by Lee Brecheen
February 16, 2010 - I remember growing up and watching several LSU Wide Receivers play in the NFL, but I have never seen so many playing in the NFL at the same time that are as successful as the present group. These are some former NFL players from LSU that played in the NFL and had great college careers who I watched growing up. They are Carlos Carson, who played in the 1970’s for LSU and in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs from the state of Florida, Tracy Porter, prepped locally at Southern Lab High School and played briefly for the Detroit Lions, Todd Kinchen from Trafton High School, which is now Dunham, played for the Rams and Falcons, Wendell Davis from Fair Park High School, whose career was cut short because of a serious knee Injury, played for the Bears and the Colts, and finally Eric Martin, (Texas native), who had many great years with the Saints.
The current group of Wide Receivers in the NFL from LSU are Dwayne Bowe (6-3, 225), from Miami, Florida, who is currently with the Kansas City Chiefs, Josh Reed (5-10, 200) from Rayne High School, with the Buffalo Bills, Devery Henderson (6-0, 200) from Opelousas High School, with the New Orleans Saints, Michael Clayton (6-3, 220) from Christian Life High School, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Craig (Buster) Davis, from O. P. Walker High School, with the San Diego Chargers, Early Doucet (6-0, 210), from St. Martinville High School, with Arizona Cardinals, Demetrius Byrd (6-2, 200), from Miami, Florida, with the San Diego Chargers, and soon to be drafted, Brandon Lafell (6-3, 210), from Houston, Texas. That’s an amazing seven NFL Wide Receivers. Dwayne Bowe has a chance in 2010 to become a star. He has all the ability you see in the great ones. Bowe has the build of a Terrell Owens and could be as good if he wants too. Josh Reed is going into his ninth year as a pro and is considered one of the best blocking Wide Receivers in the NFL. Devery Henderson is considered one of the best deep ball wide outs in the NFL. Devery had seven catches in the Super Bowl and has really improved his hands. He’s due for a pro bowl invite in 2010. Michael Clayton has battled injuries in his career and
has had to adjust to several QB’s in Tampa. Clayton is considered one of the great blocking Wide Receivers in the league. I’m rooting for Michael to have his best year in 2010. Early Doucet plays in the shadow of Larry Fitzgerald, Breaston, and Boldin, but with the year he had in 2009 filling in for Boldin many games, he’s got pro bowl written all over him in the future. Doucet showed in the playoffs this year that he’s a big time player. There’s a chance that Breaston will sign with another team because he’s a free agent. Craig Davis has fought the injury bug as well in San Diego, but the problem is that he’s backing up two Pro Bowl Wide Receivers. Craig came back from injury late in the season and looked great. Buster will still have a great NFL career I predict, but it could be with another team unless one of the current big name Wide Receivers signs with another NFL team. Demetrius Byrd sat out last year with the San Diego Chargers because of a car wreck he got into prior to the draft. He’s now been cleared for training camp, and it seems he’s worked really hard to show the Chargers he’s a big time player for 2010 season.
Future NFL Wide Receiver Brandon Lafell (6-3, 210) has a chance at being a First Round pick and at worst a Second Round pick in the upcoming April NFL draft. I hope Lafell gets on a team where he’s able to learn from some current great Wide Receivers like Robert Meachem did in New Orleans with Colston and Devery, and Doucet with Breaston, Boldin, and Fitzgerald. When I say learn, I mean sit as a backup for one year and get some reps as a second year pro and by year three start to shine. I’ve heard from many NFL scouts that it takes three years for a Wide Receiver to fully develop in this league.
There’s a really good chance LSU could lead all colleges for most Wide Receivers in the NFL for the 2010 season with seven. That would be a first for the school and there’s a chance you could see Dwayne Bowe, Devery Henderson, and maybe even Early Doucet all in the NFL PRO Bowl at one time in the coming years. Out of the seven receivers from LSU, four are from Louisiana, two from Florida, and one from Texas. Get this stat. If you throw in Tight ends Keith Zinger from Leesville High School with the Atlanta Falcons, and Robert Royal, from Edna Karr High School, with the Cleveland Browns, and future NFL TE Richard Dickson, that would give LSU 10 receivers overall potential in the NFL for the 2010 season. Most colleges don’t have 10 players in the NFL.
Future LSU/NFL Receivers
Current LSU Wide Receiver Terrance Tolliver (6-5, 215), will be drafted in 2011 and Reuban Randle (6-3, 210) will probably have a shot as a high draft pick for 2012 or 2013. True Freshman Wide Receiver James Wright (6-2, 200) from Belle Chasse High School, to me, has a chance to be great, as well as Percy Harvin type signee, WR Jarrett Fobbs (5-11, 185) from Huntington High School. Texas Native Russell Shepard (6-1, 190) could also be a NFL high draft pick in 2 or three years. The sleeper Wide Receiver at LSU for the NFL is Red Shirt/sophomore Chris Tolliver 6-1 190, from Rayville HS, who can run a true 4.45 forty or better for the scouts.
Can you say Wide Receiver U at LSU? I think it’s safe to say it is Wide Receiver U and will be for a long time in the NFL.
Tulane’s Jeremy Williams Big Time Sleeper
Speaking of Wide Receivers for the NFL Draft. Tulane’s stud Wide Receiver Jeremy Williams(6-1, 210), who’s a Texas Native and started off as a Defensive Back in college, could go high in Aprils NFL draft. This kid was one of the best Wide Receivers I saw play all year in college football. He’s big, fast, and has great hands. It would not surprise me if this kid sticks around by Round four, to see maybe the Saints, take him as a sleeper player for down the road developing.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
