There has been a lot of chatter about our WR group this year. I am dubious of the claim that this group will be as good or better than last year's, which is arguably the best group we've ever had. Make me a believer. We are replacing the top producing WR in our history (Thompkins), one of the best "just throw it to my general area and I'll grab it" in Wright, and a very underrated slot in Bowling.

We really only return McGriff as someone with significant contributions. I am skeptical.. make me a believer.

Maybe not better. That's a tough act to follow. They'll be pretty damn good.

I am confident this WR group, but it will be tough to top what they did last year. I think McGriff will be improved and have 700ish yards. The group we have this year has some talent. I hope we don't need the pass as much as we did last year. I hope we are able to establish a better run game than what we had last year.

Any word on Xavier Williams? I've heard Cobbs and Vaughn look great but haven't heard anything about Williams...

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 10:26 am

Any word on Xavier Williams? I've heard Cobbs and Vaughn look great but haven't heard anything about Williams...

We'll see. He spent most of spring ball at 3rd team.

I think we can reload at slot. Bowling was great and a heady player but I think KVL and Vaughn may actually have more athleticism. If they can have sure hands and find the soft spots in the defense like BB could, then we shouldn't see any drop off there. I'm hoping McGriff makes that big jump and can be our throw it up there and let him catch it type of receiver. He certainly has the height but in the past he didn't always use it how he could. If he can do that, then he'll be a very difficult matchup and double his output from a year ago. I'm most excited about Cobbs as he just seems to get it. His experience and tools should make him a great all around receiver (catching, blocking, leader). I love his attitude so far and willingness to step up and be a well spoken leader. It is telling that even though he wasn't necessarily a weekly starter at Maryland, he was a multi year captain. He'll have a big year. I'm sure once Xavier gets more comfortable with the offense we'll see him ball out. I'm excited for Otto Tia and some of the younger guys too. A few of those younglings and transfers are flying under the radar now but I think a few will be well known by the end of the season. We are deep and should have lots of fresh and talented guys to keep rolling out there. In the past we would lack big physical receivers like you'd see at the P5 programs but we seem to have that now. Maybe we won't have 3 standouts like last year but overall I feel the depth and size of this year's group is better.

DT and Wright had the innate ability to high point the ball, contort their bodies and catch the ball in traffic with hands and feet flying around them.

That's above and beyond pure athleticism and can't be found in a shuttle or 40-yard dash. Think of Scarver vs Wright. Head to head, Scarver wins that 40-yard dash every time but Wright makes that difficult catch every single time. I'll take Wright. Let's hope the new group has two or three guys that can do this.

FloridaAggie13 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 11:50 am

DT and Wright had the innate ability to high point the ball, contort their bodies and catch the ball in traffic with hands and feet flying around them.

That's above and beyond pure athleticism and can't be found in a shuttle or 40-yard dash. Think of Scarver vs Wright. Head to head, Scarver wins that 40-yard dash every time but Wright makes that difficult catch every single time. I'll take Wright. Let's hope the new group has two or three guys that can do this.

DT and Wright really were special in that regards. Wright was a master at the one on one maneuvers around the end lines and side lines. He showed flashes in 2019 and 2020 and I couldn't figure out why he didn't see the field more then. DT didn't care if it was one guy or three guys, he would just go up and get the ball in traffic. Many times I was surprised he bounced up off the turf so fast after getting thrown off the top turnbuckle.

I don't think we have those exact same guys at wr this year but I expect McGriff to play Tarver-like (~700 yds 6-8 tds) and Cobbs to produce similar to Siaosi Mariner / Jalen Greene (~1000 yds & 6-10 tds).

aggies22 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 10:56 am

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 10:26 am

Any word on Xavier Williams? I've heard Cobbs and Vaughn look great but haven't heard anything about Williams...

We'll see. He spent most of spring ball at 3rd team.

I think I remember hearing that he's taken a big step since spring ball. He's shaken off the rust. That what Anthony tucker said in an interview

Stockypoo2212 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 12:39 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 10:56 am

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 10:26 am

Any word on Xavier Williams? I've heard Cobbs and Vaughn look great but haven't heard anything about Williams...

We'll see. He spent most of spring ball at 3rd team.

I think I remember hearing that he's taken a big step since spring ball. He's shaken off the rust. That what Anthony tucker said in an interview

If true, that only makes this group better.

I was already excited for this group and expect them to equal if not surpass last year's group but the best reassurance I have had of this feeling is listening to coach Tucker try to contain his own excitement in interviews. He doesn't want to come right out and say it but you can tell he knows they have some thing special going on. He has offered that this is a deeper group than last year but he doesn't want to inflate their heads too much quite yet.

