Where do these guys stand now? None of them are even Urban's recruits, and we just got a huge influx of receivers in Wilson, Smith, Clark and Marshall and you can also spirinkle in Michael Thomas from the 2012 class. Are you really buying that these guys will both be starters week 1? What about week 6? They have more gmae experience sure, but Meyer's philiosophies aren't built around having experienced guys, we know that. We also all know that the aforementioned guys have MUCH better top end speed than Smith or Brown and have a higher potetntial for the home run. I love Smith and Brown and think they are greatly improved, but I think alot of us can agree that they just aren't on par with: Gonzo, Ginn, Hartline, Robiskie, Sanzenbacher, Santonio, or Hartline and dont have TRUE home run strike ability that the new guys are at least expected to have. Again, I love the guys we had on the 12-0 team and their contributions weigh heavy but I never thought they have fit in and that seems even more evident with the guys hes bringing in. What do you think? What happens to these guys next season? Do we really think they are our #1 and #2 guys next year.
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Being a good receiver is about much more than speed. The freshmen will uniformly be horrible at blocking.
This is the most important post in this thread, it I promise most people have no idea how much of our running success (anybody's running success) has to do with WR blocking.
to some extent Stoneburner played a designated WR-blocker spot last year, and was a huge factor doing so. Neither Brown nor Smith are real good at it, so it is possible one of the freshman WRs could be as good as they are at the skill.
Santonio Holmes was probably the best WR blocker I've seen at OSU in the past ten years.
its funny how high people rate speed. For my money, the most important WR attributes in order are: strength to get off the line, precision of routes, hands, agility, acceleration, run blocking, football sense/picking spots v the zone, speed.
A more agile guy with good acceleration will give you way more YAC than a faster guy.
this is a good post, and in terms of the "speed" mention, i tend to be in the group that classifies speed with agility and acceleration, even though that maybe wrong, and i like to address pure SPEED as top end speed i suppose. Back to the point though, i think the new guys are probably better in the aforementioned aspects and the rest will be left up to how well they adjust. that being said, i dont recall seeing smith or brown really exposing zone coverages, nor did i see them dominate blacking on the edge, i personally just think, primarily because of the spread offense the new guys aren't as far back from being very KEY players as they perhaps would be as freshman on anoher team. I also think with the spread that traits like speed, agility and acceleration weigh heavier because thats what the whole offense is supposed to be predicated on, speed. The "power spread" ran this year was almost purely because of jordan halls injury and the lack of playmakers at WR
That may be true but I feel like Meyer took away a lot from this season. OSU will always need a North/South power run game. Coach Meyer knows this and will continue to base his offense on a run-first basis.
I agree. Ideally, Urbz and company would like to be able to do both - hit big plays generated by quick hitters, reverses, shovel passes, etc. to quick dynamic athletes who can make defenders miss in space, but also turn around and just hammer the ball down (and quickly through) the gut with a shifty but powerful runner like Hyde. Best of both worlds.
I can't disagree with this more. Urban has always ran the "power spread". Plays like "dave" have been around a long time for a reason. The I-formation took some of the best plays from the wing-t and made them better and more versatile. The spread has done the same thing. I don't believe we'll see a shortage of Carlos Hyde slamming it up the middle and off tackle anytime soon.
I also don't believe I have ever seen a TD run of any long distance break without a WR getting a block. Now a WR doesn't have to crush somebody.....more like setting a pick and let the athlete with the ball cut. Either way to me...if you are a WR and can't block you shouldn't be on the field.
i dont think so either but we wouldnt have called it a power spread if we had a passing game, because there wouldve been more passing, more shovel passes, jet sweeps, veers, etc. the inside game would have existed but it wouldnt have been as been as prominent
CPlunk: good points. I'd add - and I don't know if it helps make his "case" or not - but D. Smith is a very fast straight-line sprinter. Maybe the question is whether he's as good at the things you describe.
