Mean Green Preview, Part 8

[mad dog]

Mean Green Preview, Part 8

Wide Receiver

Summary

The 2006-2007 edition of the Mean Green receiving corps is likely the most talented ever at the University of North Texas, and in terms of true across the board depth, only the linebacker position comes close to matching it.

Highlighting the position is all-star senior Johnny Quinn. For long time fans, the four year starter is a household name. For newcomers, perhaps the best way to understand what he brings to the field is to see how he has transitioned from a small, slow possession receiver to the complete NFL-style package. The consummate professional in an amateur game, Quinn shows the hands, speed, body control, change of direction, open field moves, game knowledge, drive, determination, experience, and leadership evident of all truly great players. Have fun watching this one, Mean Green Nation, you might not see another guy quite like him for a long time.

Past him is a bevy of other talented players. Brandon Jackson has showed up ready to play for a long time, and seems to have taken his cue learning from Johnny Quinn. He has gotten faster and stronger every year, and, entering his junior season, senses that he is going to be “the guy” in 2007. A stellar spring may have already catapulted him past Zach Muzzy for the other starting WR job. Senior Joel Nwigwe perhaps the best pure deep threat on the team, with raw speed in abundance. Muzzy, also a senior, is quick and works really hard though he really never recovered from the knee injury at Air Force a few years back.

Though the rotation is mostly set for this year, look for the underclassmen to battle for who will be next in line for 2007. It looks as it Jackson will have a starting job for next year, but who plays on the opposite side? Who mans the slot?

Ultimately, you’d like a guy like Guy Fernandez to show up and prove that he will be ready to play opposite Jackson next year, and Brock Stickler to man the slot. Fernandez is tall, rangy, and has good speed and decent leaping ability. If (and keep in mind that there are fairly big “ifs”) he can get ahead of the game mentally, improve his run blocking, and prove that he is willing to fight it out for contested passes, he will complement B-Jack nicely. Stickler is almost the opposite: a tank at the WR position, will fight for any ball, and knock smaller corners and safeties, even linebackers, on their butts. He doesn’t have top flight speed, but is faster than most linebackers, so the slot makes sense for him.

Past them, look for the young guys like Casey Fitzgerald, Isaiah Smith, and Korey Washington to get more experience so they can take over when called upon.

Players to Watch

Joel Nwigwe

How will he fit in the rotation? Can his raw speed beat out Brandon Jackson, or will he use his hands and quickness to beat out Zach Muzzy for the slot job?

Guy Fernandez

All the physical tools. Will he find a way to force playing time?

Casey Fitzgerald/Isaiah Smith

With three of the top four receivers graduating next year, positioning themselves during two-a-days, and throughout the season, is a must.

*Projected Starters

Wide Receiver – Johnny Quinn

One of the best players in NT history. Period.

Wide Receiver – Brandon Jackson

Speed, athleticism, hands and YAC ability give him the edge. An explosive weapon waiting to be used.

Slot – Zach Muzzy

Dependable, but not flashy. Don’t look for a 1,000 yard season from him, but he won’t hurt you, either.

Impact Newcomers

Korey Washington

Great speed and YAC potential in the open field, but will he finally get a chance to stay at a position?

Sleeper

Brock Stickler

Everyone seems to forget about this guy, but, trust us, that’d be a big mistake. He is a huge athlete with decent speed for his size. With Quinn, Nwigwe, and Muzzy graduating, keep in mind how likely it would be to see a Jackson/Stickler starting combination next year.

*Projected starters are who we think should start based on what a player has shown to us in practice and in games. We are not trying to guess the coaches’ picks, but rather who we’d pick if we were making out the depth chart.

[SilverEagle]

Mean Green Preview, Part 8

Wide Receiver

Summary

The 2006-2007 edition of the Mean Green receiving corps is likely the most talented ever at the University of North Texas, and in terms of true across the board depth, only the linebacker position comes close to matching it.

Highlighting the position is all-star senior Johnny Quinn.  For long time fans, the four year starter is a household name.  For newcomers, perhaps the best way to understand what he brings to the field is to see how he has transitioned from a small, slow possession receiver to the complete NFL-style package.  The consummate professional in an amateur game, Quinn shows the hands, speed, body control, change of direction, open field moves, game knowledge, drive, determination, experience, and leadership evident of all truly great players.  Have fun watching this one, Mean Green Nation, you might not see another guy quite like him for a long time.

