Seeking a Second Option Out Wide

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- A second outside threat. Even in a run-centric offense which coach Steve Addazio employs, there needs to be a second threat.

Rashard Higgins benefitted from Joe Hansley. Bisi Johnson could still shine while Michael Gallup and Preston Williams dropped jaws.

Sure, tight end Trey McBride takes heat off of Dante Wright, and it's expected the return of Cam Butler – who is looking like his old self in practice – will help, too. But Wright, who has been a spectacular playmaker for the Rams since his arrival two seasons ago would benefit from not being the lone target split out wide opposing defenses concern themselves with on passing downs.

Addazio said the team will throw more in camp, to get the quarterbacks ready and to further develop the passing game. It's welcomed by those who make catching a ball their primary concern, but it also presents an opportunity for anybody willing to take a stand and seize the moment.

"That excites us," Ty McCullouch said. "We heard the same thing. We said this is our chance. We're going to take it."

McCullouch is not alone in the realization. E.J. Scott sees it, too. The same holds true for Thomas Pannunzio, even a newcomer like Jordan Kress and a host of others. The goal is to grab on tight. This is a target they don't want to drop.

Pannunzio has bounced between offense and defense, and he spends a good portion of his time in the slot, like Wright. He's still getting acclimated a bit. Scott has been with the program for some time. As a true freshman, he was a highlight of camp before a knee injury, and he feels he's not only returned to that point physically, but surpassed it. McCullouch is young and learning, but like the others, has drawn his share of compliments from the staff at times.

Now all involved are looking for production.

"I feel like this is the year I have to apply myself for the team, first to be able to win the Mountain West championship. I have to step up and take a bigger role," Scott said. "We have been working a lot of throwing, a lot of new concepts. It's very exciting to see it and getting a lot of our players back, so adding to our passing offense is very exciting. It's different compared to last year. They tried to keep some of it and change some of it, but we're getting it down day by day."

Scott has had his moments, with 30 catches in 24 career games for 369 yards and a touchdown, and he averaged 17.0 yards per snare back in 2019. McCullouch hasn't had time to fully open his widow in his two years on campus, but he does have speed. Kress built a bit of a resume at New Mexico as a person who can take the top off a defense, producing 40 catches for 754 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games played.

But if they're all looking to be the compliment to Wright, then they say they're going about the task all wrong.

"I just feel like everybody wants to be the No. 1 guy, so I think everybody has the mindset it's going to be them," Scott said. "Everybody wants to step up for the team. Everybody on the team needs to think they're the No. 1 option at wide receiver, because you never know when your time is going to come."

Ty McCullouch

As a whole, the room has had this discussion, led by Alex Bailey, who joined the staff this past spring. The goal isn't necessarily to bring flash, but they are expected to be explosive. As a whole, not just Wright. And they all don't have to catch 50 passes a year – though quarterback Todd Centeio said he'd love to see it – but they have to be effective.

In short, be a threat. Be someone a defensive coordinator has to consider. If not, it will sting.

This isn't a new goal, because it was clearly stated in spring camp. Centeio and company used the summer to move the needle even further heading into preseason camp, and his progress report was complimentary.

"We put in a lot of work this summer, throwing two or three times a week, getting in and out of breaks, feeling out how we can be more comfortable together," Centeio said. "E.J. has been out here balling. TP (Pannunzio) has been balling too, and Ty McCullouch looks great. I'm not gonna lie … All of them look really good. We just need to raise our level of execution, and I feel like the sky's the limit for all of us."

Centeio, who went into the offseason looking to build up his accuracy, felt the workouts were mutually beneficial for both sides to reach the stated goal. The passing game has to be in rhythm and on target to be feared and to help compliment the running game.

In a perfect world, no coach wants to be forced to throw the ball 50 times a game to be dynamic on offense, though some days that's just the best route to make the scoreboard click. Ideally, it is to keep a defense on its toes as they grind out 4-plus yards per carry.

But on third-and-eight, an offense has to be confident when it asks the quarterback to take a seven-step drop. The Rams feel they are getting there.

"Just the receiver room in general this past offseason, we all felt like we needed to step up," McCullouch said. "What we've been doing is getting work every day after practice as a unit, not just individually. Coach Addazio himself said the receiver room elevated a lot, and I believe that wholeheartedly."

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Cam Butler

Todd Centeio

Jordan Kress

Trey McBride

Ty McCullouch

Thomas Pannunzio

E.J. Scott

Dante Wright

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