CU WR Stellato commits to UK

[gamecockcat]

Solid, former 4*, slot receiver with 2 years remaining. Has had bad luck with injuries which limited his PT.

Between Maclin and Farrier returning, the incoming FR and now 3 wideout transfers, we should have some weapons as Hamdan/Calzada's disposal and not all of these guys are HR hitters, which is more what we need, imo. Make the intermediate catches and our running game should look better while the QB takes fewer hits. Mix in some TE and RB catches and we should be able to design a pretty decent passing attack (assuming the OL is not the sieve it was this year - big assumption, I know).

 

[tf4fun]

Not to be negative. But I'm not buying it.
Stoops has gotten lazy. Quit developing guys .
The rest have followed suit!

 

[azubuikefan]

Not to be negative. But I'm not buying it.
Stoops has gotten lazy. Quit developing guys .
The rest have followed suit!

Why even post this? We get it.

 

[Kybluedude]

Type of w receiver we need and haven’t had. Quick, speedy good route runner that can get open in short to medium routes. Clemson’s had them as has Georgia recently.

 

[Coach Marrow]

I’m happy to have him if he’s healthy

 

[TucsonCat]

I wouldn't say we have weapons.
But we at least have a room.
I don't see a lot of production, but it won't have to be like 2019.

 

[trueblujr2]

Not to be negative. But I'm not buying it.
Stoops has gotten lazy. Quit developing guys .
The rest have followed suit!

Well since we’re stuck with him let’s hope a 4-8 season was his wake up call. If he wants to keep coaching either here or anywhere else, he knows he has to do better.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I actually think we're going to have a much more productive wr room than last year, even if they are less physically gifted. We actually have guys that know how to play instead of guys who know how to run and that should be a big difference.

Not to be negative. But I'm not buying it.
Stoops has gotten lazy. Quit developing guys .
The rest have followed suit!

We were all disappointed with last season. Instead of the same segment of the fan base constantly littering good news with these posts, i wish you all would start your own thread so you could just repeatedly complain amongst one another.

That way the rest of us, that understand stoops is still the coach this season, can get on with discussing the upcoming season.

 

[TOMCATS1990]

We need players and recently successful program in the SEC with evidently decent NIL money. Why wouldn’t kids want too sign up. Besides Stoops being a poor HC what’s not too like about being a CAT.

 

[gamecockcat]

I actually think we're going to have a much more productive wr room than last year, even if they are less physically gifted. We actually have guys that know how to play instead of guys who know how to run and that should be a big difference.



We were all disappointed with last season. Instead of the same segment of the fan base constantly littering good news with these posts, i wish you all would start your own thread so you could just repeatedly complain amongst one another.

That way the rest of us, that understand stoops is still the coach this season, can get on with discussing the upcoming season.

To your point, Calzada will hopefully be a pretty big step up from last year with a much better ability to read a defense, check down to safety valve receiver, find the open guy (maybe even, gasp, a TE over the middle). If the new receivers run good routes, he may be the guy who can reward them with receptions versus fixating on the primary and never getting to any other receiver. I thought Maclin was criminally underused last year as a receiver. First half of the season we threw to Dane every other play and second half was a train wreck.

I believe Hamdan has a lot to prove this year as another awful offensive year will see him getting fired. Hope he's got what it takes to learn from this past year and make changes to fit this year's personnel.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Brown was dynamic in the return game. He had a few good moments at WR. I hate to lose his return impact, but we have a couple of true freshmen who were return stars in HS and the transfer Law. I think we will be okay in that department. I believe Brown still has the capability to be an NFL WR. The passing game failures were certainly not all on the WRs last year. I understand why they left. A new OL and QB is a risk. Both LSU and Neb should have the pieces in place to give Brown and Key more chances to show their NFL potential.

Key is a very good college WR. He would have made our passing game better, as an experienced talent. But, with Maclin returning and the portal experience, we should have a solid corps to press defenses. And, the gap filler to give our young recruits time to shine.

Gilmore was the one that hurt. I don’t know if his misdemeanor demonstrated a pattern or if that was a weak moment for an immature college student. I will assume the latter, given the fact that the staff reportedly wanted to win him back out of the portal. I think D Shorts knows he got a potential future star with that kid.

 

[trueblujr2]

Stellato seems like more of a possession type receiver who can make tough catches over the middle. the kind of guy we need when we have a 3rd an 7 and need to throw to the sticks as opposed to launching a low percentage bomb. Always thought that's what the TE's should have been used for but what do I know. Guessing Stellato is a little bit bigger version of a Dicky Lyons, Jr. or Charles Walker type receiver.

 

[Boz]

For the older guys, he reminds me of Brad Pyatt.

