This is the second story of a seven-part series breaking down position groups on the University of Toledo’s roster entering the 2024 season.
There’s nothing Toledo football coach Jason Candle likes more than moving the ball downfield — and fast.
The Rockets will have plenty of playmakers to choose from in 2024.
The wide receiver and tight end meetings rooms will be overflowing with many of the best in the Mid-American Conference. Some position groups lost considerable production from last season — wide receiver and tight end are not included in that category.
■ Week of June 23: Defensive backs
■ Week of June 30: Wide receivers/tight ends and defensive line
■ Week of July 7: Offensive line and linebackers
■ Week of July 21: Running backs
■ Week of July 28: Quarterbacks
“I know a lot of people from the outside look at the talent,” wide receivers coach RJ Fleming said, “but I also feel great about the maturity of the room. Where the leadership is right now, where the buy-in level is right now, I’m just really, really, really satisfied with where they are right now. But we still have a long way to go.”
One element is that a different quarterback will be throwing the ball. However, it’s not like Tucker Gleason is an unknown quantity. He’s been a winner is some of the biggest moments the past two seasons. With an entire offseason to build rapport, there’s a strong belief that UT’s pass catchers will be better than ever.
2023 in review
Toledo had the No. 69 passing offense nationally but led the MAC with 220.6 yards per game. The QBs combined for 26 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. Wide receiver Jerjuan Newton ranked in the top 30 nationally with nine touchdown passes, though none of them came in the final eight games. Newton and Junior Vandeross were each top-10 receivers in the MAC, combining for more than 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tight end Anthony Torres had 18 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns (and two 2-point conversions) in the final eight games.
Position coaches
Fleming is back for his second year at Toledo. He previously coached at Auburn, Texas State, Eastern Michigan, Liberty, TCU, Trinity International, and Arkansas Tech.
Derek Sage is the tight ends coach, his second stint at Toledo. He coached the Rockets’ wide receivers from 2014-16. The Nevada native previously coached at Nevada, UCLA, Washington State, Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Moorpark College (Calif.).
Probable starters
■ Wide receiver: Newton, Vandeross, and Jaden Dottin. The first two are obvious. The final spot is a competition between Dottin, Larry Stephens, Thomas Zsiros, and Eric Holley. Dottin, a transfer from Penn State, flashed his potential in Year 1 with the Rockets, finishing with 12 catches for 138 yards. He started twice. A touchdown catch against Central Michigan was a SportsCenter top-10 play. Dottin had two receptions in the Arizona Bowl.
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— #MACtion (@MACSports) November 24, 2023
What a catch by Jaden Dottin! @ToledoFB | #MACtion | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/lyMgPAkMVP
“I’m extremely confident in those guys being able to go in,” Fleming said. “There wouldn’t be a drop off. If you look at last year, some games Larry Stephens started at X, some games Jaden Dottin started at X, some games Eric Holley started at X. We went 10 personnel at times. Tommy Zsiros came in as one of our Xs or Zs and at times he played slot.
“So those guys have played numerous positions, and they know the offense. I’m extremely confident in those guys being in the game and being able to function at a very high level.”
■ Tight end: Torres. Securing Torres’ commitment to play a final season of college football was an underrated moment of the offseason. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound target is quickly developing into a draftable NFL prospect. He could be a major touchdown weapon in 2024. And don’t forget, Lenny Kuhl is coming back from injury, so there’s even more potential production behind Torres.
“He’s extremely talented,” Sage said of Torres. “He would have fit in my room at UCLA.”
“We have an extremely deep room,” Sage added. “I mean, it is unbelievable. I’ve watched every snap Lenny Kuhl has taken, and boy, this kid can play some football. CC Ezirim has all the potential in the world. Connor Jones is a converted linebacker, and I’ll tell you what, you could tell me that he’s been playing tight end his whole life.”
Most intriguing newcomer
Zy’Marion Lang. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound burner was a four-star recruit, according to Rivals, and a signing day coup for Toledo. He was previously committed to South Carolina, with a final four of the Gamecocks, Kansas State, Pitt, and South Florida. South Carolina wanted him to play defensive back in college.
“He’s got a great body and a great frame,” Candle said. “I think he’s a guy that can flourish in our offense. We’ve had a lot of great receivers here who fit that mold. He’s a dynamic playmaker that we’re excited to have here.”
Watch Lang’s high school highlights here:
Lang is the fourth-highest-rated high school signee in program history, according to 247Sports’ rankings. Fleming said he’s already one of the four fastest players on the team.
Don’t sleep on Iowa State transfer Terrell Crosby. The Florida native was a former UT commit before spurning the Rockets for the Cyclones. But he only saw limited time on special teams and as a defensive back, which led him back to UT. He’s an instant impact guy on offense.
Unanswered questions
There aren’t many. The Rockets have depth in numbers at wide receiver, but there might be concerns if Dottin, Stephens, Zsiros, and Holley can truly elevate themselves, though Fleming clearly isn’t a doubter.
The questions at tight end are nonexistent.
What to expect this fall
Yards and touchdowns by the bunches. There’s a confident QB who’s got numerous weapons, including the prototype modern NFL tight end. What’s not to like? The high-flying passing days of Logan Woodside are due for a return this season.
“We left a lot of plays out there in 2023,” Fleming said, “so I’m looking forward to some of those guys being able to capitalize on some of the plays they left out on the field.”
First Published July 3, 2024, 2:51 p.m.
