Spring football preview: Wide receivers
Missouri will open its third spring under Barry Odom next month. Over the next two weeks, we preview spring ball position by position. Today, it's the running backs.
SPRING FOOTBALL 2018: WIDE RECEIVER
The Starters: Easily the biggest question mark for Missouri’s offense entering the 2018 season comes at wide receiver. Following the departure of J’Mon Moore, who led the team in receiving yards each of the past three seasons, the team lacks a clear go-to guy in the passing game. (The closest thing might actually be tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, but we’ll cover him in the tight ends preview.) As of this moment, the two frontrunners to begin spring on the first team have to be Emanuel Hall and Johnathon Johnson. Hall caught 33 passes for 817 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago. Johnson racked up 724 yards and six touchdowns on 41 receptions. However, in years past, Hall has functioned almost exclusively as a deep threat, while Johnson has lined up in the slot. If neither can take over Moore’s role as a consistent possession receiver, junior Richaud Floyd and senior Nate Brown — or, eventually, one of the Tigers’ many newcomers at the position — could have the opportunity to do so.
The Backups: Floyd and Brown are the only two returning wide receivers who caught a pass last season, so they seem to be the obvious backups to Hall and Johnson, at least initially. Floyd, who caught 14 passes for 170 yards and two scores a season ago, earned himself playing time with a strong fall camp last season. If he can replicate that performance this spring, he could potentially work his way into the starting lineup. Brown caught 27 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns way back in 2015, but he has been limited by injuries the past two seasons. If he can stay healthy, his experience could earn him a role. Then there are the newcomers. After two years at Jones County junior college in Mississippi, Harry Ballard III claims to have improved his route-running. That, coupled with the athleticism that made him a coveted prospect when he initially signed with Missouri in 2016, could make him a legitimate contributor next season, if he learns the playbook quickly. In addition, incoming freshman Dominic Gicinto, who receivers coach A.J. Ofodile described as “the consummate slot guy,” is already on campus. Gicinto could use the spring to earn playing time behind Johnson.
Potential Storylines: Can any of the wide receivers currently on the roster earn Drew Lock’s trust and cement himself as “the guy” in the passing game? Hall has shown he can be a deep threat, Johnson has shown flashes of speed and elusiveness and Brown has valuable experience, but none has yet shown the consistency of a true No. 1 receiver. If all three fail to do so this spring, the Tigers might look to one of the newcomers who will arrive this summer to fill that void.
Spring Prediction: Floyd will work his way into the starting lineup on the outside, along with Hall. Johnson will remain in a role similar to last season, as primarily a slot receiver. No individual will have an impressive enough spring to feel especially secure about their spot come fall camp.
Help on the Way: The coaching staff sought to address Missouri’s thin wide receiver corps in this year’s recruiting class. As a result, the Tigers will have a bevy of pass-catchers arriving on campus, some of whom figure to see the field next season. The most obvious candidate to make an immediate impact is Oregon grad transfer Alex Ofodile. The son of A.J. was a 4-star recruit out of Rock Bridge High School in 2015. While he caught just four passes in two years playing with the Ducks, Missouri should give Ofodile every opportunity to compete for a starting spot. In addition, Missouri signed four freshman receivers who have yet to arrive on campus: Kam Scott, Khmari Thompson, Jalen Knox and Danny Gray. Out of necessity, at least one or two of that group figures to work his way into the mix at some point next season. Finally, former 4-star 2016 recruit DaRon Davis has achieved academic eligibility but is still awaiting clearance from the NCAA clearinghouse before he can enroll. If he is cleared in time to join the team this summer, as head coach Barry Odom hopes, Davis has the physical tools to make an impact next season as well.