[BJWilliams]

We take our last look at the offensive skill players for the Flames by looking at probably the deepest position on that side of the ball (outside of the line):

Players Lost
Branden Francis 3 Receptions 30 Yards 0 TD
Damarcus Faison No 2013 Stats (Left Team)
Greg Pratt 5 Receptions 94 Yards 0 TD

Players Returning

Darrin Peterson 58 Receptions 825 Yards 7 TD
Gabe Henderson 47 Receptions 641 Yards 3 TD
Dante Shells 29 Receptions 432 Yards 1 TD
Jaquan Glover 9 Receptions 112 Yards 0 TD
Justin Fritts No 2013 stats (redshirt)
Dakota Kelly No 2013 stats (redshirt)
Ryan McCarter No 2013 stats (Injury)
Malaki Roy No 2013 stats (redshirt)
Isaac Brown No 2013 stats (redshirt)
Theo Mayo No 2013 stats (stats)

Peterson leads the way for the receiving corps, coming off an all-conference season, finishing with the second best yardage total for a sophomore in program history (Behind Flames great Kelvin Edwards). He is joined by his two wingmen from last year, Henderson, the converted quarterback, and Shells who had his first complete season after grayshirting in 2011 and then redshirting in 2012. Shells picked up his first career TD in the finale against Charleston Southern and came into camp as the starter opposite the aforementioned Peterson. Henderson took a rather circuitous route to becoming the starting slot receiver last season. He started out as a wide receiver in 2010, then redshirted in 2011 preparing to compete for the starting QB job in 2012, before Josh Woodrum made a major splash in his first spring, which led to Henderson returning to wide receiver in 2012, before having a bigtime season in 2013, finishing with 647 yards and his first three receiving TDs.

A player to watch heading into 2014 is Justin Fritts. The 6'2" redshirt freshman out of North Carolina had an outstanding spring, earning the Samkon Gado Award given to the most improved player in spring practice, and probably will be the one coming in for Peterson when he needs a break. Another interesting story is that of Dakota Kelly. The 5-11 slot from Liberty Christian Academy is looking to make a name for himself, instead of simply being known as "Pat Kelly's younger brother" (Pat exploded onto the scene with a 75 yard TD against St Francis in 2010 before going on to set the single game receptions record and earn first team All-Conference honors in 2012). Dakota showed significant improvement as well and looks like he will get that chance to make his own legacy on the mountain.

Players Incoming
BJ Farrow 6'2" 170 Lbs (Liberty Christian Academy, Lynchburg, VA)*
Kyle Carrington 6'1" 175 Lbs. (Monsignor Donovan HS, Toms River, NJ)
Zac Parker 5'9" 175 Pounds (South Lakes HS, Reston, VA)

Farrow was one of the better gets in the 2014 recruiting class, finishing an outstanding career at Liberty Christian, where he was a teammate to both Dakota Kelly and offensive lineman Tanner Hartman (who we will touch on in a later preview). He is sitting out the 2014 season as a grayshirt and will join the Flames for 2015 spring practice. Parker actually came to Liberty in the fall of 2013 but stepped away from football for a season to get his academic house in order (much like Farrow is doing this year). Carrington is a walkon and probably will see action with the scout team.

Projected Depth Chart

X Receiver
Darrin Peterson
Justin Fritts
Ryan McCarter

Z Receiver
Dante Shells
Jaquan Glover
Theo Mayo

H (Slot) Receiver
Gabe Henderson
Dakota Kelly
Zac Parker

Tight End

Players Lost
Brandon Apon 14 Receptions 225 Yards 4 TD (2013 Big South All-Conference First Team)
Michael Johnson 1 Reception 28 Yards 1 TD
Peter Gagliardi 4 Receptions 32 Yards 1 TD

Players Returning

Dexter Herman 5 Receptions 78 Yards 2 TD
Kendall Couamin No 2013 Stats (converted from RB)
Garrett Long No 2013 Stats
Tyler Meeks No 2013 Stats (redshirt)
Canon Smith No 2013 Stats

Players Incoming

Will Johnson 6'6" 255 Lbs (Osseo HS, Osseo MN *Transferred from West Virginia)
David King 6'1" 210 Lbs (Riverheads HS, Stuarts Draft, VA)

Probably the most interesting battle is the one between returning TE Herman (who filled in for Brandon Apon when he was out with an injury) and the former Mountaineer Johnson, who impressed in spring ball upon his arrival in Lynchburg. Both are looking to replace Apon, who came in as a preferred walkon and left the mountain as the Big South's all-time leader in TDs by a tight end. Herman did very well in spot duty in 2013 and came into spring practice as the starter. Im giving the nod to Herman thanks to his experience but having two good TEs will offer Woodrum a good option in the passing game.

