Shrader Playing Some WR

[ShotgunDawg]

He?s about 6?5? 220 lbs, can run, & a tough runner.

Kind of Joe Juravicious like.

Not sure if he can catch, but I love the competitiveness, willingness to adapt, & the type of teammate this says he may be due to being willing to help the team in anyway possible.

Not sure if it will work out, but I love the idea

[NWADAWG]

He?s about 6?5? 220 lbs, can run, & a tough runner.

Kind of Joe Juravicious like.

Not sure if he can catch, but I love the competitiveness, willingness to adapt, & the type of teammate this says he may be due to being willing to help the team in anyway possible.

Not sure if it will work out, but I love the idea

I would think that learning the routes/air raid as a receiver, especially if he learns both slot and wide, could only help him in reading defenses as a QB. He should be able to look pre-snap and know which receivers are likely to be open and at what point in the route. It would make post-snap reads much quicker because you progress in order of likeliness and not in order of area.

[HoopsDawg]

I would think that learning the routes/air raid as a receiver, especially if he learns both slot and wide, could only help him in reading defenses as a QB. He should be able to look pre-snap and know which receivers are likely to be open and at what point in the route. It would make post-snap reads much quicker because you progress in order of likeliness and not in order of area.

Yep. KJ is our QB this year. Also, it's a free year eligibility-wise. So why not give it a try.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Yep he's not the QB for now or the future so it doesn't hurt to try it out. If it works great for him & MSU & if it doesn't he transfers to a school that fits his skillset as a QB.

[ShotgunDawg]

Just goes to show you how appealing the WR position is in Leach’s offense.

Shrader probably looks at it and says “If I made the two deep at WR at some point, I would catch 50 balls and have a chance at the NFL”

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Just goes to show you how appealing the WR position is in Leach’s offense.

Shrader probably looks at it and says “If I made the two deep at WR at some point, I would catch 50 balls and have a chance at the NFL”

I think it was more Leach saying you can hold a clipboard & signal in plays or you can try your hand at WR. This wasn't Shrader looking saying oh I want to be a WR now.

[BB30]

I think it was more Leach saying you can hold a clipboard & signal in plays or you can try your hand at WR. This wasn't Shrader looking saying oh I want to be a WR now.

No doubt.

[HailStateSZN19]

Great on Shrader for being willing to give it a shot. Hurts nothing to give it a try.

But I'll be shocked if he makes an impact this season at WR or at WR ever really. He's a great athlete at QB but being a great athlete at WR in the SEC is a whole different thing. The fluidity and agility side to side to run routes to get open as a WR in the SEC is totally different from scrambling from DL and LB. Again, he's a hell of an athlete playing QB but throw him with the athletes at WR and his agility/quickness isn't what it was at QB. Just my opinion. I hope he crushes it and can get on the field though. He's a true team player being willing to do this.

Also, let the Will Rogers hype train continue building.....gonna be a DUDE.

[BB30]

Great on Shrader for being willing to give it a shot. Hurts nothing to give it a try.

But I'll be shocked if he makes an impact this season at WR or at WR ever really. He's a great athlete at QB but being a great athlete at WR in the SEC is a whole different thing. The fluidity and agility side to side to run routes to get open as a WR in the SEC is totally different from scrambling from DL and LB. Again, he's a hell of an athlete playing QB but throw him with the athletes at WR and his agility/quickness isn't what it was at QB. Just my opinion. I hope he crushes it and can get on the field though. He's a true team player being willing to do this.

Also, let the Will Rogers hype train continue building.....gonna be a DUDE.

You are correct on the agility/quickness. One thing he does have to counter some of that athleticism with is size though. At 6'5" 225 he can make some plays on balls that others may not. I doubt he sees the field as an every down WR but I could certainly see some packages with him in there for some occasional gimmick plays.

[ShotgunDawg]

Great on Shrader for being willing to give it a shot. Hurts nothing to give it a try.

