Way Too Early Look Ahead - Wide Receiver

Wide receiver A.J. Love is healthy and should help the passing game this season.

The early look ahead series rolls on as we take a look at the wide receiver position. Last season, the USF passing attack was inconsistent at best and depleted due to injury. Entering the spring, the Bulls have added depth from recruiting and return two key players that missed all of last season due to injury (Griffin and Love). If the unit stays healthy, it should have a great season and help open up the USF offense. [keep reading]

Sterling Griffin and AJ Love return as the top two receivers for the Bulls. Love was granted a 5th year of eligibility after injuring his ACL in the Spring game last year. Love is healthy and gives the Bulls as solid, fast veteran receiver. Love has been a solid target all his career and if healthy, gives the Bulls a tremendous target. Griffin missed last season after injuring his ankle during Summer workouts. He is healthy and gives the Bulls a deep threat which should help open the field and spread opposing defenses. I am very high on Griffin. Griffin emerged two years ago and proved to be a deep threat weapon with nice speed. If he is healthy, he could have a monster season.

The Bulls had to move a lot of players around during the season to try to help the passing game. In doing so, the Bulls were able to build up some depth with multiple players and are a step ahead this season. Evan Landi is the most productive receiver returning this season. Landi made the full transition to receiver last season and had a solid season, going over 400 yards receiving. He is a big target that can battle over the middle and gives the Bulls a solid target. Lindsey Lamar is a dangerous speed weapon and should be worked more into the offense this year. He will miss the Spring practices after off-season shoulder surgery (minor surgery) and should be at full speed this fall. His cousin, Terrence Mitchell, an All Big East freshman performer, should be another fast weapon on the inside. The Bulls mixed Mitchell more and more into the offense because of his ability to create plays and could be a huge weapon this year.

The Bulls also have T.J. Knowles, Faron Hornes, Stephen Bravo-Brown, Derrick Hopkins, and Joel Miller. All of these receivers should be in the mix this season because they all got playing time last season.

There are a few other players that didn't contribute during the 2010-2011 season as well, but will certainly work hard to get onto the field this season. Bermanley Augustin, Jordan Duval, Tyler Stowell (didn't contribute at receiver) and Justin Wilkins. Deonte Welch is the one receiver coaches keep talking about and could find his way onto the field this season.

There are also some highly talented freshman coming in during the fall and will surely add more depth to the position and could even sneak onto the field. Alex Mut will redshirt as he rehabs from ACL surgery. Ruben Gonzalez is a very physical player that could play right away and Andre Davis is a polished receiver that could play right away due to his route running and great hands.

So there are the receivers as the roster stands today. Now there will be players leaving, transferring, or changing position so the depth chart will change by the time the season rolls along, but for those eager beyond belief for the football season, this is something to look at and get use to the names that could be scoring touchdowns for the Bulls all season.

The receiving corps was depleted last season and Daniels struggled to find a receiver he was comfortable with (aside from Dontavia Bogan). This season, he gets back two experienced targets (Griffin and Love), an experienced Landi, and speed everywhere, including possession receivers. This can be a great group if they are able to mesh together and stay healthy.