UNLV wide receivers: An unproven group trying to take next step

Del Alexander is pleased with the work, the effort, the detail. The thing he wants most is consistency. As bad as they desire it, he said, they think a good day is the only day.

“But,” Alexander said, “you have to wake up the next morning and do it again.”

Alexander is the wide receivers coach for UNLV and is tutoring this training camp a group of unproven players.

College production thus far is limited among the wideouts, meaning there is much opportunity this season for guys to make names for themselves.

The Rebels last season were more of a veteran, experienced group at wide receiver, those with more individual success as the ones running routes now.

Taeshaun Lyons is one of them, a junior who was named first-team All-Mountain West in a preseason media poll.

Interesting. Lyons, who also spent time at Washington and Utah before landing at UNLV, had 16 receptions for 241 yards and three touchdowns for the Rebels last season.

Not eye-opening numbers, but it’s obvious others believe there is some serious untapped potential within him.

‘A blessing’

“(Being named all-conference) means a lot,” Lyons said. “I’ve never been talked about until this point, so it’s a blessing getting some recognition. That being said, you want to be on such a list at the end of the season.

“I’m still learning. I’m not a highly-touted guy with all this cache. I’m just trying to balance getting in my work and reps and doing things right while trying to help the younger guys. It has been challenging. I haven’t been a vocal leader before. I’ve always tried to lead by example.”

Either way, his voice and that of others are needed in the room to aid in the development of the group.

The first few days of camp have gone well. Some of the younger wide receivers have flashed at times. They’ve embraced the playbook. Others, like Oregon State junior transfer Taz Reddicks, have enough experience to make the transition a smoother one.

“There are a lot of guys wanting to prove themselves, trying to take that next step,” Reddicks said. “I feel like I’m smart enough to pick things up and learn fast and not make the same mistake twice.

“You see the growth from every spot, from the oldest guy in the room to the youngest. Everyone is getting better mentally and physically. That’s how we’re going to grow with the quarterbacks and get our timing right.”

Oh, yes. That.

The Rebels when opening their season against Memphis on Aug. 29 at Allegiant Stadium will have a new starting quarterback, whether it be Auburn transfer Jackson Arnold or returner Alex Orji.

It’s vastly important chemistry develops between both of them and this group of receivers. Vastly important they’re on the same page more often than not.

It’s early in camp. There is time for such things to mature. Time for receivers like Lyons and Reddicks and senior DeAngelo Irvin and sophomore Kayden McGee and others to forge a connection with those throwing the ball.

“When you combine unproven wide receivers and a new (starting quarterback), it’s something we can all learn about together,” Lyons said. “We’re all at that same level. We’re trying to prove ourselves and the quarterbacks are doing the same and trying to learn who’s who.

“Both of those guys are great players. Getting reps with both of them has allowed that chemistry to grow rapidly. I see the trust for us in both of them.”

The grind

Alexander said many of the receivers have scratched the surface but never been the guy. Never been a first collegiate option. That’s what they’re working for, hungry for, starving for. To be the guy.

It might help both quarterback and receivers early on that UNLV features one of the best running backs in school history. Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas is certainly good enough to take some of the pressure off others who are expected to produce.

He can keep defenses honest while Alexander’s group learns its way into making enough plays.

“They have picked up (the offense),” Alexander said. “They know what to do. And as (coach Dan Mullen) would say, we need to fine tune how we do it and why we’re doing it.

“And that’s the grind, especially when you’re tired. But they know what to do.”

Now comes the part about proving it.