But I'll be shocked if he makes an impact this season at WR or at WR ever really. He's a great athlete at QB but being a great athlete at WR in the SEC is a whole different thing. The fluidity and agility side to side to run routes to get open as a WR in the SEC is totally different from scrambling from DL and LB. Again, he's a hell of an athlete playing QB but throw him with the athletes at WR and his agility/quickness isn't what it was at QB. Just my opinion. I hope he crushes it and can get on the field though. He's a true team player being willing to do this.

Also, let the Will Rogers hype train continue building.....gonna be a DUDE.

Maybe, but he 6’5” 230. Not sure how crisp your route running has to be at that size. The quality of his hands will decide way more than his route running IMO

[HailStateSZN19]

Maybe, but he 6’5” 230. Not sure how crisp your route running has to be at that size. The quality of his hands will decide way more than his route running IMO

No doubt his size will help but size doesn't necessarily get you open consistently against SEC DB's. It gives him the potential to box out some guys and win some 50/50 balls over shorter DB's but I just see him struggling getting separation from most SEC DB's he'd face because he won't be fluid or agile enough side to side to create any separation. I'd love to be surprised and see him on the field at WR this season making some impact plays. It certainly could make for some interesting packages and trick plays.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I get the hype on Rogers because he knows the offense, but let's hold off on christening him the next Graham Harrell until he makes these throws with Alabama or LSU's D Line coming at him. I think this move is more about Garrett realizing that he's not going to play QB this year and so he's trying to get on the field any way he can. I still think Garrett will battle for the job in the spring. Some of the defensive players were very impressed with Garrett in this offense.

I'll also add that this is probably all going to be a moot point next year when Sawyer Robertson gets here. If you want to talk about real deal....He's it.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Great on Shrader for being willing to give it a shot. Hurts nothing to give it a try.

But I'll be shocked if he makes an impact this season at WR or at WR ever really. He's a great athlete at QB but being a great athlete at WR in the SEC is a whole different thing. The fluidity and agility side to side to run routes to get open as a WR in the SEC is totally different from scrambling from DL and LB. Again, he's a hell of an athlete playing QB but throw him with the athletes at WR and his agility/quickness isn't what it was at QB. Just my opinion. I hope he crushes it and can get on the field though. He's a true team player being willing to do this.

Also, let the Will Rogers hype train continue building.....gonna be a DUDE.

I feel the same.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I get the hype on Rogers because he knows the offense, but let's hold off on christening him the next Graham Harrell until he makes these throws with Alabama or LSU's D Line coming at him. I think this move is more about Garrett realizing that he's not going to play QB this year and so he's trying to get on the field any way he can. I still think Garrett will battle for the job in the spring. Some of the defensive players were very impressed with Garrett in this offense.

I'll also add that this is probably all going to be a moot point next year when Sawyer Robertson gets here. If you want to talk about real deal....He's it.

Garrett is a clear #3 behind Will right now. I don't see that gap getting any closer I just think it continues to widen as Will gets more comfortable as a college QB. Unless this WR experiment takes off I'll be somewhat surprised if Garrett is here in the spring.

[defiantdog]

This could be a David Sills situation.

[Dawgology]

Garrett is a clear #3 behind Will right now. I don't see that gap getting any closer I just think it continues to widen as Will gets more comfortable as a college QB. Unless this WR experiment takes off I'll be somewhat surprised if Garrett is here in the spring.

That's what I'm thinking also.

[Johnson85]

No doubt his size will help but size doesn't necessarily get you open consistently against SEC DB's. It gives him the potential to box out some guys and win some 50/50 balls over shorter DB's but I just see him struggling getting separation from most SEC DB's he'd face because he won't be fluid or agile enough side to side to create any separation. I'd love to be surprised and see him on the field at WR this season making some impact plays. It certainly could make for some interesting packages and trick plays.

How many TEs have the agility to get open against SEC DBs? He seems as agile or more agile than most tightends. Granted he's not going to be getting in a three point stance, but he's also probably not going to be lined up on the outside going against a CB. If he plays, he'll be facing a lot of coverage from Safeties or maybe even outside linebackers if we're lucky. If we're facing zone, then it will be as much or more about his ability to find space.

