Tag: Bryce Ford-Wheaton

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 61 West Virginia WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is West Virginia WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.

The NFL Scouting Combine is this week with on-field drills scheduled to start on Thursday with the defensive line and linebackers.

The wide receivers are scheduled to work out on the field on Saturday starting at noon (central time). A player that could put on a show is West Virginia’s Bryce Ford-Wheaton. The West Virginia wide receiver was No. 68 on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks list this summer.

From Feldman: “He vertical-jumped 40 inches, broad-jumped 10-8; had a 4.02 pro agility time and went 6.68 in the L-drill. In addition, he power-cleaned 365 pounds.”

A three-star recruit with ties to the West Virginia program, Ford-Wheaton finished his career as a Mountaineer with 32 career starts.

After redshirting, Ford-Wheaton scored two touchdowns in 2019. The following season, Ford-Wheaton recorded 27 receptions for 416 yards and three touchdowns. In 2021, Ford-Wheaton recorded 42 receptions for 575 yards and three touchdowns.

This past season Ford-Wheaton recorded 62 receptions for 675 yards and seven touchdowns. 

“Bryce was a legacy kid,” Jed Drenning, the West Virginia football sideline reporter, said. “Genetically he definitely passes the smell test. Two previous generations of his family played at WVU including his grandfather Garrett Ford St. who was a standout running back in the 60s before going on to play for the Denver Broncos.”

Ford-Wheaton has an enticing blend of size (6-3, 222) and speed. He uses his frame and physicality to separate and box out defenders. 

“Bryce’s biggest strength is his size and physicality,” Drenning said. “He was a big-bodied, physical weapon for us and proved to be a nice fit for the version of the Air Raid Graham Harrell deployed this past season in Morgantown. His production came despite an unsettled situation at quarterback for part of the year.”

A large framed target, Ford-Wheaton has a huge catch radius. He does a good job of climbing the ladder and using his long arms to snag the football. He tracks the ball well and has the body control to contort and adjust in flight. He seems more than comfortable making catches in a crowd, in fact, the West Virginia wide receiver seems to thrive hauling in passes with cornerbacks in his hip pocket. According to Pro Football Focus, Ford-Wheaton hauled in 18 contested catches this past season. For his career, the West Virginia wide receiver had 18 drops. 

“He understands leverage and uses that to his advantage in the scoring area,” Drenning said. “His frame and skill set also enabled him to lead the Big 12 with 18 contested catches – the most by a Mountaineer receiver in the PFF era.”

With his strength, he’s able to beat press coverage. The West Virginia wide receiver has good acceleration off the line of scrimmage and long strides to quickly get vertical. With his leaping ability and length, he gives his quarterback a large window. 

Ford-Wheaton wasn’t asked to run a diverse route tree at West Virginia and the amount of contested catches he hauled raises red flags on if he’ll be able to create separation at the next level. 

“Bryce’s hips are more fluid than you might expect from a receiver his size, helping him in the route tree,” Drenning said. “Though there is of course room for growth in this area.”

Ford-Wheaton is physical after the catch and uses his long strides to quickly pick up yards. He has some wiggle and juice after the catch racking up 265 yards after the catch this past season (PFF). 

“His physicality and strength made him tough to bring to the ground after the catch,” Drenning said. “Strength more than shiftiness is what makes him formidable with the ball in his hands.”

Fit with the Packers

Christian Watson has the makings of Green Bay’s new No. 1 wide receiver. When he was healthy, Watson proved to be a dynamic playmaker for the Packers during his rookie season.

Romeo Doubs seems like an ideal No. 3 wide receiver with the upside to develop into the team’s No. 2 target. Samori Toure played limited snaps during his rookie season and likely has a spot on the wide receiver depth chart.

