Bru and Payton were both experienced WRs who understood coverages and route running. Not saying the portal won't be used but he's going to want WRs who understand the system. Most of the time that's going to require WRs who have been around the system or understand the position at a high level. But if you want to continuously have players who understand it, the best way is recruiting and developing.
Let's see if the stats back up your assertion that the young man is handicapping the offense. To date, he is 2nd in targets with 41 to Squirrels 60. He has 22 receptions to Squirrels 43. He is 2nd in yardage with 327 to Squirrels 462. He leads in yards per catch with 14.9. Squirrels is 10.7. He leads in average depth of target with 19.7 to Squirrels 9.7. So, the further the attempted throw and catch, the lower the chance it will be caught. These stats indicate that the offense is concentrating on short passes. So, to say that he is handicapping the offense is far from accurate. It sounds like you just don't like the kid!
It may be just my opinion but this runs through my mind when I see Keyton going for a pass when he has no separation. He looks to me that he goes in to a mode of where he is trying to draw a PI (too obvious) instead of going all out and extending for a pass like he did vs UF last year. IMO if this runs through my mind it probably runs through the refs (as he has to make a instant decision) as he ignores what in some cases could be a PI. Its very frustrating some receivers know what it takes to get the yellow and some just never can act that well.
Honestly I can see how one can think that seeing a single play in a single game.. but. One thing I have noticed over the course of the season is DB's are playing our WR's differently. A lot more hand-fighting and grabbing and they are getting away with it. Its like they have seen tape and saw how Hyatt and company were roasting folks. The wide splits I think are affecting how refs see the plays because we are spread out so much distances are bigger. 3-5 yards extra on each hash does not sound like a lot but thats 6-10 yards 20-30 feet which opens up a lot of space for runs but also means refs have to run a lot more and see further. It is also why even when we dont do as well on passes we raost in the run game. They have to make a choice their choice is dont get beat deep. Dont be 2022 Bama and put an unkknown WR into the third round in one game. Seriously take the bama game from Hyatt and his season is meh too good. He had 1267 yards and 15 tds in 13 games. subtract those 6 for 207 and 5tds and his season is getting scouts looking but not getting him drafted. In the grand scheme 1060 yards on 61 catches and 10 td's happens a lot. That game put UT and him and Hendon on the (national) map. If he goes 10 catches for 150 and 2 tds that game.... hes still starting in the slot for us this year. Check his splits before that game he was meh with some flashes in the pan after that defenses were checking him and our offense was basing its scheme around him. Not gonna lie they were moving that direction but that was the game. Funny story maybe Bru getting hurt this season helps the offense immensely next season because now Thornton is getting a chance outside. He has done a lot better there than in the slot.