I would argue that Corey Brown is an excellent blocker, especially downfield. If you watch Braxton's highlight tape this year, you can see him laying guys out multiple times to spring Brax (the nebraska game comes right to mind.)
They're our #1 and #2 guys until someone beats them out. Remember, experience can't always be replaced.
"It's just another case of there you are". ~ Doc (1918-2012)
There going to be are 1 and 2 all season unless injury prevents it. This team has a lot of returning players from a team that went 12-0 in a new system. Its going to be alot harder to crack this line up than some may think.
everyone keeps talking about the "system" but these arent even system guys, urban WANTED the guys he just got, we dont even know if he wants smith and brown, its nice to assume he does but the fact of the matter is we dont know, we didn't even see urban's spread offense fully and that can almost directly be attributed to the receivers. however, that isn't because they aren't talented, but becuase they arent players that are really tailored to this system, we kind of just made it work last year
I'm not sure if you watched Devin Smith at all this year if you don't think he has "home run strike ability".
I agree, I upvoted your comment, but I also must point out he was the most consistant dropper of thy pass.
Seriously. The guy was 5th nationally in YPC
this is one of those "you can always make the numbers work for your argument" situations, his longest td was a blown coverage on a guy who also gave up a td after xBRAX shattered his ankles
I think its unrealistic to think that just because we got a couple 4 star recruits that they will completely disregard a Junior and Senior receiver. There is alot more to football then being fast. Will they see some PT yeah but to think they are coming in and beating them out is crazy talk.
Devin Smith and Philly were both 4 * players (scout).
i dont think disregard is the word i would use. The reason i posted this was because Urban is going to use these guys in ways he probably couldnt have used corey and devin lets face it. just because they had good years last year doesnt mean they are the types of players that can fill that hybrid player role (harvin, black momba) we have that now and i think those new guys will attempt to fill that role immediately. dont you think dontre wilson couldve been at least a 500-700 all purpose yard player as a frosh at oregon? Someone has already said he is our version of Dat Thomas when he commited.
I disagree. Brown had an excellent year in a new offense. Smith made big plays in crucial games. I'm high on the new batch of playmakers, but I can't see Brown losing his spot. Smith might see reduced time, but he will still be one of our top recievers. Let the speedsters cut their teeth on special teams.
Wayne Woodrow Hayes
I agree but I think there will be less touches for Philly. I imagine you will see Jalin, EzE and others get touches.
I can see Brown having less touches due to the influx of playmakers, but there has been an emphasis on Braxton improving his passing this offseason. I still think Philly is our best overall reciever and will receive the bulk of the work in passing situations. Also, we just don't know how the new faces will adjust. Marshall is playing a new position and EzE will be buried on the depth chart when he gets here.
Wayne Woodrow Hayes
I expect the entire receiver corps to see big jumps in production, so there will be more balls/yards to go around for everyone.
Brown showed signs of steady improvement last season and he started to get more confidence in his abilities to make defenders miss in space. If he keeps improving, he's going to be a handful for defenders this year. And if 1-2 of the frosh slot kids are able to make big plays right away, that will only help Brown.
Likewise, if defenders have to worry about a slot player possibly taking any little screen to the house, that will only give D. Smith more space to run the verticals he excels at.
In turn, having two improving veterans will open up space underneath for the young pups.
Excellent points. Meyer's offense is about spreading the defense, using the power run, and locating playmakers on big plays. The "problem" of not having enough touches for everyone will enable our offense to keep the defenses on their heels. You can never have enough playmakers in Meyer's scheme.
Wayne Woodrow Hayes
I don't think for an instant Philly and Smith won't be starters week 1, just because there's only so much you can do in practice. Those freshmen won't enroll early and wont be at the spring game. they're not going to come in in August camp then supplant a senior and junior starter. It's just not going to happen. Wilson, Marshall and Clark may be talented but they're going to need to get their feet wet. Hell, they gotta get their black stripe taken away first before they can entertain thoughts of beating out Philly and Smith. Let's be realistic. Those freshmen will play. I am sure Meyer told them that as a selling point. If anything those freshmen will push the incumbent starters to play better, otherwise they WILL get replaced at some point in the season.
