New-look receiver corps catching on

"The Freak Show" has left the stage. 

The collection of receivers — diverse in heights, weights and personalities — has been restructured and rebranded. 

"They’re changing it up a bit," said Luke Matthews, who was promoted from graduate assistant to full-time receivers coach this past spring. 

Wideouts Chris Gant and Billy Ray Stutzmann completed their UH eligibility in December. Wideouts Keith Kirkwood, Bubba Poueu-Luna and Kwamane Bowens transferred. Earlier this month, wideout Vasquez Haynes underwent surgery for a season-ending injury to his right shoulder. On the first day of training camp, prized freshman Devan Stubblefield suffered tears to the ACL and meniscus in his left knee. 

That forced some shuffling. Safety Damien Packer moved to wideout. Keelan Ewaliko, a second-year freshman, moved to slotback a month after switching from safety to running back. In the spring, Ryan Pasoquen moved from safety to wideout. Cornerback Jerrell Jackson moved to receiver for a week before returning to defense. 

"We’re mixing it up," Matthews said. 

Still, the Warriors have appeared to find a starting unit. Marcus Kemp, a sophomore, is at X, the single-side receiver. Quinton Pedroza, who redshirted in 2013 after transferring from Utah, is at Z on the strong side. Scott Harding, 28, is the slotback.

Last year, the Warriors were in three-receiver sets for 70 percent of their plays. 

Jordan Pu’u-Robinson, who was limited to four of 24 games the past two seasons because of injuries, is healthy and atop the chart at tight end. Harold Moleni, a solid blocker, often is used in two-tight-end sets. 

There have been surprises. The converted safeties — Ewaliko, Packer and Pasoquen — have proven to be reliable receivers. 

The receivers also have created a new identity. They are known as ICE, an acronym for "I catch everything."

"It’s good they’re trying to get an identity," Matthews said. 

It has yet to be determined if the receivers meet the ICE challenge.