Breakdown: Owls 2017 Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers
Check out the latest news on the Owls QB’s and WR’s from KSUOwls.com
Quarterbacks
Chandler Burks returns for his junior season after making 10 starts under center during the 2016 campaign, while guiding an offense that put up eye-popping numbers. The Owls averaged 38.9 points, and were the nation’s only team to finish ranked in the Top 10 in total offense, rushing, scoring, pass efficiency, third-down conversions and
fourth-down conversions. Burks led the Big South in rushing offense and total offense, and became the first Big South QB with consecutive games of three rushing touchdowns each. For the season, the Douglasville, Ga., native led the team with 799 rushing yards and completed 74-of-138 passes for 1,250 yards, totaling a Big South-leading 22 (13 passing, nine rushing) touchdowns. Three other QBs could see reps this season with Daniel David –a mid-year transfer from Appalachian State last year—projected to be Burks back- up. David played in nine games for the Owls, ranking third on the team in total offense with 593 yards. The Hoschton, Ga., native completed 18-for-37 passes for 387 yards, tallying a 161.37 efficiency rating. The then-sophomore recorded 206 rushing yards on 32 carries, and totaled five (four pass, one rush) touchdowns. The Black and Gold also have Tommy Bryant –who
took a redshirt in 2016—and lefty Caleb O’Neal from Gordon Lee High School on the depth chart.
Wide Receivers
The spread option offense led to many dominant statistics on the ground in 2016, but it can be argued that the wide receiving core took the most advantage of their opportunities that forced opposing defenses to prepare for both the run and pass. Led by Preseason All-Big South selection Justin Sumpter and junior Xavier Harper, the Owls have a deep receiving unit across the board. Sumpter, now in his third season and a junior from Tyrone, Ga., landed preseason all-league honors after making the most of his eight games in 2016. He led the Owls with 31 receptions for a career-best 538 yards and a Big South-leading eight TD grabs. Gaining steam as a potential NFL- caliber receiver, Sumpter hit the highlight reel totaling a career-high 187 yards on just eight catches and two scores at Duquesne. His big-play potential was noticed, scoring at least one touchdown in six of his eight games. His counterpart, Harper –a Hoschton, Ga., native –filled in nicely when Sumpter was out battling injuries, ranking second in the Big South for average yards per catch. The junior receiver hauled in 376 yards on 16 catches and two touchdowns.
Harper has the ability for breakout games as he posted a career- high 121 yards on three catches versus Presbyterian (Nov. 12) and an 88-yard performance on five catches versus Liberty last year. The Black and Gold are deep and talented at the receiver position, as redshirt freshman Dorian Miles and Ezra Naylor could make a difference when the opportunity is handed to them. Junior WR Jordan Walker also returns, as the Savannah,
Ga., native appeared in eight games in 2016 and scored his first TD grab at Gardner-Webb.
Source: ksuowlssports.com
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