The receiver position is not considered an area of strength heading into the season, but here is a brief breakdown of the receiving options the Hawks have this Fall.
Seniors:
#23 Jordan Cotton – Cotton’s main contribution will probably be as the primary kick return man, and a few preseason magazines have him as a 1st team All Big 10 return man. He has the speed to serve as an occasional deep threat but I don’t see Jordan having more than 15 catches on the year.
# 8 Don Shumpert – Hasn’t done much in his Hawk career, so any production from him would be a nice bonus – maybe gets 10 catches this year.
Juniors:
#11 Kevonte Martin-Manley – Iowa’s most productive returning receiver. Look for somewhere in the range of 55 catches for somewhere close to 600 yards and hopefully a handful of TD’s.
#22 Damond Powell – The JUCO transfer is the most intriguing unknown in the receiver mix. He averaged 30 yards a catch last year in JUCO, so I am hoping he can be utilized to stretch the field this fall for the Hawks. I think 30 catches for upwards of 400 yards is reachable for him.
#9 Blake Haluska – Hawk fans recognize the name and he proved in the Spring game that he has plenty of athletic ability to make the tough catch. He might become a nice surprise for a team that needs reliable options that don’t drop critical passes.
Sophomores:
#4 Tevaun Smith – Listed as a starter on the 2-deeps, but hasn’t shown the ability to consistently catch everything thrown his way. I am hoping he has a good fall camp and really emerges as a playmaker, otherwise I think that Powell may take his starting spot relatively quickly.
#17 Jacob Hillyer – Big, tall receiving option that might get an opportunity to be more involved this fall, maybe with some fade routes around the goal line.
Freshman:
#83 Riley McCarron – Spring ball sensation that may see some playing time if he can consistently catch and convert some big 3rd downs.
#18 Derrick Willies – Not a lot of people know this guy yet, but physically he looks ready to contribute right now, and he may end up opening some eyes this fall if he gets an opportunity to make some plays.
It would be great if Powell and Smith really make big strides this Fall and Haluska and McCarron prove to be capable options as well. Since only Cotton and Shumpert are lost to graduation this year, the receiver position may flip to be perceived as an area of strength next year depending on how things shape up for these guys this Fall.
Seniors:
#23 Jordan Cotton – Cotton’s main contribution will probably be as the primary kick return man, and a few preseason magazines have him as a 1st team All Big 10 return man. He has the speed to serve as an occasional deep threat but I don’t see Jordan having more than 15 catches on the year.
# 8 Don Shumpert – Hasn’t done much in his Hawk career, so any production from him would be a nice bonus – maybe gets 10 catches this year.
Juniors:
#11 Kevonte Martin-Manley – Iowa’s most productive returning receiver. Look for somewhere in the range of 55 catches for somewhere close to 600 yards and hopefully a handful of TD’s.
#22 Damond Powell – The JUCO transfer is the most intriguing unknown in the receiver mix. He averaged 30 yards a catch last year in JUCO, so I am hoping he can be utilized to stretch the field this fall for the Hawks. I think 30 catches for upwards of 400 yards is reachable for him.
#9 Blake Haluska – Hawk fans recognize the name and he proved in the Spring game that he has plenty of athletic ability to make the tough catch. He might become a nice surprise for a team that needs reliable options that don’t drop critical passes.
Sophomores:
#4 Tevaun Smith – Listed as a starter on the 2-deeps, but hasn’t shown the ability to consistently catch everything thrown his way. I am hoping he has a good fall camp and really emerges as a playmaker, otherwise I think that Powell may take his starting spot relatively quickly.
#17 Jacob Hillyer – Big, tall receiving option that might get an opportunity to be more involved this fall, maybe with some fade routes around the goal line.
Freshman:
#83 Riley McCarron – Spring ball sensation that may see some playing time if he can consistently catch and convert some big 3rd downs.
#18 Derrick Willies – Not a lot of people know this guy yet, but physically he looks ready to contribute right now, and he may end up opening some eyes this fall if he gets an opportunity to make some plays.
It would be great if Powell and Smith really make big strides this Fall and Haluska and McCarron prove to be capable options as well. Since only Cotton and Shumpert are lost to graduation this year, the receiver position may flip to be perceived as an area of strength next year depending on how things shape up for these guys this Fall.