"Sherman ran an option play right through the south" - Greatest.Civil.War.Analogy.Ever
Yep
Doesn't hurt to bring in a ton of competition right behind them. I think we will see Philly have another solid year, and D.Smith really develop from a route running and hands perspective. I still believe E.Spencer will get a good look as the #3 wideout. He's got a really good feel for route running as well as excellent hands.
I agree. Spencer and Thomas will both have a leg up on the freshman, not to mention a year of experience in Meyer's offense.
Wayne Woodrow Hayes
i just refuse to buy the leg up idea with meyer's system
You're right about that- if one of these freshman shows up and there is only one play he can run, but he can run it really, really well, that play is going to get called. A lot.
Urbs will not hesitate to play guys that have things they do well. People seem to think of it as starter-or-not-the-starter, but Urbs doesn't play it that way. If you can do something that helps the team, that something is going in.
if there are one or two specific plays Marshall runs better than Devin, and one or two Corey Smith runs better, and one Evan Spencer runs better, then we've real quickly moved to Devin seeing not a lot of time.
i think you're right, and the bottom line when playing for Urbs is every time you step on the field you are earning the right to have a play called for you next time. If you don't earn it, there isn't any such thing as a leg up or a senior benefit. You have to earn it every practice, every game, every play. Nobody "wins" a starting job. It's a temporary designation.
There are A LOT of "ifs" in your post. My point was simply that by being freshman with a bunch to learn, the returning playershavee a leg up on what to expect from Meyer and staff. How can you blindly assume every freshman is going to "get it" and make an impact? Facts would say it takes time to adjust to the college game, therefore giving the advantage to the upperclassmen. Not to mention, most of these new kids won't be around for the spring either.
Wayne Woodrow Hayes
Oh yeah, definitely lots of ifs. I think people should be more aware of Devin Smith's weaknesses and of Urb's predelictiin for playing more talented guys, seniors be damned, but I also agree with you that experience counts. Just trying to point out how easy it can be in that situation for somebody to lose time- nit saying that's how/what is going to happen.
my thoughts are that our offense will break the season scoring record. Everyone will get plenty of touches.even in blowout games our second teamers will score too.Why?because urban will not change play calling due to the fact of a blowout.we also got tackle breaking RB's and catch and run WR that can go the distance on any play.also our D will get many 3 and out stops and get us the ball back.in the earlier games and many conference games i see this playing out.i see our season ending time of possesion in the 65-70% range.wish we had stiffer competition,but hey,it is what it is.many O skilled guys will have at least 5 TD's.without special team and defensive scores i see 15-20 guys score at least one TD.Plenty of touches to go around and as a fan it will be fun as hell to watch!
knucklehead
this is almost my exact line of thinking except the bit about the play calling, i think youll see more new stuff this year with the newly acquired speed, and urban all but said they were going to running some of the 49ers plays
There is a huge difference between an 18 year old kid who has never played at the speed of big time college football and 20-21 year olds who have a couple years of experience playing at a high level. Both of these guys will start. The new guys will also play a role but I think you will see these two start all year long (and have huge seasons).
i hope your right, i like those guys. one thing im kind of basing my opinion on is that i like jalin, clark and wilsons ability to catch a short pass and stretch the field with speed over smith or brown, freshman or not we did not have that ability last year. i hate to use the term percy harvin role, but corey brown isnt it and neither is jordan hall
Just for the record, Clark and Wilson's ability to stretch the field has nothing to do with speed. Devin Smith is faster than either of them- for awhile his track career had talk of him eventually being an Olympic sprinter.
Its all about agility and acceleration, not speed.
your right, your right, i am now realizing i need to be specific with the words speed, agilitiy and acceleration.
