Brooks: Receivers Planning To Be Hands-On Bunch

(Note: Eighth in a series previewing the Buffs position-by-position during training camp. Today: Wide receivers.)

BOULDER - Paul Richardson has Buffsnation abuzz. Will he or won't he? Can he or can't he? Should he even try?

In the Colorado football team's August camp, life -- game preparation, too - has gone on in the wide receivers' world. Position coach Bobby Kennedy is busy sharpening the tools currently in the kit, not concerning himself with the proven, high-profile implement that might or might not be available for the 2012 season.

Would Kennedy warmly welcome Richardson's return in mid-September? Would you like to pick up a Powerball check?

But here's what Richardson told CUBuffs.com two weeks into training camp, shortly after he began an intensified five-week rehab program that on or about Sept. 16 should yield a decision on his status for this season: "As far as the timeline goes, it's give and take. I might be ready before, I might be ready after. Or I might just come back 100 percent for the following season."

So what's Kennedy to do? Simple. Move onward and upward with what's available.

True, CU lost 2011 leading receiver Toney Clemons and a couple of key pieces in Kennedy's rotation. But the players returning and those arriving arguably make the position stronger than it was last season.

Tyler McCulloch - at 6-5, 215 a large and inviting target - played as a true freshman last season and is capitalizing on that experience. Sure-handed Nelson Spruce didn't play as a true freshman but had a lights-out spring and has kept thumbing up the intensity in August. Keenan Canty and Dustin Ebner have showed well in camp, and the two unrelated Thomas freshmen (Gerald, Jeffrey) are genuine talents.

However, the Buffs won't have Jeffrey Thomas this season. Suspended for the first two games for his involvement in an off-field issue before camp began, Thomas is returning to Dallas to attend to family matters. Coach Jon Embree said he expects Thomas to grayshirt, enrolling in January and returning for the spring semester.

So with Thomas out of the 2012 picture and Richardson's status to be determined, Kennedy's first five wideouts are McCulloch, Spruce, Gerald Thomas, Canty and Ebner.

"Right now, those are the guys I'm getting ready," Kennedy said, noting the Richardson decision "is up to the doctors and coach Embree . . . things are always fluid, but those are the guys competing right now. They're doing a good job but we've just got to drag them across the line."

Even minus "P-Rich," McCulloch contended the receiving corps "can be as good as we want to be. The sky's the limit for us. Obviously it's tough to lose a guy like Paul in the spring, but I think that made everyone work that much harder to realize that we have to step up as a unit and make plays. I'm excited about it."

After adding 10 pounds and improving his footwork, McCulloch said there is a "night-and-day" difference in his game this season. In his freshman year, "Things were moving so fast for me . . . I was learning the offensive stuff and now I feel so much more comfortable with the offense and my body has really progressed in the off season.

"I did a lot of footwork stuff with the conditioning staff. My footwork was one of my biggest problems last year. It's a lot better now."

Kennedy said McCulloch is "starting to play faster (and) doing a better job of using his body and catching with his hands on a more consistent basis. That's encouraging."

Catching with his hands has never been a concern for Spruce, who is probably among the top five "good hands guys" on the team. McCulloch said Spruce was talented enough to play in 2011 but the presence of Clemons, Logan Gray and Kyle Cefalo made redshirting Spruce a viable option.

Plus, said Kennedy, Spruce "is a guy who comes to work every day. He had a good spring and kept going. I'm pleasantly surprised with him and not just because of his spring. He's gotten himself in really good shape; he's a high endurance guy. He wasn't necessarily struggling to learn the offense last year, but everything was kind of running together for him. Now you can tell that he's not thinking about things, he's just reacting."

The camp emergence of Ebner also has been a pleasant surprise for Kennedy, primarily because of Ebner's versatility. "He can play all three positions (X,Y,Z) and that's a plus for us . . . it gives him real value," Kennedy said. "He's not only made plays (in camp), he's really bright, really a technician."

Canty got experience last season (14 receptions in 12 games) and continues to improve and become more reliable. He and Gerald Thomas are the position's speedsters, with Thomas already establishing himself as one of the team's fastest players.

He's also a quick study. After playing in a spread offense in high school (Colony, Texas), he learned CU's pro-style playbook over the summer and began executing in camp.

"In the beginning it took a while . . . I came from an entirely different style of offense," the 5-11, 175-pound Thomas said. "But I stayed in my playbook before and after meetings. Teammates and upperclassmen helped me out and I'm a quick learner. So once I picked it up it was easy for me to get the flow of the game and get comfortable in my routes. I think I keep getting better as we keep installing plays."

Thomas said speed "has always been a big part of my game" - and a 4.37-second timing in his last 40-yard dash in high school underscores that statement. He finished third in Texas HS regional competition in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.82.

Thomas called himself "a pretty good route runner . . . I'm just learning this style of offense so I'm picking up these (routes) and learning how to read zones."

Said Kennedy of Thomas: "He gives us a little bit of a burst and shiftiness . . . he's a good kid, he picked up the offense really well and that's why he's in the mix. And he fits in with the guys, which is a real plus. He continues to get better every practice."

The Buffs' passing game averaged 237.6 yards last season (ninth Pac-12, 57th NCAA), but McCulloch believes an upturn awaits: "Yeah, I think everyone is so much more comfortable this year with the offense - the O-line with the protections and the receivers are understanding the whole concepts . . . and obviously Jordan (Webb) slinging the ball around."

McCulloch said Webb, the Kansas transfer who won the starting quarterback job eight days into camp, has developed a rapport with his receivers but is "still growing with the offense. He's not afraid to take chances downfield - and I love that. He's throwing some 'hole' shots downfield that we weren't used to last year. He throws a great deep ball; I love catching it."

THE INSIDE LOOK AT . . .

Wide receivers

Coach: Bobby Kennedy, second season on CU staff.

Returning starters: Paul Richardson, Jr. (not yet cleared to play).

Returnees: Keenan Canty, Soph.; Tyler McCulloch, Soph.; Nelson Spruce, FR-RS; Dustin Ebner, Sr.; Jarrod Darden, Jr.; Alex Turbow, Jr.

Newcomers: Gerald Thomas, Fr.; Jeffrey Thomas, Fr. (scheduled to grayshirt); Peyton Williams, Fr. (scheduled to grayshirt).

Key losses: Toney Clemons, Logan Gray, Kyle Cefalo, Drew Ebner (left program), Austin Vincent (left program).

Stat line: Of the returning receivers, Richardson's 39 catches in 2011 is the best, as are his 14.2 yards per reception and five TDs. Canty (14) and McCulloch (10) combined for 24 receptions worth 257 yards last season, but scored only one TD (McCulloch) between them.

Bottom line: The debate over Richardson's status will rage on until mid-September. Of course, he could help the Buffs if he's cleared and all parties sign off on his return. But no one is rushing a decision. Until then, it would help if Canty can continue to develop as a deep threat, McCulloch makes the expected strides in his second season and Spruce builds on last spring's progress - and he appears to have done. Of course, it's bonus time if Gerald Thomas can take his camp progress into September and beyond. By then, there should be a Richardson decision, and Kennedy's position will either receive a lift and an instant upgrade or be content with the hands already on deck.

Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU