Wide receivers 2025

[AngryOtto]

I think he's definitely starting, probably at the Slot-WR.

I'm guessing Gill and Hatcher split some time at the X-WR and probably are listed as Or. I'm guessing Gill gets a little more of the share.
Cook starts at the Slot-WR.
JRS starts at the Z-WR. Hornsby will be second string at the Z-WR
E. Ross is first up for any 4 WR formations and probably next up at the slot and could get some snaps at the X as well. I don't think E. Ross is top 3 but can get some snaps at any of the WR positions. His size and skill fits pretty much at any of the spots. He'll still play a lot.

I’m not sure about Hatch this year. Every time I see him wearing that large leg brace I wonder how it will affect his speed and movement. He was a good blocker so maybe use him on designed runs or swing passes.

 

[CuseMan4]

Yeah I'd agree with this. Nixon doesn't seem to be a jam it to one guy kind of OC. He does seem to mix it around.

Exactly. The only position on offense in terms of receiving I am worried about it TE. I don’t think Vallari is a great receiving TE. I like Tremble but he obviously has been out most of camp which is not great. But I think Nixon we have to appreciate while he is here cause he is a very good OC. He will play to the offenses strengths. Say we don’t have a great group of pas catchers (which we do). We could turn this offense into a run heavy offense very quick. I have full faith in him

 

[AngryOtto]

I think that is a reasonable question. But I will say this, I don’t think it really matters in Nixon’s offense. You saw last year how we spread the ball around. I fully expect, Cook, Gill and JRS to be our leading receivers. Idk who will be number one by season end but any one of them it could be. Then I’m sure Willis and Nixon will have their fair share of receptions too. In this offense I think you need a true number if you have a free really good receivers, which we have. You’ll be fine

Was that Nixon on the play calls or McCord going through his progressions and hitting the open receiver?

 

[Shenexon]

I'm thinking they must have been talking about someone else. I don't see any way he broke a bone in his leg and less than 2 weeks later is already running around.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Was that Nixon on the play calls or McCord going through his progressions and hitting the open receiver?

We’ll find out soon enough

 

[GoSU96]

I know Villari is starting TE with experience and seniority, but I am also wondering if we'll see Tremble used in multiple sets per game as aTE in WR shoes (like Gadsen). If so, could he have a bit of a breakout year??

He's supposedly a reciever TE like Gadsen and FB has had some good things to say about his development this year.

12 and 13 is a feature of this offense. Villari, Clement, Tremble will all play, including at the same time. I think Dan is going to be more of a flex all over the formation guy, not just an inline TE.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Dan Villari had a few injuries that really slowed him down last year. I believe it was a neck injury and a shoulder. He won’t be OG but I would expect they find ways to get him him the ball. Should be a better receiver this season.

 

[DomeHolmes]

Dan Villari had a few injuries that really slowed him down last year. I believe it was a neck injury and a shoulder. He won’t be OG but I would expect they find ways to get him him the ball. Should be a better receiver this season.

We saw what he could do as a wildcat quarterback. We need to get him the ball with just enough space to turn up field.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Exactly. The only position on offense in terms of receiving I am worried about it TE. I don’t think Vallari is a great receiving TE. I like Tremble but he obviously has been out most of camp which is not great. But I think Nixon we have to appreciate while he is here cause he is a very good OC. He will play to the offenses strengths. Say we don’t have a great group of pas catchers (which we do). We could turn this offense into a run heavy offense very quick. I have full faith in him

100% agree with this. I see one more year, maybe two if we're lucky.

 

[wfschrec]

100% agree with this. I see one more year, maybe two if we're lucky.

If we go 8-4 or better with a good offensive showing … he gone.

 

[IthacaMatt]

If we go 8-4 or better with a good offensive showing … he gone.

Probably. But on the other hand, if we are "close but no cigar", and seem stocked for 2 years from now, he might stay to go out on a high note, and get better offers.

 

[wfschrec]

Probably. But on the other hand, if we are "close but no cigar", and seem stocked for 2 years from now, he might stay to go out on a high note, and get better offers.

Also a fair point

 

[Ttk.gman2]

He's not going to be out 5 games.

I’m not saying he is I’m saying he is missing 5 weeks of crucial time including fall camp. You need the reps via practice before getting in games . Also what games would he play in the season? Do you see the opponents we have lined up when he gets back? Clemson, notre dame, Miami? Do you see him playing in those games?

