Wahooze on the Trail: Wide Receivers

We’ve covered the Quarterbacks and Running Backs so far but now we are going to get into what is one of the more sought after positions by this coaching staff, the receivers. First off it appears that we are bucking the traditional tight end in favor of the hybrid TE/WR position, see Severin, Canaan. That being said there is no shortage of talent at this position that the Hoos will be looking at this season, including a name you may recognize that could jump on board very soon. It does become apparent however just what the coaching staff is looking for at wideout in this class. Without further ado let’s jump into this.

Zack Jones                          6-0 178lbs.          Chesapeake, VA                               Oscar Smith

                Name ring a bell? This is current UVA all around stud Perry Jones’ little brother. While taller than his brother Zack is also lighter, but with solid hands and 4.5 speed Jones could be an equally integral part of the offense. Currently the Hoos are the only offer on the table, though schools are looking hard at the Junior, including Michigan, Nebraska, and Alabama. Jones’ stock is somewhat low due to his requirement to sit out his sophomore season due to complications in his transfer from Great Bridge. That being said I would go ahead and say the Hoos are in an incredibly good position here.

Probable Destination: UVA. Come on now. Your brother is the star of the team, your family is very close knit and Coach London offers you a scholarship personally the day you win the state championship. I would have committed right there. I think this will happen on Junior Day which is February 18 or 24.

Stefon Colbert                  6-4 195lbs.          Olney, MD                                          Good Counsel

                UVA will be chasing two more Good Counsel receivers this season with Stefon Colbert and Andre Levrone. Colbert is the more impressive specimen of the two. At 6-4 195 with a 4.5 40 Colbert has all the makings of a solid number 1 receiver. The bad news for Wahoo fans is he really REALLY likes Virginia Tech. In fact this recruitment might be pointless based on early reports. The first program to offer however was Auburn, who offered while they were out scouting Stefon Diggs. A player with Colbert’s size and speed is a rare combination and would be a perfect fit in any offense, especially this one. That being said this is looking like UVA is going to have to do a ton of work to get any traction here, because if he loves Tech, he most likely is not to fond of us.

Probable Destination: Virginia Tech. But let’s all root for Auburn. If this kid plays up to his potential his stock could explode.

Andre Levrone                  6-0 185lbs.          Olney, MD                                          Good Counsel

                Levrone is a sold receiver out of a powerhouse program, which means a giant attribute that he brings is an expectation of success, which could be the kind of attitude that the coaches are looking for. While he is plenty big already Levrone expects to get bigger, considering his father is 6-6. Levrone is also very interested in a strong academic school. All of these coupled with the fact that we were his first offer puts the Hoos in a good position with Levrone.  However Levrone also holds offers from Mississippi State and Auburn, which could present some challenges for Coach London.

Probable Destination: Maryland. I think Maryland is going to come in with an offer soon and will work hard to get a pipeline established with Good Counsel. Could I see him at UVA? Absolutely. But I think Maryland will be able to pitch him good academics (sorry, he wants engineering and they are actually good at that) and being close to home, as well as being able to play with his friends. The kid seems to value family so that might be best for him.

Kwamane Bowens          6-2 185lbs.          Virginia Beach, VA                          Salem

                Bowens has all the makings of a combo with Bucky Hodges, but in reading his statements it sounds like where Hodges decides to commit will have little to no bearing on where Bowens ends up. Bowens will obviously need to put on some weight when he gets to college, but if he does could become a major threat in the red zone with his long arms and leaping abilities. Bowens is oddly very close with the staff at Western Michigan, who have been recruiting him very hard. Also Vanderbilt is a huge player in this too, as they have hired Josh Gattis from Western Michigan to be their new wide receivers coach and offensive recruiting coordinator.

Probable Destination: Vanderbilt. While Western Michigan is strong here I’m not sure you could turn down an SEC offer, especially at a program that is on the rise like Vanderbilt to go  to a mid-major in Western Michigan. This is probably an important recruit for Vandy who is trying to get into Virginia.

