Football | 8/18/2018 11:50:00 AM

ELLISVILLE – The Jones College Bobcats have nine wide receivers on the roster heading into the 2018 season.
And all nine are true freshmen.
"I guess you could say we are pretty young," quipped first-year JCJC Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach Brian Hudson.
Working mostly at outside slots are Gabe Douglas (Denton, Texas), D'kenyace Roberts (Amite County), Natorian Watts (Petal) and Nataurean Watts (Petal).
Douglas was one of the top receiver prospects in the Dallas-area, playing at Denton-Ryan High School. He is 6-foot-2, 194 pounds
"Gabe looks the part of a Division I player," Hudson said. "Right now, it's a little slow for him picking it up. But physically, he's got everything you want. He is an awesome player and awesome kid off the field. He will be someone to watch for this year just by his physical ability."
Roberts is the Bobcats' biggest target at 6-foot-3, 191 pounds.
"D is our biggest wideout," Hudson said. "He was very raw as a route-runner coming in, but he has really picked it up. He is a smart kid and is great with his size, using his body to hold off defenders. He is going to be a guy that we line up in the red zone and throw fades and slants, where he can catch the ball in traffic. I am very pleased with him."
Natorian Watts, known as Deuce, and Nataurean Watts, known as Phat, gave Petal opponents all kinds of problems and now they are expected to do the same at Jones. Deuce is 6-foot-3, 176 pounds and Phat is 6-foot-1, 183 pounds.
"Sizewise, Deuce is one of our bigger guys," Hudson said. "He will play one of the outside spots for us. He is really good right now with his physical route-running. He can use his body really well and will be a deep threat guy.
"Phat is also very physical and has picked up the offense really well. He and his brother were in a very similar offense in high school. They can play multiple positions just by how much knowledge they have of the offense already. They can help some of the other wideouts pick it up faster. Phat is another guy that could play running back and he will be a big help on special teams."
Working mostly at the slot positions are Johnquarise Patterson (Pearl), Jacory Rankin (Port Gibson), Immanuel Jones (Amory) and Brodie King (Biloxi). Daylyn Croom (North Forrest) is a late addition to the roster. 
Patterson originally signed with Mississippi State after leading Pearl to the 6A state championship. He is 6-foot, 170 pounds.
"Jred is playing on the inside for us," Hudson said. "He is very athletic and very fast and can get in between the 'backers, set up and catch some intermediate throws. He has very good hands and is picking it up well. He is going to be really good for us."
Rankin is expected to play several positions for the Bobcats. He is 5-foot-8, 173 pounds.
"Jacory is another slot guy and will probably be one of our punt returners as well," Hudson said. "He has great hands and can play multiple positions for us. He can play tailback and can definitely play both slot positions. He is very fast and quick and has great hands. He will be someone they will try to cover one-on-one with linebackers and he should be able to take advantage of that mismatch."
Jones, known as Manny, may be the most explosive player for the Bobcats. He is 5-foot-5, 167 pounds.
"Manny is an extremely gifted player," Hudson said. "He can flat out fly. He has made a few 'wow' plays every day in practice. I am very impressed with him. He can play both slot positions and he will also be another punt returner. We are going to try and get him the ball as much as possible with quick tosses, jet sweeps, fast screens and bubble routes. He is going to be good."
King is also the Bobcats' third option at quarterback behind Stetson Bennett (Blackshear, Georgia) and Fred Barnum (Warren Central). King is 5-foot-10, 185 pounds.
"Brodie will be a slot receiver for us," Hudson said. "He has also taken some reps at quarterback. He is a very savvy route-runner and understands the defense after playing quarterback in high school. He knows how to get into the windows and he can play all four of the wideout spots because of his knowledge."
Croom is 5-foot-9, 175 pounds.
Hudson knows his wideouts are very inexperienced, but he says they are improving each day.
"I've been pleased with them," he said. "I think we are coming along well with the freshmen wideouts. They don't have anyone to look to. That's where Stet has helped out bigtime. He will say, "This is what I'm looking at and this is what I'm seeing." 
"He is very smart and he's always tuned in. When he's not going at quarterback, he's watching and helping the wideouts on the sidelines."
JCJC opens the season at Bobcat Stadium/Sim Cooley Field at 7 p.m. on Aug. 30 vs. Coahoma. The game will air on www.jcjc.tvand WLAU-FM, 99.3 with Mark Easley and Ed Smith on the call.