ABILENE – One year ago, ACU head coach Chris Thomsen didn't really know what he had at the wide receiver spot.
He knew he returned
Edmund Gates, who had played such a big part of the offense in 2007 and 2008. Other than that, he had an unproven group full of newcomers to the Wildcat program.
And outside of a handful of games, the receiving corps never really got untracked in 2009 as ACU threw for just 2,604 yards (200.3 yards per game) and only 17 touchdowns.
Now, however, the wide receiver group has several familiar faces, including those of Gates,
Raymond Radway,
Kendrick Johnson and
Chris Fowler, and that makes Thomsen feel much better about the position going into 2010.
"Those seniors that are back this year – Gates, Radway, Johnson and Fowler – are all seniors that we feel really good about," Thomsen said. "They've all been healthy throughout summer camp, which was a challenge last year. I'm excited about those guys.
"Then you throw in the new guys like (redshirt freshmen)
Taylor Gabriel and
Darian Hogg and
Darrell Cantu-Harkless, and I really like our receivers," Thomsen said.
Those players will have to be a more consistent group in order for sophomore starting quarterback
Mitchell Gale to lead the ACU offense.
"I've seen a lot of improvement from our receivers this summer in regards to their consistency," Thomsen said. "They're more consistent in knowing what they're doing on every play, and honestly, that's one area where we really struggled last year."
The starters going into the 2010 season-opener at Washburn are Gates and Radway with Fowler and Johnson backing them up. But all of the receivers figure to see plenty of time on the field.
The Wildcats are also set at tight end with sophomore
Ben Gibbs entrenched in that spot. Gibbs has returned from a late-season broken leg to have a solid summer camp.
"We're expecting a lot of big things from Ben," Thomsen said. "He's bounced back very well from his injury, and he's a strong spring followed by a really strong summer camp. We feel really good about what he's going to bring to that spot."
Justin Andrews – who started at fullback the majority of the 2009 season – has been moved to tight end, but hasn't gone through summer drills yet because of a broken bone in his foot. He's expected to begin working out some this week in the hopes that he'll be ready to play Sept. 11 at Northeastern State.
