When a Valparaiso quarterback completes a pass early this season, even the most dedicated Crusader fans may need to have their rosters handy.
Of the 16 wide receivers on the roster, only Ryan Shea started last season as a member of the position group.
The team’s top four receivers from last year — Tanner Kuramata, Andrew Cassara, Fred Gladney and Tony Taibi — left via graduation.
Also, wideout Kent Warren had one season of eligibility remaining, but chose to forego a fifth year, in part, due to lingering knee issues. And Austin Etzler elected to leave the team after undergoing surgery to repair multiple fractures and dislocations in his left foot.
Offensive coordinator Jason Miran, who also coaches the wide receivers, certainly isn’t celebrating the subtractions. But he does see a silver lining.
“While we did have a lot of talent in that group last year, the positive in this young group is that we get to mold them ourselves,” Miran said. “For three or four years, those guys were coached another way. Not a wrong way, not a way that was better than ours, but just different from the way we do things.”
The coaching staff has gotten creative to compensate for the lack of experience at wide receiver. That’s where sophomores Frank Catrine and Jarrett Morgan enter the equation.
Catrine, a running back by nature, was converted into a wide receiver late last season. With running backs Brandon Hall, Grayson Bastin and Jake Hutson all healthy, the decision was an easy one for the Valparaiso staff.
“We know that if we can get the ball in this guy’s hands, he can make plays,” Cecchini said. “He’s grown leaps and bounds since he made the transition.”
Morgan started 2014 as a defensive back but made his biggest impact on special teams, returning punts and kickoffs. By season’s end, he found himself lining up at wide receiver, a position he played sparingly in high school.
“The adjustment was difficult at first,” Morgan said. “It’s a lot of different steps and knowing the schemes because we have a good offense. I had to study a lot and learn the plays but as I kept practicing, things started going right for me.”
Supplementing the converted duo is a group of freshmen that has taken a more conventional route. According to Cecchini, three or four freshma\\dn receivers will see the field in Thursday’s season opener at Eastern Kentucky. As many as five may travel with the team.
Chris Mercer is in the mix for a starting position and is listed on Valparaiso’s two-deep depth chart behind Morgan. Ryan Moore, another freshman on the two-deep, said his practice habits have changed considerably to adjust to the rigors of the college level.
Slot receiver Jean Rene has looked comfortable with the offense. Ryan Dugan opened eyes with big plays in practice last week.
While Morgan, Catrine, Shea and converted defensive back Tim Foley are doing their part to show the freshmen the ropes, they also find themselves vying for playing time with the newcomers.
And each other.
“It’s awesome to have this much talent coming in as freshmen,” Catrine said. “It pushes us upperclassmen to sit back and say, ‘This is my spot.’ You’ve got to earn all the snaps you get, because we’ve got a great group of freshmen here.”
Brandon Vickrey is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
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VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY
Coach: Dave Cecchini, second year at VU.
Last season: 4-8 overall, 2-6 in Pioneer Football League
Returning offensive starters: Brandon Hall, senior, running back; Nate Koeneman, senior, center; Brian Lang, sophomore tackle; Kyle Jones, sophomore, right guard.
Returning defensive starters: John Guilford, senior, lineman; Alex Green, senior, linebacker; Melvin Graham, senior, safety; J.J. Nunes, junior, safety; A.J. Bradley, senior, cornerback; Tristan De La Rosa, sophomore, lineman; Kye Hall, sophomore, linebacker; Cody Cotton, senior, end.
Schedule: Sept. 3: at Eastern Kentucky, 6; Sept. 12, Sacred Heart, 1; Sept. 19 College of Faith, 1; Sept. 26, San Diego, 12:30; Oct. 3: at Davidson, 12; Oct. 10: at Drake, 1; Oct. 17: Dayton, 1; Oct. 24: Stetson, 1; Nov. 7: at Butler, 12; Nov. 14: Morehead State, 1; Nov. 21: at Jacksonville, 12.