Past him is a bevy of other talented players.  Brandon Jackson has showed up ready to play for a long time, and seems to have taken his cue learning from Johnny Quinn.  He has gotten faster and stronger every year, and, entering his junior season, senses that he is going to be “the guy” in 2007.  A stellar spring may have already catapulted him past Zach Muzzy for the other starting WR job.  Senior Joel Nwigwe perhaps the best pure deep threat on the team, with raw speed in abundance.  Muzzy, also a senior, is quick and works really hard though he really never recovered from the knee injury at Air Force a few years back*.Though the rotation is mostly set for this year, look for the underclassmen to battle for who will be next in line for 2007.  It looks as it Jackson will have a starting job for next year, but who plays on the opposite side?  Who mans the slot?

Ultimately, you’d like a guy like Guy Fernandez to show up and prove that he will be ready to play opposite Jackson next year, and Brock Stickler to man the slot.  Fernandez is tall, rangy, and has good speed and decent leaping ability.  If (and keep in mind that there are fairly big “ifs”) he can get ahead of the game mentally, improve his run blocking, and prove that he is willing to fight it out for contested passes, he will complement B-Jack nicely.  Stickler is almost the opposite: a tank at the WR position, will fight for any ball, and knock smaller corners and safeties, even linebackers, on their butts.  He doesn’t have top flight speed, but is faster than most linebackers, so the slot makes sense for him.

Past them, look for the young guys like Casey Fitzgerald, Isaiah Smith, and Korey Washington to get more experience so they can take over when called upon.

Players to Watch

Joel Nwigwe

How will he fit in the rotation?  Can his raw speed beat out Brandon Jackson, or will he use his hands and quickness to beat out Zach Muzzy for the slot job?

Guy Fernandez

All the physical tools.  Will he find a way to force playing time?

Casey Fitzgerald/Isaiah Smith

With three of the top four receivers graduating next year, positioning themselves during two-a-days, and throughout the season, is a must.

*Projected Starters

Wide Receiver – Johnny Quinn

One of the best players in NT history.  Period.

Wide Receiver – Brandon Jackson

Speed, athleticism, hands and YAC ability give him the edge.  An explosive weapon waiting to be used.

Slot – Zach Muzzy

Dependable, but not flashy.  Don’t look for a 1,000 yard season from him, but he won’t hurt you, either.

Impact Newcomers

Korey Washington

Great speed and YAC potential in the open field, but will he finally get a chance to stay at a position?

Sleeper

Brock Stickler

Everyone seems to forget about this guy, but, trust us, that’d be a big mistake.  He is a huge athlete with decent speed for his size.  With Quinn, Nwigwe, and Muzzy graduating, keep in mind how likely it would be to see a Jackson/Stickler starting combination next year.

*Projected starters are who we think should start based on what a player has shown to us in practice and in games.  We are not trying to guess the coaches’ picks, but rather who we’d pick if we were making out the depth chart.

←

* It was the Arkansas game.

Edited July 31, 2006 by SilverEagle

[GrandGreen]

NT no doubt has a good group of receivers, certainly much better than you would think given NT's offense. However, to call them the most talented ever is quite a stretch. Quinn despite all his accomplishments has never made first team all conference receiver. Jackson and Nwigwe have certainty had their days, but not on a consistent basis. Yes it is difficult to compare the current receivers in a run first offense with prior more pass oriented offenses. It maybe ancient history, but the Ron Shanklin and Barry Moore led receiving corp of the late sixties would be very difficult to suspass. Both were multi-year all conference selections and Shanklin went on to become an all-pro player.

[mad dog]

* It was the Arkansas game.

←

You are right. My mistake.

[foutsrouts]

Now, if we can only find someone to get these guys the ball a few times per game we might have something here.

[mad dog]

Yes it is difficult to compare the current receivers in a run first offense with prior more pass oriented offenses.

←

My point exactly. Keep in mind that, despite playing in a run first offense, it is within reach for him to become the all time leading reciever in school history. Imagine if he got 15-20 balls thrown to him a game instead of 5-10. He'd have broken the record last year.

Quinn despite all his accomplishments has never made first team all conference receiver.

But, right now, if you stick Quinn in at a BCS program, he's a first day NFL draft selection. Shoot... you don't have to take my word for that, either. Just ask one of the NFL scouts that will be showing up here in a few weeks. They'll tell you the same thing. You don't have to put up huge numbers to be the best. You become the best by what you do away from the game, and you prove it by coming up big when it matters the most. And we've all seen him do that, provided he wasn't double or double shade covered by the defense...

