Aug. 17, 2011
DAVIS, Calif. - With football preseason camp underway, UC Davis is preparing for the 2011 schedule and the final year in the Great West Conference. In anticipation of the season opener at Arizona State, the Aggies will have a position-by-position preview leading up to the Sept. 1 kickoff. Today the wide receivers are featured.
It's no secret to opposing teams or fans that the wide receiver unit for UC Davis is the biggest question mark for the 2011 season. The Aggies graduated Sean Creadick, who was an All-Great West first team member and led UC Davis with 66 catches, 928 yards and eight touchdowns. While Creadick's lofty numbers aren't easy to replace, the Aggies believe that they have enough returners and incoming talent to provide suitable targets for sophomore quarterback Randy Wright.
"We have a number of players that have stepped up in the spring and fall and are ready to contribute," said head coach Bob Biggs. "We're still waiting for some other players to emerge on a consistency basis. We have a stable of about four or five solid players that we feel good about and it's a battle for two more spots."
Coming into fall camp, the top four receivers were junior Anthony Soto (5-10, 185), junior Stephen Dunstan (6-3, 190), sophomore Tom Hemmingsen (5-10, 175) and redshirt freshman Corey Galindo (6-4, 205).
Soto is the most accomplished of the group in terms of on-field performance. Last season he was third on the team in receptions and yards, pulling in 29 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns. As a redshirt freshman he managed seven catches for 62 yards. The respectable numbers from last year could increase in 2011, as Soto will likely serve as the primary receiver this season.
Dunstan also appeared in all 11 games last season, finishing with eight catches, 127 yards and two touchdowns. Hemmingsen had a solid freshman campaign in 2010, posting 13 catches in 11 games for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Both players will be asked to carry more of a load in 2011 as part of the receiving core.
Galindo looked sharp in spring and fall practices after redshirting last season. The Aggies are hoping that his 51 catches, 815 yards and 15 touchdowns at Concord High School in 2009 will translate well to the college game.
UC Davis will have additional leadership and experience from senior Dwight Smith (6-3, 200) and junior Brooks Baker (6-2, 197). Smith has battled through injuries his entire career but is considered by coaches to be invaluable to the team as a leader and mentor to young receivers. Coming into this year's camp healthy, Smith and Baker know the offense as well as any player and the two will look to win a spot on the field as the season progresses.
Redshirt freshman Asher Gotzmer (6-1, 180) had a solid spring and redshirt freshman Alex Cannon (6-1, 180) is considered by coaches as one of the fastest players the Aggies have had in recent years. Alex McLeland, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound transfer from Grossmont College will also have a chance to compete for a spot on the rotation.
UC Davis brings in four true freshman, including Dane Turner (6-1, 200), TJ King (6-2, 200), Tim Benton (6-1, 190) and Andrew Ahr (6-2, 190). King is likely to play as a true freshman and after an impressive fall camp, could earn a spot as one of the top six receivers.
Assistant coach Matt Wade is in his fifth year with the Aggies and will look to develop the young group of receivers. Last season UC Davis was second in the Great West in passing offense and the Aggies should maintain their high-octane offense again this year, with the help of the 2011 receiving core.
Position-By-Position Preview Schedule:
Offensive Line - Monday, Aug. 8
Defensive Line - Wednesday, Aug. 10
Quarterbacks - Friday, Aug. 12
Linebackers - Monday, Aug. 15
Wide Receivers - Wednesday, Aug. 17
Defensive Backs - Friday, Aug. 19
Running Backs - Monday, Aug. 22
Tight Ends - Wednesday, Aug. 24
Special Teams - Friday, Aug. 26