I'm not sure it will convince you or anyone of anything but I would argue that last year was not our best collection of WR's. Yes, they were solid and offered different skill sets but I think last year's incredible passing numbers were just as much, if not more, a reflection of the QB play and offensive game plan/play calling. I remember some folks being a little concerned about our OL play going in to last season and I said to go watch Bonner at Arky St. and watch how quickly the ball comes out of his hands. The OL doesn't have to be stellar in this offense because of the quick short passing game and pre-snap reads happening by the QB. That proved to be the case. Logan did take a beating at times but many of those times it was the the price he was willing to take to stay in the pocket and give his WR a moment more. None of this is to say our WRs weren't talented - they were, and that is backed up by the fact that a couple are still in NFL camps but can you imagine what Bonner and Co. could do with a Sharp, Austin, Robinson, Greene, Tarver type combo of WRs?

By all accounts it sounds like McGriff has really made a big jump from last year and could fulfill his potential. Cobbs is reportedly everything we could ever want in an all-around WR and KVL is a guy that would have probably started at slot on most MWC teams last year (and previous Aggie teams for that matter) had it not been for the presence of DT and Bowling. Add in Vaughn, Davis, Williams, and Tia and there is lots to get excited about. I say pass pass pass. I love to run the ball but if you can spread 4 and 5 wide and everyone of them are legit options on any given play, then play to your strength. Not a lot of college teams have the talent depth to stop 4 and 5 WR sets on a consistent basis.

I'm not claiming Bonner will break his passing #s from last year or that any single WR will put up DT-like stats but I really do think as a team we'll be just as effective passing the ball and maybe even more effective with more contributors.

It will be difficult to replicate the big plays (20+ yard td) from the '21 season. Here's a quick 2019/2021 comparison:

2019 (7-5) Aggies with Love ->Mariner/Nathan/Thompkins/Repp vs
2021 (9-3) Aggies with Bonner ->Thompkins/Bowling/Wright/McGriff
*I did not include MWFC or bowl games

20+ yard TD:
2019 - 10
2021 - 22

40+ yard TD:
2019 - 3
2021 - 10

There are obviously some differences in those teams but they both had veteran qb's with high tempo offenses.

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 2:19 pm

It will be difficult to replicate the big plays (20+ yard td) from the '21 season. Here's a quick 2019/2021 comparison:

2019 (7-5) Aggies with Love ->Mariner/Nathan/Thompkins/Repp vs
2021 (9-3) Aggies with Bonner ->Thompkins/Bowling/Wright/McGriff
*I did not include MWFC or bowl games

20+ yard TD:
2019 - 10
2021 - 22

40+ yard TD:
2019 - 3
2021 - 10

There are obviously some differences in those teams but they both had veteran qb's with high tempo offenses.

2018 is a better comparison. 2019 was abysmal coaching. 2020 shall be stricken from the records and future generations will wonder why the world disappeared for a year.

Here's the 2018 (10-2) vs 2021 (9-3) comparison:

20+ yard TD:
2018 - 15
2021 - 22

40+ yard TD:
2018 - 5
2021 - 10

The 2018 team rushed for 440 more yards...

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 2:47 pm

Here's the 2018 (10-2) vs 2021 (9-3) comparison:

20+ yard TD:
2018 - 15
2021 - 22

40+ yard TD:
2018 - 5
2021 - 10

The 2018 team rushed for 440 more yards...

I would say the 440 extra rushing yards is why you see the discrepancy. There wasn't as big a need for big plays down the field. Probably fewer third and long situations as well in 2018.

The question should be, will the passing offense be as good this year as last? I believe it will be better because 1. the Qb position will be better overall, 2. the OL will be better notwithstanding the loss of Mr. White, and 3. the WR depth wil be better with guys like Tia hitting stride. One or two of the starting WR's may be a tad less talented - we won't know for a few weeks but overall our passing game will be as good as last year and has the potential to be better.

Just listen to Tucker in his interview on this list. You’ll see what he thinks.

In addition listen to Banda especially talk about Stryker since there have been some questions lingering on this board.

https://1069thefan.com/podcast/

Madmartigan wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 9:32 am

We really only return McGriff as someone with significant contributions. I am skeptical.. make me a believer.

Let's time travel to last year at this time... What would have convinced you then that last year's WRs would have had the year they did?

brownjeans wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 5:24 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 9:32 am

We really only return McGriff as someone with significant contributions. I am skeptical.. make me a believer.

