Spring Football: The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

With only one practice remaining before the spring game, GoRacers.com looks at the wide receivers and tight ends who led the Racers in offense last season. MSU was ranked third in the NCAA in passing offense with 327.2 yards per game, finishing only behind Idaho State (348.1 ypg) and Eastern Washington (328.2 ypg).

Head coach Mitch Stewart, is in his sixth season at Murray State, but first as the head coach. Stewart is continuing to work with the wide receivers and tight ends as he takes on his new role as a head coach.

"It's different, well the receiver part isn't different, I've coached receivers in most of my collegiate career, so that part isn't different," Stewart said. "As far as calling the plays while I'm doing it, the biggest difference is there is not a whole lot of coaching going on when I'm on the field. I coach them off film, but it's been good I've got a good group and there is a lot of leadership in the group, so that helps a lot."

With spring practice almost over, the team isn't necessarily where Stewart would like it to be, but he has been pleased with the progress made. "We're not where we want to be, but we are a lot further when where we were on day one," said Stewart. "I feel that we accomplished a lot from a physicality stand-point. We can always get better but I think we are light years ahead of where we started, so I am happy with that."

With a strong offense, there is always a lot of competition for a starting position. Senior Janawski Davis connected with quarterback KD Humphries for 13 touchdowns last season to lead the Racers. While some people want to be the one to make the plays, Davis has a different approach for himself.

"I've got to stay humble" Davis added. "It's a whole new year. I have to stay humble and stay hungry and the best is going to happen for me."

However, knowing Humphries will be behind the ball again this season makes Davis feel good about the offense headed into the fall. Still other receivers have also been preparing to make themselves the best possible target for Humphries. Junior Jesse Blackburn has been pushing himself during this offseason to get better and be a leader.

"We have been practicing about getting more physical, so I have been having a competition with myself about being more physical." Blackburn added. "I feel like I am expected to know what to do and I've been harder on myself about doing the right thing and being where I'm supposed to be on plays. I'm just trying to be more prepared this year."

With many returners to the offense, Stewart has a long list of guys who are standing out as leaders in the receiver group.

"Well with the receivers you got Janawski Davis and Jeremy Harness who have made a lot of plays for us," Stewart continued. "Jesse Blackburn is a do-it-all guy and you got Mitch Stults in that group who has been that guy, along with Zach Shipley, who does everything for us; he punts for us, he's in special teams for us. So you have a lot of guys that have done some things on Saturday nights with the lights on that can carry the team."

Murray State University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Jesse Blackburn

Janawski Davis

Jeremy Harness

KD Humphries

Zach Shipley

Mitch Stults

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