Arcata, Calif.--- New San Jose State University wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Eric Scott describes himself as detail-oriented. The little things mean more than "just a lot" to him and are vital to succeed.
He prides himself as a coach on identifying what makes a receiver better.
"I tell it to them. I write it out. I show them. I critique every little thing. I am very meticulous when it comes to these little bitty things and they (the players) will tell you I'm always talking about the little things," he says emphatically.
Scott has playing time to offer a group of 16 wide receivers this fall after former first-team All-Mountain West Spartans Tre Walker and Bailey Gaither signed National Football League undrafted free agent contracts following San Jose State's 2020 conference championship season.
With a career 16.5 yards per catch average and six touchdowns, Isaiah Hamilton is the most experienced player in the group. Jermaine Braddock, who spent most of his 2020 spelling Gaither when needed, has four career touchdown receptions. Isaiah Holiness, Andre Crump, Jr., and Malikhi Miller have vary degrees of playing experience and seek bigger roles this season.
Like Coach Scott, there are a group of newcomers. They range from freshmen Charles Ross, a transfer from the University of Nevada, where Scott had coached the previous four seasons, Branden Alvarez, and Assani Berkeley; to junior college transfers Donald McKinney and Taariq Johnson; and graduate transfer Trevon Sidney.
COACH SCOTT DEFINES THE STAR WIDE RECEIVER
Scott defines a superb wide receiver playing at an all-conference level or higher as one who excels in precise route running, carries oneself with an on-the-field arrogance while in the game, and is quick with the understanding that catching the football is a natural.
The new Spartan coach believes every player in his group should strive to play an entire game. However, there are two important distinctions – don't take any plays off because it will show up on film, don't be selfish, and there is no distinction between playing in the slot or along the perimeter.
"A receiver is a receiver. I have no height requirement. I have no size requirement. I have a 'heart" requirement," Scott said. "That's my requirement – to have a heart. If you want it, go get it. That goes along with the arrogance I'm looking forward to seeing."
KEEPING AN OPEN MIND
After two days at Humboldt State, he is not drawing any conclusions yet since the Spartans have been practicing in shirts and helmets.
"…That's not football to me. Tomorrow (Sunday, August 1) will be our first padded practice. Once we get into pads, I can give a better evaluation, but I'm expecting guys to do their job. This is a defending championship team and I expect guys who have been here to perform that way. I expect the guys who just came in to be able to step up to that (championship) level," said Scott, a teammate of Spartans head coach Brent Brennan at UCLA after beginning his college career at Northwestern.
The Spartans will continue their preseason practices at Humboldt State and in the Redwood Bowl through Saturday, August 7, and return to San Jose on August 8. San Jose State's first practice day on campus is Tuesday, August 10 following the completion of the 50th annual Women's Tennis Association's Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic the same day the team begins its 325-mile bus ride back to San Jose.
Season tickets for the 2021 San Jose State University football six-game home schedule are available by visiting https://am.ticketmaster.com/sjsuathletics/21football or by calling 408-924-7589.
