RETURNERS: Ife Adeyi, Noah Smith, Cody Chrest, Tony Williams, Derrick Rose, Shane Johnson, KeSean Raven, Jaxson Chrest, Adrian Murdaugh, Red Jones
NEWCOMERS: Al'vonte Woodard, Chris Hicks, Tyler Bailey, Jay Rockwell
 
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston wide receiver corps has had its fair share of big moments in recent seasons, many of which come from a core group of returners that will be complimented by a slew of talented newcomers for 2022.
 
Familiar names such as Ife Adeyi, Cody Chrest and Noah Smith are back with plenty of credentials to their credit; however, depth should be an ally for the group this season with the addition of Texas transfer Al'vonte Woodard and a trio of talented freshmen, and the likelihood of impact coming from returners such as Tony Williams, Derrick Rose, Shane Johnson and KeSean Raven.
 
"For having as many new guys as we do, we've really adapted well in a short amount of time," Adeyi said. "I am really excited to see how far we can go. The new coaches are relating well to us and we are doing our best to be coachable."
 
First-year wide receivers coach Jacoby Walker takes over instruction of the group this season, returning to the college ranks after leading South Oak Cliff High School to the 2021 Class 5A Division II state title as the offensive coordinator.
 
A Houston native, Walker spent his collegiate playing days in the state of Arkansas and was a familiar foe for the Kats as a player when he played at Central Arkansas.
 
"I'm really glad to be back coaching college football and it's great to be around this group," Walker said. "The standard is already set here, so we are just making sure that we are living up to it and we will keep trying to do the right things to be where we want to be."
 
One of the top returners for the Kats is Adeyi, who is going into his fourth year with the program. The speedster has hauled in over 1,800 yards worth of receptions in his first three years as a Kat, along with 18 total touchdowns.
 
He could be poised for an even bigger year in 2022 after seeing his numbers increase each season so far. A multi-faceted weapon for the Kats, he has put up 236 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in his career to go with his receiving output.
 
"I feel like I've really grown tremendously," Adeyi said. "I'm bigger, stronger and faster physically, but I really feel like I read the game faster, and much of that is because of our coaches and my teammates."

The Kats also will welcome back Chrest in what will be his third year with the program. He originally came to Huntsville as a graduate transfer from Harvard with one year to play, but due to the free season from COVID and a favorable ruling from the NCAA granting him another year due to an early injury, he has already suited up in 22 games for Sam Houston with one more year left.
 
In those two seasons he has proven to be a huge asset to the Kats' receiving corps, hauling in 95 passes for 1,167 yards and seven scores while not missing a game. His efforts last fall helped him earn all-WAC second team honors.
 
"We're really excited to have Cody back," Walker said. "The No. 1 thing he brings to our group is maturity. Skillwise, he's quick and powerful but his main thing is that he loves the 1-on-1 situations and I think that is going to be a big advantage for us."
  
Another dynamic weapon who is back for the Kats is Smith, who will shift back to slot receiver in 2022 after spending the last two seasons as one of SHSU's top options at running back and earning all-WAC honors in 2021.
 
The Houston native accounted for over 800 all-purpose yards last year and got into the end zone 10 times, but he may have been at his most dangerous as a receiving threat out of the backfield where his ball skills and ability in space were on display.
 
"Being back at receiver has been great," Smith said when asked about the transition. "It has me in space a bit more so I can get loose more often. But I still think the plan is for me to continue to be diverse within the offense."
 
Other returners who saw action last year include Tony Williams and Derrick Rose, while KeSean Raven and Shane Johnson both used redshirts in 2021 but could very well have an impact on the offense in 2022.
 
Rose saw his first on-field action as a Kat in 2021 and showed flashes of how his 6-4 frame could make an impact down the field, while Williams – the brother of linebacker Trevor Williams – accounted for 95 receiving yards and a score a year ago; however, his impact on special teams should not be overlooked.
 
For Raven and Johnson, their second season in Huntsville could be big for two of the top signees from the Kats' class prior to the 2021 campaign. Walker notes that both are good in space, especially Raven who was a 3-star recruit out of Rockdale High School and should fit in well in the slot. Meanwhile, Johnson impressed Bearkat coaches in camp last year and projects as an outside threat who can thrive in 1-on-1 scenarios.
 
The Kats also have a quartet of talented newcomers, including Texas transfer Al'vonte Woodard who joined the program in time for summer workouts and has the size and strength to make an immediate difference after seeing time in 24 games for the Longhorns over the past three seasons.
 
A trio of true freshmen could also see time and has the coaching staff excited about the future of the group. Duncanville's Chris Hicks was one of the team's top signees for this year and immediately ranks right at the top of the roster with elite speed as his primary tool, which should allow the Kats to utilize him in multiple ways.
 
Tyler Bailey and Jay Rockwell are also notable additions with Bailey already taking reps in camp both as an inside and outside receiver coming off a stellar career at Prosper High School. Meanwhile, Rockwell was another 3-star signee and projects as an outside target after completing his career at Gilmer High School where he helped lead the Buckeyes to the Class 3A Division I state title game a year ago.