[RiverCityDawg]

How many TEs have the agility to get open against SEC DBs? He seems as agile or more agile than most tightends. Granted he's not going to be getting in a three point stance, but he's also probably not going to be lined up on the outside going against a CB. If he plays, he'll be facing a lot of coverage from Safeties or maybe even outside linebackers if we're lucky. If we're facing zone, then it will be as much or more about his ability to find space.

He is working outside though.

[RiverCityDawg]

Maybe, but he 6’5” 230. Not sure how crisp your route running has to be at that size. The quality of his hands will decide way more than his route running IMO

Shrader is listed at 215. He's not going to be some big physical presence out there boxing people out.

I don't see him beating out Osirus or Shavers for reps, which is what he'll have to do to get on the field. I don't even see him beating out Dontae Jones who is actually 230, much more use to catching the ball, and has been practicing as a receiver since Leach showed up.

[ShotgunDawg]

Shrader is listed at 215. He's not going to be some big physical presence out there boxing people out.

I don't see him beating out Osirus or Shavers for reps, which is what he'll have to do to get on the field. I don't even see him beating out Dontae Jones who is actually 230, much more use to catching the ball, and has been practicing as a receiver since Leach showed up.

We’ll see. He looks bigger than 215 to me, but you never know if he’ll just be the guy that knows how to get open.

[Offshore Dawg]

Maybe, but he 6’5” 230. Not sure how crisp your route running has to be at that size. The quality of his hands will decide way more than his route running IMO

Look at it this way how many balls does a QB field in the shotgun

[NWADAWG]

How many TEs have the agility to get open against SEC DBs? He seems as agile or more agile than most tightends. Granted he's not going to be getting in a three point stance, but he's also probably not going to be lined up on the outside going against a CB. If he plays, he'll be facing a lot of coverage from Safeties or maybe even outside linebackers if we're lucky. If we're facing zone, then it will be as much or more about his ability to find space.

Scheme, formation, and play calling will help a lot with getting open too. From what I've seen, getting open in Leach's offense is way easier than anything we've seen at State before.

Leach seems to accomplish what JoMo talked about. He attacks the defense and makes the secondary make choices about who to cover. No matter what the choice, someone is open at some point. (We still are required to actually throw the ball to the open receiver and catch the ball). Leach has scored a lot of points with some receivers that were mediocre at best.

The only way I see to keep that from happening is to play tight man on every receiver. Hill is really hoping someone dumb enough to try that.

[LC Dawg]

If our 3rd string quarterback becomes a big part of our offense by swapping to receiver a little less than 3 weeks from our first game I'd say we have major problems at receiver. Can't blame Schrader for trying and maybe he can be part of a special package or two.

[ckDOG]

Don't make it complicated. He's a strong guy with a big frame. Make him a redzone specialist and have him get good at jump balls and blocking. He's not going to be a pure route runner so there's no reason to expect him to be. Let him be an athletic where vertical space is limited and getting higher than a shorter corner is valued.

[msbulldog]

Great on Shrader for being willing to give it a shot. Hurts nothing to give it a try.

But I'll be shocked if he makes an impact this season at WR or at WR ever really. He's a great athlete at QB but being a great athlete at WR in the SEC is a whole different thing. The fluidity and agility side to side to run routes to get open as a WR in the SEC is totally different from scrambling from DL and LB. Again, he's a hell of an athlete playing QB but throw him with the athletes at WR and his agility/quickness isn't what it was at QB. Just my opinion. I hope he crushes it and can get on the field though. He's a true team player being willing to do this.

Also, let the Will Rogers hype train continue building.....gonna be a DUDE.

I don't know man, he's got that helicopter move down pat.

