Spring Preview: The Wide Receivers

AMES, Iowa - Spring football is right around the corner. Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell is entering his fourth season in Ames and aiming to keep the momentum of back-to-back eight-win seasons going.

Cyclones.com will preview each position in the upcoming weeks. Today we take a look at the wide receivers.

The Wide Receivers

Synopsis
The Iowa State receiving corps will be a unit to watch this spring. With the loss of two outstanding wideouts in Hakeem Butler and Matthew Eaton, the opportunity awaits for the next man to earn a spot.

The loss of Butler will be difficult. Butler had another year of eligibility, but after recording the greatest individual season by a Cyclone receiver in school history, he decided to enter the NFL Draft.

Butler broke or tied season school marks in receiving yards (1,318), yards per reception (22.0) and 100-yard games (6) in his 2018 All-American season.

Despite the attrition, there are weapons returning at receiver for the Cyclones in 2019.

Iowa State's most seasoned veteran is Deshaunte Jones (5-10, 185, Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio), who has 108 receptions, 1,175 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns and 16 starts in his career.

Jones had an outstanding season in the slot in 2018, ranking second on the team in receptions (43) and touchdown catches (4). He will definitely be a leader of this group.

Tarique Milton (5-11, 176, So.#, Bradenton, Fla.) was Jones' backup in the slot in 2018, but he has the capability to play out wide. Milton had a sensational rookie campaign, ranking second on the team in receiving yards (417) and third in receptions (34).

Milton's reception and receiving yard totals both rank in the top-5 on ISU's freshman chart. He also did a remarkable job as the Cyclones' punt returner, ranking third in the Big 12 and 10th on ISU's season record list with a 12.67 average.

Landen Akers (6-0, 192, Jr.#, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) showed promise in his first season of significant playing time. One of the fastest guys on the team, Akers averaged 18.1 yards per catch with 10 receptions for 181 yards.

Josh Johnson (5-11, 183, So.#, Little Rock, Ark.) had one catch last year, but will likely increase his role in 2019.

Johnson was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and showed promise in his freshman season a year ago.

Other players who will fight for reps this spring are Jalen Martin (6-3, 211, Jr.#, Detroit, Mich.), Joseph Scates (6-2, 181, Fr.#, Dayton, Ohio), Sean Shaw Jr. (6-6, 200, Fr.#, Jones, Okla.) and Beau Coberley (5-11, 170, Fr.#, Nevada, Iowa).

Campbell On The Wide Receivers
"This group all starts with guys like Tarique Milton and Deshaunte Jones. To have two guys that have proven success is huge for us. Deshaunte has been the consistent part of that receiving corps over the last three years and the guy has made big plays. Tarique is a guy who had multiple big plays as a freshman. He also did a great job as our punt returner and he has a chance to make a huge jump forward in our program. The key now, I think, is getting a collection of guys who have shown flashes of really big things to continue their growth and development. I'm talking about guys like Joseph Scates and Sean Shaw Jr., a couple of big physical receivers that were puppies last year who are just learning and growing on the field and off the field. I think their ability to grow and make consistent plays will equate to how fast they see themselves on the football field. We also have guys like Jalen Martin, Josh Johnson and Landen Akers, who have shown flashes of really positive things. It's going to be really fun to watch because there are some guys that have high end ability, but they will have to show and prove that they can be trusted."

Players Mentioned

Landen Akers

Hakeem Butler

Beau Coberley

Matthew Eaton

Deshaunte Jones

Jalen Martin

Tarique Milton

Joe Scates

Sean Shaw Jr.

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics