Quick Look: Wide Receivers
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
Notre Dame, Ind - The team's leading receiver from a year ago and the wide out who would have lead the the team in receptions had he not gotten hurt are both gone, yet the wide receivers as a whole are improved from the '99 version. The 2000 version features taller, faster wide receivers who have the ability to stretch defenses to open up the short passing game. The incoming freshman receivers have greatly upgraded a position which has lacked a super star since Derrick Mayes graduated in 1994.
The group's leader may not be the most talented, but he is certainly the toughest. Joey Getherall only stands about 5-9, and must be extremely tired of references to his height by now, but one can't help but mention in when describing Notre Dame's receivers. He may not be the tallest guy, but he is very fast and tough. He was sent across the middle of the field quite often last year. A team usually puts their biggest receiver in that spot, but Joey handled the position well and had a successful year. His major problem is injury. Because of his size he is often hurt and rarely plays at 100%. Never the less, he is a valuable weapon for Arnaz Battle because of his consistency and speed.
Two juniors who came in with much praise out of high school are both looking to have big years. David Givens and Javin Hunter have spent two years showing glimpses of big time talent, but have never gotten over the hump to becoming superstars. Givens does it all. Last season he threw, caught, and ran for a touchdown. He and Hunter both possess a lot of speed and play making ability. The success of the passing game will depend on how far these two receivers have come. If they can step up into the roles they were recruited to play the passing game will be fine.
Hunter is considered to be the deep threat. As a freshman he was sent deep a few times and had his man beat each time. The ball, however, was not on target any of those times. Last season he performed well in the first couple of games but disappeared after them. Givens however saw his role increase as the season progressed and should be on the field the majority of the time. Hunter is penciled in as a starter opposite of Getherall but I see them both starting before season's end.
The veteran of the group will be 5th year senior Jay Johnson. Johnson has come up with some big plays in his career, but is not what one would consider to be the prototype wide receiver. He isn't very tall and isn't very fast. He is however consistent and can be depended on. He won't put up huge numbers this year but he will as a leader on offense and provide guidance to the talented group of young wide receivers Notre Dame has.
The rest of the wide receivers are freshman and at least two will see the field this year. Urban Meyer likes a six man rotation at wide receiver and with Jamaar Taylor transferring there are two spots open. As of now Jovan Witherspoon and Lorenzo Crawford will be the two to fill them. However, both Ronnie Rodamer and Omar Jenkins may see the field before season's end. Rodamer was having a great camp until he caught the flu and fell behind the pack.
Witherspoon may be the most talented of the group. He has an excellent combination of size and speed. He also has the attitude of "I'm good and I know it." Some Notre Dame fans may not like this attitude but it is the exact type of attitude you need. He will get pumped up and he may celebrate after a big play, but he will keep making plays and his energy and intensity will be infectious in the huddle.
Crawford is the real speedster in the group. He is a big time deep threat and will most likely be used to stretch defenses early in the season to help open the running game up as well as the short passing game. Rodamer is like Witherspoon in that he has great size and speed. He is also a play-maker and will see the field before the season is over. Jenkins is pretty much the forgotten man. He was overshadowed by the big name wide receivers in Texas and by the other wide receivers Notre Dame recruited, but the kid has talent and will show it to everyone before he leaves.
Overall, Notre Dame is stacked at wide receiver. They have both size and speed and haven't been this talented at wide receiver in a long time. If David Givens and Javin Hunter step up and become superstars this year, Arnaz Battle's transition into the starter's role will be so much easier. He needs his wide receivers to make the tough catches since it is very likely his first couple passes will not be right on the money since he will be nervous. Wide receiver is not a position any Irish fan or coach should lose any sleep over though.