[Cooterpoot]

He's faster and quicker than our TEs lining up at WR. No idea if he can run routes and catch balls. Hope he can. Hate to see him leave.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Don't make it complicated. He's a strong guy with a big frame. Make him a redzone specialist and have him get good at jump balls and blocking. He's not going to be a pure route runner so there's no reason to expect him to be. Let him be an athletic where vertical space is limited and getting higher than a shorter corner is valued.

Osirus, Shavers, Heath, & Austin can all do that & are actual WR's.

[HailStateSZN19]

Osirus, Shavers, Heath, & Austin can all do that & are actual WR's.

What's the latest on Shavers and Heath? How they been looking in camp? Got high hopes for both being big contributors this year and then exploding next season.

[Johnson85]

If our 3rd string quarterback becomes a big part of our offense by swapping to receiver a little less than 3 weeks from our first game I'd say we have major problems at receiver. Can't blame Schrader for trying and maybe he can be part of a special package or two.

I mean, it's almost certainly our weakest position group on offense by a significant margin.

But also, WR is probably the easiest position to just come into and rely on athleticism. Aren't going to get the QB killed by poor blocking like a RB can, and the routes are generally going to be easier to learn than defensive assignments, and while there will be the occasional pick six caused by a WR and QB not being on the same page, WRs don't generally risk a TD everytime they screw up like a LB or DB might.

Ryan Tannehill was a QB that switched to WR after fall of his RS freshman year at A&M and was really good pretty much immediately. I think Bear Wilson was a pretty big contributor as a true freshman after not playing a whole lot of football up to that point. And at least a few college qbs have turn into pretty good NFL WRs (Matt Jones, Antwan Randle El (sp?). I'm sure there are a ton of HS QBs that have been moved to receiver or evern recruited at receiver and done really well. Not saying I expect Shrader to be great at WR, but it seems like there's a decent chance he could help us there based on his play last year, if he can catch.

[TrapGame]

If our 3rd string quarterback becomes a big part of our offense by swapping to receiver a little less than 3 weeks from our first game I'd say we have major problems at receiver. Can't blame Schrader for trying and maybe he can be part of a special package or two.

Dude is a baller and wants to play. The only way he sees the field is to become a WR. It's that simple.

[Bubb Rubb]

Just goes to show you how appealing the WR position is in Leach?s offense.

Shrader probably looks at it and says ?If I made the two deep at WR at some point, I would catch 50 balls and have a chance at the NFL?

Or maybe he's just thinking, "I'll bide my time this year and get on the field any way I can, and then I'll transfer to Florida and play for the SEC championship in a couple of years."

[StarkVegasSteve]

If this move is permanent and the staff has decided to roll with Rogers then if I'm Garrett I'm doing whatever I can to get on the field this year in any way I can and then I can transfer. He doesn't lose a year and still has his RS year. So he could literally be a 4th year RS Freshman for a new team with SEC QB experience. There's not many teams in the country who wouldn't be lining up trying to bring him in. I know of a certain Florida coach that would kill it with Shrader.

[BiscuitEater]

Yep he's not the QB for now or the future so it doesn't hurt to try it out.

Not so fast. Kid is a competitor. Hope he sticks around and competes for the QB job next year and backup qb this year. It never hurts to have good backups, especially at QB.

[ckDOG]

Osirus, Shavers, Heath, & Austin can all do that & are actual WR's.

Point? Would you prefer Shrader carry a clipboard all year?

[Thick]

It?s funny to me that he?s at WR. Him being at WR is like Nolte in North Dallas Forty. I say that, bc my daughter says every time she sees him he?s having a smoke and is drunk or is heading in that direction. Before any of you snowflakes get your panties in a wad, I?m not criticizing the kid. It?s just a good comparison minus the pills/shit from NDF.

[Johnson85]

If this move is permanent and the staff has decided to roll with Rogers then if I'm Garrett I'm doing whatever I can to get on the field this year in any way I can and then I can transfer. He doesn't lose a year and still has his RS year. So he could literally be a 4th year RS Freshman for a new team with SEC QB experience. There's not many teams in the country who wouldn't be lining up trying to bring him in. I know of a certain Florida coach that would kill it with Shrader.

