Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

One senior, one junior and a whole lot of underclassmen. Fans, meet your 2005 Wide Receivers. This group has surprised many throughout the practice season, and the youngsters look as ready to contribute as the veterans do. Which young wide receivers are ready? The answer might surprise you, if you were expecting to hear a lot about Fred Rouse.

Senior, Willie Reid, and Junior, Chris Davis, will be leading those on the receiving end of the FSU aerial attack. Fans, don’t be shocked if Willie Reid catches a ton of balls. After being bounced around throughout his FSU career between receiver and running back, Reid will get the opportunity to show how talented he can be. If he does not account for 12+ touchdowns this season (receiving and punt returning), I will be shocked. Reid is that go-to guy that Weatherford (or Lee) will need when things get hectic in the pocket. Junior, Chris Davis, should finally have a breakout year and show the world that he really is “the next Peter Warrick” as advertised. Davis is speedy, and if his route running remains improved over his previous seasons, then cornerbacks will have their hands full. With Reid as that go-to guy, Davis will provide the deep threat that the ‘Noles need.

Thus concludes the veteran portion of the review. Seriously, after those two, the ‘Noles must turn their hopes over to a bunch of youngsters. The talented underclassmen provide hope for now and in the future. FSU has one of the better “problems” a team can have; too much talent at one position. At the beginning of two-a-days, all eyes were on talented freshman, Fred Rouse. Rouse, a local Tallahassee product, has blazing speed, but at times this fall, has dropped some makable catches.

Enter Kenny O’Neal. O’Neal will have a major impact this season in the kick returning game and as a wide receiver. O’Neal will play behind Chris Davis to start the season, but if Davis falters, I think that FSU coaches are ready to play O’Neal a majority of the time. On the other side of the field, behind Willie Reid, DeCody Fagg is a big strong wideout with good hands, that should rack up some YAC this season, after smacking around a small corner or two. The top four receivers here make up the best 4 wide set for the ‘Noles since before the Snoop Minnis era. If the young quarterbacks can accurately deliver the ball, then FSU’s offense will not be nearly as anemic as last season. Aside from the four main receiving contributors I’ve listed, rookies like Fred Rouse and Greg Carr will see playing time. Rouse will end up being the best of the bunch over the next couple of years, he’s just not there quite yet.

While I’m on the subject of receivers, I’m going to include the FSU tight ends. Perhaps it is a case of wishful thinking, but wouldn’t it be great if Matt Henshaw or Donnie Carter ended up with oh, I don’t know, 15 receptions and 2 TD’s? There are some great TE moments in Seminole History, the 2005 Seminoles should take a look at that tape. Let’s make the Tight Ends more than extended offensive lineman. Throw in a couple of passes to fullback James Coleman or B.J. Dean, and you might just catch a couple of opposing defenses off guard. You know, that whole element of surprise thing!

Will the ‘Noles receivers have a big game against the ‘Canes? How often will they be used, when it can be argued that the Seminoles strength is the running game? Can they put the ‘Noles into the first ACC Championship Game? Stay tuned for the season preview and Miami game preview this Thursday and Friday!