Receivers prepare to lead wide-open offense

IU junior wide receiver Jahkeen Gilmore could be focusing on what he doesn't have this spring -- most notably, the partnership of IU's all-time leader in receptions and yards, Courtney Roby. \nInstead, Gilmore is looking at what he does have -- a new coach, a new wide-open offense and a new crop of talent at wide-receiver. And he likes what he sees. \n"It's exciting," Gilmore said. "There are going to be a lot of big plays this year."\nHoosier football fans could share Gilmore's excitement this fall, as coach Terry Hoeppner's spread offense and a duo of talented freshmen will look to make the wide receiver position both entertaining and effective.\nGilmore, who played in 11 games last year and started two, is the only returning receiver to have played significant minutes at the position. However, redshirt freshmen James Hardy and Marcus Thigpen have joined Gilmore this spring, and both are eager to contribute to the offensive cause.\nThe group has been confronted not only with filling the very big shoes left by Roby in the off season but also with the challenges of adapting to the new coaching staff's pass-heavy system.\nDespite these challenges, Hoeppner sees the wide receiver position as one of the most improved of the spring.\n"All of those guys have had good springs," he said. "They've improved tremendously. If we're going to throw the football, we're going to need someone to throw it to."\nDespite the talent the trio has shown thus far, Hoeppner is worried about the depth of the position, he said.\n"We don't want to wear those guys out," he said. "That's slowed us down a bit, but they've made great strides considering that."\nHardy's 6-foot-7 frame has allowed him to make a variety of athletic plays in practice, and Thigpen's two touchdown catches highlighted the "Pancakes and Pigskin" scrimmage Saturday.\nAfter redshirting last year, both players feel they are ready to contribute.\n"Last year we knew that our opportunity was going to come eventually," Hardy said. "We didn't get the chance because we were redshirts, but now the chance is here, and it's up to us to make the most of it."\nThere will be no shortage of chances for the receivers to make plays, as the spread offense will attempt to distribute the ball to as many players as possible.\n"There's going to be enough touches for all of us," Hardy said. "Everyone will get their chance."\nFor now, IU will continue looking to improve its passing efficiency.\n"We're much further along in play-action passing than in drop-back passing," Hoeppner said. "We need to continue to improve in those aspects of the game if this thing is going to work."\nFor Gilmore, seeing the players gradually improve and absorb the system has been encouraging in itself. \n"Everything is coming together," he said. "People are seeing themselves make plays in this offense and gradually getting it more and more. It's very exciting to see." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Eamonn Brennan at eabrenna@indiana.edu.