Terrance Wilkerson: GROWING INTO HIS ROLE

[PonyPride]

Terrance Wilkerson's speed and athleticism were no secret when he signed two years ago out of DeSoto High School. But while he had the ability to play the position, he lacked the muscle to hold his own against combative defensive backs, and frequently got knocked off of his routes.

Wilkerson met with the SMU coaches, who suggested he bulk up for his sophomore season, and he took the suggestion seriously, adding 17 pounds of muscle over the offseason. He also put in a lot of time working on his new position, and visited with PonyFans.com to explain how his new bulk will not slow him down, and when he stopped feeling like a misplaced quarterback, and began to see himself as a bona fide weapon in the Ponies' Run-and-Shoot offense.

http://www.ponyfans.com/features/index.php?id=112

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[kull]

! as usual

[Ralph]

The second year will be a breakout year for Terrance and the players who got PT last season. Grice-Mullens and Davone Bass, UH Warriors, played some quarterback in HS only to be converted to receiver under June Jones. They were unstoppable their second and third years. The R n' S was difficult for them to grasp the first year then the "light bulb" went on and the rest is history. Look for SMU to score 5+ td or more per game this year. June has seen the players for a year and he knows what adjustments he needs to win with them and he will teach them how to win.

[Ralph]

I'm glad to read that Terrance used the JUGS machine to catch balls, repetition is important to learn to catch with his hands (away from his body) and develop soft hands. Davone Bess spent an hour catching with the JUGS each morning before practice started, he had a great work ethic and a strong desire to excel.

[davidpaul123]

nice piece as usual.

[indianmustang]

nice story and good luck Tw

[ALEX LIFESON]

Really good story. Thanks!

[PonyPride]

I'm glad to read that Terrance used the JUGS machine to catch balls, repetition is important to learn to catch with his hands (away from his body) and develop soft hands. Davone Bess spent an hour catching with the JUGS each morning before practice started, he had a great work ethic and a strong desire to excel.

Just about all of the WRs stick around after practice to work on the JUGS machine, and Terrance is always among them. A lot of DBs and some LBs also hit the machine pretty regularly, too, but the WRs seem really attached to that thing, and Terrance is among those who is there after every single practice.

Even more than the JUGS machines, though, when the players went through the voluntary workouts in the summer, Wilkerson stuck around after the workouts were over to get in extra route-running. There were others who stayed around, too, but Terrance put in post-workout time as much as any player on the team.

[Stallion]

To kick this offense into high gear we need guys like Wilkerson to make "big plays" not just "plays". This is especially true as more defenses concentrate on Sanders and Robinson. Make them pay.

[kull]

To kick this offense into high gear we need guys like Wilkerson to make "big plays" not just "plays". This is especially true as more defenses concentrate on Sanders and Robinson. Make them pay.

exactly, every reciever needs to be a threat to score regardless of field position

[Ralph]

PonyPride thank you for your follow up on the use of the JUGS. JJ wants his receivers to catch with hands only with both hands index and thumb forming a circle. the JUGS gives them a lot of repetition to practice this hands only technique and to develop "soft hands."

[PonyPride]

PonyPride thank you for your follow up on the use of the JUGS. JJ wants his receivers to catch with hands only with both hands index and thumb forming a circle. the JUGS gives them a lot of repetition to practice this hands only technique and to develop "soft hands."

Good point — and you're exactly right about the positioning of their hands. Everyone who gets on the JUGS machine has his hands positioned exactly as you describe, with the thumbs and index fingers forming a circle. The WRs and DBs make it look fairly easy, but it's interesting to watch others, like the LBs, doing it. For instance, DE-turned-OLB Youri Yenga was working with the machine today after practice, and one of the first balls to come his way bounced off of his hands. After a little adjustment with his hands, he started making catches relatively easily. He's not likely to threaten Emmanuel Sanders' job any time soon, but even over the course of a few minutes on the machine, his improvement was apparent.