BOBCAT POSITION PREVIEW 2015: Receivers

Cody Kempt and returning starter Mitchell Herbert

8/4/2015 2:00:00 PM | Football

Five receivers with starting experience return for Cats in 2015

By: Bill Lamberty

Leading to the opening of fall camp on Sunday, August 9, we will preview each position group entering the 2015 season. Today, a look at Montana State's receivers...

Returning Starter
Mitch Griebel (5-11, 190, Sr), Mitchell Herbert (6-4, 205, So), , Manny Kalfell (6-2, 200, Sr), Justin Paige (5-11, 175, So), Tanner Roderick (6-2, 205, Sr)

Other Returning Lettermen
Jayshawn Gates (5-8, 155, So), Will Krolick (6-1, 190, Jr)

Squad Member
none

Redshirts
John D'Agostino (6-1, 185, Fr), Hunter Mahlum (6-1, 205, Fr), Casey Schwertfeger (6-2, 190, Fr), Connor Sullivan (6-4, 230, Fr)

Incoming Transfer
Brandon Brown (6-0, 190, Jr)

Incoming Freshman
Keon Stephens, Cameron Sutton

Starters Lost
none

Other Lettermen Lost
Brian Flotkoetter (3 starts)

Receivers Coach
Cody Kempt (2nd year)

Overview
Montana State's situation at receiver entering the 2015 season couldn't be much different than it was a year ago, when three freshmen and reserve Mitch Griebel brought little or no experience to the group. The 2014 squad featured one of the most explosive aerial attacks in the nation, but each of last season's five most productive receivers return this year and three of them are sophomores. The freshman trio of Mitchell Herbert, Jayshawn Gates and Justin Paige combined for 1,100 yards, but the group's unquestioned leader is Mitch Griebel. The savvy slot receiver caught a team-high 45 passes last season, including at least two in every game, many of them with defenders draped on him or just before hard contact. The five veteran receivers (joined by Tanner Roderick) bring an impressive array of skills to the Bobcat offense, including over-the-top speed and the athleticism to make highlight-reel catches.

Rob's Report
From Head Coach Rob Ash
"This is a good, deep group of receivers, and I thought they all played very well in the spring. The guys that got playing time for the first time last fall really looked good. I thought Justin Paige made huge strides from the fall to the spring, he looks very comfortable at receiver. Herbert and Gates and Griebel were all very good this spring, Manny Kalfell is healthy and he looked good, Will Krolick is hanging in there, and Connor Sullivan had a very, very productive spring."

Receiver Notes
One season after returning only 613 receiving yards by wide receivers, this year's receivers carry over 119 catches and 1,937 yards from last year, with each of the top five wide receivers returning... Mitch Griebel and Manny Kalfell are MSU's only senior receivers... Paige, Gates and Herbert each posted all-time top 10 MSU frosh receiving marks.

Fall Camp Considerations:
Receivers Coach Cody Kempt
"I want to make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to earn a starting spot in the fall, and to see if the incoming freshmen have the ability to contribute right away to help us win a national championship. This group works extremely hard, they play with a chip on their shoulder, they're very intelligent, they're a very tight-knit group. They hang out together, they work out together. It's a platoon, it's a band of brothers that sticks together. It's a small byproduct of the entire team. I believe this team is a number of platoons, the positions are different platoons, and we all come together as one on Saturday."