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ISU needs more than just Thompson
Two plays during the Idaho State football team’s first scrimmage Sunday demonstrated what anyone who follows the program already knows: Eddie Thompson is the team’s unquestioned No. 1 receiver.
On the first-team offense’s first drive, Russel Hill and company faced a third-and-20. The quarterback dropped back, went through his progressions and then finally fired a bullet into Thompson, who was streaking across the middle of the field. The pass went for only 15 yards — not enough for a first down — but in a real game, it would’ve done wonders in the field position battle. In the first unit’s third series, Hill threw to the corner of the end zone, and from the west side of the field, only three defensive players were visible around the spot Hill’s spiral would land. As the ball fell toward the earth, Thompson sprinted by the triple coverage and nearly made a highlight catch on a play that looked dead from the start.
So yes, Thompson is good. Everyone knew that already. One of the keys to the Bengals’ fortunes this season, though, is whether other wide receivers can step up and make plays alongside Thompson. The other wideouts will have their chances as defenses surely will focus their schemes around shutting down Thompson.
Don’t expect Hill’s second option to be one player, or even two for that matter, though. With the depth and relative inexperience Idaho State possesses in its receiving corps, the entire unit will need to serve as a complement to Thompson. On Sunday, four guys — junior Jaron Taylor, senior Edsel Logan, sophomore Isaiah Burel and redshirt freshman Kelvin Krosch — saw significant time with the first unit along with Thompson.
All four have shown they’re capable of making big plays through the first week of practice, while Taylor, Logan and Burel played significant roles in the passing attack a year ago. Throw in 6-foot-2 redshirt freshman Angelo Magee and the injured junior JD Ponciano, and the Bengals have a heck of group that potentially could keep opposing defensive coordinators to reaching for Alka-Seltzer.
“Whoever Russel throws the ball to will make the plays,” Taylor said. “There’s never gonna be a true No. 2.” There’s no clear hierarchy after Thompson, which certainly looks to be a nice problem for the Bengals
However, if the group collectively plays like a role player rather than a No. 2 receiver, Idaho State will struggle. While all of the wideouts have shown flashes of promise, none have put up consistent numbers for an entire season. Combined, the returning receivers on the roster other than Thompson amassed a pedestrian 923 yards — 616 of which came from Taylor — on 56 catches last season. Thompson caught 83 balls for 907 yards.
That’s just a caution, though. Based on the potential Taylor — the truest second option on the team as of now — Burel and Logan showed in limited game action a year ago and the plays the 6-foot-6 Krosch made in the first week of camp, the Bengals won’t have to worry about Hill lacking open targets.
Other than Thompson, one receiver may not put up huge numbers, but that’s OK. As long as the collection of talent produces, Idaho State’s offense will roll along just fine.
Tim Flagstad’s column appears Mondays. With comments or story ideas, contact him at 239-3124 or by e-mail at tflagstad@journalnet.com. Article RatingReader CommentsSubmit a CommentCommenting RulesWe encourage your feedback and dialog. All comments are subject to deletion by our Web staff.
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