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YSU goes deep at wide receiver
By JOE SCALZO
YOUNGSTOWN
Late in Saturday’s scrimmage, YSU junior receiver Pat White snagged a pass on the left sideline, turned upfield and, over the next 48 yards, showed just how much of a matchup nightmare a 6-foot-6, 225-pound former basketball standout can be on a football field.
In short, it was scary.
When asked afterward, “Do you feel as confident as you look out there?” his response was even scarier.
“Uh, not really,” said White, a former All-Ohio basketball player at Warren Harding. “I’m still trying to get the plays down.”
White is a microcosm of YSU’s roster this summer: lots of talent, not much experience. He’s played one season of college football and that came at Alfred (N.Y.) Junior College, where he didn’t have to pay much attention to things like reading coverages, adjusting routes and learning different formations.
“Junior college was definitely different,” said White, who had 23 receptions for 599 yards and six TDs last fall. “When I get a chance to show what I got [at YSU], I definitely want to show my talent.
“The first step is knowing what to do. I’m trying to take it one step at a time. I’m in my playbook every day, just like everyone else.”
So far, the Penguins’ training camp storylines have revolved around the quarterback competition (so far, redshirt freshman Kurt Hess is doing his best to suck all the drama out of it), the question marks at linebacker (where roster moves have added uncertainty to what was supposed to be a position of strength) and the team’s talented young running backs (where true sophomore Jamaine Cook is considered a grizzled veteran).
On Saturday, a few wide receivers other than senior Dominique Barnes (four catches, 53 yards, TD) finally got some attention.
Sophomore Julian Harrell (6-2, 210), a transfer from Miami (Ohio), had a team-best 67 yards on three catches, junior Ely Ducatel (6-1, 195) had three catches for 39 yards and junior Dionte Snow (6-2, 190) had three catches for 24 yards and a TD.
“Dom’s [Barnes] been here all summer with me and we have a good connection with each other,” said Hess. “I know where he’s going to be. Ely was here all summer and Julian Harrell was here.
“That helps a lot and [now] we’re kind of fine-tuning at every practice.”
Barnes, a preseason all-conference pick, benefited from having future NFL wideout Donald Jones (Bills) drawing attention on the other side of the field last fall. That will be Barnes’ role this fall, as the Penguins look to capitalize on mismatches created by having seven receivers who stand 6-1 or taller.
“Those guys are big threats they’re starting to learn the game,” said Wolford.
Barnes didn’t always see eye-to-eye with the new staff in the spring but Wolford has had high praise for him in training camp.
“You can definitely see that Dominique Barnes has gotten stronger over the summer,” Wolford said. “He’s invested in the program. Anytime you get him in a one-on-one situation I think it’s a win.
“We have high expectations for him and we’ve got some other guys where, if you’re going to double up on Dom, you’re gonna have to deal with some 6-4, 6-5 guys on other side.”
Because of the team’s youth and inexperience at QB and wide receiver, YSU will likely be a run-first team entering the fall. (The Penguins ran 83 times in the scrimmage, compared to 24 passing attempts.) But if some of those younger players can develop, the Penguins should be set for years to come.
“I feel the whole offense took a huge step forward [Saturday],” White said. “Mentally, we’re getting into our assignments quicker, the quarterbacks are getting it to us quicker and everyone’s pulling together.
“One step at a time. We put our trust in the coaching staff, and we’ll get there.”