Spring Position Battles: Wide Receiver

One of the deepest positions for Georgia Tech going into spring practice is wide receiver. The Jackets have the deepest group of talent at that spot and an open battle between four really skilled players should prove entertaining.

Last season the Jackets aimed to replace a pair of NFL wide receivers, DeAndre Smelter and Darren Waller with mixed results with just one veteran in the mix, Micheal Summers and a pair of players with limited game reps Ricky Jeune and Antonio Messick. Jeune had a very solid season racking up a team leading 24 receptions for 520 yards and four touchdowns. True freshman Brad Stewart emerged over Messick to grab seven catches for 93 yards. Jeune, Stewart and Messick all return this spring and join redshirt freshmen Harland Howell and Christian Philpott who are highly regarded by the staff.

Philpott was the most sought after as a recruit of all of the wideouts and injuries kept him off the field as a true freshman. Howell is built like the traditionally successful big bodied receivers that have thrived in Tech's spread option offense. Stewart had some freshman struggles, but showed tremendous promise as well and Jeune is a solid all-around receiver. All four need to improve their blocking. Messick looks the part and has shown a few flashes especially blocking, but he is the odd man out for now in the group.

Head coach Paul Johnson said this spring he expects a full out open competition for both starting spots with the four main guys, Jeune, Stewart, Howell and Philpott.

In the fall the Jackets will add Jalen Camp, Steve Dolphus and Jair Hawkins-Anderson to make the receiver group one of future strength for Georgia Tech going forward.