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Football

Tigers Add Size, Speed to Receiving Corps

TOWSON, Md. - When the Washington Redskins lined up against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday night, both starting wide receiving corps were ordinary. Maybe not in terms of talent, but in terms of NFL size.
 
In its three-receiver set, Washington utilized Anthony Armstrong (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), Santana Moss (5-10, 205) and Jabar Gaffney (6-2, 200) while Baltimore used Anquan Boldin (6-1, 217), Lee Evans (5-10, 209) and Torrey Smith (6-0, 205).
 
All are average-to-below average in terms of NFL height and weight. But, most of them are quality receivers who can create separation and run after the catch.
 
When Towson opens up the 2011 season on Saturday night against Morgan State, it's possible that the Tigers can line up three or four wide receivers simultaneously that are bigger than the two pro teams who were here in Baltimore last Thursday night.
 
It's not like big receivers have never thrived at the FCS (1-AA) level. Jerry Rice, at 6-2, 200-pounds, is considered the greatest wideout in the history of the game by most football experts and played at Mississippi Valley State, a I-AA power at the time in the early 1980s.
 
When Coach Rob Ambrose took over Towson in 2009, he recruited two freshmen wide receivers in Tom Ryan and Alex Blake. Erron Banks was a redshirt freshman who sat out the previous year and gave the Tigers three pretty big but inexperienced wideouts to compliment then-junior Hakeem Moore (5-11, 165).
 
Moore may have been the smallest of the three, but in 2010, he led the Tigers with 559 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He was also was able to get a camp invite with the Ravens due to his excellent speed and ability to return kicks.
 
That's not to say Towson hasn't had productive big receivers in their past. Marcus Lee ('08), who played at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, is the all-time leader with 225 receptions and ranks sixth all-time in yardage (2,389). But, as we get ready for the 2011 season, there has never been this many "big" receivers near the top of the depth chart. Let's qualify "big" by being over 6-feet tall and 190 pounds.
 
By the time the Tigers host the Bears at Unitas Stadium, it's quite possible that Ryan (6-3, 205), Banks (6-2, 198), Blake (6-1, 195) and Connecticut transfer Gerrard Sheppard (6-2, 217) might all see action in a three or four receiver set. That gives the Towson quarterbacks some big targets in the red zone, but also some heavy competition during camp.
 
"If you get comfortable at your spot, the guy behind you is just as good or is working harder, so he can take your spot," said Ryan. "That keeps us motivated. We push each other to compete every day in practice."
 
Towson has big receivers and they have experience in senior Kyle Moore (5-11, 184) and a bit of an unknown in junior transfer Collin Stevens (6-2, 205), another big receiver with speed who has been hampered by a wrist injury suffered in the spring. 
 
If you are looking for a smaller burner to replace Hakeem Moore, sophomore transfer Leon Kinnard (5-10, 177) could fit the bill. But, where will he play? The versatile Loyola High School product could line up at running back, quarterback, punt returner or wide receiver. Kinnard, who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, transferred from Connecticut over the summer and has only been with the program for about a month.
 
Redshirt freshman Derrick Joseph (5-9, 155) hopes to be the first Towson player since 1995 to return a kickoff back for a touchdown. He has electric speed and quickness and could also figure into the receiving corps as a vertical threat. Spencer Wilkins (5-11, 185) is another redshirt freshman who has quietly had a strong spring and summer. He caught a 63-yard reception for a touchdown from Peter Athens in the Tiger Bowl during spring practice and brings more playmaking ability to the offense. Wilkins was a two-time All-County choice at Mount Hebron H.S. in Howard County.
 
Depth, size and speed at the wide receiver position are just a few of the reasons Towson's offensive coaches have been optimistic in improving a unit that averaged 15.5 points per game a year ago.
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