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College Football News Preview 2020: WKU Hilltoppers

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the WKU Hilltoppers season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the WKU Hilltoppers season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– WKU Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 20155

2019 Record: 9-4 overall, 6-2 in C-USA
Head Coach: Tyson Helton, 2nd year, 9-4
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 81
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 40
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 102

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: WKU Hilltoppers Offense 3 Things To Know

– The offense didn’t crank up 637 points like the 2016 version did, but in the first year under head coach Tyson Helton it was much improved over the 2018 O that didn’t get going until it was too late.

However, there were too many turnovers, nothing with the running game, and for all the consistency, there wasn’t a whole lot of explosion.

The offense has to do more than just hit single – going up with at least 20 points every time out but the 17-8 win over Army was nice, but it’s time to start scoring.

CFN in 60 Video: Louisville Preview
WKU at Louisville, Sept. 26
[jwplayer RWdQfwvm]

– The quarterback situation is … interesting. Starter Ty Storey is done, and backup Steven Duncan is transferring out. In comes Tyrrell Pigrome from Maryland, with the type of dual-threat talent to add something more to the attack, even though Storey ran for seven scores. However, Pigrome has had issues staying healthy, putting the pressure on junior Davis Shanley to be ready to go, if he doesn’t take the starting gig.

The receiving corps poses the 94 catches and playmaking ability of Lucky Jackson, but 5-9, 180-pound Jahcour Pearson is another speedy option coming off a 76-catch season with a team-high seven touchdowns.

There’s enough experience returning to be okay, and 6-5, 235-pound sophomore TE Joshua Simon has all-star potential after grabbing 30 passes for 430 yards and four scores, but there’s not a ton of size among the group.

– Gaej Walker is the star of the show with his 1,208 rushing yards and catching ability, but the O needs more out of KeShawn McClendon – who missed most of last season – and come up with a far better rotation. Walker handled 241 carries, and McClendon was the next most worked back with just nine.

The O line that was second in Conference USA in sacks allowed and No. 1 in fewest tackles for loss given up gets back four starters, but loses some depth to the transfer portal. If promising sophomore Gunner Britton or junior Mason Brooks – they’re both around 6-6 and 290 pounds can fill in for Miles Pate at right tackle, the line is set.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: WKU Hilltoppers Defense 3 Things To Know

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Meet Lucky Jackson, Western Kentucky’s gem of a WR prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Western Kentucky wide receiver Lucky Jackson

The 2020 NFL draft class is loaded at wide receiver, with big names from powerhouse programs likely to dominate the early rounds.

But if your favorite NFL team is looking for a steal in the later rounds of this year’s draft, their search should turn up plenty of intriguing options, including Western Kentucky’s Lucky Jackson.

Jackson recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about how he got his nickname, how he was able to put up such big numbers for the Hilltoppers, and what kind of skill set he brings to the next level.

JM: How did you get the nickname “Lucky?”

LJ: It came from my parents actually. They only planned to have one child which was my older sister. I kinda came along and they considered themselves blessed to have a second child. They nicknamed me Lucky and it stuck with me ever since. That’s what everybody calls me now.

JM: I feel like that name could have been in “The Irishman” or something. Let Martin Scorsese hear about it, and he’d cast you immediately.

LJ: Yeah, that’s what people tell me (laughs). My coaches always used to joke around that I could be a country singer or something with a name like that. That’s another funny story, I get that a lot. “Lucky Jackson? You should be a country singer!”

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

JM: It just so happens that you’re a pretty good football player, as well. You posted 94 catches last season, and more than 1,100 receiving yards. How do you look back on the 2019 season?

LJ: It was a good season. It was a great accomplishment for our senior class. We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs together, we went through a coaching change. We bounced back in a major way after going 3-9 the year before. We put together a great season and won a lot of games over some great opponents like Charlotte.

We went on to compete in a bowl game and to come out with a win over Western Michigan was the icing on the cake. It was the greatest season I ever had and a terrific team accomplishment. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without our great coaching staff.

JM: What was it about your game in 2019 that allowed you to be so productive?

LJ: I would credit that to me being a student of the game. I learned a lot off the field this year. It’s kinda funny when people think it just happened overnight. I put in a lot of work off the field. The game extends far beyond game-day. If you put in work behind the scenes, I promise you that you’ll see it pay off. I spent a lot of time in the film room and in my playbook. I spent a lot of time in the weight room. I understood where to be on the field at all times.

I think that my football I.Q. is the strongest part of my game. Spending that extra time in the classroom slowed the game down for me. Everything just became so much easier. It all starts to make sense. I was able to play fast.

JM: Do you have a favorite route to run?

LJ: Not in particular. I like any route that gets me the ball (laughs). I can run every route and I would say that I enjoy them equally. I can’t single anything out. I just wanna go up and get the ball.

(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

JM: Who are some of the best defensive backs you’ve squared off with?

LJ: I wouldn’t single out any names in particular but there’s some programs that come to mind. FAU had a good group of cornerbacks. They played some physical defense against me. They’re a long, physical group. We played against Louisiana Tech two years ago and they had a good group, as well. Amik Robertson definitely stood out in that game. He’s pretty well known nation wide, he’s a member of this 2020 NFL draft class. We had some good battles.

JM: If you could catch a pass from one NFL quarterback, who would it be and why?

LJ: It’s tough to pick just one, but I would probably go with Tom Brady. He’s been around forever and he’s the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. Who wouldn’t wanna catch a pass from Tom Brady? Whether you even play football or not, everybody wants to catch a pass from the GOAT. To have that opportunity would be crazy for me.

JM: Why should an NFL team give Lucky Jackson a chance?

LJ: They should give me a chance because I’m a guy that’s gonna come to work every day. I’m gonna give it my all. I’m a reliable guy they can trust both on and off the field.

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