With spring practice right around the corner for the Hilltoppers, WKUSports.com breaks down the position groups every weekday leading up to March 17.
Today's focus is on the Hilltopper wide receivers.
Just three seasons ago, in 2012, WKU's top pass catcher both in yards and receptions was a tight end, Jack Doyle (53/566). That season, just three players - only one of whom was a wide receiver, caught more than 15 balls (Willie McNeal, 43; Antonio Andrews, 37). Oh how long ago that seems now.
Heading into 2015, the Hilltoppers return a whopping seven players - four receivers - who caught 15 or more passes and all but two receivers who factored into a six-man rotation at the wide receivers position. It's an embarrassment of riches at times for position coach JaMarcus Shephard, head coach Jeff Brohm and perhaps most importantly of all, quarterback Brandon Doughty.
Breaking down 2014:
Doughty's number in 2014 were off the charts, but it was all made possible in part by arguably the best collection of talent at the wide receiver position in WKU history. Never before had the Hilltoppers had a group of big, physical, fast receivers for a quarterback to throw to.
Last season alone, WKU wide receivers combined for over 1,600 yards after the catch. The group was tenacious in blocking downfield as well as a number of screen passes, highly dependent on the ability for one receiver to block and spring another, went for big gains and touchdowns.
Junior college transfers Jared Dangerfield and Antwane Grant were major impact performers from the moment they stepped onto campus as well. Dangerfield's first season on The Hill was one for the books as the 6-foot-4 pass catcher broke the school's single-season record for receptions with 69 and tied the single-season record for touchdown receptions with 11. Grant, who missed three games due to injury, finished the yard with 41 catches for 509 yards. And, longtime fan favorite Willie McNeal, the leader of the group, set the school's career receptions record in the bowl game.
Looking at 2015:
Another spring to improve can only mean defensive coordinators across the league have to have their secondary ready when they face the Hilltoppers passing attack in 2015. Of WKU's 378 receptions and 4,866 passing yards last season, 70-percent of the receptions and 68-percent of the yards return. Of German's 27 receptions last season, 15 of them went for first downs.
Rising junior Nicholas Norris, who has shown an ability to turn a screen pass into a big gainer, may find time to fill the void McNeal and German leave while rising sophomore and former Mr. Kentucky Football Nacarius Fant got valuable game experience as a true freshman and could also be a heavy favorite to fill the vacant positions. Norris and Fant enter the spring season as 1-2 on the depth chart in that spot.
Taywan Taylor also returns and has gotten better and better since he stepped onto campus, showing last season why he was WKU's big play threat down the field. Taylor led WKU with 13 receptions of 20 yards or more and had six passes go for 40 yards or more.
Positional Breakdown:
Returning (11):
Stephon Brown
Will Bush
Jared Dangerfield
Donte DeSalle
Narcarius Fant
DeAndre Farris
Antwane Grant
De'Vonta Moffitt
Nicholas Norris
Taywan Taylor
Kylen Towner
Letterman Lost (3)
Joel German
Willie McNeal
Lonnie Turner
