Something to shout about
PULLMAN – Mike Levenseller is usually seen coaching his players as hard as any assistant on the field at Washington State University.
His stable of wide receivers typically hears from the coach, who doubles as WSU’s offensive coordinator, after most every route, the critiques boring in on the most minute of details.
But this year? Let’s just say that Levenseller’s vocal chords are in better shape than usual.
“You don’t hear me raising my voice too much to those four guys,” Levenseller said, referring to Jason Hill, Michael Bumpus, Brandon Gibson and Chris Jordan. “I’m not screaming out J-Hill’s name unless it’s something positive. I’m not screaming out Jordan’s name unless something’s just really good.”
Two years ago, the Cougars didn’t have anyone with significant experience catching passes. Now, WSU appears to be more loaded at wideout than anywhere else on the field – and the players know it.
“The bar for us, probably, is making the offense go,” Gibson said. “We’re all talented. The ball, it doesn’t really matter where it’s distributed. I think we’ll all do well.”
Gibson, only a sophomore, is the youngest of the four, but even he started five games last season. The other three have combined for more than 3,600 yards receiving in their career, a number that figures to surge upward from the opening snaps of 2006.
Hill is the undisputed star of the group, having decided to return for his senior season after flirting with the NFL in December. With a chance to break just about every WSU receiving mark in the books, Hill sets the tone for the Cougars receivers, both as a team captain and as one of the most outwardly confident players in the locker room.
“I’m the man. I’m the man,” Hill said. (He was talking about dominoes, but …) “We know every time we get the ball, either one of the receivers can go the distance, and Alex (Brink) is going to put us in position to score.”
With Hill almost a lock to draw double teams on every snap, the door opens for Bumpus, who will roam the field from the slot, and Gibson and Jordan, who figure to share time on the outside.
But there is also a different type of pressure on these players in 2006 than there has been in past seasons.
Last year, running back Jerome Harrison was the offense’s top threat, even in the 2-minute drill when the ground game would seemingly be out of the picture. Not so this time around. It’s the receivers who will have to get open and in turn open the door for a rushing attack that looks to be off in fall camp.
“You know, the old adage is run it to throw it,” Levenseller said. “But some years you’ve got to throw it to run it.”
If the offense runs as he hopes, Levenseller will have plenty of words left to boast about his wideouts come November.
Notes
Defensive tackle Aaron Johnson might miss a week or two with his hamstring injury, a time frame that should allow him to play against Auburn. … Cornerback Don Turner sat out for the day’s single practice session because of an ankle issue, but he should be back soon, perhaps even today. … Linebacker Cory Evans was in shoulder pads after injuring a groin muscle in the first practice of the fall. … As reported on Washingtonpreps.com, the Cougars are extending a scholarship offer to Levenseller’s son, J.T. Levenseller, who was the quarterback on Pullman’s undefeated 2005 State 2A championship squad.