It's game week, so there is no more time for delays in progressing through the remaining position groups that have been previewed in order of their improvement from a year ago: linebackers, corners, quarterbacks, running backs, and the offensive line have already been covered. Those five groups represent the areas of biggest improvement by a wide margin. Those five groups have gained important players through recruiting, transfers, and players returning from injury or suspension that will make impacts on the field. The remaining positions will not see as much change in personnel, so the improvements will be in player development and experience. In this thread the focus will be on the receivers, both inside and outside.
The Cowboys are in a very strong depth position with receivers. Early playing time and injuries have allowed several guys to earn significant reps early in their careers; consequently, the roster is full of guys that have made plays at this level. For this position group, the discussion will be player specific comments instead of overviews of the group as a whole.
Brandon Sheperd--The senior from St. Louis has the opportunity this year to take the next step in earning an opportunity to play at the next level. He has the right size, speed, athleticism combination to be an NFL receiver (and a good one at that). He has always had standout potential, but he did not start his career with a lot of quality attention to detail that would allow him to become a consistent big time play-maker. His highlight touchdown reception in the bedlam game is an appropriate picture of his potential heading into this season. He has not always been a great route runner and as a result would at times struggle to get separation. That has changed in the past year. He has become a solid route runner that can get open on his stem as well as have the physical ability to break away from press coverage. He has very good hands, and as fans have seen from day one, he is very dangerous with the ball in his hands after the catch. Hopefully the recent hand injury doesn't set him back very much, because he has the opportunity to emerge as the go-to receiver on this team and a true star in Big 12 play. 60 receptions, 1000+ yards, and 10 TDs are not impossible marks if he remains healthy. He is so much better at this point in his career than he was 15 months ago.
James Washington--The sophomore from Stamford, Texas had a fantastic freshman season with 28 receptions for 456 yards and 6 TDs. He has great ball skills and has a knack for properly using his body to make contested catches. He continued this spring and summer to make spectacular grabs in nearly every practice much, proving that the 1-handed grab in the bowl game is certainly something fans will grow accustomed to seeing from him. The size and speed are there for him to be a #1 receiver (a role he probably assumes in 2016). He gives the Cowboys a second legitimate outside threat, and will make defenses with one weak corner truly pay for trying to man-up the Pokes on the outside.
David Glidden--The redshirt senior from Mustang gives the offense a much needed inside receiver that can find holes in zone coverages and exploit them. He has the awareness, route running skills, quick feet, and consistent hands to be a chain mover for the offense. Although he has some big play ability, due to his size limitations, he will not run that many routes with great depth. He led the team in receptions a year ago, and could challenge for that distinction again. He is a gritty and determined player that doesn't make mental mistakes and gives great effort consistently.
Jhajuan Seales--The redshirt junior didn't match his solid redshirt freshman year (2013) stats last season, but if his work ethic is any indication, he appears dedicated and ready to head that direction in 2015. He started every game in 2013 but lack of off-field judgment and sporadic work ethic set him back some last season. He has as much overall athletic ability of any receiver on campus, so he is bound to have some games where that shows up. Given opportunities, he should be successful. He will have to be assignment sound in the run game and be sure to limit drops to see a greater number of in-game reps.
Austin Hays--The redshirt junior started most of the season in 2012 (registering 29 catches for just under 400 yards). Since then, he has struggled to stay healthy. He is a very valuable piece of the offense due to his ability to execute at any of the receiver positions in the Cowboy offense. He is a very willing and effective blocker on the edge.
Marcell Ateman--The junior from Dallas is much better off without the influence of a former teammate that used to hang with him all the time. He appears to be much more focused both on and off the field. This summer he has shown far more consistency on a day to day basis. He has always had the great physical tools to work with, but did not come to OSU with the necessary maturity to be a great player. At the very least he should provide some situational help in the redzone. His ceiling his much higher, but he may be a year away from stepping into that type of potential.
The Cowboys are in a very strong depth position with receivers. Early playing time and injuries have allowed several guys to earn significant reps early in their careers; consequently, the roster is full of guys that have made plays at this level. For this position group, the discussion will be player specific comments instead of overviews of the group as a whole.
Brandon Sheperd--The senior from St. Louis has the opportunity this year to take the next step in earning an opportunity to play at the next level. He has the right size, speed, athleticism combination to be an NFL receiver (and a good one at that). He has always had standout potential, but he did not start his career with a lot of quality attention to detail that would allow him to become a consistent big time play-maker. His highlight touchdown reception in the bedlam game is an appropriate picture of his potential heading into this season. He has not always been a great route runner and as a result would at times struggle to get separation. That has changed in the past year. He has become a solid route runner that can get open on his stem as well as have the physical ability to break away from press coverage. He has very good hands, and as fans have seen from day one, he is very dangerous with the ball in his hands after the catch. Hopefully the recent hand injury doesn't set him back very much, because he has the opportunity to emerge as the go-to receiver on this team and a true star in Big 12 play. 60 receptions, 1000+ yards, and 10 TDs are not impossible marks if he remains healthy. He is so much better at this point in his career than he was 15 months ago.
James Washington--The sophomore from Stamford, Texas had a fantastic freshman season with 28 receptions for 456 yards and 6 TDs. He has great ball skills and has a knack for properly using his body to make contested catches. He continued this spring and summer to make spectacular grabs in nearly every practice much, proving that the 1-handed grab in the bowl game is certainly something fans will grow accustomed to seeing from him. The size and speed are there for him to be a #1 receiver (a role he probably assumes in 2016). He gives the Cowboys a second legitimate outside threat, and will make defenses with one weak corner truly pay for trying to man-up the Pokes on the outside.
David Glidden--The redshirt senior from Mustang gives the offense a much needed inside receiver that can find holes in zone coverages and exploit them. He has the awareness, route running skills, quick feet, and consistent hands to be a chain mover for the offense. Although he has some big play ability, due to his size limitations, he will not run that many routes with great depth. He led the team in receptions a year ago, and could challenge for that distinction again. He is a gritty and determined player that doesn't make mental mistakes and gives great effort consistently.
Jhajuan Seales--The redshirt junior didn't match his solid redshirt freshman year (2013) stats last season, but if his work ethic is any indication, he appears dedicated and ready to head that direction in 2015. He started every game in 2013 but lack of off-field judgment and sporadic work ethic set him back some last season. He has as much overall athletic ability of any receiver on campus, so he is bound to have some games where that shows up. Given opportunities, he should be successful. He will have to be assignment sound in the run game and be sure to limit drops to see a greater number of in-game reps.
Austin Hays--The redshirt junior started most of the season in 2012 (registering 29 catches for just under 400 yards). Since then, he has struggled to stay healthy. He is a very valuable piece of the offense due to his ability to execute at any of the receiver positions in the Cowboy offense. He is a very willing and effective blocker on the edge.
Marcell Ateman--The junior from Dallas is much better off without the influence of a former teammate that used to hang with him all the time. He appears to be much more focused both on and off the field. This summer he has shown far more consistency on a day to day basis. He has always had the great physical tools to work with, but did not come to OSU with the necessary maturity to be a great player. At the very least he should provide some situational help in the redzone. His ceiling his much higher, but he may be a year away from stepping into that type of potential.