 

[K_TIME]

Brown was dynamic in the return game. He had a few good moments at WR. I hate to lose his return impact, but we have a couple of true freshmen who were return stars in HS and the transfer Law. I think we will be okay in that department. I believe Brown still has the capability to be an NFL WR. The passing game failures were certainly not all on the WRs last year. I understand why they left. A new OL and QB is a risk. Both LSU and Neb should have the pieces in place to give Brown and Key more chances to show their NFL potential.

Key is a very good college WR. He would have made our passing game better, as an experienced talent. But, with Maclin returning and the portal experience, we should have a solid corps to press defenses. And, the gap filler to give our young recruits time to shine.

Gilmore was the one that hurt. I don’t know if his misdemeanor demonstrated a pattern or if that was a weak moment for an immature college student. I will assume the latter, given the fact that the staff reportedly wanted to win him back out of the portal. I think D Shorts knows he got a potential future star with that kid.

What NFL WR outside of just straight ahead speed does Brown truly have after 3 years of college.

1. He still catches nearly every ball with his body....poor hand eye coordination
2. His ability to adjust to 50/50 balls, track deep routes is still poor. His big catch vs. Ole Miss was awesome on a go route but was truly like a rare play he was able to convert.
3. His route running, getting off press coverage, his ability to cut quickly on his routes.....just all still poor. One reason he doesn't get more balls is he's struggling to get off coverage.

His main talent is straight ahead speed...not quicks, in and out of cuts, (like Wandale)...are not NFL worthy.

I just don't really see him as a loss. Even his KO threat....I'd wager 80% of KO are touchback....teams have kickers that just kick thru endzone a ton.

Dane on the other hand....he is a loss to me.

 

[sieken]

Stellato seems like more of a possession type receiver who can make tough catches over the middle. the kind of guy we need when we have a 3rd an 7 and need to throw to the sticks as opposed to launching a low percentage bomb. Always thought that's what the TE's should have been used for but what do I know. Guessing Stellato is a little bit bigger version of a Dicky Lyons, Jr. or Charles Walker type receiver.

My opinion, a team should always look to have a receiver of those two's ilk. They are back breakers to a defense.

 

[Soupbean]

Solid, former 4*, slot receiver with 2 years remaining. Has had bad luck with injuries which limited his PT.

Between Maclin and Farrier returning, the incoming FR and now 3 wideout transfers, we should have some weapons as Hamdan/Calzada's disposal and not all of these guys are HR hitters, which is more what we need, imo. Make the intermediate catches and our running game should look better while the QB takes fewer hits. Mix in some TE and RB catches and we should be able to design a pretty decent passing attack (assuming the OL is not the sieve it was this year - big assumption, I know).

Agree. Think Dane would have still been our overall best returning guy, but overall I think we've upgraded our WR room. Maclin and Farrier wer underused as we tried to force it to two guys last year and way too many times downfield with little success. I kept asking all year why Hamdan was ingnoring the intermediate part of the field??? Maybe it was because he didnt feel he had the weapons but thats hard to buy as Dane is more of a possession guy and Maclin was an experienced slot guy and we had RBs and TEs that could catch it.

Now we seem to have all the weapons he needs to attack that part of the field and move the chains and take pressure off our line. But we'll see.

 

[Soupbean]

For the older guys, he reminds me of Brad Pyatt.

Great comparison. One of Mummes first guys right?

 

[gamecockcat]

I kept asking all year why Hamdan was ignoring the intermediate part of the field??

You and me both. Literally all year long I would scratch my head at the insistence of going for the HR instead of the higher percentage singles and doubles. Especially in light of our OL's problems, our QB's inability to get through progressions and our WR's inability to win 50/50 balls consistently. Just made zero sense.

 

[Lost In FL]

For the older guys, he reminds me of Brad Pyatt.

brad pyatt had some speed too. enough to get into the NFL.

Here is a tiger board and their comments FWIW.

"Stellato has signed with the Kentucky Wildcats" - Clemson Football Forum - TigerNet

Join the conversation on "

www.tigernet.com

 

[sieken]

I kept asking all year why Hamdan was ignoring the intermediate part of the field??

You and me both. Literally all year long I would scratch my head at the insistence of going for the HR instead of the higher percentage singles and doubles. Especially in light of our OL's problems, our QB's inability to get through progressions and our WR's inability to win 50/50 balls consistently. Just made zero sense.

I felt like it had to be the timing was off with Vandergriff, probably due to feeling the pressure even when it wasn't always there. The over the middle throws when they aren't on target result in more pick sixes than probably any other throw. I think Hamden's lack of quick hitters confused many of us with the Line issues they had very week.

 

[jeffky]

Type of w receiver we need and haven’t had. Quick, speedy good route runner that can get open in short to medium routes. Clemson’s had them as has Georgia recently.

