Millersville, Pa. - Millersville's 2010 wide receivers have it all: speed, size, hands, experience and youthful talent. It is easily the most skilled group of
Greg Colby's tenure and senior
Jamal Smith could challenge some significant school records. The biggest problem so far in camp is getting them all on the field at the same time.
The top four receivers on the depth chart, Smith,
Matt Egenrieder,
Dominic Sanders and
Dean May have all been held out of practice because of minor injuries. Smith and Egenrieder--both two year starters--hardly need the additional reps, but it has given incoming freshman
Austin Warfel and
Austin Stein a chance to compete for playing time. All four, however, are expected to be on the field on Sept. 4 against Assumption.
Almost out of necessity, the Marauders employed a three wide receiver set most of the 2009 season. That likely won’t change as two starters return and redshirt freshmen Domenic Sanders and Dean May challenge for playing time.
Smith, who at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, is an absolute freak of an athlete. Mangle puts the ball into Smith’s hands however he can, and Smith ranked second in the PSAC in all-purpose yards last year. He was also one of just three wide receivers in the league to total at least 10 touchdowns and one of only three in school history to record 10 receiving touchdowns in a single season.
His 729 receiving yards a year ago were the most by a Marauder since Sean Scott's 1,030 yards in 2000. Now he will try to join Scott and Mike McFetridge as the only players in school history to tally back-to-back 700-yard seasons.
A former quarterback, Smith put his skills on display for the 2009 Homecoming crowd by tying a school record with four touchdown grabs and recording 255 all-purpose yards in the overtime win against Kutztown.
Even while negotiating double teams, Smith showed his big-play ability by averaging 14.6 yards per catch. He also averaged 20.3 yards on kick returns and 15.2 yards per punt return. Mangle also moved Smith into the backfield at times to deploy the “wildcat” attack. Smith totaled 99 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but defenses will likely see even more of Smith taking snaps this year.
Smith totaled 1,357 all-purpose yards a year ago, and with more opportunities in the run and return game this year, he could possibly challenge Desi Washington's school record for all-purpose yards of 1,876 that was set in 1989.
Only three players since Washington's record-setting season tallied more all-purpose yards than Smith did in 2009.
“We want to get the ball in his hands as much as we can,” said Colby. “That particular attack is difficult for defenses to stop. The more you can do it the more effective we’ll be offensively.”
Egenrieder, now a junior, caught 30 passes in 2009. But he was also a factor as a freshman, catching 12 passes. Now with two years under his belt, Egenrieder is expected to become a more integral part of the offense. He most often works out of the slot, using his toughness to grab passes across the middle.
Millersville could potentially utilize four wide receiver sets regularly with the addition of redshirt freshmen Sanders and May to the depth chart. Colby has raved about the raw ability of Sanders, and fans saw a glimpse of his skills in the spring game.
Incoming freshman Austin Stein will also get a look at wide receiver, but he is athletic enough to play several positions including quarterback and defensive back. At 5-9, Stein is not prototypical quarterback size, but he led Holy Cross to a New Jersey State Non-Public II Championship in 2007 and 2008.
“Athletically, he can play several positions,” said Colby.” He’s good enough that he could play cornerback, but he’ll also be an excellent option on offense.”
Fellow freshman Austin Warfel has also turned in a solid camp. The Hershey High School product was the star of the intrasquad scrimmage, making three catches. His skill set is perfect for playing inside.
But with the depth available, the incoming players won’t necessarily be pressed into duty.
“Now that we have the older guys that are solid, the young guys don’t have to come in and make a big impact,” said Colby. “They can take their time and learn. Eventually they can work into the rotation. In the last two years, we’ve needed those freshmen to play right away. The growing pains are paying off now.”