2008 Gridiron Camp Preview: Wide Receivers
8/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 7, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas -- GoFrogs.com continues its preseason preview of the 2008 TCU football team with a look at the wide receivers.
Despite not having a returning starter, the receiver position could be a strength for TCU. The Frogs have a nice mix of skilled veterans and talented young players.
After closing last season very strong, Walter Bryant (6-4, 206, Sr.) is primed for an outstanding senior year. The San Angelo, Texas, native increased his size and strength and was a leader in off-season workouts. Bryant placed third on the Frogs with 27 receptions, including a career-best seven grabs in the regular-season finale at San Diego State.
Joining Bryant in first-team positions entering fall camp were Bart Johnson (6-1, 190, So.), Jeremy Kerley (5-10, 185, So.) and Jimmy Young (6-1, 200, So.).
Johnson made several big plays for the Frogs at both receiver and on special teams last season. Five of his six receptions came in the fourth quarter. Johnson scored three touchdowns on just seven touches. He had receiving scores at Wyoming and BYU in addition to reaching the end zone with a return of a blocked punt versus SMU.
The only true freshman to see action on offense for the Frogs last season, Kerley has the potential to be a big-play weapon. Five of his nine receptions in 2007 came in the season's final two games. A former prep quarterback, Kerley had 27-yard pass completions in back-to-back contests versus Utah and New Mexico.
Just a sophomore, Young is on pace to become one of the top receivers in the Mountain West Conference. He had 23 catches a year ago for a 14.1-yard average, best among the Frogs' top-six receivers. Young posted TCU's first 100-yard receiving day in nearly two years when he totaled 110 yards on three receptions, including a 70-yard touchdown, in the 38-36 win at Stanford.
Ryan Christian (5-11, 188, Jr.) will also see action at receiver, his original position at TCU, after moving to tailback last season. The local product from Aledo had 18 receptions out of the backfield while finishing third on the team with 321 yards rushing.
Tyler Luttrell (6-1, 195, So.) did not see game action last season due to injury but figures prominently in the Frogs' 2008 plans. Curtis Clay (6-0, 180, So.) and William Cage (6-4, 202, Sr.) are returning lettermen who add depth to the receiver position. Redshirt freshman Jonathan Jones (6-4, 197, RFr.) has outstanding size and is in the mix as well.
Alonzo Adams (6-0, 175, So.), Antoine Hicks (6-2, 193, Fr.) and Sam Shutt (6-0, 178, Fr.) are newcomers in competition for playing time.
BY THE NUMBERS:
3 - Touchdowns by Bart Johnson on his seven touches last season
4 - Career starts by TCU wide receivers (3, Walter Bryant; 1, Bart Johnson)
50 - Career receptions by Walter Bryant, the most among TCU receivers
110 - Receiving yards by Jimmy Young at Stanford, the highest total by a TCU freshman since Cory Rodgers in 2003
326.80 - Jeremy Kerley's passer rating in 2007
