For at least fifteen years, Red Wolves fans have been fortunate to bear witness to the rise of extraordinary wide receivers: Dwayne Frampton, JD McKissic, Omar Bayless, Johnathan Adams, and Jeff Foreman are among the many who could be carved upon that Mount Jonesboro of Receivers. Heck, go ahead and chisel Taylor Stockemer, Josh Jarboe, Justin McInnis and Kirk Merritt onto the granite slab, too. We’re blessed.

In Butch Jones’ fourth year at Arkansas State, we’re seeing a receiver’s squad that may not have Offensive Player of the Year star power like Bayless or Adams, but an overall grade of excellence that makes this position among the best in the Sun Belt – the best (along with Appalachian State) according to Phil Steele. A mixture of experience and promise, the Arkansas State receiver’s room provides as astonishing suite of weapons for second-year QB Jaylen Raynor.

Critical Departures: Jeff Foreman and Wyatt Begeal

Jeff Foreman earned his status as a true Arkansas State Man™ by logging an entire career at A-State, where he compiled 2,067 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in a five year span. Foreman became a reliable big-play threat for Raynor last season (573 yards, 4 TDs, 19.8 ypc), and the team will need somebody to step up to replace him. Foreman is currently rostered with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Wyatt Begeal, originally recruited as a fleet-footed QB, spent last season in the receiver room before quietly retiring from the team in the off season.

Portal Bailers: Clyde Curry and Deandre Burns Jr.

Curry and Burns were both top recruits for Butch Jones in 2023, particularly Curry who was the top talent in the class. As of this writing, neither has found a new home.

Critical Returners: Corey Rucker, Courtney Jackson, Adam Jones and Reagan Ealy

Corey Rucker (6’1″ 214-pounds) and Courtney Jackson (5’11” 189-pounds) are cemented starters on Keith Heckendorf’s offense. The combo combined for over 1200 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, and the two should be the 1A and 1B options for Raynor.

Reagan Ealy (5’9″ 178-pounds) will most likely see starts as well. Known for his burst and toughness, the Florida native and former no-star recruit is a “hard yard” receiver who averaged 10 yards a catch last season.

Adam Jones (6’2″ 187-pounds) arrived to Jonesboro with his father four years ago, but he’s no nepo baby. Jones is a product of hard hits and has a penchant for big plays, averaging 17 yards a catch. If he can stay healthy, Jones can be a big target.

Valuable Newcomers: Reginald Harden Jr., Malik Hornsby and Hunter Summers

One glance at Butch Jones’ portal focus for wide receivers reveals the strategy: height. The three portal acquisitions are all 6’2″ or taller, providing a bevy of rangy targets for Raynor to use.

Reginald Harden (Benedict College, 6’5″ 196-pounds) is difficult to miss on the grid iron. A 3-star transfer from Benedict College, Harden originally signed as a walk-on Florida State where he transitioned from defensive end to receiver.

Malik Hornsby (Arkansas/Texas State, 6’2″ 198-pounds) is enjoying a fascinating college football journey, first recruited by Arkansas as a 4-star quarterback out of Texas, then transferring to Texas State only to be sat behind TJ Finley, then finally landing at Arkansas State to begin a new career as wide receiver. 247 scouting described him as a “track athlete with verified top-end speed.” If Hornsby can develop receiver hands, he’ll become an awesome weapon for the man behind center.

Hunter Summers (Tulane, 6’3″ 170-pounds) was recruited by Jones in 2023, but he chose the Green Wave among a host of suiters. Summers red shirted his year in New Orleans before reconsidering the offer from Arkansas State. The man knows where the end zone is:  Summers finished his senior regular season with 56 catches, 996 yards, and 17 TDs.

Rising Stars: Tennel Bryant and Chauncy Cobb

Both Bryant and Cobb are 2023 3-star recruits, and both are smaller burners in the mold of Reagan Ealy. Tennel Bryant (5’7″ 163-pounds) caught our attention after catching three balls for 30+ yards in the forgettable blowout to Oklahoma. After catching a couple more against Stoney Brook, Tennel was shut down for the rest of the year (though his large and supportive family made their presence known at every home contest).

Chauncy Cobb (5’6″ 161-pounds) saw less action last season, but he did record one carry for eight yards last season against Coastal Carolina. The former high school track star was a 3-star recruit in 2023, and offers the kind of speed Jones covets at the position.

Receiver Futures: Kiandre Terry, Jayvion Showers, Jabari Bush, and Montez Redding

Jones and his staff assembled an impressive group of three-star athletes this off season, led by Mississippi standout Kiandre Terry (6’0″ 171-pounds) and Pennsacola star Jayvion Showers (6’1″ 161).

The 6’3″ 218-pound Jabari Bush is the physically biggest of Jones’ new recruits. The former Katy, TX track star declined offers from UAB and Hawaii to catch pigskin in Jonesboro. It’s not an impossibility that we’ll see these guys on the gridiron in 2024, but the depth at this position should mitigate our expectations.

NOTE: Bush has been reassigned to Tight End

Local Flavor: TJ Starks

TJ Starks (6’1″ 170-pounds) is a Valley View star with 4.4 speed and a beneath-the-radar presence that will certainly acquire a rooting section at Centennial Bank Stadium in the seasons ahead.

Verdict

This position is so deep at Arkansas State, the coaching staff opted to reposition the class’ top receiver pick (Brandon Barnes Jr.) to safety. Courtney Jackson and Corey Rucker are projects stars in the Sun Belt, and look for Reginald Harden Jr. to pay big dividends, too. Grit & Role guys like Adam Jones and Reagan Ealy should provide reliable alternative outlets, and Tennel Bryant very well could become a superstar. If Malik Hornsby, who recorded 6 rushing touchdowns for the Bobcats in a limited role last season, can unite his speed and size with a receiver’s skill, we could see a return of the Red Wolves dynamic air attack.

GRADE: A