The Texas Longhorns have the deepest, most talented group of pass catchers in the Big 12. The burnt orange air attack can roll out Limas Sweed, Billy Pittman, Quan Cosby, Jordan Shipley, Nate Jones and TE Jermichael Finley. But it's not blasphemy to imply Mizzou's group of wideouts and ends can compete somewhere close to that level.
The pure depth at the position is the primary reason why every deal I proposed on the Mock Trade Deadline post was centered around Mizzou's loaded corps, which could hypothetically be used as extremely attractive trade bait.
This group of wideouts, bolstered by the emergence of Danario Alexander and Jared Perry coupled with the return of Jeremy Maclin, is easily the strongest group of receivers Mizzou has seen in some time, perhaps ever. The depth of the group is simply outstanding - including Will Franklin, who returns after finishing fifth in the receiving yards in the Big 12 last season despite missing the later part of the year.Franklin will be the elder statesman in the WR corps, but for my money, my eye is most drawn to Perry, who's blazing speed was put on display in the Kansas game (watch with 4:19 left in the clip below - notice all-world KU corner Aqib Talib get caught flat-footed in zone coverage):
My excitement carries over to Alexander, who I'll admit I'd never heard of until his 74-yard touchdown reception against Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Additionally, Mizzou has senior workhorse Tommy Saunders who will likely return kicks and be a security blanket posession receiver. Saunders is famous around MU circles for his work ethic, including making a vow to complete 10,000 pushups in the calendar year 2006 - a goal he completed and then stopped at 10,084 to match his jersey No. 84.
Redshirt freshman Maclin throws his hat in the ring this year as well, returning from an ACL injury that cost the higly-heralded receiver all of last season. The kid whose speed has been a talking point for Mizzou coaches' for the last two season will finally get his shot to prove them right, and if he does, Big 12 North secondary coaches are going to have nervous breakdowns finding ways to cover all of Chase Daniel's options.
And did I mention the best TE duo in the nation? Senior Martin Rucker and junior Chase Coffman are unquestionably, undoubtedly, un[insert word for disbelief]ly the BEST duo in all of college football. ESPN and Blue Ribbon put it best:If you thought the Tigers were stacked at receiver, they're equally loaded at tight end. They return two that combined for 111 receptions, 1,149 yards and 14 touchdowns last year and who should only improve with a more experienced Daniel at quarterback. Senior Martin Rucker (6-5, 255) was a first-team all-conference pick by the coaches after he caught 53 balls for 511 yards and five touchdowns.
Meanwhile, junior Chase Coffman (6-6, 245) was a first-team All-Big 12 pick by the media who led the team with 58 catches (for 638 yards) and nine touchdowns, and even threw a 29-yard touchdown pass in the Sun Bowl.
No team in the country has a more productive pair of tight ends.
Combining the tight ends and wide receivers, things may never be better for the aerial attack at Faurot Field than they will be in 2007.
Three photos by Sarah Becking. More photos available at Becking.com. Coffman photo credit Kyle Coburn.
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