Are you suggesting devin smith can't stretch the field?
James Clark 10.43 100M. Devin Smith 11.03 100M. Dontre Wilson 10.84 100M. Corey Brown 10.54 100M. Also worth noting that Devin was state long jump champion and the runner up to him that year was our very own LB Josh Perry.
Devin Smith has also competed in the high jump at OSU...
By the end of the year Corey Brown was making a lot of people miss in a way that he couldn't early on. Assuming that continues he won't be beat out by a freshman. I could see Corey Smith taking some of Devin's playing time potentially. But knowing the system is important, see Dunn's playing time last year.
I just hope we have some blowouts so that we can rotate in a lot of younger players on both sides of the ball.
i thik corey brown improved but i also think if he doesnt have that insane td against illinois we arent talking about how much of an improvement hes made.
And if he didn't improve we wouldn't be talking about that TD. It also wasn't just that play, there were several down the stretch where it took the 2nd or 3rd guy in pursuit to take him down. The freshmen are good players, but there aren't many that can step in and make a huge impact so I wouldn't count on it.
i dont really understand what that first sentence means, it was his best play of the entire season, the only play where he looked like a had a real desire to get in the endzone, minsus the return td's, playmakers is an exhausted term but philly brown aint one and devin smith has only shown flashes
i dont disagree they will be starters i just think being in the big ten, being in the spread offense, being raised in the system these freshman COULD outshine one OR both of them. Will it happen? I have no idea. Could it? Absolutely 100 percent. Smith drops alot of balls, lacks overall consistency especially in the intermediate passing game, Corey, with the exception of a couple plays (like the one against Illinois, struggled to evade tacklers and make a big play after the catch, which is troubling since he is built for that kind of play. As for the speed, there will be an adjustment period, no doubt, but they will be facing the fastest eam in the conference for months during practice and i don't buy one or all of them wont be able to handle it, especially corey smith coming from juco. I personally, read into experience less and less every year, with the rise in overall talent, the spread offense, urbans coaching ability, and being in the big 10 right now makes a recipe for success for youger players. The skinny of it all is dont be suprised if we arent even talking about smith and /or brown at the end of the year, don't be suprised if we are, keep in mind Urban didn't have the athletes he wanted last year (which i clearly remember being a consensu sopinion among buckeye fans) now he does, 3-4 of them
I don't expect Devin Smith to start next year. He has great big play instincts and earned my love forever against Wisky two years back and Cal this last year.
That said, he really didn't have many catches last year. As I pointed out on another post, a full 40 pct of his yards and his TDs came in two games, against Cal and against Indiana. Folks, that's awful. That's pretty much the resume of a gu who is starting because there isn't anybody better, not because he should be starting. He also had a ton of drops and faded down the stretch right as Philly Brown started learning how to get some YAC.
Devin is a great kid and I'm rooting for him, but unless he takes a step up from last year I expect him to be beaten out.
this was the kind of responses i was hoping to see on this post when i made it. smith just has the magic ability to keep everyone saying his name, but not actually knowing how good he isnt and with respect to his experience, Urbans gets guys to play now, we all know that, so expect it to happen, his system is built on speed and outmanning the defense not spending a whole season learning it and taking another to master it, which is what some of you are basically suggesting.
These guys are proven, no way we're gonna start all freshmen at wideout.
never said that and if michael thomas and corey smith became starters that would be a sophmore and a guy with 2 years of eligibility in 3 seasons so a sophmore as well(?), i love how people read so much into class when it should be read into less and less with today's elite coaches especially urban, chip and saban. urbz recruits you to play now. i have no doubt if we get a recruit like wilson, jalin or clark then our offense in 2012 wouldve looked alot different becuase there wasnt a player like that on the whole roster
I have no doubt that Phillly Brown will still be a starter. I think that despite Devin's 'home run' ability, his inconsistency in catching a ball thrown his way might see others get an opportunity.
