2007 Outlook: Wide Receiver

Although not a big concern, one of the question marks offensively for Shippensburg this season will be at wide receiver. While the position features some good playmakers, it was also depleted by a graduation, a shift and a transfer.

Lost to graduation is Patrick Ferguson who finished his career ranked third in school history with 20 receiving touchdowns and seventh with 1,841 receiving yards. Meanwhile, after three seasons and 34 games as a wide receiver totaling 714 yards and four touchdowns on 45 receptions, senior Tim Devanney has been moved to defense where he is expected to help a depleted secondary by competing for time at safety.

Finally, lost by way of transfer to Shepherd was Brennon Relaford who, at 6-4, was a large target with good hands and speed. In his first collegiate season as a red-shirt last year, he appeared in 10 games as a reserve, totaling four receptions for 59 yards and one touchdown.

Red-shirt senior Howard Chavous returns as the position’s top threat after having quietly emerged as a consistent performer over the past two seasons during which he totaled 61 receptions for 820 yards, the highest total on the team over that span. As a result of an injury to Ferguson in 2005, Chavous led the Red Raiders with 35 catches for 517 yards and two touchdowns as the team’s No. 1 receiver.

The most likely candidate to join Chavous as one of the team’s top receiving threats is red-shirt sophomore Mike Harris, who missed the 2006 season with a leg injury. As a red-shirt last year, Harris was able to fully recover from his injury while getting key reps with the scout team. The coaching staff is hopeful that he regain the form he showed as a true freshman in 2005 when he finished with 12 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown, the second-highest totals among receivers.

Also looking to emerge as wide receivers this season are red-shirt freshmen Chase DiFebbo and Jeff Fertig. DiFebbo, the brother of quarterback hopeful Chad, totaled 28 catches for 721 yards and nine touchdowns in just seven games as a senior at Phoenixville High School in 2005 where he earned All-PAC 10 Second Team honors.

Meanwhile, Fertig’s 84 career catches as Susquehanna Township High School were the third most in school history. He totaled over 1,000 all-purpose yards as a senior and was selected to the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association East-West game in 2005.

"The split end position features some real fine athletes," commented Rees. "Chavous has had been a strong performer over the last two seasons while Harris returns following a red-shirt season after starting as a freshman."

Rees added, "Tim Devanney was moved to defense in the spring, but could be recalled if necessary and DiFebbo has shown good speed and the ability to make plays."

- Red Raider Football -