Fourth year RS So, but still a valid point. If he wants, he could pretty easily have an undergrad and two masters before he runs out of eligibility. Only reason to not play WR this year is if he thinks he'd be better served practicing at QB rather than playing at WR.

[DeltaChicagoDog]

It?s funny to me that he?s at WR. Him being at WR is like Nolte in North Dallas Forty. I say that, bc my daughter says every time she sees him he?s having a smoke and is drunk or is heading in that direction. Before any of you snowflakes get your panties in a wad, I?m not criticizing the kid. It?s just a good comparison minus the pills/shit from NDF.

Excellent movie. "Hey, you gonna eat them pills?" "Does a shark sh*t in the water?"

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Not so fast. Kid is a competitor. Hope he sticks around and competes for the QB job next year and backup qb this year. It never hurts to have good backups, especially at QB.

Those aren't my thoughts they're Leach's.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Point? Would you prefer Shrader carry a clipboard all year?

If he's not 1 of the best players at a position? Yes

[Percho]

I hope he puts a plug in a lot of, "opinions." what ever position he plays.

[Coldsleeve Jr.]

Can he play cb?

[FISHDAWG]

Point? Would you prefer Shrader carry a clipboard all year?

ML is doing exactly what we pay him to do ... He went and found some better QB's and naturally there will be collateral damage - as we have seen with Keyton .... I also believe he will play the better players at any position. I liked Schrader and the heart and enthusiasm that he played with but he has been passed by and that's a good thing for the team and MSU ... I sincerely hope there's somewhere we can play him but I too don't think it will be at WR

[Offshore Dawg]

Bottom line it is a free year for him, he just wants to play

[Todd4State]

At any rate it's very obvious that Rogers was going to inevitably pass him at QB. I guess it's going to come down to whether he likes Starkville better than playing QB somewhere else.

[Johnson85]

At any rate it's very obvious that Rogers was going to inevitably pass him at QB. I guess it's going to come down to whether he likes Starkville better than playing QB somewhere else.

This seems premature to me. Rogers is a better natural fit for Leach and has advantages from playing in a similar system in high school (I think?), but Shrader still has him on basically every metric except for accuracy and (presumably) leadership. Obviously accuracy and decision making are the most important things for Leach, but I'd see how he responds to QB coaching before writing off his accuracy based on how he threw the ball his true freshman year while coming off an injury.

[Cooterpoot]

Look, Shrader is an injury or Covid issue away from being starting at QB. Might be the same at WR. Everything with Shrader is a wait and see.

[Todd4State]

This seems premature to me. Rogers is a better natural fit for Leach and has advantages from playing in a similar system in high school (I think?), but Shrader still has him on basically every metric except for accuracy and (presumably) leadership. Obviously accuracy and decision making are the most important things for Leach, but I'd see how he responds to QB coaching before writing off his accuracy based on how he threw the ball his true freshman year while coming off an injury.

I don't think Shrader is a bad QB and I'm not worried about his accuracy or arm strength given what is known about his arm injury. I give him a lot of credit for going out there as a true freshman and playing as hard as he did. But based on what other players are commenting about Rogers it just sounds like they respect him a lot. I don't hear them talking about Shrader that way. I think Rogers will run the offense better too. And that's a huge factor in an offense like the Air Raid.

Personally I think Shrader ends up in Oregon and probably does well there.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I don't think Shrader is a bad QB and I'm not worried about his accuracy or arm strength given what is known about his arm injury. I give him a lot of credit for going out there as a true freshman and playing as hard as he did. But based on what other players are commenting about Rogers it just sounds like they respect him a lot. I don't hear them talking about Shrader that way. I think Rogers will run the offense better too. And that's a huge factor in an offense like the Air Raid.

Personally I think Shrader ends up in Oregon and probably does well there.

He won't end up at Oregon their QB room is stacked for years to come.

[Hambone]

I could see him at Auburn or LSU and being a nightmare.