Devin will start but he better catch 85-90% of his passes to keep his job. Philly might start but will split plenty of time with corey smith and michael thomas. Its all situational.
"Get him a body bag, Yeah!"
Devin Smith and Corey Brown will absolutely start. They will be upper classmen with 2 plus years of starting experience. Most of the new recruits will play in slot aka the Percy Harvin position which means Smith job is safe. Corey Brown might see his production slip some this year but he is too valuable from a experience and skill standpoint to not start. Now the question might be who starts opposite of Devin Smith on the outside? Might best guest is the JC recruit, as long as he can get acclimated to major college football. Another suggestion would be the Marshall kid, he has big time potential written all on him.
These guys will be on the field... They both had good years last year and will be even more improved due to Braxton's improvement and the other playmakers around them. Next year's offense will be much quicker and more explosive. You have to remember a lot of the time there are 4 and 5 WR's on the field. They aren't going to replace the exeperience with a bunch of freshmen.
If these kids were early enrollers I might think they have a better chance of starting, but Urb likes to have his depth chart set in the spring, and use the fall to prepare for games. With these kids not being on campus in the spring, they are behind everybody else. That said, with the talent and explosiveness they bring to the table, they will absolutely see the field, and the ball. I just don't think Brown and Smith will be sitting anytime soon.
Devin had some great contributions this year, but I think he will eventually be beaten out. He doens't have enough lateral quickness, acceleration and the all important ability to make a guy miss. Meyer needs more from a guy than someone who can catch a deep touchdown in a couple of games (no matter how awesome those catches are).
Brown will be harder to beat out. He improved throughout the year and was becoming a playmaker in the return game and even ran the ball well a couple of times against Michigan. Hopefully he keeps improving in the spring.
Braxton will be the key. The potential of a receiver is so dependent on the quarterback (e.g. Larry Fitzgerald). If he cannot improve his intermediate to deep ball throws, then Meyer will utilize the easy pass to the flat and let him make plays.
I think Meyer is a genius at putting his QB's in positions to succeed. Look at Tebow (sorry for a Tebow reference in advance), he was a great college QB and put up great passing numbers to go with his rushing numbers. Was he actually a great passer? Well no, not in the sense of a prototypical NFL QB but he did have a decent arm and he made smart decisions.
Cplunk nailed it about YAC. Jerry Rice was considered "slow" by his 40 times.
Much like Carlos Hyde, Brown is going to be a starter unless he gets injured.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
You're crazy.
Brown is good to go but Smith needs to sure up his hands and play with more consistency if he wants to keep his spot as a starter. I remember the one handed catch, I remember Wisconsin and I remember the blown coverage against California. For every great play he has had two dropped balls though. Not a hater but I think it is a pretty honest spot on assesment.
The things these freshaman will not have that is often overlooked is the quarterback's trust and chemistry.
~Because we couldn't go for three~
Jalin has been coming up almost every weekend to throw with Braxton and work on routes.
thats true but i think again this goes back to the way urbans offense works, i thought this was a good idea for a forum topic simply because the way the offense is and with the current personnel, it allows for these freshman to do immediate damage. Also, i dont think braxton really had chemistry with anyone, at no point was the passing game consistent. This stemmed from spring practice (urban references the need to pass better in the espn all access thing) all the way till the end of the season (see braxtons passing numbers in the last games)
Both will be starters for the entire season. The only weird scenario I could see is Brown going out wide instead of in the slot if he is a better option than Thomas.
New recruit hysteria... Happens every year. Noah Spence was supposed to be all America his freshman year too, huh?
October 20th: National Kenneth Guiton Day
wouldnt call it that i consider these kids members of the team and consider them weapons simply because of their athleticism, they will have speed to boot againt big ten teams and thats why were all excited
I think that Brown and Smith will start however they will have some pups nipping at their heels as the season rolls on. I think that Coach Meyer will want to see what the young guys can do in some of the games at the beginning of the year. No matter how it plays out this is a very good problem to have.
bottom line is lots of playmakers= lots of points= lots of headaches for defensive coordinators
Battles are sometimes won by generals; wars are nearly always won by sergeants and privates. Football is no different, the guys down in the trenches win the games, not the coach.
