Preview – Wide Receiver

FOOTBALL

It’s not much of a stretch to say that A. J. Green is the most talented player Dawg fans have seen in Sanford Stadium since a running back from Wrightsville left town. Green has the ability to change a game every time he touches the ball.

The 6-4, 205 pound All SEC junior is probably playing his final season between the hedges as he is a likely top 5 pick in next years NFL draft.

Green set a school record his freshman year catching 56 passes for a team-best 963 yards and eight TDs while rushing four times for 61 yards. He was named to every freshman All American Team in the country.

Green missed part of his sophomore year with a shoulder injury but still managed to make 53 receptions for 808 yards and six touchdowns. He was named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award as one of the nations best receivers. Along the way, he blocked a field goal attempt against Arizona State in the fourth quarter with the game tied 17-17.

Sophomore Tavares King, 6-1, 182 is slated to start opposite Green but he will miss the season opener following an underage alcohol arrest that resulted in a one game suspension. King had 18 receptions for 377 yards and a TD last season and has the ability to stretch the defense with his speed.

Senior Kris Durham, 6-5, 212 missed all of 2009 as a result of a shoulder injury, he is healthy again and will provide a sure handed, huge target; especially in the red zone.

Junior Israel Troupe, 6-0, 210 had a great off season and is in the best physical condition since arriving on campus as a highly recruited two sport star. He is focused on having a break out year in 2010 and has all the tools to become one of the best in the conference.

Sophomore Marlon Brown, 6-5, 212 has adjusted to the size and speed of SEC defensive backs and is poised to show why he was one of the most recruited wide receivers in the country coming out of high school in Memphis. Brown has the size and speed to create constant miss-matches in the secondary.

Sophomore Rantavious Wooten, 5-10, 175 made three starts last year catching 10 passes for 197 yards and two TDs. Wooten is a small, lightning fast target that can turn a short pass into a long play. He will see plenty of action as a slot receiver this season.

True freshman Michael Bennett, 6-3, 186 has the size, speed and hands to see plenty of action this year. With only 7 wide receivers on scholarship, he will provide much needed depth.

Depth Chart:

Flanker:

A. J. Green, Junior, 6-4, 205, 19 starts

Rantavious Wooten, Sophomore, 5-10, 175, 3 starts

Israel Troupe, Junior, 6-0, 210

Split End:

Tavares King, Sophomore, 6-1, 182, 9 starts

Kris Durham, Senior, 6-5, 212, 7 starts

Marlon Brown, Sophomore, 6-5, 212

Michael Bennett, Freshman, 6-3, 186