I put together a list of all the potential contributors at receiver this year, and it is indeed impressive. With ISU committed to a wide open, spread offense this year, I could see the Bengals with five or six different receivers catching double-figure passes. Here's a look:
Returning Players
Andrew Benavides: We all think of that terrible neck injury that ended Andrew's freshman season and kept him off the field last year, and I think we'll all worry about him every time he steps on the field. But if he can stay healthy and play with the same reckless abandon he showed as a freshman, he can be a significant contributor. He caught 18 passes for 143 yards as a frosh, and of course was a terrific returner, averaging over 33 yards on 9 KO returns. Concerns about injury, however, may keep him off special teams.
Kelvin Krosch: Injuries cut his junior season in half, but he still caught 24 balls for 3 TDS, giving him 9 touchdown catches over the last two seasons. He is a big, tall weapon in the red zone.
Luke Austin: Averaged almost 18 yards a catch on his six receptions last year, and caught 10 passes for 115 yards in the spring game. May be a struggle for him to get on the field with all the talent ISU has at WR, but he produces when he gets the chance.
Josh Hill: He caught 17 passes for 3 TDS last year, and Coach Mike Kramer just raves about him. With his size (6-5) and athleticism and lining up in the slot of this offense, I can see Hill catching 50 balls this year.
Rodrick Rumble: Had something of a "breakout" year last year, catching 32 balls for 14.5 average and two TDs, then followed up with 13 catches in the final two scrimmages of spring ball. Has a lot of talent but Kramer wants him to focus more on the details.
Tavoy Moore: He was the Bengals' leading receiver last year with 34 catches out of the backfield and ISU will no doubt continue to try to isolate his incredible speed and quickness on linebackers and safeties. And the whole world knows what a tremendous special teams asset he is -- is there any pre-season All-American team that doesn't include him as a returner?
Daniel McSurdy: Walk-on was rewarded for his determination with scholarship money this year. Hard to see where he will fit in the regular WR rotation with so much competition, but one thing is certain, no one will outwork him for a job.
New Faces
Jarrod Daniels: Played primarily running back his only year at JC, but was moved to the slot receiver position in spring ball. He didn't contribute nearly as much as I had anticipated, but he was learning a new position in a new offense. And with all the candidates for playing time at receiver, he may see time back at his old position of RB during those rare moments when the Bengals actually employ one.
Myles Daughtry: Comes to the Bengals with a background as a big play guy, but not a consistently productive one. Had only 29 catches his senior year in high school, then recorded 8 for 73 yards as a redshirt freshman at New Mexico before leaving the team in mid-year. What excites Bengal fans is his reputed speed, which was displayed in a 100-yard kick-off return vs. Oregon last year. He certainly brings the ability to spread the defense, but he'll have to demonstrate consistency in catching the ball if he's going to be a major assest. Should team with Moore to provide one of the more dangerous kick-off return tandems in FCS.
Duke Bukosky: Was ranked the No. 3 WR in the state of Hawaii and turned down other Big Sky schools for the chance to be a Bengal. Caught 20 TD passes in high school and Kramer has said he will get a chance to play immediately.
Anthony Boyles: Was buried on the depth chart then moved to DB at Washington, where he was a highly-recruited player out of high school. Was ranked as high as #18 and #24 nationally at WR by two popular recruiting services. Will be expected to contribute immediately.
Derek Graves: Caught 45 balls for 7 TDS in just 7 games in JC last year. Will be given every opportunity to compete for playing time this year.
Cameron Richmond: Most productive recruit of all the Bengal WRs, catching 69 passes for five TDs in JC last year. Should see the field this year.
Other pieces
Andrew Zamora, tight end, and Jahmel Rover, RB, both missed most of the season with injuries last year. They also both nominally play positions that won't be on the field much in the spread offense, but they could certainly contribute situationally.
The Bengals will be putting five guys out in the pattern just about every down. With their high-rhythm offense, they'll need to get fresh bodies on the field frequently. Barring injury or defection, it certainly looks like they have the players to go at least 10, and maybe as much as 12 deep, at the receiver position.