Michael Parker                 6-3 191lbs.          Nokesville, VA                                  Kettle Run

                 Parker is a big receiver. Currently holding 7 offers from big time programs like Ohio State and Tennessee Parker figures to be a hot commodity for this class. Parker has stated that he is open to going out of state for college and it appears the Tennessee might be the leader in the clubhouse. That being said Parker seems to highly covet an offer from LSU. Parker is the number 117 in the Rivals 250, so expect an LSU offer to emerge. Parker would fit in nicely in the Hoos offense in the Canaan Severin/Kyle Dockins role as the big hybrid receiver. It will be interesting to see how the in state schools fare in his recruitment.

Probable Destination: LSU. If the offer comes he is as good as gone.

Marquez North                 6-2 210lbs.          Charlotte, NC                                    Mallard

                North is another tall wide out, which seems to be the theme of the targets. North is a very sought after young man with offers from some huge programs like Florida and Michigan. He also has offers from both Virginia schools. The biggest obstacle the Hoos face in this one might actually come from the Hokies. North is on the record as saying that he wanted an offer from the Hokies and has a “natural liking” of them due to his grandfather being a big fan. If nothing else Virginia fans should be rooting for other schools to come into his focus, because North looks like an absolute terror.

Probable Destination: Virginia Tech. Hopefully big time programs like FSU and Alabama turn up the heat, but as of right now I would say he is Hokie bound. Not good news for the Hoos at this point.

Quan Jones                        6-4 192lbs.                          Wylie, TX                            Wylie East

Marcell Ateman               6-4 190lbs.                          Wylie, TX                            Wylie East

Jones (left) and Ateman (Right)

                I have lumped these two for a reason. With the success in Texas with Kelvin Rainey the Hoos have gotten ambitious with these two Texas giants. Ateman and Jones both sport offers from Mississippi State, Michigan, and Arizona, among others. Everyone seems to be involved in bagging both of them which I think is the Hoos plan also. That duo would be lethal in the redzone and would create a ridiculous matchup problem. They are also blazers on the outside making them even more of a matchup headache. I do expect them to remain as a pair in college and would complete any receiving corps.

Probable Destination: Baylor. I think the recent success will make them able to land these two. Keep in mind they played for a school that is only entering its 3^rd season of varsity football, so they most likely will not mind being put in the role of being the focal point of an offense.

Robert Foster                    6-3 190lbs.          Monaca, PA                                        Central Valley

                Foster is yet another big receiver the Hoos are looking at. While relatively slow at a 4.8 40 Foster possesses the height, build, and hands to become a great possession receiver. Ranked number 26 in the Rivals 250, Foster already holds offers from programs like Oregon and Michigan, and of course the hometown Nittany Lions. Penn State presents and interesting option for Foster. While the Patriots’ offense features precise route by receivers it also features heavy use of big athletic tight ends. Those players might be tough to come by in college so O’Brien may be forced to use bigger receivers in that role. If that is the case look for Foster’s interest to perk up as he is that kind of player.

Probable Destination: Penn State. While I think foster will be tempted by the bigger offers I find it hard to believe he will turn down an opportunity to play for an NFL pedigree coach and rebuild the Penn State program. That being said Ohio State and Urban Meyer are also looming. This could be an interesting battle.

Zach Bradshaw                  6-3 205lbs.          Damascus, MD                                  Damascus

                Yet another physical receiver Bradshaw has the potential to be quite potent in this offense. He is a yards after the catch machine and seems to be quite good in open space. Most of his highlights are for punt returns. While the obvious comparison you will first think of is Matt Snyder I think Bradshaw will be closer to a Max Millien, catching that swing pass out in space would be perfect for him. Bradshaw has a ton of offers, but also a 4.0 GPA. I think the Hoos will have an advantage here in that regard. Big competition will come from Northwestern, who uses a system that he would excel in, and of course his hometown Terrapins, but I think the Hoos have a pretty good shot.

Probable Destination: Northwestern. I think this will come down to a numbers crunch. The hoos are pretty full at Wideout and if they take on Zack Jones and any other big targets Bradshaw might be the odd man out. That being said I think he would be a great fit and would not be surprised to see him here.