LAKE CHARLES – With fall camp quickly approaching as players report on Thursday, Aug. 1, we'll preview each position, talking personnel, expectations and outlook. Part one of the series will focus on the wide receivers – both inside and outside.
 
2019 McNeese Football Fall Camp Preview: Wide Receivers
 
On the roster:
Lettermen - Cyron Sutton, Trevor Begue, Quincy Cage, Nate Briscoe, Deon Cormier, Draysean Hudson.
Newcomers and freshmen  - Rhashid Bonnette (TR), Davion Curtis (TR), Zach Hayes, Markel Cotton, Markquell Stewart, Tylin Bryant, Mason Pierce, Tyler Washington.
 
Inside WR Position – Cyron Sutton is the team's top returning receiver, having made 41 catches for 609 yards and three touchdowns last season. He looks to be a lock for a spot with a leg to stand on over the others. But it's going to be an open job with some good competition involving Cage, Briscoe, Hayes, Bryant, Dieterich and Pierce. All have been working hard during the summer and all had a good spring.
 
Inside WR Rotation – There's still a lot of questions to be answered. Losing Parker Orgeron is tough but the corps is in good shape. Inside WR coach Jeff Lepak says the only player he hasn't seen in pads is Pierce and is excited to get the group rolling in fall camp.
 
Key Storyline – Trials and Tribulations. There's going to be some good and bad in camp. The group just has to push through it and continue to work hard. Whoever is the best man in camp will come out on top.
 
Outside WR Position – This position could be one of the most dangerous and potent on the Cowboys' squad with the addition of transfers Bonnette and Curtis will adding in returning lettermen Begue, Hudson and Cormier.
 
Bonnette transferred in from Louisiana Tech where he had success as sophomore and junior seasons, catching 74 passes for 1,065 yards and three touchdowns. He earned All-Conference USA honorable mention honors his sophomore campaign after hauling in 33 passes for 582 yards and two TDs.
 
What makes him so good? He can jump on top and over defenders. He loves the game and has some fight in him. A true play maker.
 
Curtis, a transfer from Tyler JC who played at the University of Texas as a freshman, knows the offense well. He played it in high school at Temple HS and also at Texas. He brings experience and leadership who's also the vocal leader in the position room who brings it out onto the field. He's got tremendous speed.
 
Begue caught 23 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns last season and has transitioned nicely to the new offense. According to outside WR coach Lanear Sampson, from day 1 of spring practice to day 15, Begue grew tremendously. He takes the coaching and continues to make progress. Sampson said he's expecting big things out of him this year.
 
There are several freshmen in the group that will have a chance to propel themselves into the rotation. "If a freshman comes along and has the best camp, then he's going to play," said Sampson.
 
Summing up the WR group:
This pool of wide receivers, both inside and outside, has the chance to be one of the most talented and successful in quite some time at McNeese. There are several play makers, speed, guys that can catch the ball in any situation, athletic ability and agility, and toughness. How great can they be? "I'm not going to say they're great yet," said Sampson, "because we haven't seen them on the field. But it's a good receiving corps. We have guys that can be great."