Ashland University 2005 Spring Football Preview: Wide Receivers
April 7, 2005

Wide Receivers (Position Coach - Greg Gillum)

Key Losses – Michael Hull (44 catches, 549 yards, 12.5 ypc., 3 TD), Jeremy Holland (10 catches, 79 yards, 0 TD).

Top Returnees – Dalorean White (24 catches, 317 yards, 13.2 ypc., 5 TD), Brandon Gilmore (16 catches, 146 yards, 9.1 ypc., 0 TD), David Ziegelhofer (15 catches, 234 yards, 15.6 ypc., 1 TD), Bobby Madison (5 catches, 35 yards, 7.0 ypc., 1 TD).

With the exception of Mike Hull, it can be argued that AU wide receivers have been flying below the radar the past several years. Now, if everything goes to plan, the Eagles will have some receivers who can make the radar gun flash.

The Eagles lose one major player at wide receiver, but that player, Hull, is one of the most productive wide receivers in school history. He is the school’s career leader in receptions, is second in receiving yards and has led the club in receiving each of the last three years. He leaves Ashland holding single-game and single-season records for receptions.

Wide receivers coach Greg Gillum is optimistic that the returnees bring more speed than what the Eagles have had over the last several seasons. The AU assistant coach believes that this group began to grow up last season.

“We want more confident players and we want to play fast,” remarked Gillum. “Those are our spring goals.”

Dalorean White (Warrensville, OH/Erie C.C.) has demonstrated that he can stretch the field and run away from defenses. The 5-11, 170-pound White will be a senior in the fall and he’s AU’s top returning receiver. He caught four passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns last season at Wayne State. White also averaged 21.2 ypr., on 22 kickoff returns.

“He’s playing with more confidence, he knows what to do and he’s a fast, fast player,” said Gillum. “He brings track speed to the football field. Not all speedsters can do that. He can still play fast once we put the pads on. We’re finding more ways to get the ball in his hands.”

David Ziegelhofer (Lexington, OH) had a solid freshman year. In addition to his responsibilities at wide receiver, the 6-3, 185-pound Ziegelhofer thrived on special teams where he returned 27 punts for a 6.7 ypr., mark and a touchdown.

“David’s made improvement,” reported Gillum. “He had a great offseason in the weightroom. He plays with an attitude I like, I’d like to see everyone have that. But it’s still a learning process for him. His top end is still out there, he’s not a finished product.”

Two sophomores – Brandon Gilmore (Mansfield, OH/Madison) and Bobby Madison (Lorain, OH/Steele) – can make a big jump up the depth chart with solid springs. Gilmore is 6-1, 195 pounds and Madison checks in at 6-3, 215.

“With Brandon, I’m very pleased in the short time we’ve had, with his level of confidence,” said Gillum. “Last year there were a lot of blank stares, he was unsure of himself. The challenge for him is to do it on an everyday basis.”

“Bobby Madison’s probably the most consistent of the four receivers we’ve mentioned,” continued Gillum. “He’s improving on a daily basis. We can utilize him in more than one spot, we can use him in a lot of ways.”

The depth chart doesn’t end with those four holdovers. Trent Seay (Lima, OH/Senior), a 5-11, 195-pound senior, didn’t have a reception last season, but caught 23 passes in 2003 and 17 in 2002. He’s hungry to return to that level.

“He’s working at becoming a more physical receiver,” noted Gillum.

Greg Meyer (Lancaster, NY) is a 6-0, 165-pound freshman who was redshirted last fall. That year of experience has helped him.

“He’s playing with the speed he showed in high school,” said Gillum. “He lost his legs in camp last year and never got them back.”

Also back are Rock Lewis (Maple Heights, OH) and Viterio Jones (Dayton, OH/Belmont). Both were rookies in 2004. Lewis is 6-0, 185 and Jones is 5-11, 163. Both can earn more playing time with increased consistency. Lewis has contributed regularly on special teams.

“He has to show game intensity on an everyday basis,” Gillum said. “He can do it physically.”