WR's: In my estimation, this group of returnees could be the most talented in the Big Sky Conference, and perhaps even the entire Subdivision. And with three Seniors as the primary receivers, this group will undoubtedly be EWU's biggest strength in the offense. So let's take a look:
#11 Nicholas Edwards 6-3 200 Sr. 3L* Tacoma, Wash.
I'm not sure what you can really say about Edwards that hasn't been said before. The guy is an All-American, 1st Team All-Big Sky selection, and school record breaker. And even though receivers never win it, he finished 2011 on the Walter Payton Award list (Mitchell won it). Edwards finished the 2011 season with 95 receptions for 1250 yards and a whopping 19 TD's. IMO he should have another monster season in 2012 and will break even more school and BSC records. The way he prepares in the off-season and before games is no doubt a huge reason why I think he's a legit pro prospect next Spring.
#1 Brandon Kaufman 6-5 215 Jr. 3L Denver, Colo.
Kaufman was a huge part of the championship run in 2010, and had a promising start to 2011 before being lost for the season early on with a broken hand. Brandon presents big mis-match problems for opposing secondaries, as he is able to out-jump most corners and use his body much like a post player in basketball. He's a huge threat just about anywhere on the field, but especially in the endzone where he can use his size advantage against smaller defensive backs. I'm pretty sure there's not a lot of DB's in the Big Sky that enjoy coverig this guy. Anyone who wants a good example of his skills needs look no farther than the highlights of the UW game, where Brandon really got the better of Washington's Trufant for the majority of the game. If he has a great season on 2012, I think Kaufman also has a shot to play at the next level.
#3 Greg Herd 6-3 200 Sr. 3L Tacoma, Wash.
Greg was the second WR to have a 1,000+ yard season in 2011. Although he was already a huge part of the offense, he took on an even bigger role after Kaufman was lost for the season. As well as being a versatile athlete, Herd is a reliable receiver that just gets open and makes plays, period. Greg finished 2011 with 67 receptions for 1022 yards and 7 TD's.
#19 Cory Mitchell 6-2 195 So. 1L Katy, Texas
Cory came in as a WR along with his brother in the Spring of 2010. He redshirted the 2010 season and then got a decent amount of playing time in 2011, and it was fun to watch him catch a td pass from his brother. I see Cory as the #4 or #5 receiver, but it doesn't really matter since so many receivers play in EWU's offense. One thing's for sure, he's proven he can play at a high level, and wasn't just a tag-along to Bo Levi as some suggested.
#35 Ashton Clark 5-11 170 Jr. 1L Vancouver, Wash.
Clark had a great season in 2011, and made some key catches in several games down the stretch. Although he doesn't possess great size, he's shown he's effective outside the slot. He has nice speed, as we saw in his first TD grab against Washington. Look for him to make a valuable contribution again in 2012.
#33 Tyler Hart 5-10 200 Sr. 3L* Friday Harbor, Wash.
Hart was a Senior last year, but missed the entire season to injury. A coverted RB, he was a big part of the 2010 season, and scored a huge TD against NDSU in the playoffs. It was recently announced that Tyler will receive his 6th year of eligibility. Hart should see a lot of time on the field as a receiver as well as on special teams returning kicks.
#37 Daniel Johnson 5-10 190 Jr. 2L* San Jose, Calif.
Johnson is a converted RB that moved to WR in 2011. He made a couple nice grabs against NAU and is a nice runner once he gets the ball. He didn't get a ton of PT in 2011 playing behind a very deep group of receivers, but look for more in 2012.
#81 Nick Lenoue 6'0 180 So. 1L* Spokane, Wash
A Spokane native from Gonzaga Prep, Nick redshirted in 2010 and was an active member of the squad in 2011, although he did not participate in any of Eastern's 11 games.
EWU signed two receivers in 2012, and both look like great pick-ups for the program. I'm not sure if either will play next fall, but they both seem like they'll be a huge part of the offense in the future.
Dalis Bruce 5'10 180 HS Anaheim, Calif. / St John Bosco High School
Besides Jordan Pulu, Dalis was probably EWU's biggest grab in the 2012 HS recruiting class. He was a three star rivals prospect at corner, but is expected to play WR at EWU. It's unsure what his role will be early on, but Dalis could be one of 3-4 true Freshman that have a chance to play on the Inferno in the fall.
Cooper Kupp 6'1 180 HS Yakima, Wash. / AC Davis High School '12
Cooper was an all-State player in HS and is a great basketball player as well. He was one of the top prospects in the state at receiver in 2012. Another reason to like him is that he has EWU bloodlines.