Smith needs some time with a JUGS machine or whatever, but the kid has been wonderful for us. And Brown bailed us out time and time again last year both with great hands and a wonderful and underrated ability to move after the catch. I don't see any of these kids seeing a ton of time next year. Our wideouts aren't the best in the world, but they play here for a reason and were recruited here for a reason. I would think of all the six offensive skill position players that we signed last year, 4 of them will see a redshirt. We have both talent and depth at running back and we have Hall and Ball being added to the fold after taking a redshirt last year. If Marshall and Corey Smith make some field time, I would not be surprised, and perhaps Wilson or EZE, but I don't think anyone else will. And that is not meant as a criticism of the guys we signed, but more of a compliment to the guys who have taking college classes and working out with a collegiate football team for a year or two. That means something.
so basically you dont take stock in what urban believes about redshirting?
Kevin, I love the picture. I own and love that book. I think that there is a difference between saying you never redshirt anyone and actually doing it. How many guys redshirted last year? 9? 10? 11? It happens. Not all these guys come to play. Of our 6 running backs, receivers and tight ends, I would say that at least three and probably four will see a redshirt. It is not like the guys that we have are so hideously awful that all six of these kids are going to start.
The only one I could see redshirting is EZE, just because of the sheer numbers at his position. For the spread ATHs, it's crucial that they get garbage time and OOC snaps, because they need to see how this playbook looks on the field against real competition. I highly doubt Urban lags many players this year, excluding OLs.
I wouldn't count out Smith's top end speed. He was a sprinter and a high jumper in high school and was damn good at it... Not to mention that one-handed catch he had against Miami..
So both Smiith and Brown are going to lose their jobs to player who have never even put on a college uniform? Hmm.. Something tells me college ball is a little more difficult that High School and it might take them some time to get down the basics such as, route running, blocking, the playbook, etc... Speed isn't everything.
Exactly. Dorial Green-Beckham, arguably the most "college-ready" WR, as deemed by analysts, didn't see a whole lot of action on a corps at Mizzouri. It's fairly absurd to think that guys two years younger than our 2 current best wideouts would take their spots on the team.
This isn't to say that new additions won't see time, however. I think Corey Smith battles Evan Spencer for time. I also think that if James Clark is able to get separation, he'll see some time in 3 and 4 WR sets. I don't think Jalin Marshall is ready to be a pure WR, and though I think we'll see him on the field from time to time, he won't be close to fighting for a starting spot for a while. Dontre Wilson is a guy who I think will contribute as soon as he learns this complicated playbook, but his effectiveness will not take away from the use of D. Smith and Brown in this offense.
On the other hand, Stefon Diggs had 54 catches for over 800 yards and six TDs, and threw for a TD. And that's with a linebacker playing QB for six games because all of Maryland's QBs got hurt.
I'll grant you that it is not common for a freshman to come in, beat out starters, and play well, but it is far from absurd.
It happens every year in college football on a few BCS teams. Off the top of my head I knew Diggs and Sammy Watson from the year before at Clemson. There are more examples from the last two years, but I'm a lazy man so I'm not looking them up.
It definitely is not the norm, but it is in the realm of possibility.
Beat out starters, rarely, but it's not impossible. But this is a team that went 12-0 with 2 established starters that performed far above where they were in the spring. My point wasn't that a guy couldn't come in and get playing time, it was more that it would take some very extraneous circumstances in order to see Smith or Brown lose significant playing time because they aren't Urban's recruits. Regardless of who mailed them their LOIs, they are Urban's players now, and he's shown that he trusts them.
