Wilson sees potential in UT receiver corps; moves Warren from tight end

Throughout Southern California’s near decade-long run of dominance in college football, one Heisman Trophy winner stands out among the others: Reggie Bush.

“Electric” was one word to describe Bush as he tore apart opposing defenses as a tailback and a receiver. “Versatile” was another as Bush solidified himself as one of the most explosive kick and punt returners in recent memory.

Tennessee — like every other school in the nation — is looking for that next Reggie Bush. In fact, first-year UT receivers coach Frank Wilson has that thought in mind every time he evaluates a skill-position player.

“Yeah, Nu’Keese Richardson,” Wilson said Tuesday on the News Sentinel’s radio show, The Sports Page. “That’s exactly what we saw in him, a guy who had big-play ability and can strike at any point on the field. We think Nu’Keese and Marsalis (Teague) are two guys that possess that type of ability that can line up in the backfield, in the slot or out wide and still give a defense a tough time.”

There is no Heisman candidate on UT’s depth chart, and that’s not the only shortcoming. The Vols’ top four returning wideouts are listed at 6-foot-2 or shorter.

The Vols have moved former tight end Brandon Warren to receiver for some more size. However, at 6-2 and 220 pounds, the former Alcoa star isn’t much bigger than UT’s projected starters.

Still, different receivers can make, well, a difference.

“You have to have some diversity,” Wilson said. “Some things the bigger guys can do better than the small guys of stature and vice versa. We don’t need a whole slew of them (big receivers), but we need a mixture of diverse athletic ability at that position.”

The Vols won’t have much height help coming in this fall. UT didn’t sign a receiver taller than 6-2. Richardson and Teague are listed at 5-10. Fellow 2009 signees James Green and Zach Rogers are listed at 6-2.

UT tried to secure two tall, top-flight receivers but were denied when 6-4 Kendall Kelly and 6-5 Marlon Brown signed with Alabama and Georgia, respectively. Signing such a prospect is one of UT’s top goals for the 2010 class.

“If you look at Coach (Lane) Kiffin’s track record, even at USC with Mike Williams and those guys, he had two of those (big) guys,” Wilson said. “And then you had Steve Smith, the 5-11, 6-foot guys.”

The concept is simple: Have the big, outside receivers beat smaller cornerbacks with their size and strength while the smaller receivers beat linebackers and safeties with their quickness and speed.

That’s a luxury UT won’t be afforded in 2009 without a big receiver on its roster.

It’s up to Wilson to change the size of UT’s receiving corps. Wilson hasn’t coached receivers in his career. A productive season by UT’s wideouts would give him more to sell prospective athletes. He tried to salvage UT’s recruitment of Brown and Je’Ron Stokes but was unsuccessful. Still, Wilson’s resume should make UT optimistic about his future recruiting endeavors.

“Hard work,” Wilson said when asked what makes him a well-respected recruiter. “There are no tricks to it, no magic wands. Being persistent, diligent. Identifying the prospects early and being persistent.”

He is trying to learn as much about UT’s receivers as possible. Spring practice starts March 10 but the preparation for such drills is long under way via video highlight evaluations.

“I was very impressed with the young men we have,” Wilson said. “Really, really think that Gerald (Jones) can do some good things.

“We can win with them. Character wins out and we have a high-character group that wants to be coached and wants to get better. I think this unit as a whole possesses that, and I think we are headed in the right direction. With the addition of the four signees, we will be in pretty good shape.”

Wilson said he’s looked for a lack of game speed in his receivers’ play last season. That could be a sign of indecisiveness — a distinct possibility in last year’s complicated offense under then-coordinator Dave Clawson.

“I’m not sure what they were taught and didn’t spend much time trying to figure out,” Wilson said. “Right now they have a clean slate and are doing their winter conditioning and workouts. Just from a conditioning phase, we are able to see them run around. I’ll be anxious once spring ball starts to see them put it all together and see where we are.”

The question most have following a 5-7 season is: “Was it coaching or talent that led to UT’s offensive demise?”

Wilson seemed cautiously optimistic that talent won’t be the issue this season.

“I think we have a chance,” he said. “I would like to get a couple more bigger guys who can get in there and be possession receivers. Right now we think we have some guys who can get in there and make plays and do some good things.”

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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