#11 Nicholas Edwards 6-3 200 Sr. 3L* Tacoma, Wash.
I'm not sure what you can really say about Edwards that hasn't been said before. The guy is an All-American, 1st Team All-Big Sky selection, and school record breaker. And even though receivers never win it, he finished 2011 on the Walter Payton Award list (Mitchell won it). Edwards finished the 2011 season with 95 receptions for 1250 yards and a whopping 19 TD's. IMO he should have another monster season in 2012 and will break even more school and BSC records. The way he prepares in the off-season and before games is no doubt a huge reason why I think he's a legit pro prospect next Spring.
#1 Brandon Kaufman 6-5 215 Jr. 3L Denver, Colo.
Kaufman was a huge part of the championship run in 2010, and had a promising start to 2011 before being lost for the season early on with a broken hand. Brandon presents big mis-match problems for opposing secondaries, as he is able to out-jump most corners and use his body much like a post player in basketball. He's a huge threat just about anywhere on the field, but especially in the endzone where he can use his size advantage against smaller defensive backs. I'm pretty sure there's not a lot of DB's in the Big Sky that enjoy coverig this guy. Anyone who wants a good example of his skills needs look no farther than the highlights of the UW game, where Brandon really got the better of Washington's Trufant for the majority of the game. If he has a great season on 2012, I think Kaufman also has a shot to play at the next level.
#3 Greg Herd 6-3 200 Sr. 3L Tacoma, Wash.
Greg was the second WR to have a 1,000+ yard season in 2011. Although he was already a huge part of the offense, he took on an even bigger role after Kaufman was lost for the season. As well as being a versatile athlete, Herd is a reliable receiver that just gets open and makes plays, period. Greg finished 2011 with 67 receptions for 1022 yards and 7 TD's.
#19 Cory Mitchell 6-2 195 So. 1L Katy, Texas
Cory came in as a WR along with his brother in the Spring of 2010. He redshirted the 2010 season and then got a decent amount of playing time in 2011, and it was fun to watch him catch a td pass from his brother. I see Cory as the #4 or #5 receiver, but it doesn't really matter since so many receivers play in EWU's offense. One thing's for sure, he's proven he can play at a high level, and wasn't just a tag-along to Bo Levi as some suggested.
#35 Ashton Clark 5-11 170 Jr. 1L Vancouver, Wash.
Clark had a great season in 2011, and made some key catches in several games down the stretch. Although he doesn't possess great size, he's shown he's effective outside the slot. He has nice speed, as we saw in his first TD grab against Washington. Look for him to make a valuable contribution again in 2012.
#33 Tyler Hart 5-10 200 Sr. 3L* Friday Harbor, Wash.
Hart was a Senior last year, but missed the entire season to injury. A coverted RB, he was a big part of the 2010 season, and scored a huge TD against NDSU in the playoffs. It was recently announced that Tyler will receive his 6th year of eligibility. Hart should see a lot of time on the field as a receiver as well as on special teams returning kicks.
#37 Daniel Johnson 5-10 190 Jr. 2L* San Jose, Calif.
Johnson is a converted RB that moved to WR in 2011. He made a couple nice grabs against NAU and is a nice runner once he gets the ball. He didn't get a ton of PT in 2011 playing behind a very deep group of receivers, but look for more in 2012.
#81 Nick Lenoue 6'0 180 So. 1L* Spokane, Wash
A Spokane native from Gonzaga Prep, Nick redshirted in 2010 and was an active member of the squad in 2011, although he did not participate in any of Eastern's 11 games.
EWU signed two receivers in 2012, and both look like great pick-ups for the program. I'm not sure if either will play next fall, but they both seem like they'll be a huge part of the offense in the future.
Dalis Bruce 5'10 180 HS Anaheim, Calif. / St John Bosco High School
Besides Jordan Pulu, Dalis was probably EWU's biggest grab in the 2012 HS recruiting class. He was a three star rivals prospect at corner, but is expected to play WR at EWU. It's unsure what his role will be early on, but Dalis could be one of 3-4 true Freshman that have a chance to play on the Inferno in the fall.
Cooper Kupp 6'1 180 HS Yakima, Wash. / AC Davis High School '12
Cooper was an all-State player in HS and is a great basketball player as well. He was one of the top prospects in the state at receiver in 2012. Another reason to like him is that he has EWU bloodlines.
