Replacing Mr. Robinson

The No. 6 hasn’t been absent from USU’s spring practices-redshirt freshman running back Robert Turbin wears the number on his practice jersey.

So the shirt’s been filled, but it remains to be seen whether Utah State can replace the offensive presence of last year’s No. 6-playmaker and NFL prospect, wide receiver Kevin Robinson.

Robinson lead the team in receiving with 55 catches for 640 yards and five touchdowns. Along with the numbers, the Aggies will have to replace the deep-strike ability Robinson provided on the outside.

When asked about finding a replacement, senior wide receiver Otis Nelson wasted no time giving his one-word answer: “Stanley.”

Nelson is referring to redshirt freshman Stanley Morrison out of Denison, Texas.

“Stanley is quick, fast,” Nelson said. “Stanley’s that new Kevin, running the sweeps … He’s little, but he’s really quick.”

Listed at 5-feet-9-inches and 170 pounds, Morrison may not be big, but he seems to be generating some excitement this spring.

Nelson said Morrison and fellow redshirt freshman Austin Alder add to a fairly experienced group on the outside.

“If we can stay healthy, we’re going to be a big threat,” he said.

Along with Nelson, Utah State returns three lettermen at the receivers spot-juniors Xavier Bowman, Omar Sawyer and Nnamdi Gwacham. Nelson led this year’s returning receivers with 20 grabs for 189 yards and a touchdown. Bowman also had a touchdown reception and seven catches for 34 yards. Sawyer picked up six catches for 96 yards. Gwacham played in eight games and only had one catch for five yards.

Also looking to replace some of the big play ability the Aggies lost are the tight ends, especially senior Rob Myers.

Aggie offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey said Myers has carried his momentum from last fall over to spring practices.

Myers ended the 2007 campaign with 21 catches for 320 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 15.2 yards per catch, which led NCAA tight ends.

Utah State also switched junior Zach Zimmerman from the offensive line to tight end to help fill the position out. Head coach Brent Guy said junior college transfer Jeremy Stevens will help at tight end.

Still, Myers said tight end can be an overlooked position.

“We just have to show Dickey, the guy who’s calling the plays, that we can do it,” he said.

– da.bake@aggiemail.usu.edu