ODUSports.com will preview spring football the next few weeks and do a position-by-position breakdown of the Monarchs' roster. Today we preview the Monarch wide receivers and tight ends.
Wide Receivers (10)
Marques Little
Zach Pascal
Hasaan Patterson
Kesean Strong
Eri’Reon Hayes
Jonathan Duhart
David Washington
Darrell Brown
Corey Gray
Travis Fulgham
2016 Signees
Noah Ellison
Cortez Chase-Ervin
Scott McCluney
Wide Receivers Preview: Old Dominion returns 211 of the 235 passes caught last season, including the top five receivers from 2015. Senior Zach Pascal was unstoppable the second half of last season and finished the year with 68 catches for 970 yards and eight touchdowns while Jonathan Duhart was second on the squad with 47 receptions for 636 yards and eight touchdown grabs. Junior Marques Little returns after making 23 catches in 2015 while true freshman Eri’Reon Hayes started the last six games, catching eight passes for 120 yards. Travis Fulgham and Isaiah Harper gained experience last season and return for their sophomore seasons. Sophomore Kesean Strong moved to wide receiver mid-way through last season, catching six passes for 46 yards. Strong will now get a full season of work at wide receiver. Senior David Washington is a possible addition to the receiving corps. Washington burst onto the scene in 2014, catching 47 passes for 599 yards. An injury in the season opener at Eastern Michigan limited him in the beginning of 2015 and then he was moved to quarterback. Washington will not participate in spring practice but should be ready for fall camp.
Tight Ends (5)
Melvin Vaughn
Nijee Cox
T.J. Boothe
Adam Swann
Tyreim Blake
2016 Signees (1)
Marcus Joyner
Tight Ends Preview: When Melvin Vaughn suffered a season-ending injury the first week of fall camp, it was a damaging blow to the offense and the tight end position. Not having a true tight end in a few years, Vaughn, a 6-2, 250 pounder, was going to fill that role. When redshirt freshman Adam Swann suffered a season-ending leg injury a few days later it was a fatal blow to the position. T.J. Boothe played in 11 games last year seeing action mostly on special teams while Nijee Cox and Tyreim Blake redshirted. With Vaughn and Swann working back to 100 percent, the Monarchs will work on including the tight end back into the offense.
Prior Previews:
Running Backs
Quarterbacks