 

[Ttk.gman2]

Also by the way I’m not hating on boobie he is an amazing player for Syracuse . I see him doings for us .

 

[CuseMan4]

Was that Nixon on the play calls or McCord going through his progressions and hitting the open receiver?

Oh don’t get me wrong. I am not down playing McCord. He had not only the best season for a Cuse QB in a single season but the best QB for an ACC QB in a season. That’s not arguable per the stats. But who is the guy that put the receivers in the spots to make that happen? Why couldn’t McCord do the same thing he did last year for us, at ohio state 2 years ago? It’s because Nixon is a hell of an OC. I see what you are seeing for sure cause McCord is a stud. But humble and honest option without the orange colored glasses, Nixon is a Top 5 OC is college football. But him on Bama, Georgia, Texas, LSU, etc…and see what he goes. He’s legit

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I’m not saying he is I’m saying he is missing 5 weeks of crucial time including fall camp. You need the reps via practice before getting in games . Also what games would he play in the season? Do you see the opponents we have lined up when he gets back? Clemson, notre dame, Miami? Do you see him playing in those games?

That late in the season we'll have guys banged up, and he'll still be factory fresh.

There's no downside to him playing against UNC, Miami, ND, BC, plus a bowl game.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

That late in the season we'll have guys banged up, and he'll still be factory fresh.

There's no downside to him playing against UNC, Miami, ND, BC, plus a bowl game.

I’m not saying he won’t play a game but i just don’t see him burning his redshirt this year . Just my personal opinion.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I’m not saying he won’t play a game but i just don’t see him burning his redshirt this year . Just my personal opinion.

He can play 4 games plus a bowl and keep his redshirt.

 

[CusefanATL]

Boobie will redshirt no way he gets burn after being out for 5 weeks it’s best to redshirt him to be honest.

he can still play in 4 games plus the bowl game. so we will definitely see him barring any injury set backs. no question. absolute lock of a fact. just wanted to be as aggressive as possible with the verbiage. somewhat exaggerating but id still bet my bottom dollar we see him this year.

 

[ECE '76]

Ok, it's time to permit yourself to start getting pysched!

 

[Strathless]

The biggest question in this room is Eman and how much will he play and how much has he improved . If he can burst on the scene that’s a great thing for this team.

For me, the biggest question for the WR unit is their blocking ability as a group. I am under the assumption that JRS, Gill, Cook and the rest will have an abundance of receiving talent to bring to the field this year, but last last season the trio of Meeks, Pena, and Gadsen all excelled at blocking their assignments in space and finishing plays. It was a big reason why our screen game and swing passes to LQA were so consistently successful. Taking into account LQAs ability as a blocker at the RB position as well, I hope to see a similar effort from our skill position players this year.

 

[OmahaCuse]

For me, the biggest question for the WR unit is their blocking ability as a group. I am under the assumption that JRS, Gill, Cook and the rest will have an abundance of receiving talent to bring to the field this year, but last last season the trio of Meeks, Pena, and Gadsen all excelled at blocking their assignments in space and finishing plays. It was a big reason why our screen game and swing passes to LQA were so consistently successful. Taking into account LQAs ability as a blocker at the RB position as well, I hope to see a similar effort from our skill position players this year.

JRS, GILL, Villari are all very good blockers as is Hatcher. Willis is big guy and Nixon is an elite blocker. Not sure about Cook but think we have upgraded in that department overall.

 

[Strathless]

JRS, GILL, Villari are all very good blockers as is Hatcher. Willis is big guy and Nixon is an elite blocker. Not sure about Cook but think we have upgraded in that department overall.

I agree on Nixon, but honestly can’t remember my thoughts on JRS and Gill from watching last year. I do remember reading somewhere that the coaches thought Villari could improve his technique, especially after the injuries he played through last year while being a recent transition to the TE position. Willis has every physical tool a RB needs to do anything, he just has to show he has that dawg in him to be an elite blocker. I think Meeks, Pena, and LQA all showed last year that size isn’t everything when it comes to that, it takes technique and a certain meanness to do it well. Not sure yet if the coaches lucked into that position group strength last year or made it a real focus (probably both). But I think it will be a big factor in our success or lack thereof offensively this year depending on how it plays out.