Let's time travel to last year at this time... What would have convinced you then that last year's WRs would have had the year they did?

That is where I stand. I think most people thought Thompkins could be good, but not leading receiver in the nation good. The big surprise for me was Wright. I always thought he looked good in his limited reps the prior years, but did not expect him to have the year he did. He was flat out awesome.

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 6:34 pm

brownjeans wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 5:24 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 9:32 am

We really only return McGriff as someone with significant contributions. I am skeptical.. make me a believer.

Let's time travel to last year at this time... What would have convinced you then that last year's WRs would have had the year they did?

That is where I stand. I think most people thought Thompkins could be good, but not leading receiver in the nation good. The big surprise for me was Wright. I always thought he looked good in his limited reps the prior years, but did not expect him to have the year he did. He was flat out awesome.

Agreed Wright

There seems to be more across the board natural talent this year, but I don’t see a Thompkins in the group.

Maybe Vaughn will prove me wrong.

ineptimusprime wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 7:56 pm

There seems to be more across the board natural talent this year, but I don’t see a Thompkins in the group.

Maybe Vaughn will prove me wrong.

Vaughn will prove me right.

We still have the same system and coaching staff, which is most important. We may not have another Thompkins-like season from one of these dudes, but that ball should still move around nicely.

aggies22 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 4:05 pm

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 2:47 pm

Here's the 2018 (10-2) vs 2021 (9-3) comparison:

20+ yard TD:
2018 - 15
2021 - 22

40+ yard TD:
2018 - 5
2021 - 10

The 2018 team rushed for 440 more yards...

I would say the 440 extra rushing yards is why you see the discrepancy. There wasn't as big a need for big plays down the field. Probably fewer third and long situations as well in 2018.

We had many more big plays in the running game in '18 than in '21.

FloridaAggie13 wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 12:06 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 4:05 pm

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 2:47 pm

Here's the 2018 (10-2) vs 2021 (9-3) comparison:

20+ yard TD:
2018 - 15
2021 - 22

40+ yard TD:
2018 - 5
2021 - 10

The 2018 team rushed for 440 more yards...

I would say the 440 extra rushing yards is why you see the discrepancy. There wasn't as big a need for big plays down the field. Probably fewer third and long situations as well in 2018.

We had many more big plays in the running game in '18 than in '21.

Seems like Darwin T or Gerold B would each break off one or two 15 plus yard runs every game.

Madmartigan wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 12:21 pm

FloridaAggie13 wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 12:06 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 4:05 pm

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 2:47 pm

Here's the 2018 (10-2) vs 2021 (9-3) comparison:

20+ yard TD:
2018 - 15
2021 - 22

40+ yard TD:
2018 - 5
2021 - 10

The 2018 team rushed for 440 more yards...

I would say the 440 extra rushing yards is why you see the discrepancy. There wasn't as big a need for big plays down the field. Probably fewer third and long situations as well in 2018.

We had many more big plays in the running game in '18 than in '21.

Seems like Darwin T or Gerold B would each break off one or two 15 plus yard runs every game.

GameFAQSAggie wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 2:08 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 12:21 pm

FloridaAggie13 wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 12:06 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 4:05 pm

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 2:47 pm

Here's the 2018 (10-2) vs 2021 (9-3) comparison:

20+ yard TD:
2018 - 15
2021 - 22

40+ yard TD:
2018 - 5
2021 - 10

The 2018 team rushed for 440 more yards...

I would say the 440 extra rushing yards is why you see the discrepancy. There wasn't as big a need for big plays down the field. Probably fewer third and long situations as well in 2018.

We had many more big plays in the running game in '18 than in '21.

Seems like Darwin T or Gerold B would each break off one or two 15 plus yard runs every game.

Madmartigan wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 9:32 am

There has been a lot of chatter about our WR group this year. I am dubious of the claim that this group will be as good or better than last year's, which is arguably the best group we've ever had. Make me a believer. We are replacing the top producing WR in our history (Thompkins), one of the best "just throw it to my general area and I'll grab it" in Wright, and a very underrated slot in Bowling.

We really only return McGriff as someone with significant contributions. I am skeptical.. make me a believer.

Don't underestimate coaching here including the effect of trust, confidence, and culture at the position. All that was evident in the unselfishness and buy in last year.

I'm not saying you can replace Thompkins and Wright but Thompkins went from an intriguing player to one of the best in football, and Wright was JC walking afterthought.

