University of Richmond Athletics
Position Breakdown: WR/TE
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – The theme of the spring and summer for the University of Richmond football team is quickly becoming depth and its abundance across multiple positions on the 2016 roster. The collection of pass catchers that second year starting QB Kyle Lauletta has at his disposal may be the deepest group of all.
Led by an All-American in senior Brian Brown, who is coming off statistically the greatest season for a wide out in program history (76 rec, 1,450 yards), the group lost just one major contributor in Reggie Diggs (66 rec, 901 yards), who now laces up with the Washington Redskins.
Porter Abell (14 rec, 193 yards), Tyler Wilkins (12 rec, 162 yards), Garrett Hudson (11 rec, 220 yards), Dashon Tibbs (8 rec, 67 yards), Stephon Jacob (6 rec, 80 yards), Will McCombs (4 rec, 52 yards), Nick Holloway (4 rec, 22 yards), Dejon Brissett (2 rec, 22 yards) and Caleb Drake all return. Meanwhile, Jarmal Bevels spent 2015 getting healthy and should return as one of the top pass catching options after grabbing nine balls for 127 yards as a freshman in 2014.
Wide receiver coach Fontel Mines certainly recognizes that the group he has to oversee could be a special one. “This is definitely one of the most talented groups I’ve had since we’ve been here. I think that says a lot especially when you consider the caliber of kids that have come through here such as Stephen Barnette, Ben Edwards (New York Giants) and Reggie Diggs.”
“We have a good group of experienced guys that know what they’re doing,” Mines continued. “And a good group of younger guys that are very talented and just looking to gain some more game experience.”
All three contributing Tight Ends return to the 2016 roster in Hudson, Holloway and Jacob. Holloway earned CAA All-Conference Third Team recognition a season ago but it was Hudson who emerged with 11 grabs for 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns, one of which came at North Dakota State in the FCS Semifinals.
Tight Ends coach Bill Polin said, “It’s a veteran group that has played a lot. The thing that’s accurate and true with those guys is that they each have their own individual skill set and the challenge for us as coaches is to put them in spots and situations that can maximize those skills.”
We all know about the star power that Brown provides and the growing excitement around Bevels but who are the guys that no one is talking about? Coach Mines and Brown had their own opinions. “Tyler Wilkins and Dejon Brissett have had wonderful camps and I’m really excited for what they’re going to do this fall.” Mines began. “Will McCombs and Dashon Tibbs are my unsung heroes. Both guys are grinders, dependable, focused and the same guy everyday. I feel as comfortable putting those guys in the game as with anyone.”
Brown added, “Dejon Brissett is going to be a good player. He had some opportunities last year but wasn’t totally in the rotation as a freshman. He definitely has a lot of potential and can do some big things for us. The same goes for Tyler Wilkins.”
With the start of the 2016 football season now less than a month away and camp in full gear the excitement around this group is only going to grow. “Most of the guys in this group came in with me as freshmen so its fun to be around such an experienced bunch that have some in-game experiences and have worked in some different offenses,” Brown concluded. “It’s great to be able to relate to one another and the experiences we’ve had together.”
The 2016 season kicks off on Sept. 3 at Virginia.