Daniel Jackson leads the Gopher receivers, will they be an upgrade over 2023?
In the earlier years of the PJ Fleck era, this was a position that I was confident would be reliable and perhaps a strength. The development of Tyler Johnson, the recruitment of Rashod Bateman and Chris Autman-Bell looked to be a very promising stud before injuries derailed his Minnesota career. But since then, this unit has struggled to find consistent playmakers while the passing game has stalled.
Is this year going to be an upgrade over last season?
2023
Starter: Daniel Jackson, Lemeke Brockington, Corey Crooms
Depth: Elijah Spencer, Chris Autman-Bell, Quentin Redding
Despite what was said above, Daniel Jackson did turn in an All-Big Ten season in 2023. The junior had a really solid season, especially when you take into account that his quarterback was statistically one of the worst in the conference. He finished 4th in the Big Ten in receiving yards (831) & receptions (59) and also finished with 8 touchdowns. The problem is that he accounted for 45% of the team’s receiving yards and half of their touchdowns.
Crooms was 2nd on the team with 28 catches and 376 yards. He had just one season with the program after transferring in from Western Michigan.
Injuries derailed Brockington’s sophomore season. He played in the first 5 games and was starting to become more involved in the offense before he missed the next 6 games. A promising season that was thwarted.
Speaking of injuries, 2023 was the 7th and final season for CAB after missing most of the 2022 season. The super-senior never really looked the same and didn’t get on track last year, finishing with six catches and one touchdown.
Elijah Spencer was the other transfer heading into the 2023 season and he contributed in all 13 games with five starts. Spencer came to the Gophers from Charlotte and ended the season with nine catches for 65 yards and three touchdowns.
2024
Starter: Jackson, Spencer, Brockington
Depth: Tyler Williams, Kenric Lanier, Kristen Hoskins, Cristian Driver
For this year, the names on the top line should be familiar. But there have been a few additions that make this group rather intriguing. The biggest addition is probably the quarterback, but are the receivers going to be improved as well?
Jackson is one of the better receivers in the conference, there is not a lot that needs to be said about him. It is his 5th season with the program and he is the leader of this unit. If he can match or exceed the numbers he put up last year, it will be a huge year for him.
It is the names after Jackson who are really going to make a difference here.
Brockington and Spencer should both benefit from last year’s experience. Right before his injury, Brockington was playing with increased confidence and beginning to establish himself as a reliable option after Jackson. Spencer transferred up to the Big Ten after a couple of years at Charlotte and now has a full season and offseason under his belt.
The staff returns three younger receivers who have an opportunity to earn reps this fall in Kenric Lanier II and Kristen Hoskins. Lanier redshirted last year and has a dynamic skillset, the question is when he will break through and make an impact. Hoskins, the Alexandria native, will see some time in the slot and in the return game. TJ McWilliams redshirted in 2023 and I would be surprised to see him seeing any significant action.
And finally we have a couple of very intriguing transfers who may make an impact this season. Tyler Williams is a former 4-star recruit who was a true freshman at Georgia last season. He is coming to the Gophers with 4 years still to play and has all of the tools to be an elite receiver. There is good reason to be very excited about Williams, but he may not break out in 2024.
The other transfer of note is Cristian Driver from Penn State. Driver, the son of Donald Driver, is a redshirt sophomore and will be fighting with Hoskins for time out of the slot.
Upgrade/Downgrade
Does the return of three solid veterans plus the injection of some transfer talent equate to an upgrade at receiver?
I would like to think so.
Jackson is a legitimate talent. He has good size/speed, he is able to get himself open and he makes contested catches. He should be Max Brosmer’s best friend. But he needs help. Just another year of development should incrementally help Brockington and Spencer, but somebody needs to take a bigger step developmentally.
One other receiver has to prove they can reliably get open and make the catch. Brockington and Spencer combined for 14 catches last year, they need to triple that this year. Or at least some combination of those two or Lanier or Williams. Somebody has to be a threat to ease the burden on Jackson.
Collectively this group should be an improvement.