2016 SFA Fall Camp Preview - Wide Receivers
8/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
The 2016 season is just around the corner as your Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks have begun fall camp, beginning the countdown to the 90th season of Lumberjack football in 2016. Throughout camp, SFAJacks.com will break down each position, taking a look at the wide receivers as we begin the third and final week of fall camp.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Key Returners: Justice Liggins (Sr.; Tyler), Aaron Piper (Jr.; Duncanville), De’Quann Ruffin (Sr.; New Orleans, La.), Robert Sylvester (Jr.; Houston)
Key Losses: Braxton Bearden (Sr.; graduation), Aaron Thomas (Sr.; graduation), Judah Jones (So.; retired)
Key Newcomers: Trae Hart (Jr.; Mesquite, transfer), Khalil Lacy (Fr.; Richardson, signee), Thomas Nolley (Fr.; Fort Worth, signee), Tamrick Pace (Fr.; Brownsboro, signee), Cody Williams (Fr.; Pearland, signee)
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – What was expected to be a big season from the Stephen F. Austin wide receiving corps in 2015 quickly derailed into disappointment. Arguably no other position on the field was hit harder by injuries than the Lumberjack wideouts with nearly every starter having to sit for extended periods of time.
Still, SFA remains confident in the position heading into 2016 as the Lumberjacks return its top five leading receivers from last year’s squad. Couple that with some tall and fast redshirt freshmen and signees and the ‘Jacks are hoping to return to be the receiving threat SFA fans and Southland Conference foes came to expect in the last few years.
Headlining the position are juniors Aaron Piper and Robert Sylvester, both of which had breakout years in their sophomore seasons. Piper led the ‘Jacks in receptions (44), yards (439) and touchdowns (five) in 2015 and should emerge as one of the top downfield threats, coming off his second place finish in the 100 meter dash at the Southland Conference Championships this summer. Sylvester ranked second on the team in catches (39) and third in yards (364) and had a strong spring season, leading the team with seven touchdowns in three scrimmages.
Seniors Justice Liggins and De’Quann Ruffin also return to bolster the outside with the two both had over 300 receiving yards last season. Liggins ranked third on the team with 31 catches for 318 yards while Ruffin emerged as a deep ball threat, hauling in 23 receptions for 375 yards, averaging a team-best 16.3 yards per catch. The pair each caught four touchdown passes, and along with Piper, became quarterback Zach Conque’s favorite targets inside the red zone.
With the loss of three veterans in Braxton Bearden, Aaron Thomas and Judah Jones, opportunities have opened up for some youngsters to make their marks early in 2016. Redshirt freshmen Kiki Hill and Jonathan Sam are each in their second years in the program and had strong performances both in the spring and fall, earning reps with both the ones and twos during the first two weeks of fall camp.
In the offseason, assistant head coach Demo Odems also was able to secure some additional scoring threats, including junior transfer Trae Hart who appeared in 18 games with four starts during his two years at Purdue. Length and speed were also a key focus during the recruiting season as incoming freshmen Khalil Lacy, Thomas Nolley, Tamrick Pace and Cody Williams all will have an opportunity to compete for significant playing time this fall.
One of the most important elements of the relationship between a quarterback and receiver is timing, which is something the coaching staff has put a major focus on during the offseason. SFA’s quarterbacks and wide receivers were constantly seen running routes on their own during the summer, and that work has paid off during the first two weeks of fall camp.
With injuries defining the narrative of the wide receivers in 2016, it is safe to say the coaches have made sure to keep an eye on the wideouts through the first two weeks of fall camp. A number of the receivers have been wearing the non-contact red jerseys for the last few practices, resting up minor injuries while also serving as a precautionary measure for the coaches.
Still, the limited reps by some of the returners have opened windows of opportunities for a number of younger players to get significant reps. Incoming freshmen Lacy, Pace and Williams, as well as non-scholarship additions Darby Baldwin and Tae Thomas have all had moments to show off their skills while continuing to learn SFA’s offensive scheme.
Monday signaled the start of the final week of fall camp, beginning with another two-a-day practice. The ‘Jacks were back on the turf at Homer Bryce for a 14-period helmet and shells practice, focusing again on special teams, two-minute situations and extended timing repetitions. While the morning practice was sunny and humid, rain and lightning once again threaten the second practice of the day as SFA is hoping to get the 16th workout of fall camp in this evening.
The Lumberjacks will return for another morning practice Tuesday before taking a night off for the annual Meet the ‘Jacks, being held at the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom. The event, sponsored by the Fredonia Rotary Club, gets underway at 6:30 Tuesday evening with tickets available at the door for $10, giving SFA fans a chance to meet the 2016 team.
2016 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN FALL CAMP SCHEDULE
Monday, August 8 - Opening Day Recap
Tuesday, August 9 - Coaching Staff
Wednesday, August 10 - Safeties
Thursday, August 11 - Tight Ends and Fullbacks
Friday, August 12 - Cornerbacks
Saturday, August 13 - Scrimmage One Recap
Monday, August 15 - Offensive Line
Tuesday, August 16 - Special Teams
Wednesday, August 17 - Linebackers
Thursday, August 18 - SFA/TuneIn Partnership
Friday, August 19 - Running Backs
Saturday, August 20 - Defensive Ends
Monday, August 22 - Wide Receivers
Tuesday, August 23 - 9:15 a.m. - MEET THE JACKS (6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, August 24 - 7:00 p.m. - SCRIMMAGE THREE
Thursday, August 25 - 9:15 a.m. / 3:45 p.m.
Friday, August 26 - 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, August 27 - 9:00 a.m.
-SFA-