[HailStateSZN19]

Leach confirmed Shrader moved to WR while ago.

He’s talked very positively and optimistically about him. He’s been in the slot. Had a TD catch a couple days ago and said he made some plays in the scrimmage today.

This could turn out to be a pleasant surprise if he can pick up on small things about playing WR pretty quickly.

[Hambone]

I caught a quote from Leach that kind of surprised me. “Those other quarterbacks don’t have the gifts that Garrett does. Their next position is probably a coach. So I think he was excited and discovering that we run at that position more than he thought. He’s a factor when he’s out there.”

[Dawgfan77]

GS likes Starkville. He ain't leaving ....

[bulldawg28]

I just hope Leach doesn't force Shrader over some of the other guys that are true WR'S out there. We need SEC quality in there.

[Hambone]

He had an offer from Bama to play WR.....

He’s a legit candidate at WR

[bulldawg28]

He had an offer from Bama to play WR.....

He’s a legit candidate at WR

I don't know about that offer. Bama doesn't need to sign a 4.6 Qb to turn him into a WR when they can sign legitimate 5* already developed players.

[Jarius]

If you guys want to know how Shrader is doing at receiver read today’s interview with Leach. They asked him 14 questions about how our 3rd string quarterback turned receiver is doing.

[Cowbell]

If you guys want to know how Shrader is doing at receiver read today?s interview with Leach. They asked him 14 questions about how our 3rd string quarterback turned receiver is doing.
Can someone post this. I can't seem to be able to find these any more

[bulldawg28]

If you guys want to know how Shrader is doing at receiver read today’s interview with Leach. They asked him 14 questions about how our 3rd string quarterback turned receiver is doing.

It was a wasted interview imo. So many questions about this team and it's wasted on that .

[bulldawg28]

Can someone post this. I can't seem to be able to find these any more

https://youtu.be/eZgUvE0A8kA

[Todd4State]

It was a wasted interview imo. So many questions about this team and it's wasted on that .

I do wish that they would ask more X and O's related technical questions.

[bulldawg28]

I do wish that they would ask more X and O's related technical questions.

Yeah, once they heard about Shrader they totally lost focus.

[Todd4State]

Yeah, once they heard about Shrader they totally lost focus.

One thing that Joe did last year that was actually good was have a session where he educated them on his offensive philosophy. Insert joke here.

But I think if Leach and Arnett did the same it would lead to better questions and insight for the fans and I think the media would be more comfortable asking them X and O's questions.

[ShotgunDawg]

I think they will ask more Xs & Os questions once we play. There's only so much you can ask right now

[bulldawg28]

One thing that Joe did last year that was actually good was have a session where he educated them on his offensive philosophy. Insert joke here.

But I think if Leach and Arnett did the same it would lead to better questions and insight for the fans and I think the media would be more comfortable asking them X and O's questions.

I agree. You would think the media would be just as curious as we are regarding the happenings of strategy, player development, and what to expect on Saturdays. Heck, even follow up with after watching the film what were the stats from practice. Anything that can provide a semblance of expectations. I'm not asking for a game plan but man reporters give us something.

[sandwolf]

I think it was more Leach saying you can hold a clipboard & signal in plays or you can try your hand at WR. This wasn't Shrader looking saying oh I want to be a WR now.

Don't I remember it being said that Alabama offered him out of high school as a WR? Was that true?

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Don't I remember it being said that Alabama offered him out of high school as a WR? Was that true?

I've seen a few people say that but I don't know the validity.

[SheltonChoked]

No doubt his size will help but size doesn't necessarily get you open consistently against SEC DB's. It gives him the potential to box out some guys and win some 50/50 balls over shorter DB's but I just see him struggling getting separation from most SEC DB's he'd face because he won't be fluid or agile enough side to side to create any separation. I'd love to be surprised and see him on the field at WR this season making some impact plays. It certainly could make for some interesting packages and trick plays.

Mike Leach's offense gets people open.


https://youtu.be/HZxUj9uy65c