Competition runs high among Tiger receivers

Injuries have left young receivers fighting for playing time.

By John Montesantos

Published Aug. 27, 2010

Just more than a week away from its season opener, the 2010 Missouri football team is still making changes within its depth chart. Underclassmen continue to compete during practice in hope of earning some playing time come September. Nowhere is this more true than among the Tiger wide receivers.

The loss of the star seniors of 2009 and a few offseason injuries have opened the door for competition at the position. Now graduated wideouts Danario Alexander and Jared Perry led the team in virtually every receiving category last year. Alexander was the target of choice, with his 14 touchdowns totaling more than all other receivers combined.

Injuries have also thrown the receiver core for a loop. Junior wide receivers Jerrell Jackson and Terry Dennis both remain on the disabled list. Jackson was listed as the No. 1 H-receiver on the roster before suffering a wrist injury over the summer. The Texas-native was third on the team in receptions, yards and yards-per-game behind the two seniors in 2009. The team hopes he will be healed and ready to go by Week 2.

Despite the losses, junior receiver Wes Kemp thinks the wide receiving group is full of talent and potential.

“I think we’re really deep at receiver,” Kemp said. “We have a lot of people rotating in and a bunch of playmakers at the position. Hopefully, we’ll just have a fun time, go real hard and make plays.”

With Jackson hurt, Kemp has taken the reigns as the top receiver for Missouri. The St. Louis-native was fourth on the team in most receiving stats in 2009, but led all in yards-per-reception.

Joining Kemp in the expanding receiver core is sophomore wide receiver T.J. Moe. After seeing little action in his freshman season, the undersized-but-speedy wideout has stood out in fall scrimmages. Moe attributes the growing numbers at the position to impressive play by the freshmen, but knows that no amount of talent will matter without a little chemistry.

“We’ve got some new faces in there, but we’ve been together since the spring,” Moe said. “We’ve got some freshmen that are doing a nice job. We just have to try to gel.”

Freshman wide receiver Marcus Lucas is one of those youngsters looking to “gel” with the established receivers. Lucas has done well in fall camp, leading all receivers in the Tigers' second scrimmage with six receptions for 70 yards.

The Liberty High School prospect attributes much of his early success to the Missouri coaching staff.

“The way that the coaches hold themselves has made me happy I came here,” Lucas said. “They’re tough on you, but they treat you like family here.”

Other underclassman making wake at the position are redshirt freshman L’Damian Washington and redshirt sophomore Rolandis Woodland, both posting strong numbers in scrimmage. Junior wide receiver Brandon Gerau also hopes to earn time at the Z spot after starting just once in 2009.

No. 1 Z-wide receiver Kemp is able to see the big picture, connecting the success of the receiving core to the rest of the offense, specifically the running game.

“Now Derrick (Washington) is healthier, so he’s running a lot better,” the junior said. “When he’s running good, then the passing game runs a lot smoother.”

Moe also spoke of the offense as a whole, adding that the Tiger scorers are more field-tested this season. He hopes the experience of junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert and senior tailback Derrick Washington will translate to success for the young receivers and the offense as a whole.

“We’re more mature this year,” he said. “Youth isn’t an excuse, but last year we were young. Now we have some guys that have been around and some multiple-year starters. Instead of going in there and trying to find out what we’re doing, we’re now trying to fine-tune what we’re doing.”