Penn State Football: 2011 Preview – Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

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Derek Moye

Sorry for the several week delay, but it is time for the next edition of the Penn State Football 2011 Preview.  In this blog, let us review Wide Receivers & Tight Ends. 

This particular set of positions will be a strength in certain aspects and 'area for needed improvement' in another area for this year's squad.

Let's start with the positives, wide receivers.   Technically, Penn State only loses one starter from the WR's, Graham Zug. 

Coming into 2010, Zug was suppose to be a big piece of the year's offense.  But as the season went along, Zug's contributions were minimal and was consistently replaced by other receivers, thus for 2011 his loss will have minimum impact.

The star returning WR has to be 6'5"" and 202 lbs Sr. wide receiver, Derek Moye.  Even with QB's struggling in 2010, Moye was still able to put up 885 yards receiving, averaging almost 17 yards per catch and 8 TD's. 

Moye's size, skill and speed makes him a legitimate NFL receiver (and is on the Biletnikoff Watch List).  With the right offense which establishes a running game to draw safeties to the line and a QB who can get him the ball, Moye can have an outstanding season.  Potentially one which would put him up for some nationwide rewards at the end of the year.

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Starting in the place of Zug will be another potential star at WR, Jr Justin Brown, another big receiver who stands at 6' 3" and 212 lbs.  Brown played a good amount in 2010 in place of Zug and had some big catches (stats: 452 yards receiving, 1 TD, averaging almost 14 yards per catch). 

Brown will likely get lots of single coverage in 2011, with Moye being double-covered consistently.

The 3rd starting WR in 2011 will be the speedy, sometimes too fast for his own two feet, 5'7", 178 lbs, Jr. Devon Smith.  Devon is exciting to watch when he gets the ball (he runs a 4.25 forty yard dash-no joke), and provides a huge contract to the 6'+ Moye and Brown.  Obviously with his small frame IF he is caught he is not hard to tackle but the biggest thing he needs to improve is not tripping over his own two feet.

After these three starters, Penn State is actually pretty well stocked with talented, tall receivers who have played some decent minutes in the 2010 (which seems odd to me because if I were a big time receiver, Penn State would not be my first choice, but I am happy to have them).  This list of back-ups includes Brandon Moseby-Felder 6'2", 185lb, So; Shawney Kersey 6'1", 203lbs, So.; Christian Kuntz 6'4", 197lbs, So.

While the wide receivers will be a strength for Penn State in 2011, the position of tight end is another story.  Penn State really struggled in 2010 to develop a true TE, and instead the leveraged Brett Bracket (former QB, former WR) at the tight end position.  He was really a slot receiver, but ran the routes you often see a tight end run.

In 2011, Penn State could really use a tight end, which has always been a key to solid Nittany Lion team.  And while we all hope our QB will be stronger in 2011, regardless any QB could use a good 'check-down' receiving option, a big body in the middle who can catch a short pass.

Starting in 2011 is really a toss up with the most likely candidates being Sr. Andrew Szczerba, 6'6", 262 lbs or So. Kevin Haplea 6'4" and 250 lbs.  Of course the wild card could be the big offensive linemen Nate Cadogan (likely going to weigh in around 300 lbs) who caught a TD from the tight end position during the 2010 Northwestern game.

Szczerba did not play in 2010 due to a back injury and requirement for surgery.  Haplea played in 2010, but only had 3 catches for 39 yards (I will let you figure out the yards per catch).

Overall, those catching the ball for the Nittany Lions in 2011 will be a mixed bag.  On the one hand we should be very strong at the Wide Receiver position, with basically 3 starters returning; all of which are talented, one legimate NFL caliber player in Moye, one up-and-comer in Brown and a speedy WR in Smith.  

Tight End is absolutely a position that Penn State needs to develop and get much more production out of in 2011.  Every really successful Penn State team has had a strong Tight End (think Kyle Brady, John Gilmore, Mickey Shuler, Andrew Quarless).

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