Projected Depth Chart

Dexter Herman
Will Johnson
Canon Smith

[jlread]

WOAH BUDDY get your facts straight !! I went to Stuarts Draft High School and I can promise you that Riverheads HS is not in Stuarts Draft. Huge rivals....

[Chris Lang]

That's how its listed in the media guide. He lived in Stuarts Draft and went to Riverheads, much like Grant Jones is listed as LCA/Madison Heights.

[BJWilliams]

Thanks for that Lang... I kinda figured that was the case with King (who also is in a battle for the long snapper with Hunter Winstead...more on that later)

[BJWilliams]

This WR group could be very fun to watch. Petey has cemented himself as our #1 wideout, and has shown that he can not only win the 50-50s, but he gives us a vertical threat that teams will have to respect, which can open the rest of the field for guys like Shells and Henderson. Im curious how McCarter does as well, since he has not seen any game action after redshirting his first year and then sitting out with a leg injury in 2013. I have him as #3 at the X position, and if he can stay healthy, I think we could have a group who can keep defensive backs coaches up at night as they prepare to play us

[jlread]

Hmmmm that's sorta odd my guess is he had family in Staunton or family that taught at a Riverheads so they allowed him to go their. LCA is private so you can be from anywhere and go. Stuarts Draft and Riverheads are both public schools. But whatever it's not really of any importance.

[flamehunter]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverheads_High_School

[quote]Forming the school community are areas such as Moffatts Creek, McKinley, Newport, Vesuvius, Mint Spring, Middlebrook, Greenville, Spottswood, Lofton, White Hill, Jollivue, and the southern sections of both the Stuarts Draft area and the Beverley Manor District.[ /quote]

Seems that part of the Riverheads district include areas that may have a Stuarts Draft address.

[R i]

Pat Kelly was from New Orleans

[BJWilliams]

Moving on...I havent been able to read online (my 20 articles havent reset yet)...what's the battle between Dexter Herman and Will Johnson been like since they continued from spring ball?

[Chris Lang]

The battle is between Herman and Couamin, not Johnson, at least at this point.

[BJWilliams]

Ohh...is Johnson injured? what's the story there...and what's the story on Canon Smith?

[flamehunter]

Johnson hasn't played since high school, at least in a game situation. At this point Couamin is the better player.

[olldflame]

Johnson hasn't played since high school, at least in a game situation. At this point Couamin is the better player.

Actually, I don't think either of them have played TE since HS. Couamin played special teams and fullback last year. He did catch one pass for 19 yards.

[BJWilliams]

Herman did very well filling in for Apon last year. My guess is he wins the job this year and then the rest of them battle next spring for the starting job. Still curious what the story is on Smith though

[krh44]

WOAH BUDDY get your facts straight !! I went to Stuarts Draft High School and I can promise you that Riverheads HS is not in Stuarts Draft. Huge rivals....

I went to Riverheads and lived in Stuarts Draft. Some of my brothers and sisters went to both schools since the lines for the districts kept changing.

Who is the returner that Paul R. was talking about last night that he said is going to be really good?

[Chris Lang]

Zac Parker, kid from South Lakes who sat out last year getting his academics straight.

[BJWilliams]

I really liked him on tape during his recruitment. So I would not be surprised to see him and DJ or Josh Smith back of kick and punt returns this season

[bluejacket]

I really liked him on tape during his recruitment. So I would not be surprised to see him and DJ or Josh Smith back of kick and punt returns this season

I can't imagine that DJ will be playing on special teams considering his role in the offense.