The first preseason training camp under Brent Brennan is set to begin next week, a month of workouts and practices ahead of the 2024 season opener Aug. 31 at home against New Mexico.
To get you primed for camp, we’re breaking down each position group on the roster. Today we continue with the wide receivers.
Players on roster: 15 (9 scholarship, 6 walk-on)
Projected starters: Tetairoa McMillan (Jr.), Montana Lemonious-Craig (R-Sr.), Reymello Murphy (Soph.)
McMillan is coming off arguably the greatest season in school history for a receiver—90 catches, 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns—and yet he believes there’s still a lot of room to improve. That, among many reasons, is why he’s going to be a 1st-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and possibly the first pass catcher off the board.
But it can’t be all T-Mac, as we saw a year ago when Jacob Cowing was also a reliable target as both had the same number of receptions. Lemonious-Craig doesn’t have to take on that much added responsibility, but for him to be the No. 2 option he has to do better than his 28 catches in 40 targets. A full offseason working with Noah Fifita should only improve that connection and reflect in his numbers.
As for the third spot, that’s wide open and will be determined in training camp. For now we’re leaning toward Murphy, who was Old Dominion’s leading receiver in 2023 and who has a past connection to Fifita (and T-Mac) from 7-on-7 competitions and offseason workouts in California.
Top backups: Malachi Riley (Soph.), AJ Jones (R-Soph.), Jeremiah Patterson (Soph.)
Brennan has said he would like to rotate in many receivers, unlike Jedd Fisch who gave more than 80 percent of the snaps to his top three. Five receivers averaged at least 10 snaps per game at San Jose State in 2023, compared to three for the UA.
Riley, who could also end up starting, made the most of his opportunities as a true freshman. He averaged 22.5 yards on his four receptions, and in the spring was among the biggest standouts.
Jones, who actually started over McMillan in the 2022 opener—because T-Mac was dealing with a wardrobe issue after playing on punt return—has the chance to take a huge leap this season if he can impress when he gets his shot. He caught all four passes thrown his was last year but for only 25 yards.
Patterson, a transfer from College of San Mateo, caught 15 TDs in two junior college seasons and should be a valuable asset out of the slot.
Also expected to contribute: Devin Hyatt (R-Fr.), Jackson Holman (R-Fr.), Brandon Phelps (Fr.)
This trio has yet to see the field in college, but each has tremendous upside. Holman, at 6-foot-4, could be a future replacement for T-Mac if he can continue to develop, while Hyatt (6-2) and Phelps (6-3) also have big bodies that have the chance to become valuable targets.
Next up: Tight ends
