The Pac-10 has a reputation to live up to.
West Coast offense. Keyshawn Johnson. Freddie Mitchell. Teyo
Johnson.
Simply put, the Pac-10 is known for quarterbacks who like to
throw the ball and receivers who like to catch it. This year
it’s no different.
“Definitely the Pac-10 lives up to its reputations as a
pass-happy conference,” junior wide receiver Craig Bragg
said. “There are a lot of great receivers. I can name someone
on every team who is good.”
Bragg would know a bit about catching the ball, as he led the
Bruins this past season with 55 receptions for 889 yards ““
more than any other UCLA sophomore receiver in school history.
“In this conference if you are a defensive back you need
to bring your “˜A-game’ every week,” UCLA wide
receivers coach Jon Embree said.
Across the board, the conference boasts some very formidable
receiving corps, but there has been one last name on the lips of
defensive coordinators across the conference: Williams.
That surname belongs to Washington’s Reggie Williams and
USC’s Mike Williams. Both are high caliber receivers, and
their numbers back up any claims to greatness.
Last year as a true freshman, Mike Williams had 81 receptions
for 1,265 yards with 14 touchdowns. Last season as a sophomore,
Reggie Williams led the Pac-10 with dual school records of 1,454
receiving yards and 94 receptions.
Reggie Williams knows a great deal about the competition around
the league, whether that competition comes in the form of other
receivers or the cornerbacks he will be facing.
“As far as receivers go in the Pac-10, I think they are
great,” Reggie Williams said. “Mike (Williams) is big,
tall and athletic. He can go up and get the ball or shake you off
the line. As far as cornerbacks are concerned, UCLA has Matt Ware
coming back and USC’s cornerbacks are real good.”
Mike Williams continues USC’s storied tradition of
top-notch receivers, but Bragg said UCLA’s tradition is just
as meaningful and strong.
“USC has had their share of great receivers ““ and
they do now with guys like Williams and (Keary) Colbert,”
Bragg said. “They have young guys on their way up who are
doing what they should be doing. We’ve had a great receiving
tradition here too with guys like Freddie Mitchell, Danny Farmer
and (current UCLA head coach) Karl Dorrell.”
“There is a great receiving tradition in the Pac-10 and we
are going to keep that up.”
A major part of a successful receiver’s game is his
relationship with his quarterback. Sophomore Drew Olson, who is
playing in place of the injured Matt Moore, currently leads the
Bruins (1-1) and understands the importance of a good relationship
with his receivers.
“It is important to have the ability to know where the
receivers are on the field and to have the confidence in them to
know they will catch it,” he said.
The relationships Olson has developed with his receiving corps
thus far have not been as smooth as the coaching staff would like.
Tab Perry, who was declared academically ineligible before the
start of the season, was supposed to play alongside Bragg. His
replacement, sophomore Junior Taylor, has dropped two sure
touchdown passes already. Sophomore tight end Marcedes Lewis has
also dropped his share of Olson’s passes.
But while the passing game struggles, there are signs that UCLA
can maintain the tradition of a dominant receiving corps, with
young talent in freshmen Idris Moss and Taylor.
“As far as the future ““ things look good, and we are
planning on getting some good recruits in here,” Embree said.
“I like how the future looks.”
And surely, so do many other receivers coaches in the
Pac-10.