Tony Haynes: Young Pack Receivers Catching On

By Tony Haynes

Raleigh, N.C. Given his druthers, NC State head football coach Chuck Amato would barring a few exceptions here in there elect to redshirt every true freshman that comes into his program. But since taking over as the Wolfpack’s head coach in 2000, Amato has stood by a steadfast rule: freshmen who can help his football team win games will play. This season, the position that could produce the most profound impact by true first-year players could be wide receiver.

NC State’s two most productive receivers from last season were now departed seniors Tramain Hall and Brian Clark. Between them, Hall and Clark combined for 53 catches and eight touchdowns on a team that often had trouble throwing the football. Their departure, however, took a chunk out of the Pack’s wide receiver corps.

Of the current returning receivers, only Lemart Barrett has significant experience at the position having made 50 catches for 604 yards in his first three years. The other two players slated to start coming into fall camp were John Dunlap, who missed most of last season rehabilitating a surgically repaired knee, and converted tailback Darrell Blackman. Geron James, a raw but talented receiver from Wilmington, is entering his second year in the program after being redshirted last year.

In other words, the door for playing time was open for any young pass-catchers who could come in and make an impression in camp. Players like Donald Bowens, Jarvis Williams and Darrell Davis have done just that. All three are tall; all three are athletic; and all three have already shown an ability to make acrobatic catches thus far in camp.

“We do have some good receivers who have come in,” said quarterback Marcus Stone. “They’ve had a good camp as far as coming in and grasping the offense. They’ve been learning things and making great plays. As far as depth is concerned, we probably have a little more if someone goes down.”

And the loss of Hall and Clark may not be the only reason some of the freshmen see action. With NC State down in numbers at the tight end position after losing seniors T.J. Williams and John Ritcher off of last year’s squad, it may be necessary for the Pack to use spread formations a little more often.

Tight end Anthony Hill will be on the field a lot, but after that, who knows?

“It helps a lot being able to go four wide-outs when Anthony needs a break,” Stone said. “Everybody knows tight ends are banging in the trenches and then they’ve got to run pass routes. It gets tiring, so it’s good to know we have some receivers who can go in there.”

Not surprisingly, Bowens, Williams and Davis are products of the Florida pipeline through which so many Wolfpack recruits have traveled since Amato took over the program.

Bowens, who was ranked as the 65^th best prospect in the Sunshine State last year, racked up 119 receptions for 1,733 yards and 12 touchdowns during his career at St. Petersburg High School. Interestingly, he was named his conference’s defensive player of the year as an outside linebacker.

Playing for Jones High School in Orlando, the rangy Williams tallied 40 catches for 650 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior year.

At Pasco High in Dade City last year, Davis, who stands 6-5, was an all-conference selection after catching 45 balls for 945 yards and eight scores.

“All of them have been really good,” Barrett said. “Donald Bowens has had the most opportunities so far to make plays in the passing game. He’s real explosive and quick. For the most part, they’ve been doing very well. They’re not making a lot of mistakes and they’re going out there and giving it their best every day.”

Whether it’s the freshmen or upperclassmen like Barrett, all of NC State’s receivers figure to get numerous opportunities against one-on-one coverage this season since it’s likely opposing defenses will put as many people in the box as necessary to stop the Wolfpack’s prolific running attack spearheaded by backs Andre Brown and Toney Baker.

“I expect everyone to come in and load up the box and blitz us because they understand that we won five out of our last six games [last season] by running the football,” Barrett said. “As receivers, we look for one-on-one opportunities. If a team is going to disrespect you and play you one-on-one, you have to make them pay for it. That’s what the good teams do. We’ve got to be ready to go out there and make some plays on them.”

And this season, don’t be surprised if some of those receivers making big plays down the field are freshmen.

North Carolina State University Athletics

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