Every year teams gain and lose players to graduation, transfer, or the NFL Draft. They must replace the lost talent through recruiting or players already on the roster. The following are guys that have made a small impact early in their career, and now look to take it to the next level.
Savon Scarver |
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2018: 9 catches for 156 yds 2 TDs
The Aggies lost their top 3 WRs and top TE Dax Raymond from a year ago. Enter Savon Scarver. Scarver is 2nd in returning receiving yds and 4th overall on the team. He’ll be one of the starters and with a QB like Jordan Love leading the offense, Scarver will get a good load of catches. He flashed his abilities with a 17.9 yd average on 9 catches last year. He also is a very good return man and can take any kick to the house.
Tyrone Tracy Jr |
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2018: 1 catch for 22 yds
With the loss of Nick Easley at WR coupled with the loss of 1st round draft picks TEs Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson, the Hawks will need some new targets to step up. If Michigan transfer Oliver Martin doesn’t get his waiver accepted, then Tracy along with Nico Ragaini look to be options 3-4 at WR. My expectation is that Tyrone Tracy catches between 15-25 passes for the Iowa this year.
Charleston Rambo |
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2018: 8 catches for 125 yds 1 TD
The loss of leading WR Hollywood Brown (75 rec) and Lee Morris (21 rec) opens the door for others to step up. Although the Sooners have a couple of highly touted freshman incoming, it really opens up the door for Charleston Rambo. Rambo will have a big opportunity to help fill the 96 catches lost between Brown and Morris. He is a projected starter beside CeeDee Lamb and 6th year senior Nick Basquine. Rambo only caught 8 passes, but averaged 15.6 yds on those catches, including a great reception in the CFP game vs Alabama. Look for him to breakout and become what Lee Morris was last year.
Geordan Porter |
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2018: Redshirt
The Sun Devils lost their top wideout, N’Keal Harry (73 rec), to the NFL Draft. However, they return their next 3 top WRs. Geordan Porter was a redshirt last year, and Herm Edwards said that really helped him grow. After watching the spring game, it was clear that Porter is a talented WR that will force his way into the rotation. He figures to be a backup at the beginning of the season. However, Coach Edwards said he will get a chance to make an impact as a vertical threat due to his speed.
Kedarian Jones and Antonio Gibson |
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Jones 2018: 9 catches for 90 yds
Gibson 2018: 6 catches for 99 yds
Although Memphis returns top guys Damonte Coxie, Pop Williams and Joey Magnifico (126 rec comb), they lose RBs Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard. They combined for 58 catches. With that production gone they will need someone to step up and help fill the loss of production. Kedarian Jones and Antonio Gibson combined for 15 catches last year, while averaging 12.6 yds a catch. Both guys figure to be in the top 5 of the rotation, with Gibson having a chance to start.
Khalil Shakir |
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2018: 16 catches for 170 yds 1 TD
The Broncos lost their top 2 receivers (122 rec) from a year ago. That opens up the door for Shakir to step into a starting role. He will start alongside CT Thomas and John Hightower. Look for Shakir to at least double his receptions from 16 up to 32-40 catches and have a breakout year. His ceiling hinges of the new QB that starts for the Broncos.
Thomas Geddis |
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2018: 20 catches for 288 yds 1 TD
The Bearcats lost Kahlil Lewis, who lead the team with 56 catches last year. However, they bring back Rashad Medaris and TE Josiah Deguara (64 catches). Geddis and Jayson Jackson will start alongside Medaris and both will look to have breakout years. Geddis averaged 11.4 yds per reception and will be a great secondary target for Soph QB Desmond Ridder.
TJ Simmons |
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2018: 28 catches 341 yds 1 TD
The Mountaineers not only lost David Sills and Gary Jennings to the NFL, but then lost Marcus Simms to the transfer portal. Those receivers combined for over 150 catches last year. TJ Simmons is the leading returner, and with all of that production gone, he is going to be the go-to target. After Simmons, the next guy up is Tevin Bush who only had 14 catches last year. TJ Simmons is going to have a big year for WVU.
Tarik Black |
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2018: 4 catches for 35 yds
While the other breakout situations are mostly due to lost WR production, this one is different from the other situations because Tarik Black just hasn’t stayed healthy. The Wolverines actually return almost all of their talent at WR/TE from a year ago. However, Black has the talent to be a starter, if he can stay healthy. He is a projected starter alongside Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins, forming a really good group. If Tarik can stay healthy, he will have a breakout year with the Wolverines
