Countdown to Kickoff: Receivers, Tight Ends and Running Backs Preview

POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State football team began its first set of two-a-day practices on Tuesday with 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. practice sessions. The Bengals went full pads for the morning session and half pads for the afternoon.

Here is a look at this year's wide receivers, tight ends and running backs that will wear the orange and black in 2011.

Wide Receiver
The Bengal quarterbacks are going to have plenty of options to throw the ball too. Returning from last year's team is Rodrick Rumble, Luke Austin, Daniel McSurdy and Kelvin Krosch. Joining the squad this year are transfers Cameron Richmond, Derek Graves and Anthony Boyles.


Rumble had an impressive spring and Kramer said Austin and McSurdy “showed they can play effectively within our offense.”

On the newcomers, Kramer said they will allow the offense to compete and be “mature, fast-paced and accomplished very early. We have excellent depth and versatility at our receiving corp.”

Tight End
One player who could be ready for a breakout season is junior Josh Hill. Hill, a two-year starter, emerged in the spring as a primary target for the Bengal quarterbacks and he will be counted on to catch a variety of passes this fall.

“A major factor of our receiving corp. is the development of Josh Hill at tight end, who I consider to be one of the top tight end prospects in the United States,” Kramer said. “He has been a two year starter for us. He just hasn't had the ball thrown his way enough. The volume of his catches in the spring exceeded the volume of his catches last season. He showed he is not only capable of that type of volume but he is also talented enough to do something with the ball when he makes a catch. He is not a typical led footed tight end that can knock you off the ball. He is a slithery, fast vertical tight end that will have an impact on most imposing teams' defenses.”

Backing up Hill at tight end is senior Andrew Zamora and Derek Despot.

Running Back
The returning Bengal who garnered the most coverage and accolades in 2010 was Tavoy Moore. Moore was named to various All-American teams and turned out to be the team's top offensive threat with the ball, playing receiver and running back. This year he will be only a running back.

“We will allow him to be a full-time running back and showcase his talents as much as we can in the open field from the tailback position,” Kramer said. “He won't be a hybrid and won't play wide receiver unless we shift our tailback position to a wide receiver spot. We might consider him already our featured player on offense.”

Also expected to see time on the field is Jahmel Rover, who had a great spring and showed he is healthy after missing most of the 2010 season due to injury.

“During the course of our workouts he continued to show just how explosive our running back position is going to be given the fact that we are so spread out in our passing game,” Kramer said.

Jarrod Daniels could also see time on the field but the Bengal coaching is going to be cautious on how and when they use him.

“He has tremendous straight ahead speed,” Kramer said. “Given the fact that he is only a sophomore to be with a red shirt we will be careful about playing him early in the year unless he is a starter.”

Tailgate at Washington State
The Bengal Athletic Boosters will be holding a tailgate party for the season-opener at Washington State on Sept. 3. Cost is $25 per person, which includes buffet and beverages. To make reservations call Donna Hays at 208-282-5773 or email haysdonn@isu.edu by August 26. Tailgate starts at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets
Season and single game tickets are on sale now at the Holt Arena Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets at the ticket office or call, 208-282-FANS or by logging onto isubengals.com. Idaho State opens the season Sept. 3 at Washington State and the home opener is Sept. 10 against Western State College at 4 p.m. Tickets for the game are half off and if fans become a fan of the Idaho State Athletics Facebook page they can print a coupon voucher off for a $6 ticket. It is one voucher per individual. ICCU will also be giving shirts to the first 5,000 people into the game.

Holt Hoorah
The annual Holt Hoorah event will be held on August 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Holt Arena. The event is free and open to public. Every Idaho State team will be present to sign autographs and play games with the fans.

The event is also sponsored by Idaho State Credit Union and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new turf at Holt Arena will be at 5:15 p.m. There will also be free food and drinks.