Corey Rucker was named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist today, which is cool because Arkansas State hasn’t seen a Red Wolf on that list since Layne Hatcher made an appearance in 2021. Hatcher’s leading receiver in 2021? Corey Rucker, 816 yards and nine touchdown grabs.

2021 was a good year for Rucker – maybe too good! After the season, Rucker tested the transfer portal’s waters and rode the wave to South Carolina, where he spent an injured season presumably missing Coach Butch Jones and Arkansas State. By 2023, Ruck n’ Roll was back in Jonesboro. The next season, the 6’0″ wideout turned in a fantastic 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns season, raising expectations for the six-year senior.

That Rucker was back with the Red Wolves obviously pleased his head coach Butch Jones, who made a point to mention his return during Sun Belt Media Days. “He could have gone anywhere,” said Jones. In addition to the crack research team behind the Maxwell Award, Rucker also made Phil Steele’s First Team All Sun Belt, Athlon Sport’s First Team All Sun Belt, and the Sun Belt‘s First Team All Sun Belt.

Last season, Rucker surpassed the great JD McKissic for the university’s most career receiving yards (3,027 and counting). His fourth touchdown catch this year will set another university record, passing Omar Bayless (26). His game has become more like that of Bayless and another A-State great Johnathan Adams – he’s the “50-percent man,” able to haul in QB toss ups by overpowering defenders. Nobody on the Red Wolves offense this season will be planned for and strategized against with greater intensity than Corey Rucker. Teammates like JJ Harrell and Hunter Summers will only benefit.

Is this the Year of the Ruck? He’s healthy. At 23-years of age, he’s seasoned. And after five grinding years of watching the Red Wolves claw back to competitiveness, he’s got to be hungry. The Sun Belt West is as wide open as it ever was, and his connection with starting QB Jaylen Raynor will never be stronger headed into the duo’s third season.

May as well be this year; I don’t see Corey Rucker getting a seventh year.

IMAGE: AI monstrosity