Fair enough.
i think it's worth pointing out though that Urban many times expressed that the WRs were an area of weakness. To some extent those comments changed as the year went on, though.
i think D. smith is the one in trouble. If you check his game by game log, it's fairly clear he was not much of a contributor late in the year. That also was when his drops started to go up.
You're right that its rare. I really think it would take something amazing for Philly to get beat out, but I think Devin can be beat. Personally I hope not- I'm really fond of him, despite my opinion that's he's underachieving and has been a big play/no play kinda guy.
I agree with your assessments of both players, but I don't think one has more of a chance of getting beat out than the other. This is why:
We don't really have a receiver that can burn on a deep route and go up and fight for balls. The closest thing we have to that is Devin Smith. Mike Thomas isn't fast enough, Corey Brown isn't physical enough, nor has he been good at getting separation, and very rarely do you see incoming freshman with enough physicality to be that guy. That means that Devin Smith is about the only one that can play his exact position in this scheme. I'm not saying Philly Brown is any more or less safe though. His position is one that can be replaced by some of the young talent being brought in, but his role as a slot weapon in a Meyer/Herman spread isn't just learned overnight. It was easier for him to pick up the system because he already had some college experience before Urban came in, so the learning curve for him was much less steep than it will be for the new guys. That said, I believe Corey Smith will come in and catch on pretty quick. I do believe also, that he'll get some of the touches that Philly would otherwise get, but like I said, I don't think playing time will shift significantly for these veterans.
Amari Cooper (Spelling). He was very capable this year. Likely to happen? Well, that depends on the talent coming in.
Yeah, he was who I had in mind when I was defining the norm and exception. But again, Cooper was a stud recruit. In recruiting objectivity, a 4 star is generally not expected to be a world beater right out of the gates. We didn't pick up any ridiculously physically mature, or fully college-ready recievers in this class.
percy harvin FRESHMAN stats: RUSHING 41 att, 428 yds, 3 TD, 10.4 YPC RECEIVING 34 rec, 427 yds, 12.6 YPC, in the sec, on a national championship team, that beat tOSU
No one is arguing that freshman can't make an impact, but did Harvin come in and bump oiut established starters? Not to mention, he was a stud 5-star recruit, considered to be one of those guys that comes but once and a while. Not a typical case.
There is a real undervaluing of Philly Brown ITT. He will, undoubtedly, be our leading receiver next year. If for no other reason than that Brax really trusts him. That's a trust that won't come from a month of training camp. Devin Smith is more of an anomaly simply because he's been known to take plays off. But his skillset is unlike any of the recruits we got. He's tall, lanky, can go up and pluck it out of the air, and has top line sprinter speed. He'll be the starter simply because there is no other receiver on the roster with his same skillset. I think other freshman get touches, but Philly is an All Big Ten receiver and Smith has a skillset none of the young guys do. Neither is getting pushed out of their starting positions.
I think the key is the comment about blocking. I fully believe that Meyer/Herman would like to throw the ball more than they did last year. My concern is that if they try to do this, it will really expose Braxton's accuracy problems. I hope they can get that straightened out over the off-season. I think we're going to see much more of Carlos Hyde than we did last year and the blocking by the wideouts will be key.
I don't think there is any problem with Devin Smith's speed. He got open deep regularly last year. My problem with him was his lack of consistency. It seemed like he was either awesome or non-existent. Some games, he just disappeared in, some he had drop problems, others he made incredible catches. He has a ton of upside, but if he can't catch the ball more consistently, he'll lose his job sooner or later.
To me, Corey Brown doesn't have as much upside as Smith, but he's much more consistent. He's a guy we can count on to move the sticks, but I didn't seen many "wow" plays from him last year.
Let's face it, the WR/Slot battles are going to be highly competive next year. Spencer and especially Thomas are going to have lots to prove. I could see almost any of the incoming freshmen competing for PT early and possibly starting later in the year. They're all explosive playmakers. Are they physically ready for BIG football? Can they learn the offense? Can they block? These are the three big questions that will determine how much they get.