However, to call them the most talented ever is quite a stretch.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. However, using a superlative is by very definition subjective in nature, hence the term "likely." Having never seen Shanklin or Moore, though, I certainly couldn't tell you the difference. I'm not sure anyone could make an accurate comparison without the benefit of film, to tell you the truth.

[GreeneyedDad]

These are great writeups...thanks for sharing. Did you already send out Preview Part 7? Looking for the one on Tight Ends.

[mad dog]

These are great writeups...thanks for sharing.  Did you already send out Preview Part 7?  Looking for the one on Tight Ends.

←

Working on it... check your PM.

[UNTLifer]

Any thoughts of trying Stickler at TE?

[MeanGreenHoops]

"The 2006-2007 edition of the Mean Green receiving corps is likely the most

talented ever at the University of North Texas, "

Wow, I'll have some of whatever you are smoking? Quinn is very good and maybe top 5 in UNT history. Everyone else is average at best.

[H-towngreen]

Yall are underestimating B. Jax. Coming out of HS he was one of the top receivers in the state. He has both size, speed and hands. If we have a QB who get the ball to him, watch out.

[PHSCoach]

My point exactly.  Keep in mind that, despite playing in a run first offense, it is within reach for him to become the all time leading reciever in school history.  Imagine if he got 15-20 balls thrown to him a game instead of 5-10.  He'd have broken the record last year.

←

Mike Hass the leading receiver in the nation last year had 11.6 balls per game thrown his way and caught 8.9 balls per game.....

[mad dog]

"The 2006-2007 edition of the Mean Green receiving corps is likely the most

talented ever at the University of North Texas, "

Wow, I'll have some of whatever you are smoking? Quinn is very good and maybe top 5 in UNT history. Everyone else is average at best.

←

Sure... I thought much the same as you did. But name me one that was head and shoulders better... not just that you could make an argument better, but was better beyond reproach. I certainly couldn't think of any, but, even if you can, it doesn't take away from the fact that it is right up there. And that is my point.

[meangreendork]

"The 2006-2007 edition of the Mean Green receiving corps is likely the most

talented ever at the University of North Texas, "

Wow, I'll have some of whatever you are smoking? Quinn is very good and maybe top 5 in UNT history. Everyone else is average at best.

←

The reason why we haven't seen alot of the other receivers is because the QBs from last fall didn't quite get it done. You can't measure the skills of a WR if the ball never lands where he can catch it. Jackson is fast and has great hands combined with the brains to run the right route and find holes in the coverage. He'll be great if the QBs are up to the task.

[mad dog]

Mike Hass the leading receiver in the nation last year had 11.6 balls per game thrown his way and caught 8.9 balls per game.....

←

Are you saying that our offense is comparable to Oregon State's?

[mad dog]

The reason why we haven't seen alot of the other receivers is because the QBs from last fall didn't quite get it done. You can't measure the skills of a WR if the ball never lands where he can catch it. Jackson is fast and has great hands combined with the brains to run the right route and find holes in the coverage. He'll be great if the QBs are up to the task.

←

Exactly... in 2004, with an experienced QB at the helm, Johnny put up two more touchdowns than Haas with 37 less receptions, AND only giving up a statistically insignificant .2 yards less a catch.

All I am saying is that, given the chance to do a little more, we're not even having this conversation.

[FirefightnRick]

But, right now, if you stick Quinn in at a BCS program, he's a first day NFL draft selection.  Shoot... you don't have to take my word for that, either.  Just ask one of the NFL scouts that will be showing up here in a few weeks.  They'll tell you the same thing.

←

Or, you could take the word of this guy:

That's Green Bay's DB Mike Hawkins, one of, if not the fastest man currently in the NFL. When asked last year if he ever played against JQ(McKinney HS) while at Carrolton Turner he said Johnny was the only guy in High School he couldn't cover.

Rick

Edited August 1, 2006 by FirefightnRick

[meangreendork]

I'd like to go through and follow Rick's lead by showing the secondary of every school in the 'Belt and typing in "and you can ask these guys how they feel"...

...but we already know JQ's got it down-packed. And Jackson? He's more-than-likely to do the same thing.

-side note-

Jackson's my #3 receiver in NCAA 07. Who're my others? #1 is JQ, #2 is Jamario.