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SMU: Willis at receiver
2:49 PM Tue, Oct 07, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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UNIVERSITY PARK - An already deep position for the Mustangs is getting even stronger.
Just three weeks into his new role, junior Justin Willis is becoming another formidable option at receiver. He caught a 31-yard pass on Saturday and hauled in a difficult 35-yard pass at practice on Tuesday.

"Coach (June) Jones is more comfortable with me and I'm feeling more comfortable as well," said Willis, who started for two years at quarterback. "As he continues to put more trust in me, I can show what I can do on the field."

Jones said Willis' reaction time has improved significantly. "Justin has had three weeks now and he's starting to understand it better and he's letting his skills take over," Jones said.

Willis treated his first catch as a receiver as just another play, but the more he thought about the deal, it was special.

"It's not like I hadn't made a play before so I just went back to the huddle . After the game I thought about it, but when I was on the field, it's like let's go back out and play."

Meanwhile, Willis seems happy in his new role, just being able to go out there and contribute on the field again. Although SMU already has two of the top five receivers in the FBS in sophomore Aldrick Robinson (656 yards, No. 3) and junior Emmanuel Sanders (612, No. 5), the team needs all the help it can get.

Seems like he might a good fit as a slot receiver. Someone who should be able to see the field, read defenses and find those soft spots. Plus you don't have to have outstanding speed to be successful.

I think he will do great at slot. Good position for him.

His QB experience of being on the field before should help immediately. He may not be great, but he should be a solid slot guy. I am pleased he's accepted the role. It's gotta be killing him inside to see BLM's Weekly Interception Extravaganza.

SmooBoy wrote:His QB experience of being on the field before should help immediately. He may not be great, but he should be a solid slot guy. I am pleased he's accepted the role. It's gotta be killing him inside to see BLM's Weekly Interception Extravaganza.

vs. seeing JW's Weekly Fumble Extravaganza?

DiamondM75 wrote:

SmooBoy wrote:His QB experience of being on the field before should help immediately. He may not be great, but he should be a solid slot guy. I am pleased he's accepted the role. It's gotta be killing him inside to see BLM's Weekly Interception Extravaganza.

vs. seeing JW's Weekly Fumble Extravaganza?

Touche, but safe to say that JDub did not have 15 fumbles through the first 6 games of his career.

I like it. The more QBs we have catching passes (and reading defenses along with the QB to set up those catches) the sooner this system will start producing wins.

It wasn't long ago that our recruiting strategy was to sign as many QBs (best athlete on the H.S. team) to fill the DB and WR positions. How many QBs did Jones sign in his 1st class? I like it

This brings up the question-what is the status of Emmanuel Sander's injury? Will he play this week? If not-JW in his place? It seems injury reports are not so forthcoming either from SMU and/or the Morning News.

Most schools don't like to publicize their player's injuries. It keeps their opponents guessing.

I think its dangerous precedent to tamper with our traditional stockpile of former QBs moved to TE.

Its also illegal to release information concerning the medical condition of a student athlete

No, actually, it's not. There is a form student-athletes can sign that grants the university permission to comment.
Until that form is signed, however, you're exactly right.

Stallion wrote:I think its dangerous precedent to tamper with our traditional stockpile of former QBs moved to TE.

Wouldn't slot receiver be the closest thing we have to a TE? Methinks the tradition survives.

I would much rather stick to our newer tradition of moving QBs to TE than our older tradition of moving TEs to the QB position. The newer tradition has a much better chance of success.

I'm really pleased with the maturity that Willis is showing in all of this. Most people wouldn't have blamed him for transferring or becoming a distraction. But he's taken his lot in life with a poise that I truly didn't expect. At times on the field he seemed a bit petulant when things weren't going his way (which I admit was all too often). But this year he really does seem to be toeing the line.

-CoS