The Replacements: Part 3, Receivers
Coach Dave Doeren knew his pass catching corps was going to be young this year with the departure of 1,000-yard receivers Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers to the NFL. But that group got even younger in the first half of the season opener against East Carolina when junior C.J. Riley was lost for the year with an injury while covering a punt.
Complicating matters was a season-ending injury to tight end Dylan Autenreith two games later at West Virginia, a loss that had complications in both the passing and running attacks.
As it turns out, Riley's injury has created opportunities for a group of young receivers, including one -- redshirt freshman Devin Carter -- that is rapidly blossoming into stardom. Filling the void at tight end hasn't been as easy.
Here's a look at the "next men up" at both positions, how they're doing and what to expect from them over the final five games:
◼ Devin Carter: Carter was elevated to the starting job at the X receiver upon Riley's injury and has risen to the occasion. Big and strong enough at 6-foot-4, 212 pounds to outmuscle defenders and fast enough to outrun them on deep routes, he's been especially good since the Wolfpack has begun to employ quarterbacks capable of throwing the ball accurately downfield. He caught a career-high six passes for 140 yards last week at Boston College with a long of 55 yards. Twelve of his 18 receptions this season have come over the past three games and his average of 17.3 yards per catch is by far the best on the team.
◼ Cecil Powell: Recruited as a defensive back, Powell began playing on both sides of the ball after Riley's injury. He immediately made his presence known by catching a pass -- wearing Riley's No. 19 -- in his first game at the position against Western Carolina. The true freshman was eventually moved to offense permanently the week of the Florida State game. Touted by Doeren as the fastest player on the team, caught three passes for 22 yards against the Seminoles. His progress has been slowed by an undisclosed injury that kept him out of the Syracuse game. But with extra time off to recover during this week's open date, he has a chance at further development as the season goes on.
◼Jasiah Provillon: Big like Carter at 6-3, 208, Provillon saw action in only two games early in the season -- notably dropping a pass in the ECU game -- before moving up on the depth chart following Powell's injury. He caught his first pass at BC last Saturday, a difficult sliding catch for a 38-yard gain from quarterback Devin Leary that set up a State touchdown. It was a play that gave a glimpse of the redshirt freshman's potential both this season and into the future.
Another young receiver that has shown promise, albeit at the slot position, is speedy true freshman Keyon Lesane, who has caught nine passes and run the ball five times on jet sweeps so far this season.
Moving on to tight end, Autenreith's absence hasn't been as noticeable to the naked eye because of the contributions of Cary Angeline -- who has 18 catches and is tied for the team lead with three touchdowns.
But while Autenreith had a career-high three receptions before his injury, his role was more of an edge blocker whose job was to seal opposing defensive ends that opened up running lanes for his backs.
While Angeline has continued to serve as the Wolfpack's pass-catching tight end, converted quarterback Dylan Parham has moved into Autenreith's spot as the primary blocker at that position.
◼ Dylan Parham: Though similar in stature to Autenreith at 6-foot-5, 245, Parham is nowhere near as accomplished a blocker as his injured teammate -- one reason why the Wolfpack's ground game has slipped over the past few games.
