that's clever. How long you been waiting to use that one?

Almost as long as the Big Sky has waited to play defense.

You're starting off a little rough this week 89. Everything OK? These are lacking a lot of the wit & depth that I've come to expect.

Work on it.

[89Hen]

Almost as long as the Big Sky has waited to play defense.

You're starting off a little rough this week 89. Everything OK? These are lacking a lot of the wit & depth that I've come to expect.

Work on it.

Just a little rusty. I had taken some time off.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

You're starting off a little rough this week 89. Everything OK? These are lacking a lot of the wit & depth that I've come to expect.

Work on it.

Just a little rusty. I had taken some time off.

Yes, I understand. The fact that you did it in an up to this point legitimate FCS discussion was a telltale sign that you are slightly off your game.

[Griz Growler]

Look for a breakout year from Montana Sophomore Heywood Jablowme.

I've heard the Hens are red shirting Mike Hunt.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Look for a breakout year from Montana Sophomore Heywood Jablowme.

I've heard the Hens are red shirting Mike Hunt.

No. He transferred to EWU this year because he thought the surroundings would be more amenable to his bleeding problem.

[dbackjon]

I've heard the Hens are red shirting Mike Hunt.

No. He transferred to EWU this year because he thought the surroundings would be more amenable to his bleeding problem.

You really ripped the tits off that one

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

No. He transferred to EWU this year because he thought the surroundings would be more amenable to his bleeding problem.

You really ripped the tits off that one

Thanks.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Not one receiver for EWU on this list? Fairly understandable I suppose, having had to play in the shadow of Boyce, Davis, and Overbay.

EWU seems to be really loaded at WR this coming year, so if BLM turns out to be as effective as I think he will be, our passing attack might be much more potent than some think. Besides the three of note below, there are at least 3 other WR's on the roster that are 6'3" plus.

Three Sophomores for EWU who should see a large amount of playing time with the departure of Boyce and Davis:

1.) Nicholas Edwards, 6"3", 200 - Saw a good amount of playing time in the second half of last season after Boyce went out with his career-ending injury. Has the potential to be even better than Boyce at EWU. How is he not on this list??

2.) Greg Heard, 6'3", 200 - Another big target for BLM. Hasn't seen a lot of playing time yet, but really impressed during Spring Ball.

3.) Brandon Kauffman, 6'5", 205 - Should see a good amount of playing time - a lot of folks are excited about this guy.

Others of note:

4.) Ashton Gant, 5"10, 180, SR - Has a lot of game experience, should be the primary slot receiver this year.

5.) Tyler Hart, 5'11", 205, JR - Converted RB, very fast - will play in the slot.

6.) Ashton Clark, 5"11, 170, FR - Fairly highly touted out of HS - will also play in the slot.

To add on this, both Edwards and Kaufman got a fair amount of playing time last year after Boyce went down. Edwards got his first, second, and third TDs of his college career in the season finale against NAU.... on only 3 receptions. Kaufman was BLM's favorite target during Spring, snagging all 3 of his TD passes. Also, Greg Herd played QB in HS, and threw a beautiful 20 yard TD stike on a trick play (in addition to catching a TD) during the Spring Game.

Ranger, I figured Tyler Hart would be the go to guy in the slot. Baldwin is more for giving the best player the nod, not just seniority. We'll see. Nonetheless, Hart should fill in nicely for the departed Tony Davis. As a former RB, Hart has great YAC running. EWU will maintain as having one of the conference's (and nation's) best receiving corps.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I've heard the Hens are red shirting Mike Hunt.

No. He transferred to EWU this year because he thought the surroundings would be more amenable to his bleeding problem.

I'll give you that one fucker.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

No. He transferred to EWU this year because he thought the surroundings would be more amenable to his bleeding problem.

I'll give you that one fucker.

I knew you'd have a sense of humor on it buddy.

[JALMOND]

Time will tell if Fry can put up the same numbers this year without the run and shoot. He is a true joy to watch when he has the ball, though. Towards the end of last year, Glanville had him running reverses and the like.

[BigSkyBears]

Here's Patrick Walker highlights.
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[ronbo]

Watch Jabin Sambrano

[EWURanger]

Watch Jabin Sambrano

Ronbo posting in a thread that doesn't have to do with moving up, super-conference realignment, or the destruction of the Big Sky/FCS? What's the world coming to?

[SACCAT]

Watch Jabin Sambrano

Ronbo posting in a thread that doesn't have to do with moving up, super-conference realignment, or the destruction of the Big Sky/FCS? What's the world coming to?

Patience...It is just a matter of time before they turn it into one.

The Cats have 2-3 receivers that could step up and be tops in the league. Thomas is two years removed from knee surgery, so look for him to step up and show everyone what we saw his freshmen year.