Aug. 24, 2015
Throughout the course of the Bears' preseason training camp, we'll take a sneak peek at each position group in anticipation of the 2015 season. Our next installment features the Missouri State receivers, a veteran-laden group that returns six letterwinners and three additional squad members under the direction of first-year wide receivers coach Mack Brown.
Brown and the 12 Missouri State receivers will be tasked with the challenge of replacing their most-productive pass catcher from last season-Julian Burton-who led the team and ranked sixth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with an average of 4.5 receptions per outing in 2014. MSU's passing attack, which produced an average of 166.4 yards per contest last year, will employ a new trigger man as well, making development at the three receiver positions all the more critical to the Bears' offensive success this fall.
"The keys at receiver are catching the football and catch it really well," Brown said. "One thing we're going to bring is to be a physical group. We're not just going to be involved on pass plays, we're going to be out there blocking for our backs to hopefully have big explosive plays. We need to be a well-rounded group-we need to block, we need to catch the football and we need to run after the catch and make people miss. And with the skill set of our group, we also need to contribute heavily on special teams."
The most-experienced veteran among the Bears' lettermen is fifth-year senior Eric Christophel, who brings a career total of 60 catches into his senior season. Christophel, who has started 12 games during his MSU career, entered preseason camp atop the two-deep chart at the H-receiver position after hauling in 21 receptions for 208 yards and one touchdown a year ago. Pushing Christophel for playing time will be sophomore Deion Holliman, a dangerous threat who should see action on MSU's special teams thanks to his game-breaking speed, which was on full display when he reeled in a 30-yard scoring pass on his lone reception of the 2014 season at Illinois State.
After sitting out the 2014 season, junior Stacy Thornton returns this fall to add depth at the H-receiver position, as will freshman Reggie Guynn. Thornton enters his fourth year with the MSU program, while Guynn earned all-conference honors at wide receiver and as a punt returner as a senior at Maplewood-Richmond Heights High. The tandem should give Brown and the Bears additional threats to go deep, as well as options on special teams.
"As a group, they've been working hard," Brown said. "You can tell there is some leadership from our returners, and there are high expectations because there is a lot of talent in the room. It's going to be a matter of who shows up for fall camp and who has continued to make improvements over the summer."
One such veteran who will be asked to play a larger role in leading the receiver corps is junior Zac Hoover, who returns at the Z receiver position after making three starts there last season, during which he caught nine passes for 146 yards-an average of 16.2 yards per reception. The former Missouri Class 4 all-state selection at Grain Valley High will be called upon to stretch opposing defenses and serve as one of the Bears' go-to receivers. Another junior, LeMarcus Stewart, will see action in the Z receiver role as well after making 11 catches for 144 total yards over his first two seasons as a Bear. Stewart, who finished fourth on the squad with 411 all-purpose yards in 2013 as a true freshman, is also expected to reprise his role as a special teams standout in his third year at MSU.
Sophomore Willis Chambers and freshman Will Buford are also slotted as reinforcements at Z receiver. After snagging two receptions for 42 yards-including a touchdown-in 11 games as a true freshman, Chambers could be asked to shoulder a bigger role in his second year as a Bear. Buford made 24 receptions for 410 yards and eight touchdowns to help his Waubonsie Valley High squad advance to the second round of the Illinois 8A playoffs as a senior last fall.
MSU's second-leading returner in terms of receptions and yardage is sophomore Malik Earl, who entered the preseason as the favorite to lock down the X receiver starting role after making nine starts as a true freshman in 2014. Earl caught 19 passes for 302 yards to earn FCS Freshman All-America honors from TonySoftli.com. A three-year letterman, senior Maddy Johnson is one of the most-experienced players on the offensive side of the ball, while sophomore Joseph Stampley and freshman Zach Drake will also provide support and depth at the X-receiver spot. Stampley saw limited time in four games as a redshirt freshman last fall, but pulled down three catches for 39 yards in the Bears' spring game to make a case for an increased role in MSU's offense this season. Drake, a three-year starter at receiver and kicker for Kansas City's Archbishop O'Hara High, racked up 953 receiving yards and scored a total of 119 points to earn consensus all-state recognition last fall.
No matter the experience level, size or speed of the individual, Brown insists everyone will have their chance to make a contribution.
"The beauty of our system is that if someone does come into fall camp and make a lot of plays, they will have the opportunity to play," Brown stated. "Everybody has their own skill set. Some are tall kids who can run, some are shorter, shiftier playmakers. They're all going to have to find their niche in our offense, but obviously it's about who can make plays."
2015 Missouri State Wide Receivers
Will Buford (6-0, 185, Fr., Naperville, Ill.)
Willis Chambers (6-4, 197, So., 1L, Dallas, Texas)
Eric Christophel (5-10, 173, Sr., 3L, Nixa, Mo.)
Zach Drake (6-2, 175, Fr., Lee's Summit, Mo.)
Malik Earl (6-3, 210, So., 1L, Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Reggie Guynn (5-9, 175, Fr., St. Louis, Mo.)
Deion Holliman (5-9, 180, So., 1L, Camden, Ark.)
Zac Hoover (6-0, 188, Jr., 2L, Grain Valley, Mo.)
Maddy Johnson (5-8, 173, Sr., Webb City, Mo.)
Joseph Stampley (6-4, 174, So., Wynne, Ark.)
LeMarcus Stewart (6-1, 202, Jr., 2L, Memphis, Tenn.)
Stacy Thornton (5-8, 160, Jr., Crystal City, Mo.)
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