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(UWIRE) ATHENS, Ohio -- Fresh off his breakout season a year ago, wide receiver Taylor Price is taking on a new role.
Price is coming off a sterling sophomore season in which he was second on the team in receptions (33), yards (464), and receiving touchdowns (4). But he will be counted on even more this season because of the loss of some key contributors.
Gone from last season's receiving corps are seniors Chido Nwokocha and Justin Fitzgerald, transfer Matt Donahue -- who is now at Nebraska -- and former receiver Chris Garrett, who was moved to running back.
Just a junior, Price is now the most experienced receiver on the team.
"A lot of these freshman and sophomores look up to you," Price said. "I need to be a vocal leader on and off the field ... just make sure I'm on top of things so I can show these younger guyswhat to do and how to do things."
Price realizes that he will be counted upon heavily this season and he showed that he's not taking it lightly. He spent the winter working out with the other receivers and quarterback Theo Scott. He also bulked up. He said he is now 6-foot-2 and is up to 200 pounds.
"I'm feeling real good," Price said. "I still feel fast, so that's a good thing. They said they want to keep my speed. "I don't care how big I get. I just want to keep my speed."
Outside of Price, though, there isn't much experience at the position. The only other receivers to return with any kind of experience are sophomores LaVon Brazill and Terrence McCrae.
Brazill was forced into action when Donahue was sidelined for the season with a thumb injury during Ohio's 33-25 loss to Kent State. It didn't take long for him to show his talent, finishing the season with 16 receptions and 201 yards.
McCrae is the only other receiver on the roster that has recorded a catch. He had one catch for 22 yards last season. The two performed well in their first practice of the spring, especially Brazill, who showed off his blazing speed and rotated in at punt returner.
"I do think LaVon did some good things (Wednesday). (He's) running his routes better," wide receivers coach Dwayne Dixon said. "Terrence McCrae is more knowledgeable about what's going on now. His size and his range are going to help us, too."
The wide receiver group is one of the youngest and most inexperienced units on the team, but Dixon, who is in his second season with the Bobcats, doesn't necessarily see that as a hindrance.
"There's an opportunity for them to come show themselves," Dixon said. "I think I'm more comfortable with that; lining up and things like that shouldn't be near the problem as it was when we first got started."