With those three in place, the Packers need to continue to add talent to the room. With his size and athleticism, Ford-Wheaton could be a target for Brian Gutekunst on day three of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

“I could see a general manager recognizing the things Bryce has that can’t be coached (size) and recognizing they would be getting a guy who hasn’t hit his ceiling yet and who could continue to improve and flourish in the right environment,” Drenning said.

With his frame and ability to play above the rim, Ford-Wheaton could help remedy some of the red zone woes that Green Bay’s offense suffered this past season. 

At the very least, Ford-Wheaton could round out the bottom of Green Bay’s wide receiver depth chart. If he’s on the board when the Packers are on the clock late on day three, it will be worth taking a bet on his traits and seeing if he can’t develop into something more than a No. 4 or No. 5 option. 

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SKOL Search: Bryce Ford-Wheaton scouting report

The West Virginia product has a very appealing size profile. How does he stack up?

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.

The Vikings are slated to have four picks before compensatory selections are awarded and they need to make the most out of them.

Report Card: Lack of execution dooms Sooners as they hit a new low

Oklahoma traveled to West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers and took a horrific loss to last place West Virginia. Here’s this week’s report card. From @thatmanbryant

With two games left, Oklahoma can only go up after its loss to West Virginia. The Mountaineers are the worst team in the Big 12, and the Sooners lost 23-20 on Saturday afternoon. It never felt as if Oklahoma was ever fully in control. As time expired, West Virginia nailed a kick to cap its first win against the Sooners in Big 12 play.

The performances as a whole weren’t all bad, especially considering the weather. But it was simply not good enough to get the job done against a bad West Virginia team.

With the game behind us, here’s how we graded each position group.

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Oklahoma Sooners at West Virginia Mountaineers: Stream, injury report, broadcast info

Trying to figure out where to find the Sooners game on Saturday? Here’s how to watch, stream or listen to Oklahoma at West Virginia. From @john9williams

Oklahoma (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) will face West Virginia (3-6, 1-5) on Saturday, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

Heading into the Sooners’ week 11 contest with the West Virginia Mountaineers, Oklahoma finds itself once again in bounce-back mode. It’s unfamiliar territory, as Oklahoma hasn’t lost more than two games in a season since 2014. The Sooners have won fewer than 10 games just five times since 1999, one season being the COVID-shortened 2020 season in which they went 9-2.

With three games remaining, the Sooners are fighting for bowl eligibility. It’s a low bar by Oklahoma standards, but winning out and playing in and winning a bowl game are the last accomplishable goals for this team this season.

The Sooners need to finish strong to build positive momentum heading into the offseason and to close out their top 10 recruiting class. It all starts Saturday against last-place in the Big 12 West Virginia.

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Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022
  • Time: 11 a.m. CT
  • TV Channel: Fox Sports 1
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)
  • Listen: Streaming on the Varsity App

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Oklahoma vs. West Virginia injury report:

Oklahoma

[autotag]T.D. Roof[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Elbow)

[autotag]Shane Whitter[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Shoulder)

[autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], S: Questionable (Hamstring)

West Virginia

[autotag]C.J. Donaldson[/autotag], RB: Out for season (leg)

[autotag]Mike O’Laughlin[/autotag], TE: Out for season (leg)

[autotag]Tony Mathis Jr[/autotag]., RB: Questionable (Undisclosed)

Players to watch:

Oklahoma

[autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], QB: 64.3% for 2,027 yards, 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. 53 carries, 250 yards and 4 touchdowns.

[autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] WR: 38 receptions for 678 yards and 4 touchdowns.

[autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag], TE: 25 receptions for 347 yards and 5 touchdowns.

[autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], RB: 140 carries for 902 yards, 8 touchdowns at 6.4 yards per carry. 24 receptions for 177 yards and 0 touchdowns.

[autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag], WR: 23 receptions for 308 yards and 2 touchdowns. 11 carries for 109 yards, 0 touchdowns at 9.9 yards per carry. 8 kickoff returns for 186 yards at 23.3 yards per return.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], LB: 77 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 3 passes defended.

[autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag], LB: 74 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.

DaShaun White, LB: 57 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sacks, 1 interception, 5 passes defended.

West Virginia

[autotag]J.T. Daniels[/autotag], QB: 61.3% for 2,042 yards, 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.

[autotag]Bryce Ford-Wheaton[/autotag], WR: 51 receptions for 605 yards and 6 touchdowns.

[autotag]Tony Mathis, Jr.[/autotag], RB: 99 carries for 492 yards, 5 touchdowns at 5 yards per carry.

[autotag]Dante Stills[/autotag], DT: 21 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks.

[autotag]Lee Kpogba[/autotag], LB: 58 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Oklahoma at West Virginia Mountaineers: Sooners Wire staff predictions

Oklahoma looks to get back on the right side of the win column on the road against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Sooners Wire Staff predictions.

The Oklahoma Sooners (5-4 and 2-4) look to rebound from their loss a week ago to the Baylor Bears on the road against the West Virginia Mountaineers (3-6, 1-5). The Sooners are undefeated since West Virginia joined the Big 12. They’ve won nine in a row, and generally, they’ve been high-scoring affairs. Last year’s 16-13 win in Norman was an aberration, to say the least.

Against Baylor, the Sooners’ offense couldn’t get out of its own way, and the defense couldn’t stop a Baylor rushing attack that put up 281 yards, led by Craig Williams’ 192.

Oklahoma will look to bounce back with a cleaner performance on the road in what is generally perceived to be a tough place to play, even if that hasn’t been the case for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Let’s get ready for Saturday with this week’s staff predictions.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Four WVU players to know as Oklahoma travels to face the Mountaineers

Four West Virginia Players to know as Oklahoma takes on the Mountaineers. From @thatmanbryant

Oklahoma has had great success against West Virginia in its existence. The Sooners are 11-2 all-time good luck against the Mountaineers. They enter Saturday’s clash having won nine straight against WVU.

This Oklahoma team may be more flawed than previous ones. Most of the more recent OU teams took on West Virginia with a Heisman hopeful at quarterback and the ability to virtually score at will at a moment’s notice.

This year’s Oklahoma team hasn’t reached that capacity on offense yet but they are still a dangerous unit when things are clicking. Defensively, OU comes in at a disadvantage considering they don’t match up with what West Virginia does best; slinging the football.

Ultimately, this could be a tight game that hinges on which team’s best playmakers show up to make more plays than the others. West Virginia has a few players to know that could be critical to the game itself.

Four WVU players to know as Oklahoma travels to face the Mountaineers

Four West Virginia Players to know as Oklahoma takes on the Mountaineers. From @thatmanbryant

Oklahoma has had great success against West Virginia in its existence. The Sooners are 11-2 all-time good luck against the Mountaineers. They enter Saturday’s clash having won nine straight against WVU.

This Oklahoma team may be more flawed than previous ones. Most of the more recent OU teams took on West Virginia with a Heisman hopeful at quarterback and the ability to virtually score at will at a moment’s notice.

This year’s Oklahoma team hasn’t reached that capacity on offense yet but they are still a dangerous unit when things are clicking. Defensively, OU comes in at a disadvantage considering they don’t match up with what West Virginia does best; slinging the football.

Ultimately, this could be a tight game that hinges on which team’s best playmakers show up to make more plays than the others. West Virginia has a few players to know that could be critical to the game itself.

Under the radar Defensive player to watch for the Sooners vs WVU

This Sooners defensive lineman is flying under the radar ahead of this week’s matchup with West Virginia and is a player to keep an eye on.

Oklahoma’s defense will get a chance tomorrow under the lights to continue solidifying itself as one of the best units in college football. Coming off an excellent performance against an elusive quarterback in Adrian Martinez of Nebraska, the Sooners will look to slow down a more balanced West Virginia offensive attack as they open Big 12 play at home.

