MSU Receivers Catching On
8/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
While much of the attention surrounding MSU's fall camp focuses on the play of the team's quarterbacks, Mike Kramer knows there's a catch -- catching the ball, specifically. And he likes what he's seen.
"Our play at receiver continues to be a good story of this fall camp," Kramer said of the position he occasionally and good-naturedly rides. "Young guys like Derek Green and Deon Toliver are really making strides. Deon made a very fine catch at the end of (last Saturday's) scrimmage. We got Michael (Jefferson) back (back injury) and he is playing well. Josh Lewis has such tremendous speed that he will be a factor."
Kramer said a major area of growth in the receiving corps is the continued development of Mike Brown. "Mike continues to play well," he said. "He's showing some leadership. Like Derek and Deon he needs to continue to mature, but he has had a real nice fall camp."
The position remains a work in progress, Kramer said, because of the development of the group's younger players and because of a late addition. Junior college transfer Kyle Wimberly joined the team on Tuesday after completing his academic work at a junior college. "Kyle is tall, athletic, rangy," Kramer said, indicating that he hopes to get the sophomore up to speed in time for the season opener at Colorado.
Another player who has been on the MSU campus since January will seem like a newcomer once he begins practicing. "And, looking in from the outside is Donnell Wheaton," Kramer said of the projected starter who transferred from UNLV. He has battled injuries since arriving at MSU, but according to Kramer, "We know what he's capable of, we know he can help us, and when he's ready we'll welcome him back."
Jefferson remains entrenched as the starter at the X receiver position, with Wimberly projected as his backup, while Toliver is slated to start at the other outside position, Z, with Lewis backing him up. Mike Brown is listed as the starting slot receiver, pending Wheaton's health status, and Green has also had a strong fall camp.
"Our play at receiver continues to be a good story of this fall camp," Kramer said of the position he occasionally and good-naturedly rides. "Young guys like Derek Green and Deon Toliver are really making strides. Deon made a very fine catch at the end of (last Saturday's) scrimmage. We got Michael (Jefferson) back (back injury) and he is playing well. Josh Lewis has such tremendous speed that he will be a factor."
Kramer said a major area of growth in the receiving corps is the continued development of Mike Brown. "Mike continues to play well," he said. "He's showing some leadership. Like Derek and Deon he needs to continue to mature, but he has had a real nice fall camp."
The position remains a work in progress, Kramer said, because of the development of the group's younger players and because of a late addition. Junior college transfer Kyle Wimberly joined the team on Tuesday after completing his academic work at a junior college. "Kyle is tall, athletic, rangy," Kramer said, indicating that he hopes to get the sophomore up to speed in time for the season opener at Colorado.
Another player who has been on the MSU campus since January will seem like a newcomer once he begins practicing. "And, looking in from the outside is Donnell Wheaton," Kramer said of the projected starter who transferred from UNLV. He has battled injuries since arriving at MSU, but according to Kramer, "We know what he's capable of, we know he can help us, and when he's ready we'll welcome him back."
Jefferson remains entrenched as the starter at the X receiver position, with Wimberly projected as his backup, while Toliver is slated to start at the other outside position, Z, with Lewis backing him up. Mike Brown is listed as the starting slot receiver, pending Wheaton's health status, and Green has also had a strong fall camp.
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