UNI football has robust competition at receiver with returnees and transfers

Editor’s note: First in a six-part series looking at Northern Iowa ahead of the 2022 season.

CEDAR FALLS — The way Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley spoke about wide receivers at his team’s annual media day two weeks ago would’ve made anyone familiar with him or his program think he must’ve been talking about linebackers.

However, with first-year co-offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder’s influence on both the roster and scheme, there was a concerted effort to add to the position despite there being quality returnees.

“The receiving corps we wanted to establish because of the type of style of offense that we want to create,” Farley said. “We did go into the (transfer) portal. We did have good, established guys coming back and we tried to get as many receivers in here as we could because we’ve got to find five great ones. Not just good ones.”

UNI’s established returnees are headlined by Quan Hampton, Deion McShane and Sam Schnee.

Each of the three eclipsed 400 yards receiving a season ago and Hampton did so despite playing in only eight games due to injury. Hampton and Schnee have proved an ability to line up wide and in the slot and be effective. McShane has done most of his damage throughout his career split out wide, where he’s a consistent deep threat with his speed.

What the Panthers lacked at the position was size after Isaiah Weston’s graduation. Multiple swings at receivers in the transfer portal became the approach to address the issue.

Devell Washington from West Virginia, Desmond Hutson from Iowa and Peter Udoibok from Minnesota are listed at 6-foot-4, 6-3 and 6-4, respectively, and each is listed at 215 pounds.

Farley revealed during media day that Hutson has battled a hamstring injury in camp, but complimented how good of a spring he had. He also praised Udoibok and freshman Brady McCollough of Ankeny. McCullough — who racked up 935 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior for the Hawks — is another big body who’s listed at 6-4, 217 pounds.

Reeder and co-offensive coordinator Ryan Clanton have a few more viable options in what’s a 12-man group.

Most notably, Logan Wolf and Tysen Kershaw.

Kershaw is one of the position’s few traditional developmental players. He’s appeared in 11 games the past two seasons and made plays when given opportunities.

Wolf missed all of last season with a hamstring injury, but put together an impressive four games during a redshirt season in 2019 and showed flashes in the 2021 spring season while battling injuries.

“Logan’s out there right now building himself up and nobody works harder trying to get back on the field,” Farley said.

It’s safe to say the competition at wide receiver is more robust than any other position in UNI’s preseason camp.