Bobo pleased with progress of young receiving corps

FORT COLLINS – It may have taken a little longer than some had hoped, but the promise of Colorado State’s receivers is starting to show.

When Joe Hansley, Rashard Higgins, and Kivon Cartwright left, the next logical guy to be in line for the most targets was Xavier Williams. The now redshirt junior put together solid 2014 and 2015 campaigns, hauling in a combined 49 catches for 661 yards and five touchdowns.

But Williams hasn’t been much of a factor yet as a result of some off-the-field issues. Mike Bobo said Monday that he could rejoin the team in as soon as one week or may not be back for the rest of the season.

“There’s a certain obligation that you have to uphold to be part of this football team,” said Bobo. “He’s got to do that to be part of this football team.”

That’s opened up the door for guys like Michael Gallup, Robert Ruiz, Olabisi Johnson and Danny Nwosu.

Let’s start with Collin Hill’s favorite target in Gallup. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder from Atlanta now has 254 receiving yards. With one or two breakout performances, he could be flirting with a 1,000-yard season by season’s end.

For now, though, Bobo is thrilled with Gallup’s progression.

“He’s improving every game,” said Bobo. “He’s still not the finished product that we need at receiver. But you see his ability to make some plays. He’s still got to get more consistent in his route running, the depths of routes, understanding coverages. And that will come. Where he is right now compared to week one is light years. We’ve got to continue to push him and challenge him. I believe he has that ability to make those plays that change football games.”

Hill has definitely found his playmaker in Gallup, but he may have also discovered a security blanket in Ruiz. His shiftiness makes him an ideal slot receiver Hill may be looking toward more on third downs.

“I think you see him (Ruiz) getting better every week,” said Bobo. “He’s a guy that’s made plays. He’s made the tough catch; he’s made yards after contact. He’s been a bright spot when he’s touched the ball. He’s a good route runner. He has quickness. He’s not afraid to be the guy to make a play. I really like how he’s been practicing and how he’s been performing in games. To me, he’s one of our better players on the offensive side of the football because of consistency in playmaking ability.”

Johnson makes for another guy on the outside that Bobo mentioned he wants to get more touches. And Nwosu, who had six catches for 68 yards against Wyoming, presents a matchup nightmare for defenses at tight end.

“Danny can catch the football,” said Bobo. “He’s got to get more precise in his route running. He has shown the ability to make a play and catch the ball. He’s still got to be more of a complete player.”

Turning to Saturday, the Rams will need all of these guys to contribute and make plays against an Aggies defense that ranks among the league’s best.

“They’re very active and multiple in their 3-4,” said Bobo. “They cause confusion, mix different coverages off of what they’re doing, so it’s got to be a good prep week for us offensively, especially the quarterback. They try to confuse the quarterback.”

Utah State’s defensive numbers are staggering. Two players have three interceptions and four players have two forced fumbles. It’s a group that prides itself on wreaking havoc.

Said Bobo: “They’ve got guys that are athletic. They play free to me on defense. They move around, they slant; they’re an aggressive defense. They feed off each other and everybody tries to make a play. It’s scary watching the film right now of them defensively of how we’re going to move the ball and what we’re going to do.”

However the Rams decide to attack the Aggies, it will be imperative that the receivers rise to the occasion.

“We’ve got to be the aggressor,” said Johnson. “You can’t get hit first. You’ve got to give the blow instead of receive it.”