2021 SLU Football Preseason Position Report No. 3: Wide Receivers

Position: Wide Receivers
Position Coach: Giovanni Vizza (Second season at SLU)
Returners: Terrell Carter (6-2, 195, Jr.), Nick Kovacs (6-3, 205, Jr.), Ed Magee (6-1, 190, So.), Austin Mitchell (5-9, 170, Sr.)*, Anthony Spurlock (6-1, 170, So.), CJ Turner (6-2, 180, Jr.)*, Justin Wendt (5-11, 180, Jr.)**, Tim Wilson Jr. (6-4, 225, Jr.)
Newcomers: Jett Booker (5-9, 175, Fr.), Brennon Dingle (5-10, 180, Sr.), Malik Hillard (6-4, 180, Fr.), Da’Shun Hughley (6-1, 175, Fr.)**, Gage Larvadain (5-10, 160, Fr.), Corey Lorio (5-10, 160, Fr.), Maurice Massey (6-3, 200, Fr.)
* – All-Southland Conference
** – Did not see action in 2020 season

HAMMOND, La. – When Southeastern Louisiana University quarterback and Walter Payton Award winner Cole Kelley drops back to pass this fall, he’ll have plenty of talented wide receivers ready to make plays for the Lions.

All-Southland Conference duo CJ Turner and Austin Mitchell both rank among the program’s career leaders in every receiving category and lead a group of talented veterans that includes Tim Wilson Jr., Nick Kovacs, Anthony Spurlock, Terrell Carter and Ed Magee. The Lion receiving corps is also expected to get a boost from newcomers Brennon Dingle and Gage Larvadain, among others.

“We definitely have some talent at the receiver position,” Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. “We’ve been very precise and done a great job catching the ball during camp. We have a lot of depth and competition at the position. We feel we have a lot of different options of guys we can put into the game who can make plays for us.”

While Turner (Career: 158 catches, 1,919 yards, 14 touchdowns) and Mitchell (114-1,965-17 TD) are the most proven playmakers for SLU, second year wide receivers coach Giovanni Vizza concurs with Scelfo’s statement regarding the Lions’ stable of receivers.

“It’s tough to single out any of our receivers, because I think they all bring different things to the table,” Vizza said. “Ed (Magee) and Nick (Kovacs) are tough-nosed players who do a little bit of everything for us. Brennon Dingle and Tim Wilson both are difference makers with their speed. Terrell (Carter) is just a competitor whose length allows him to make plays when the ball comes his way. Anthony Spurlock can really take the top off with his dynamic speed and Gage Larvadain keeps getting better every day as a true freshman. We have a lot of guys who can help us in a variety of ways and Coach (Offensive coordinator Greg) Stevens is going to have fun finding creative ways to get the football in their hands.”

For Turner, a Stats Perform preseason All-America selection, having that much talent in the position room fuels competition.

“We’re out there competing every day,” Turner commented. “When we see one of our teammates make a big play, it just motivates everyone in our room to make plays of their own. With us, you can’t just double team one guy. Plus, our offensive line gives Cole plenty of time and having Cole throwing us passes makes it easier on us. Coach Vizza teaches us something new every day to make us better and we think we’re going to be tough to stop.”

Having one ball to share between so many talented receivers is a good problem to have for the Lions. SLU is using the preseason to make sure the best guys are on the field to start the 2021 campaign.

“The competition we’re seeing in the fall is making our guys become more complete players,” Vizza stated. “The ones who are the best all-around players are the ones who are going to play. Our receivers are becoming better blockers and better special team players. Only so many players are going to dress out or get on the bus, so it’s important for our guys to do the things necessary to make themselves valuable.”

Southeastern will return to the practice field on Friday at 9 a.m. The No. 15/17 Lions open the 2021 season at home, hosting North Alabama at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.

2021 Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule
Aug. 20 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 21 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 23 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 24 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 25 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 26 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 27 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 28 – 9 a.m.

TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2021-22 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.