The current trio of UT receivers have been touchdown machines throughout their careers. To illustrate how dominant they have been, I went and collected the top 10 WRs in UT history by total touchdowns scored. (It took a little work because the media guide has more errors in it.) Here's the list:

31 Eric Page (25 Receiving / 5 Returns / 1 Rushing)
29 Bernard Reedy (23 / 4 / 2)
28 Lance Moore (25 / 2 / 1)
26 Cody Thompson (25 / 1)
24 Alonzo Russell
24 Dionte Johnson (21 / 3)
21 Mel Long, Jr.
21 Stephen Williams
20 Steve Odom (19 / 1)
19 Jon'Vea Johnson

Amazing to have 3 receivers all in the top 10 and rising. Thompson has already tied Page & Moore for most receiving TDs all-time. Each has amassed their totals in under 3 seasons, as Dionte is just a junior and neither Cody nor Jon'Vea scored in their freshman seasons.

And, except for some undisciplined blocking, D Johnson ties a Page for return TDs with his BG performance.

johnson has had 4 or 5 return tds called back iirc

I don’t understand why guys keep doing that. They know it’s a penalty but they keep on doing it

It used to be that we were fortunate to have one receiver the caliber of those guys. Then two. And now we have three--and that isn't even including the slot receivers who aren't so shabby either.

(10-09-2018 09:11 PM)Babes boy Wrote:  I don’t understand why guys keep doing that. They know it’s a penalty but they keep on doing it

I can get the blocks on the punt- he changed directions pretty quickly a couple times, but the block on the KO return was behind the play, IIRC.

One that gets me is on coverage. A team will have players engaging when the runner is 10 yds upfield the other way. I'm not sure it that's designed or just players not knowing where the ball is. If the latter, makes them easy to fake.

Are those return touchdowns or special teams touchdowns? Technically Cody's had a punt block/fumble recovery return touchdown too. Is that included in the returns or is that not listed? I get that it is more of a defensive score, just curious.


Good observation, great talent right now at WR.

(10-11-2018 07:59 AM)Rocket_Tree Wrote:  Are those return touchdowns or special teams touchdowns? Technically Cody's had a punt block/fumble recovery return touchdown too.

I think it should be officially designated an "intercepted punt for TD." He's leading the country in that catagory.

(10-11-2018 07:59 AM)Rocket_Tree Wrote:  Are those return touchdowns or special teams touchdowns? Technically Cody's had a punt block/fumble recovery return touchdown too. Is that included in the returns or is that not listed? I get that it is more of a defensive score, just curious.

Good observation, great talent right now at WR.

That play is his 1 return TD.

Updated Receiver TD totals. Thompson has shattered the receiving TD record, and is 1 short of Page for overall TDs

31 Eric Page (25 Receiving / 5 Returns / 1 Rushing)
30 Cody Thompson (29 / 1)
29 Bernard Reedy (23 / 4 / 2)
28 Lance Moore (25 / 2 / 1)
26 Diontae Johnson (23 / 3)
24 Alonzo Russell
21 Mel Long, Jr.
21 Stephen Williams
20 Steve Odom (19 / 1)
19 Jon'Vea Johnson

Also Thompson is now the 4th Rocket ever to have over 3000 receiving yards. And Diontae passed 4000 all-purpose yards.

What are their individual stats this year compared to previous years. I’m assuming they are all down

So, with 4 games left, it looks like both Cody, and possibly Diontae, could pass Page.

(10-29-2018 09:26 AM)Babes boy Wrote:  What are their individual stats this year compared to previous years. I’m assuming they are all down

Across the board, receptions are down, as this year there just haven't been nearly as many catches to go around. The trio has caught 72 passes this year, while last year through 8 games they caught 87 (even with Cody only playing a little over 4 games.)

Thompson's total yards and yards per catch are down a lot this year compared to 2016, but he has 9 TD catches in 8 games, which is only 2 shy of the 11 he had in 2016, which came in 13 games.

Diontae Johnson's yards per catch is slightly up from last year's record-setting season, although his total yards receiving is also down. He's close to 1000 all-purpose yards already though, despite all the returns that have been called back due to penalties.

Jon'Vea Johnson is averaging over 21 yards per reception this year which is way up from last year, and has 4 TD catches, whereas he had 5 all of last season.

(10-29-2018 09:00 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  

(10-29-2018 09:26 AM)Babes boy Wrote:  What are their individual stats this year compared to previous years. I’m assuming they are all down

Across the board, receptions are down, as this year there just haven't been nearly as many catches to go around. The trio has caught 72 passes this year, while last year through 8 games they caught 87 (even with Cody only playing a little over 4 games.)

Thompson's total yards and yards per catch are down a lot this year compared to 2016, but he has 9 TD catches in 8 games, which is only 2 shy of the 11 he had in 2016, which came in 13 games.

Diontae Johnson's yards per catch is slightly up from last year's record-setting season, although his total yards receiving is also down. He's close to 1000 all-purpose yards already though, despite all the returns that have been called back due to penalties.

Jon'Vea Johnson is averaging over 21 yards per reception this year which is way up from last year, and has 4 TD catches, whereas he had 5 all of last season.

With at least four games left. “Hopefully six games” There is still room for improvement and more stats to be added to and records to be set.

After the last regular season game, here's what these 3 amazing receivers have done:

Cody Thompson:
176 catches (10th UT)
3257 yards (2nd UT / 16th MAC)
30 receiving TDs (1st UT / T11 MAC)
31 total TDs (T1st UT among WRs)
18.5 yards per catch (2nd UT)

Jon'Vea Johnson:
119 catches
2160 yards (12th UT)
22 receiving TDs (T7 UT / T33 MAC)
22 total TDs (7th UT among WRs)
18.1 yards per catch (3rd UT)

Diontae Johnson:
130 catches (15th UT)
2178 receiving yards (11th UT)
23 receiving TDs (T5 UT / T29 MAC)
27 total TDs (5th UT among WRs)
16.7 yards per catch (6th UT)
4375 all-purpose yards

They are also in the record books numerous times for single season and game records, including Jon'Vea's 98 yard reception which is 1st in UT history and 2nd in MAC history. Between the 3 of them they have 8 catches of 80 yards or more.

Gonna miss Cody and Jon'Vea (and Diontae if he chooses to leave.) Hope they all have a shot at the big time.

Crap I thought Jon Vea was a Junior. If Diontae doesn’t return...sh*t

(11-24-2018 12:15 PM)Rocket_Fanatic Wrote:  Crap I thought Jon Vea was a Junior. If Diontae doesn’t return...sh*t

He and Deontae came in together but D redshirted.

Let the draft speculation begin. Here's one fellow that seems to think Jon'Vea could go as high as the 2nd round.

https://94wip.radio.com/blogs/eliot-shor...uld-target