The Mountaineers have a more traditional quarterback in redshirt senior Jarret Doege than Adrian Martinez, who was more mobile than prototypical quarterbacks. Senior running back Leddie Brown is the man in front on the ground posting 19 carries for 161 yards and a touchdown last game against a stout Virginia Tech front seven. Wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton presents a challenge outside the numbers due to his height and ability to go and get the ball.

The Sooners will need their big names to show up to put themselves in position for another win. In every game, though, complementary players show up that ultimately help decide the games. For this game, we’re going to look at defensive tackle Joshua Ellison.

Ellison, a transfer from JUCO Blinn College, has had a steady career so far at Oklahoma. He will have an opportunity to cement himself these next few weeks following the announcement of starter Jalen Redmond’s injury. Ellison’s contributions as a rotational defensive lineman have been valuable, but he’ll be asked to contribute more now that the starter in Redmond is out.

Ellison can’t slide outside like Redmond, but he’s solid in occupying gaps, using his hands, and moving interior offensive linemen inside. The defensive line is the foundation for Oklahoma’s defensive success and its deepest unit. Grinch may have to swap out Ellison on passing downs for someone like LaRon Stokes. Still, Ellison’s primary focus should be to eat space and stymie a West Virginia run game that needs to get going to keep Oklahoma from pinning their ears back and rushing the passer constantly.

The Sooners have a lot of depth on the defensive front seven. Joshua Ellison ultimately has to do his job. He doesn’t have to try to be Jalen Redmond but instead play assignment sound and mistake-free football. His talent will take care of the rest. He’s surrounded by some serious playmakers defensively that can pick up the playmaking slack.

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Texas Longhorns vs West Virginia: WR Tale of the Tape

In the final leg of the offensive tale of the tape, we look at the Texas Longhorns and West Virginia Mountaineers WR groups.

The final leg of the offensive tale of the tape series features the wide receivers for the Texas Longhorns-West Virginia Mountaineers matchup. Both teams coming off wins over ranked opponents as they prepare for a must-win game. The WVU duo caught seven passes for 135 yards and one touchdown. The Longhorns duo accounted for four receptions, 70 yards and two touchdowns. One being the game winner.

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This year without question Joshua Moore has been the Longhorns best wide out. Many expected the top guy to be Brennan Eagles or Jake Smith. Moore has been a solid outlet for quarterback Sam Ehlinger but in three games this year he has two receptions or less. He needs a better output against West Virginia than just one reception like Moore put out against Oklahoma State. This defense will test the entire WR group.

The West Virginia wideouts are more of the complimentary role. While yes they do have two receivers with over 300 yards receiving, this team likes to run the football and play defense. Last week Texas was able to limit Chuba Hubbard to just 2.5 yards per carry. Can Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Winston Wright take advantage of PFF’s 80th ranked pass defense in terms of coverage? If they do it could be another long day for Chris Ash’s unit.

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Joshua Moore vs Bryce Ford-Wheaton

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Joshua Moore vs Bryce Ford-Wheaton
6-1 Ht 6-3
169 Wt 218
Redshirt Sophomore Class Sophomore
22 Rec 16
343 Yards 301
15.6 Yards/Rec 18.8
7 TDs 3
23 Touches 16
342 Yards 301

Brennan Eagles vs Winston Wright

Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Brennan Eagles vs Winston Wright
6-4 Ht 5-10
229 Wt 180
Junior Class Sophomore
15 Rec 32
243 Yards 391
16.2 Yards/Rec 12.2
4 TDs 2
15 Touches 34
243 Yards 395

Edge: Texas

The wide receiver duo of Moore and Eagles gets the slight edge over Ford-Wheaton and Wright. With the lack of a consistent rushing attack the Longhorn have to rely on their passing game to do the bulk of the damage. Also factor in that Jake Smith is starting to come on after dealing with a hamstring injury that has lingered. How will they do against the number one pass defense in the league?

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