What condition is Arizona’s wide receiver corps in?

Welcome to a new series in which we try to determine if the Arizona Wildcats’ position groups are in strong, stable, unstable, serious, or critical condition. Next up are the wide receivers.

Projected Starters: Shawn Poindexter, Tony Ellison, Shun Brown, Stanley Berryhill III

Backups: Drew Dixon, Brian Casteel, Devaughn Cooper, Tre Adams, Thomas Marcus, Jailen Bailey, Jaden Mitchell, Cedric Peterson, Darick Holmes Jr., Thomas Reid

Shun Brown opens up as the go-to receiver, a dangerous playmaker in the slot who does his best work after the catch. He led UA in receiving in 2017 (511 yards). Emerging onto the scene is Stanley Berryhill III, a speedy walk-on will see a good amount of short passes in the Noel Mazzone offense.

Shawn Poindexter has that perfect deep ball threat size at 6-foot-5. He has yet to produce at a steady level, but he can stretch the field and come down with a deep ball. Tony Ellison has stepped up to be a decent receiver all things considered, logging 496 receiving yards last year.

There’s an odd group of backups, as they seem to have an equal chance of seeing the field.

Drew Dixon is a pure athlete at 6-foot-3, 203 pounds. Brian Casteel has the tools to be productive either in the slot or outside. Devaughn Cooper is a speedster in the slot, but has not been in position to showcase his talents. Cedric Peterson has made some plays when his number is called.

Two incoming freshmen bring immediate size and athleticism and are likely playing week one given the need at receiver.

Thomas Marcus is a raw, big body receiver at 6-foot-3, and an electrifying playmaker after the catch. Tre Adams, also 6-foot-3, is a physical, polished receiver who can make any catch.

Another pair of freshmen, Jailen Bailey and Jaden Mitchell, might need some time. Bailey could use a redshirt year to round out; Mitchell is coming off an ACL injury.

Darick Holmes Jr. and Thomas Reid III will serve as reserves.

The status of Keyshawn Johnson Jr. is unknown, as he was absent from team activities in the spring. A former four-star recruit, his presence would give Arizona a much-needed boost in the passing game.

Condition: Critical

This group isn’t nearly as talented as it once was back in the Samajie Grant, Trey Griffey, Cayleb Jones and Nate Phillips days.

The unit as a whole has little to no experience, as many have hardly seen consistent reps in Pac-12 play, if any at all.

The aerial attack will rely on Poindexter having his breakout year, Berryhill thriving in a short pass game, the depth banking on upside and two towering freshmen coming up big. That’s asking for a whole lot, despite having Khalil Tate at quarterback.