ShareThisPenn State's new tall and lanky wide receivers are constantly reminded of fleet-footed Deon Butler, Derrick Williams and Jordan Norwood.
Each of that record-setting senior trio accounted for more than 40 catches last season, 132 of the team's 167 receptions among wideouts, 1,932 of 2,450 yards and 17 of 21 touchdowns.
"Everyone has a right to have a question mark on us because we really haven't proven much yet," sophomore Derek Moye said. "But I think by the time the season starts, we'll be able to take that question mark away.
"We're not really looking to duplicate what the three guys did. We just want to do what we can do."
The 6-5, 195-pound Moye is one of the top four receivers in the mix for playing time this season.
But the starters in a three-receiver set figure to be redshirt junior Brett Brackett (6-6, 231), a former quarterback; junior Graham Zug (6-2, 178), a former walk-on; and redshirt sophomore speedster Chaz Powell (6-1, 195), a former defensive back.
Brackett, Zug, Powell and Moye combined for 29 catches, 442 yards and four touchdowns last year.
"There's going to be pressure for us to produce from the fans, from the coaches, from the alumni, everybody, but we're going to take that pressure and turn it around and use it as adrenaline and a momentum boost," Zug said.
"I have high expectations for us. I think we can do some wonderful things."
Quarterback Daryll Clark, a first-team All-Big Ten pick who passed for 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, expects the inexperienced receivers to mature quickly.
"They've shown that they can play; they've stepped up," Clark said. "We've been successful against our defense thus far, and as I've said, as long as I've been here, if you're able to be successful against this defense we play against every day, you're well on your way."
Powell is being counted on to fill a role similar to the one Williams occupied, where he lines up at receiver, tailback or quarterback on a direct snap. Powell accounted for 370 all-purpose yards a year ago and averaged 28.8 yards on nine kick returns.
"I played behind Derrick last year," Powell said. "I learned a lot from him. He was a great leader when he was here. I just picked up on little things from him.
"I need to just go out there and play football, and not go out there with butterflies in my stomach. I know I need to make plays in order to help my team win. That's what Derrick did."
Powell has a long way to go to match Williams' production. In order to become the team's top deep threat, he has to improve in his pass-catching skills since he had just two receptions for 37 yards last season.
"Chaz has great potential, but he's too inconsistent right now for us to be getting on a bandwagon with him," coach Joe Paterno said. "He has to start paying attention to detail, little things. He's careless with some things. He doesn't concentrate sometimes going after the football. So I wouldn't put that thought in his head talking about Derrick Williams."
Brackett (13 catches, 160 yards, 1 TD in 2008) is a possession receiver, while Zug (11, 174, 2) is a reliable target with decent speed. Zug won the Red Worrell Award this spring as the team's most improved offensive player.
"I don't know how we're going to be with the wideouts," Paterno said. "You never know until those kids have to go in there, carry the load, make the catch, and make the play. They have to get used to each other in a hurry."
Moye, a three-time, first team all-state selection in high school, as well as a track star, had only three catches for 71 yards and one touchdown a year ago. He plans to use his speed to bulk up his numbers.
"I kind of just fell into a slump last year and wasn't really into football as much as I'm used to being into it, and it kind of showed in my play," Moye said. "My attitude is different now. I've just been working hard and doing what I can do to make sure I'm on the field this year."
(Contact Ron Musselman at rmusselman(at)post-gazette.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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