Returning Players
Andrew Benavides: We all think of that terrible neck injury that ended Andrew's freshman season and kept him off the field last year, and I think we'll all worry about him every time he steps on the field. But if he can stay healthy and play with the same reckless abandon he showed as a freshman, he can be a significant contributor. He caught 18 passes for 143 yards as a frosh, and of course was a terrific returner, averaging over 33 yards on 9 KO returns. Concerns about injury, however, may keep him off special teams.
Kelvin Krosch: Injuries cut his junior season in half, but he still caught 24 balls for 3 TDS, giving him 9 touchdown catches over the last two seasons. He is a big, tall weapon in the red zone.
Luke Austin: Averaged almost 18 yards a catch on his six receptions last year, and caught 10 passes for 115 yards in the spring game. May be a struggle for him to get on the field with all the talent ISU has at WR, but he produces when he gets the chance.
Josh Hill: He caught 17 passes for 3 TDS last year, and Coach Mike Kramer just raves about him. With his size (6-5) and athleticism and lining up in the slot of this offense, I can see Hill catching 50 balls this year.
Rodrick Rumble: Had something of a "breakout" year last year, catching 32 balls for 14.5 average and two TDs, then followed up with 13 catches in the final two scrimmages of spring ball. Has a lot of talent but Kramer wants him to focus more on the details.
Tavoy Moore: He was the Bengals' leading receiver last year with 34 catches out of the backfield and ISU will no doubt continue to try to isolate his incredible speed and quickness on linebackers and safeties. And the whole world knows what a tremendous special teams asset he is -- is there any pre-season All-American team that doesn't include him as a returner?
Daniel McSurdy: Walk-on was rewarded for his determination with scholarship money this year. Hard to see where he will fit in the regular WR rotation with so much competition, but one thing is certain, no one will outwork him for a job.
New Faces
Jarrod Daniels: Played primarily running back his only year at JC, but was moved to the slot receiver position in spring ball. He didn't contribute nearly as much as I had anticipated, but he was learning a new position in a new offense. And with all the candidates for playing time at receiver, he may see time back at his old position of RB during those rare moments when the Bengals actually employ one.
Myles Daughtry: Comes to the Bengals with a background as a big play guy, but not a consistently productive one. Had only 29 catches his senior year in high school, then recorded 8 for 73 yards as a redshirt freshman at New Mexico before leaving the team in mid-year. What excites Bengal fans is his reputed speed, which was displayed in a 100-yard kick-off return vs. Oregon last year. He certainly brings the ability to spread the defense, but he'll have to demonstrate consistency in catching the ball if he's going to be a major assest. Should team with Moore to provide one of the more dangerous kick-off return tandems in FCS.
Duke Bukosky: Was ranked the No. 3 WR in the state of Hawaii and turned down other Big Sky schools for the chance to be a Bengal. Caught 20 TD passes in high school and Kramer has said he will get a chance to play immediately.
Anthony Boyles: Was buried on the depth chart then moved to DB at Washington, where he was a highly-recruited player out of high school. Was ranked as high as #18 and #24 nationally at WR by two popular recruiting services. Will be expected to contribute immediately.
Derek Graves: Caught 45 balls for 7 TDS in just 7 games in JC last year. Will be given every opportunity to compete for playing time this year.
Cameron Richmond: Most productive recruit of all the Bengal WRs, catching 69 passes for five TDs in JC last year. Should see the field this year.
Other pieces
Andrew Zamora, tight end, and Jahmel Rover, RB, both missed most of the season with injuries last year. They also both nominally play positions that won't be on the field much in the spread offense, but they could certainly contribute situationally.
The Bengals will be putting five guys out in the pattern just about every down. With their high-rhythm offense, they'll need to get fresh bodies on the field frequently. Barring injury or defection, it certainly looks like they have the players to go at least 10, and maybe as much as 12 deep, at the receiver position.
