Think about the traditional wide receivers in a June Jones-coached version of the Run-and-Shoot, and more often than not, the players who come to mind will be smaller players who rely on pure speed, like Aldrick Robinson, or quick, shifty guys like Cole Beasley and Darius Johnson.

Bradley Haynes has bulked up to 223 pounds, which has allowed him to get some time at tight end, as well as at wide receiver (photo by Webmaster).

But a quick glance at the wide receivers this spring, and it looks a little like head coach June Jones and wide receivers coach Jeff Reinebold are trying to put together an intramural basketball team. Put a couple of the small wideouts at the guard positions, and then pencil in a front line of De’Von Bailey (6-2, 205), Brad Haynes (6-3, 223) and Pat Fleming (6-4, 242).

All three are strong and athletic. Bailey was not on the team last year, and Fleming — who was recruited originally as a wide receiver/tight end prospect — spent the 2009 season playing linebacker.

Haynes, on the other hand, has been a receiver since he arrived on the Hilltop in 2007 out of Summit High School in Mansfield. Once thought to be “the tall guy” in SMU’s receiver rotation, Haynes has grown into his frame to the extent that Jones added a tight end role to the Run-and-Shoot last year in part to get Haynes on the field.

“I have naturally put on some weight,” Haynes said. “I eat the same way, and I work out hard. I think it’s really just a matter of me getting older and maturing physically.”

Haynes admits there were times he felt frustration over his role in 2009, in part because he always thought of himself as a wide receiver, and in part because while his frame may be impressive for wideouts, he was a little undersized for the mayhem that goes along with being a tight end required to stay in and block linebackers and defensive ends.

“There was a little frustration last year,” he said. “I was undersized to be in there with the big fellas.”

But Haynes realized that Jones generally likes to play his four starting receivers as long as they can go. Under that approach, Emmanuel Sanders, Aldrick Robinson, Terrance Wilkerson and either Beasley or Johnson got the majority of the snaps at wideout last year. In order to get on the field, Haynes had to find his niche.

“Whatever I have to do to get on the field, that’s what I’m going to do,” Haynes said. “It’s simple — I’d rather play than not play.”

Haynes, who Jones said was “underused” last year, remains in the mix at receiver, as well. He and Fleming have spent the spring getting some snaps as two of the larger slot receivers on the planet, and should Wilkerson suffer any injury, Reinebold said he is more than comfortable turning to Haynes to fill the outside receiver role.

Having Haynes and Fleming in the slot “should throw off a lot of defenses,” Haynes said. “There aren’t a lot of slot guys who look like us. We’re supposed to have a package with both of us on the field at the same time, so that should create some mismatches.”

The advantage of having players built like Haynes and Fleming in the slot is that it forces defenses to do things they’re not accustomed to doing, Haynes said.

“The advantage of putting physical players in the slot is that defenses aren’t used to seeing guys like us in there,” he said. “Sometimes, we’ll be able to re-route linebackers.

“What I add to an offense, and what Patrick adds is the same thing: physicality. As big slots, we add a different dimension to the offense.”

Wide receivers coach Jeff Reinebold said he is more than comfortable calling on Bradley Haynes to play tight end, in the slot or at outside receiver (photo by Travis Johnston).

Haynes was quick to point out that despite his size, Fleming is far more than just a big body capable of creating havoc for opposing defenses.

“Remember, Patrick was recruited as a wide receiver and tight end,” Haynes said. “He’s got great hands. We don’t incorporate the tight end in this offense a lot, but with us in the slot, our offense can do a lot more things.”

Haynes said he and Fleming have embraced their roles as the Mustangs’ big receivers, and said that in certain situations, like in the Ponies’ red zone offense, those big targets should prove invaluable.

“It’s all about whatever talent God gave us,” Haynes said. “He gave us size, and Cole Beasley quickness, and Al (Robinson) deep speed.

“We can run, we can block and we can catch. I’d love to see us get some jump balls in the end zone, where we could post up.”