2002 TCU Football: The Wide Receivers
7/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 29, 2002
Gary Patterson: "I think we should feel really good about the wide receiver group. Kevin Brown, Reggie Harrell, Terran Williams, Adrian Madise and LaTarence Dunbar are all coming back. We have three or four guys who we feel if we can get the ball in their hands they can go the distance. That's a big key for us."
The Frogs appear to be loaded at the receiver position. Not only are they talented, but deep and senior-laden. With that in mind, look for TCU to attempt to utilize more of their speed at the receiver position by generating a more vertical passing attack.
Start with senior Adrian Madise, who signed late with the Frogs out of Middle Georgia Junior College last summer and did not even appear in last season's media guide. Despite his late arrival and not starting the season's first three games, Madise came on to earn the team's MVP honors. He led the team in both receptions (50) and receiving yards (819), putting up numbers that had not been seen in Fort Worth since the mid-1990s. He became the first receiver in TCU history to notch four straight 100-yard receiving games when he went for 109 vs. East Carolina, 104 at UAB, 116 vs. Louisville and a career-high 177 at Southern Miss.
Next figure in LaTarence Dunbar. The Frogs worked hard to find ways to get the ball into the playmaker's hands last season. Expect more of the same in 2002. Dunbar also does the little things - like block - exceptionally well. He could see as much playing time as any player in the country. Not only is he a regular on offense and contributes on special teams (he was the squad's Special Teams MVP in 2001), Dunbar could see action this season at the safety position as well. He is a high-energy player who simply makes plays in game situations.
The fastest of the wide receiver group is senior Terran Williams. Williams has big-play capabilities and can stretch the opponent's secondary. He appears to be more confident following a solid spring and could be a surprise for the Frogs this fall. Kevin Brown is back following an injury-plagued 2001 season. A hard-nosed receiver, Brown is capable of playing all three wideout positions. The 5-11, 192-pounder is also faster than most people think.
The Frogs' receiving corps will be bolstered by the return of Reggie Harrell. Tremendously talented, Harrell figured to be a starter when the 2001 season got underway, but a knee injury just prior to the Nebraska opener kept him on the sidelines all season. Harrell possesses size (6-3, 209 pounds) and speed (13.73 110-meter high hurdler on the track) and has outstanding hands.
The Frogs also hope to have Shane Hudnall back in the mix. Hudnall caught a dozen passes in 2001 before suffering a broken leg in a mid-October practice. A great route runner, Hudnall understands the game and his role on the field.
A trio of squadmen will push to get into the rotation. Bruce Galbert, the tallest of the wideouts at six feet, four inches, Jackson Naponic and Chris Wingate all made strides in the spring and in the summer weight room.
A pair of redshirt freshmen could also figure into the Frogs' future eqation at wide receiver. Matthew Grimmett and Ryan Pearson each performed admirably on the scout team a year ago. Grimmett was selected as a co-recipient of the Offensive Scout Team MVP at the spring banquet.
Freshmen Michael DePriest and Quentily Harmon will join the squad in the fall. DePriest caught 52 passes for 1,131 yards and 13 touchdowns for Fossil Ridge High last fall. He was also a regional qualifier in four events during the spring track season. Harmon played both wide receiver and defensive back as a prep at Jacksonville (Texas) High.