Ultimately to replicate success the online must protect better and make the run game more consistently effective and force defenses to respect the play action and RPO reads.

If that happens the receiver corp will outperform last year's group even without the same elite talent

hickaggie wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 7:21 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 9:32 am

There has been a lot of chatter about our WR group this year. I am dubious of the claim that this group will be as good or better than last year's, which is arguably the best group we've ever had. Make me a believer. We are replacing the top producing WR in our history (Thompkins), one of the best "just throw it to my general area and I'll grab it" in Wright, and a very underrated slot in Bowling.

We really only return McGriff as someone with significant contributions. I am skeptical.. make me a believer.

Don't underestimate coaching here including the effect of trust, confidence, and culture at the position. All that was evident in the unselfishness and buy in last year.

I'm not saying you can replace Thompkins and Wright but Thompkins went from an intriguing player to one of the best in football, and Wright was JC walking afterthought.

Ultimately to replicate success the online must protect better and make the run game more consistently effective and force defenses to respect the play action and RPO reads.

If that happens the receiver corp will outperform last year's group even without the same elite talent

Coaching, scheme, having a 16th year QB senior in Bonne (plus quality depth behind him) and an amazing S and C program have me hopeful.

Bonner mentioned in an interview shortly after camp started that there were a couple new receivers that arrived for fall camp that will be hard to keep off the field. Any thoughts on who he was referring to? New receivers that arrived after spring ball (I could be wrong): Malachi Keels, Jalen Royal, Austin Okerwa, Josh Davis, Quentin Riley, Kyrese Rowan.

My early guess is Malachi Keels. Seems to have the body and talent to make an impact right away.

Interested to get the opinions of you all, especially those that watched the scrimmage or have more access.

AGGIEinIOWA wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 11:44 pm

Bonner mentioned in an interview shortly after camp started that there were a couple new receivers that arrived for fall camp that will be hard to keep off the field. Any thoughts on who he was referring to? New receivers that arrived after spring ball (I could be wrong): Malachi Keels, Jalen Royal, Austin Okerwa, Josh Davis, Quentin Riley, Kyrese Rowan.

My early guess is Malachi Keels. Seems to have the body and talent to make an impact right away.

Interested to get the opinions of you all, especially those that watched the scrimmage or have more access.

Jalen royal. 4.3 speed

slcagg wrote:

AGGIEinIOWA wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 11:44 pm

Bonner mentioned in an interview shortly after camp started that there were a couple new receivers that arrived for fall camp that will be hard to keep off the field. Any thoughts on who he was referring to? New receivers that arrived after spring ball (I could be wrong): Malachi Keels, Jalen Royal, Austin Okerwa, Josh Davis, Quentin Riley, Kyrese Rowan.

My early guess is Malachi Keels. Seems to have the body and talent to make an impact right away.

Interested to get the opinions of you all, especially those that watched the scrimmage or have more access.

Jalen royal. 4.3 speed

Yeah he was my second guess. If he’s truly that fast and has some decent hands and route running, he could be a threat.

On top of everything mentioned above, our offensive line looks longer, bigger, and more experienced, and our quarterbacks look stronger as well with more experience than this time last year. Hopefully that O-line protects Bonner better this year, giving him time to make good decisions and giving our receivers more time to run their routes.

AGGIEinIOWA wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 11:47 pm

slcagg wrote:

AGGIEinIOWA wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2022, 11:44 pm

Bonner mentioned in an interview shortly after camp started that there were a couple new receivers that arrived for fall camp that will be hard to keep off the field. Any thoughts on who he was referring to? New receivers that arrived after spring ball (I could be wrong): Malachi Keels, Jalen Royal, Austin Okerwa, Josh Davis, Quentin Riley, Kyrese Rowan.

My early guess is Malachi Keels. Seems to have the body and talent to make an impact right away.

Interested to get the opinions of you all, especially those that watched the scrimmage or have more access.

Jalen royal. 4.3 speed

Yeah he was my second guess. If he’s truly that fast and has some decent hands and route running, he could be a threat.

I dont think any of those names get a ton of playing time though. We are deep and it’ll be hard to truly get into the game this year for these guys.

aggies22 wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 10:56 am

SLCAggie wrote: ↑

August 5th, 2022, 10:26 am

Any word on Xavier Williams? I've heard Cobbs and Vaughn look great but haven't heard anything about Williams...

We'll see. He spent most of spring ball at 3rd team.

Sounds like he is still there. So surprising to me considering he actually played a little and had some stats at alabama when they had all that depth at receiver.