He will be lucky to score a touch down all year with our ol and stoops control of the qb position god it's going to be ugly next year

 

[Kybluedude]

He will be lucky to score a touch down all year with our ol and stoops control of the qb position god it's going to be ugly next year

Take next season off and refresh yourself. It’s not healthy to be so pessimistic.

Think about taking up disc golf as a respite during UK football.

 

[jeffky]

Take next season off and refresh yourself. It’s not healthy to be so pessimistic.

Think about taking up disc golf as a respite during UK football.

I admire your optimism but unfortunately deep down we all know including you what's going to take place and it's going to get really ugly next year . It sucks to have to endure another year under stoops .

 

[catsfanbgky]

I wouldn't say we have weapons.
But we at least have a room.
I don't see a lot of production, but it won't have to be like 2019.

Maclin has been VERY productive, just not here. Sad when it takes a backup QB to throw him the damn ball and the results are night and day. 5 TDs with Gavin throwing it to him, and Gavin was horrible. But by just throwing it up and his way, he showed he is a deep ball threat. Maclin is a STUD WR, but you can't catch what is not thrown to you. If our QB's would have thrown less to Keys and Brown, and more to Maclin, the results would have been a lot better.

 

[BigBlueFever]

For the older guys, he reminds me of Brad Pyatt.

Nice comparison. I was in school at UK with Brad Pyatt. Forgot about him until you mentioned him!

 

[bigbluedon]

Have we hired a new WR coach yet? If so I missed it.

 

[satcheluk]

You mean white guys? LOL

He's blue now.

 

[Cole World]

Have we hired a new WR coach yet? If so I missed it.

L’Damian Washington, whom was the WR coach(2 years) and passing game coordinator(1 year) for USF, previously worked at Oklahoma in 2022 as well.

 

[bigbluedon]

L’Damian Washington, whom was the WR coach(2 years) and passing game coordinator(1 year) for USF, previously worked at Oklahoma in 2022 as well.

Thanks.

 

[Soupbean]

I felt like it had to be the timing was off with Vandergriff, probably due to feeling the pressure even when it wasn't always there. The over the middle throws when they aren't on target result in more pick sixes than probably any other throw. I think Hamden's lack of quick hitters confused many of us with the Line issues they had very week.

Brock did develop happy feet due to the rush coming in on him so fast and wasnt always poised to see the underneath and intermediate stuff over the middle develop either, but we still called way too many deeper routes as option A and too little quick outs and digs and crossing stuff in the 10 yard range.

 

[sieken]

Brock did develop happy feet due to the rush coming in on him so fast and wasnt always poised to see the underneath and intermediate stuff over the middle develop either, but we still called way too many deeper routes as option A and too little quick outs and digs and crossing stuff in the 10 yard range.

That's what we should get to figure out if the OLine is improved this year. Hopefully Hamden doesn't think those low percentage throws should be a staple in the offense. There are too many good edge guys in the sec to be throwing bombs on 2nd and 13.

The other thing I'm hoping for in the changeover of the WR room is guys playing all 11 football. Some routes have very real intentions even when the ball isn't supposed to come your way. They have to attack and sell those routes just like the ball is coming their way, the running game needs it, those short routes need it. If you can't drag defenders out of a zone when you aren't the primary, you're easier to defend and you aren't helping the team. I don't really know if that's what the UT defense was talking about when they said we were tipping our hand on offense but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the WR we're the ones tipping the plays off by their effort on run plays.

 

[trueblujr2]

What NFL WR outside of just straight ahead speed does Brown truly have after 3 years of college.

1. He still catches nearly every ball with his body....poor hand eye coordination
2. His ability to adjust to 50/50 balls, track deep routes is still poor. His big catch vs. Ole Miss was awesome on a go route but was truly like a rare play he was able to convert.
3. His route running, getting off press coverage, his ability to cut quickly on his routes.....just all still poor. One reason he doesn't get more balls is he's struggling to get off coverage.
His catch at Ole Miss just happened to be a perfectly placed ball right in his breadbasket even with the tight coverage. Probably BV’s best pass of the year.
His main talent is straight ahead speed...not quicks, in and out of cuts, (like Wandale)...are not NFL worthy.

I just don't really see him as a loss. Even his KO threat....I'd wager 80% of KO are touchback....teams have kickers that just kick thru endzone a ton.

Dane on the other hand....he is a loss to me.

 

[trueblujr2]

Maclin has been VERY productive, just not here. Sad when it takes a backup QB to throw him the damn ball and the results are night and day. 5 TDs with Gavin throwing it to him, and Gavin was horrible. But by just throwing it up and his way, he showed he is a deep ball threat. Maclin is a STUD WR, but you can't catch what is not thrown to you. If our QB's would have thrown less to Keys and Brown, and more to Maclin, the results would have been a lot better.

Would love for Macklin to put together a Wandale Robinson type season if we can find an OL and QB to get him the ball.