These four Florida State football players could end Seminoles' 400-yard receiving drought
To Florida State wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, it’s not a matter of what is the reason behind Malik McClain’s recent surge.
It’s a matter of who.
“Johnny Wilson,” Dugans said earlier in preseason camp. “Once you get competition, you are going to raise that bar and raise that standard of your mentality when you come out to practice every day.”
Wilson indeed elevated the Seminole receiver room to another level this month. The Arizona State transfer established himself as FSU’s top receiver, pestering opposing cornerbacks in practice often with his 6-foot-7, 235-pound frame.
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But Wilson was not alone. McClain frequently won matchups in single coverage and came down with impressive jump balls. And two other transfers, Mycah Pittman (Oregon) and Deuce Spann (Illinois), were standouts in a lot of practices.
“We are not satisfied with being fat and happy with going out and having a really good practice,” Dugans said. “We are going to stay humble and hungry, trying to put two of them together. All right, let’s get three. So that’s been the mindset.”
The Seminoles have to feel good about all of those receivers flashing promise. They desperately needed the group to improve after failing to produce a 400-yard receiver for a second straight season in 2021.
After what the receivers showed in preseason camp, it’s difficult to imagine that none of them will pass the 400-yard mark again this season. Without seeing them in person, though, FSU’s fanbase has a valid reason to feel pessimistic.
Especially when the only player who has ever reached 400 receiving yards, West Virginia transfer Winston Wright Jr., remains out with the injury he suffered in a car accident in March. Seminole head coach Mike Norvell has yet to offer a timetable for his return.
So for this exercise below, these are the four players who are the most likely to have at least 400 receiving yards. Each receiver comes with a specific reason for why he could put an end to that lousy streak.
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Johnny Wilson
Classification: Redshirt sophomore (Arizona State transfer)
Measurables: 6-7, 235.
Reason why: Wilson emerged as the most dominant receiver in preseason camp.
And that was certainly not the case throughout FSU’s 15 practices in the spring. Wilson looked like an entirely different player, which speaks to his buy-in and overall development. Because during the spring, Wilson struggled so much with consistency, drops and conditioning that he didn’t seem capable of being a starter.
Still, it’s possible Wilson will drop some passes and show inconsistency this season. But Wilson has significantly redefined his ceiling. He now should be much more than just a towering red zone target. Wilson can inflict damage anywhere on the field and adds value as the best blocker among the receiver group.
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Malik McClain
Classification: True sophomore
Measurables: 6-4, 200
Reason why: McClain showed enough to start nine games as a true freshman last season, and he’s a much better player now.
Just like Wilson, McClain often doesn’t need to create much separation to be considered open. His large catch radius and overall athleticism makes him a threat to opposing cornerbacks in even the tightest of spaces.
No other FSU receiver – at least besides Wilson – has a higher long-term ceiling than McClain. Among the current receivers on the roster who signed with the Seminoles out of high school, McClain ranked the highest as a recruit.
In his second collegiate season, McClain is in a much better position to tap into his potential.
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Mycah Pittman
Classification: Redshirt junior (Oregon transfer)
Measurables: 5-11, 203
Reason why: Pittman should be considered the best route runner on the team.
With his thicker build, Pittman is more quick than fast and somewhat moves like a running back. No, Pittman may not beat his defender in a straight line at times. Pittman creates separation, though, with the wiggle and smoothness that he has as a runner. And he’s a tougher player who can catch passes in traffic and break tackles.
How productive Pittman will be likely depends on how FSU will use him. Pittman has a skill set that is different from what any other receiver on the team brings. If the Seminoles can feature Pittman in the correct ways, he should surpass the 400-yard mark.
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Ontaria Wilson
Classification: Redshirt senior
Measurables: 6-0, 175
Reason why: Wilson previously came close to reaching 400 yards.
In each of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Wilson led FSU with 382 receiving yards. One or two more catches, or one or two more missed tackles, and Wilson could have eclipsed the 400-yard mark. So it’s not inconceivable that he accomplishes that feat this season.
The one problem, though, is that Wilson could garner fewer targets if receivers like Johnny Wilson, McClain and Pittman overshadow him. But on the flip side, Ontaria Wilson could have more big-play opportunities if those receivers make this offense more explosive.
Only time will tell which dynamic will be the case.
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2022 FSU football schedule
Aug. 27: Duquesne, 5 p.m. (ACC Network)
Sept. 4: vs. LSU, New Orleans, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Sept. 16: at Louisville, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sept. 24: Boston College
Oct. 1: Wake Forest
Oct. 8: at N.C. State
Oct. 15: Clemson
Oct. 29: Georgia Tech
Nov. 5: at Miami
Nov. 12: at Syracuse
Nov. 19: Louisiana
Nov. 25: Florida, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Johnny Wilson, Mycah Pittman, Malik McClain poised for big seasons
