West Liberty University offensive coordinator Gary Krol is one year removed from calling the shots for the only offense in college football history to produce a 4,500-yard passer, a 1,500-yard rusher and three 1,000-yard receivers.
Heading into the 2010 season, Krol must replace two of those receivers but the enthusiastic offensive guru feels pretty confident the Hilltopper receiving corps will keep right on rolling.
“We’ve brought in some quality guys and some of the ones who were already here really stepped up for us in the spring and in preseason camp,” Krol said. “We’re heading into the season at least six deep with guys who have proven to us they can be highly effective and productive in our system. We feel pretty good about that.”
Gone from the record-setting 2009 squad are slot receiver Eddie Hills – a four-time All-WVIAC selection – and All-America wide receiver Kashif Walls, who set a WVIAC record with 21 touchdown catches while falling just short of the school single-season record with 1,321 receiving yards.
Despite those departures, standout signalcaller Zach Amedro won’t be lacking for experienced targets.
Ryan Travis (6-2, 235, sr.), a combination H-Back/tight end/slot receiver, was a consensus first-team NCAA Division II All-American after pulling in a school-record 104 passes for 1,250 yards and 14 TDs. Willie Walker (6-5, 195, sr.) is a returning starter at wide receiver who grabbed 51 passes for 809 yards and 8 TDs as a junior and cemented his reputation as one of the best downfield blockers in the Division II ranks.
DeVaughn Gordon (5-10, 215, so.) has made a big push to fill Hill’s shoes in the inside slot. A talented running back in his own right, Gordon is following in the footsteps of Travis, who also came to West Liberty as a running back.
“DeVaughn might have had the best preseason camp of anybody on our team,” Krol said. “It’s amazing how hard he’s worked and how much he’s improved from a year ago.”
Brandon Carver (6-2, 180, jr.), a junior-college transfer from California, steps in for Walls on the perimeter.
“Brandon will replace Kashif at the ‘Z’ position,” Krol said. “The last week or 10 days of preseason camp, you could see he and Zach getting more and more confidence in each other. Brandon has a lot of speed and really impressed us with his route-running ability but the thing that jumped out at us in the scrimmages was how elusive he is. He makes things happen after he catches the ball.”
Redshirt freshman Brandon Schroeder (6-2, 180, fr.) was the leading receiver in the spring game and will see plenty of action this year after an outstanding preseason camp. Senior vet Pauly Ferguson (6-2, 180, sr.) also played well in August and will continue to contribute. Schroeder and Ferguson can play any of the four positions.
Late arrival Jermaine Carter (6-2, 185, jr.) could prove an interesting addition. A Los Angeles native, Carter starred at East Los Angeles College last year and will be getting a cram course in the Hilltopper offense this week.
Alex Matviko (6-1, 180, sr.), Kevin Board (6-3, 180, jr.) and redshirt freshman Vinnie Candelore (5-10, 175, fr.) are also in the mix along with sophomore Arvin Bell (6-1, 225, so.).
Hoping to work their way into the picture at wide receiver, slot receiver or H-back/tight end are: Travis Coon (5-10, 175, fr.), Tony Dumas (6-3, 210, fr.), Adam Kerns (5-10, 175, fr.), Josh Lucas (6-0, 175, fr.), Lloyd Phillips (6-1, 180, fr.), Matt Shyosky (6-2, 225, fr.), Alex Valdivieso (6-0, 195, fr.) and Griffin Yocum (6-0, 175, fr.).