Just two wide receivers on this year's roster have caught a pass in a Coyote uniform. Those would be returning starters Carter Bell (65 career catches) and Wesley Eliodor (22). Safe to say this is one group Coyote fans will learn a lot more about in September.
 
The group also has a new position coach in Tyler Paopao, a former quarterback and offensive coordinator who has worked with South Dakota's tight end group the last four seasons. It's been an awesome transition as he tells it and one he hopes will put the Coyotes' offense in the best position to win games.
 
"This is a group that I'm just as excited to see go when the lights turn on as anybody else," said Paopao. "I want it to be apparent when you watch them that they are hardworking, intelligent and tough – things that take absolutely no talent to do. It's a group of good people who just happen to be really good football players working to get better and trying to be the best possible teammates they can be."
 
Perhaps no one symbolizes those things better than Bell, a high school quarterback who stands 5-10, but has developed into a consistent weapon in both the offense and on special teams. Bell was on the field for the first snap of the game just three times in 2021, but led South Dakota with 41 catches for 673 yards and five touchdowns. He surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards in last year's playoff game against Southern Illinois.
 
"Carter has been a featured guy for us for awhile now, and Wes has been a steady on-the-field contributor as well," said Paopao. "Others are going to be new to the scene and through no fault of their own. They've had a year to develop in the weight room, learn our offense and are ready to be productive."
 
One of those players listed on the first two deep is Javion Phelps, a redshirt freshman from Orlando, Florida. He is expected to see significant time on the outside. Makai Lovett when he's fully healthy and newcomers in Montana State transfer Jamahd Monroe and Iowa State transfer Parker Rickert may be in line for opportunities as well. Andrew Jacobs, a true freshman and walk-on from Baltimore, Maryland, has also stood out during fall camp.
 
"We expect the guys to trust their training, trust the process they've been through at this point, and when it's their time to go play, hit it full stride," said Paopao. "I like the mix of players we have. That we have guys like Wes and Jordan Sommerville who have been here and been through the ups and downs.
 
"It's a pretty cool group of characters who don't get too high or too low and that's the way I like it. They are steady, focused and concentrated on the task at hand when we're out there on the field."
 
 
 
Returning Starters
Wesley Eliodor, 5^th-year junior (9 rec, 108 yds, 1 TD)
Carter Bell, 4^th-year sophomore (41 rec, 673 yds, 5 TDs)
 
Returning Letterwinners
Jordan Sommerville, 6^th-year senior (played in three games in 2021)
Datwan Blackwood, 3^rd-year sophomore (played in seven games in 2021)
Jacob Cheeseman, 3^rd-year freshman
Makai Lovett, redshirt freshman (played in one game in 2021)
Jack Martens, redshirt freshman (played in one game in 2021)
Javion Phelps, redshirt freshman
 
Newcomers
Parker Rickert, senior (Iowa State)
Jamahd Monroe, sophomore (Montana State)
Matteo Bonnin, redshirt freshman (from tight end group)
Andrew Jacobs, freshman, Baltimore, Md.
Alex Saunders, freshman, Orlando, Fla.
Tysen Boze, freshman, Dublin, Ohio
Kayden College, freshman, Robbinsdale, Minn.
Troy Bounting, freshman, Hudson, Wis.