OGDEN — A year ago, Bryant Eteuati was teasing and tantalizing Weber State fans with his blazing speed and lightning-quick cuts during kickoff and punt returns.
This year, the junior from Northridge High is hoping to do the same as a receiver.
"We had some pretty good guys last year and I had to kind of wait my turn," Eteuati said. "Now, I think I'm ready to step in and help the team. I think I can be that kind of player."
Eteuati earned first-team All-Big Sky honors last season as a return specialist. The diminutive player averaged 27.94 yards per kickoff return and 12.07 yards per punt return. He took one kickoff 100 yards from end zone to end zone against Montana for a touchdown.
He has only 13 receptions during his two seasons with the Wildcats, but that has been largely due to playing behind established players such as Wiley King, Terry Larsen and Marky Filipe. With Larsen and Filipe graduating last year, Eteuati is one of a handful of receivers Weber State will look to when trying to move the ball downfield.
Sophomore Tim Toone also hopes to step into the starting lineup after showing flashes of brilliance as a freshman. The big-play receiver appears to be the kind of guy quarterbacks love to throw to. He caught only seven balls last year, but averaged an incredible 39.3 yards per catch. When WSU wanted to break out a big play last year, the call often was for Toone to sprint down the sideline and let the quarterback hang it out for him to chase down.
With strong-armed Jimmy Barnes in the pocket, Toone's abilities may be epecially useful.
"We've got some great skill guys," WSU coach Ron McBride said. "I think we'll be just fine in the passing game. They've got great hands, great speed and just have to develop into the guys we can count on every day."
Also stepping into the receiver spot for the Wildcats are Akamu Aki and Cody Nakamura. Aki transferred from Dixie State after that school made the move from a junior college to a Division II program. In practices, he's shown good hands and a toughness in running crossing routes. He's near the top of the depth chart as the Z receiver.
Nakamura took advantage of some injuries to teammates and saw spot action in the final four games of the season where he caught eight balls for 54 yards.
Though not especially experienced, the Wildcat receiving corps has all sorts of potential and skill.
"It's all a matter of providing them with the opportunity to succeed," McBride said. "If the line does it's job, we think we have all the parts we need to really move the ball around."
Also figuring to become factors in WSU's passing game are BYU transfer Zach Erekson, JC transfer Darrel Thornton and redshirt freshman Mike Phillips.
Weber State wide receivers
2006 STARTERS:Terry Larsen and Marky Filipe combined to catch 82 passes for 824 yards and four touchdowns. Bryant Eteuati held down the slot position.
2007 STARTERS: Eteuati will be joined by sophomore Tim Toone and either Akamu Aki or Cody Nakamura.
OTHER WIDE RECEIVERS
Darrel Thornton: Junior was brought in from Mount San Jacinto JC
Zach Erekson: Junior transfer from BYU figures to see playing time
Mike Phillips: Redshirt freshman has lots of speed
Geno Gwin: 6-4 sophomore provides big target
E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com