2021 Bearkat Football Preview: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Returning Wide Receivers: Jequez Ezzard, Ife Adeyi, Cody Chrest, Chandler Harvin, Brennon Tibbs, Ryan Humphries, Tony Williams, Adrian Murdaugh, Derrick Rose
Newcomers: Red Jones, Xavier McGriff, Jaxson Chrest, Shane Johnson, Michael Murray, KeSean Raven

Returning Tight Ends: Isaac Schley, Dalton Meyer, Rowdy Godwin, Jarvis Brooks
Newcomers: Jacob Kainer, Braeden Howell, Marcus Collins

HUNTSVILLE — There is no doubt that Sam Houston's group of electrifying pass catchers made last season's national championship run even more exciting to watch.

Each week brought the next big highlight, and the good news is, the guys are back together for the 2021 season. The Bearkats return their skill position players headlined by all-conference performers in wideouts Jequez Ezzard and Ife Adeyi and tight end Isaac Schley.

This is one of the deepest wide receiver talent pools in the program's history. Ezzard, Adeyi, Cody Chrest, Harvin and Tibbs combined for 2,152 receiving yards on 126 receptions with 14 touchdowns in 10 games.

Throw in Schley's 16 catches for 191 yards, and those six accounted for 83 percent of the Bearkats' receiving yards last season.

Ezzard, who is on the Walter Payton Award watch list for the 2021 season, made an immediate impact for Sam Houston as a transfer from Howard. He led the team with 861 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on the way to earning Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year and AP All-America second-team honors.

He was just as tormenting to opposing special teams with a pair of punt returns for touchdowns, including an 80-yard score weaving in and out between defenders against James Madison in the FCS semifinal win that helped erase a 24-3 deficit. He was only one of six FCS players with over 1,000 all-purpose yards.

Adeyi has been an explosive player maker since his freshman season in 2019 and has 1,101 yards and eight touchdowns for his career. He also was on the receiving end of the biggest play in school history that led to Sam Houston's national championship.

With 16 seconds left and down 21-17 to South Dakota State, quarterback Eric Schmid threw a dart through triple coverage into the arms of Adeyi in the back of the end zone for a thrilling 10-yard, game-winning score.

Chrest led the team with 41 catches and finished with 463 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His breakout game came at Northwestern State as he hauled in five passes for 98 yards and a score.

Harvin, who missed three games due to injury, and Tibbs combined for 17 catches for 240 yards last spring.

Schley is a preseason All-WAC selection after grabbing 16 passes for 191 yards last season. The second-team All-SLC honoree had three receptions in the Bearkats' victory over North Dakota State in the quarterfinals.

The wide receiver and tight end positions also feature some versatile players who stepped into various roles to help Sam Houston win the 2020 national championship. Wideouts Ryan Humphries and Tony Williams and tight end Dalton Meyer have been solid special teams contributors.

The Bearkats have plenty of talent waiting in the wings. It will only be a matter of time before Kilgore College transfer Red Jones, FIU transfer Xavier McGriff, redshirt freshman Derrick Rose and freshmen Jaxon Chrest, Adrian Murdaugh, Shane Johnson, Michael Murray and KeSean Raven make plays at receiver. Jacob Kainer, Jarvis Brooks, Rowdy Godwin, Braeden Howell and Marcus Collins add solid depth at tight end.

2021 Bearkat Football Preview: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Players Mentioned

Ife Adeyi

Jarvis Brooks

Cody Chrest

Jaxson Chrest

Marcus Collins

Jequez Ezzard

Rowdy Godwin

Chandler Harvin

Braeden Howell

Ryan Humphries

Shane Johnson

Red Jones

Jacob Kainer

Xavier McGriff

Dalton Meyer

Adrian Murdaugh

Michael Murray

KeSean Raven

Derrick Rose

Isaac Schley

Eric Schmid

Brennon Tibbs

Tony Williams

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