'14 TN ATH Nikia Cathey

[Emcee77]

Athlete/Slot WR/Return Specialist
Memphis, TN
Westwood HS

Height: 5'8"
Weight: 175
40: 4.40

Rankings:
247: 86 rating #63 ATH #12 TN
247Comp: .8338 rating #101 ATH #17 TN #1136 Overall
Scout: NR
Rivals: NR
ESPN: #89 WR #16 TN

Offers:
Indiana
Northern Illinois
Western Kentucky
Middle Tennessee State
South Alabama
UAB
Mississippi State

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[Emcee77]

Has been in contact with ND coaches per Vandy 247, and is being told that ND staff is evaluating his film to see if he fits our needs. Was previously committed to Mississippi State but de-committed in early fall. Currently drawing interest (again, per Vandy 247) from Mississippi State, IU, Memphis, Ole Miss, UK and Cincy.

This and the Charles Nelson interest really make me worry that the staff is worried about Isaiah McKenzie. We appear to be connecting with other Slot WR/return specialists to hedge against the possibility that Isaiah won't qualify.

 

[ThePiombino]

Has been in contact with ND coaches per Vandy 247, and is being told that ND staff is evaluating his film to see if he fits our needs. Was previously committed to Mississippi State but de-committed in early fall. Currently drawing interest (again, per Vandy 247) from Mississippi State, IU, Memphis, Ole Miss, UK and Cincy.

This and the Charles Nelson interest really make me worry that the staff is worried about Isaiah McKenzie. We appear to be connecting with other Slot WR/return specialists to hedge against the possibility that Isaiah won't qualify.

It's clear as day to me. Hope I'm wrong, but pretty sure I'm not.

 

[PANDFAN]

hmmmm again another 5'8/5'9 small punt returner/athlete fast little guy...the writing on the wall to me is MacKenzie isn't coming or the staff doesn't believe he is going to come through...and very weird that someone of this size/profile is being sought by the staff after interest is picking up w/ 2 of these kinds of athletes when this isn't something BK has recruited here...could possibly say Neal was but he was a crazy athlete...this to me sounds like they are putting in more emphasis in special teams and scripted play player..maybe im just high and creating conspiracy theories

 

[PANDFAN]

Has been in contact with ND coaches per Vandy 247, and is being told that ND staff is evaluating his film to see if he fits our needs. Was previously committed to Mississippi State but de-committed in early fall. Currently drawing interest (again, per Vandy 247) from Mississippi State, IU, Memphis, Ole Miss, UK and Cincy.

This and the Charles Nelson interest really make me worry that the staff is worried about Isaiah McKenzie. We appear to be connecting with other Slot WR/return specialists to hedge against the possibility that Isaiah won't qualify.

It's clear as day to me. Hope I'm wrong, but pretty sure I'm not.

lol, didn't see these while i was posting

 

[GATTACA!]

Can he play NT?

 

[ThePiombino]

Can he play NT?

Hybrid NT/ILB

 

[Rack Em]

Why is the staff so hellbent on getting a small receiver?? We don't do anything with them except run freaking WR screens! If Kelly and Martin won't have anybody run a freaking drag route then what's the point in offering players in this mold? It doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[PANDFAN]

Why is the staff so hellbent on getting a small receiver?? We don't do anything with them except run freaking WR screens! If Kelly and Martin won't have anybody run a freaking drag route then what's the point in offering players in this mold? It doesn't make any sense to me.

ONLY thing i can think is special teams and realizing that FIELD position matters...this year is def better but FAIR catch anyone from the past 3 years...that and up tempo type oregon slasher rb/slot w/ a mobile qb next year

 

[irishff1014]

I know stars really don't mean much to some of you but that offer list is horrible.

 

[PANDFAN]

he might not have a big offer list, (see honey badger) and he might only play in single A competition but the boy can move with acceleration....same exact thing as mackenzie minus the level of competition and sickness of some of his runs...

good vision
Great burst
and Fast
pretty shifty

 

[Rack Em]

ONLY thing i can think is special teams and realizing that FIELD position matters...this year is def better but FAIR catch anyone from the past 3 years...that and up tempo type oregon slasher rb/slot w/ a mobile qb next year

Yeah I guess. But it's more advantageous to take a touchback on kickoffs and frankly there are more of those. And, as we found out with Davonte and John Goodman, punt returners are only as good as their blockers.

The staff has, IMO, underutilized this type of talent and hasn't shown the offensive identity to use it effectively.

 

[PANDFAN]

Yeah I guess. But it's more advantageous to take a touchback on kickoffs and frankly there are more of those. And, as we found out with Davonte and John Gooman, punt returners are only as good as their blockers.

The staff has, IMO, underutilized this type of talent and hasn't shown the offensive identity to use it effectively.

i fully feel that special teams are going to be a Very important piece that is worked on this spring....it has been atrocious in terms of coverage but i really see someone being hired specifically for special teams this year.....call me crazy but even i think onefootdown or someone on turning point thought this as well or suggested but man do they make a Major difference in games...talking about momentum changing

 

[Buster Bluth]

I know stars really don't mean much to some of you but that offer list is horrible.

Will Fuller's wasn't much better.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

He isn't 5'8"...

 

[Luckylucci]

Why is the staff so hellbent on getting a small receiver?? We don't do anything with them except run freaking WR screens! If Kelly and Martin won't have anybody run a freaking drag route then what's the point in offering players in this mold? It doesn't make any sense to me.

Theo Riddick was pretty darn successful catching passes out of the backfield and slot. I'd say we utilized Toma pretty well also.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Theo Riddick was pretty darn successful catching passes out of the backfield and slot. I'd say we utilized Toma pretty well also.

I actually think they under utilized Toma. Although that might have be due to the QB situation.

 

[Luckylucci]

I actually think they under utilized Toma. Although that might have be due to the QB situation.

I dont think so. He just had to compete for touches with some very good players. He played behind Theo his junior year and then battled for touches from Theo coming out of the backfield, Eifert, and TJ last year. Tough to get too many touches per game with that crew.

 

[Bluto]

I actually think they under utilized Toma. Although that might have be due to the QB situation.[/QUOTE]

Isn't pretty much everything we've seen the past couple years?

 

[Rack Em]

Theo Riddick was pretty darn successful catching passes out of the backfield and slot. I'd say we utilized Toma pretty well also.

True. But I'm talking about the speedy, Darren Sproles type. But we have a small sample from last year so maybe I'm overgeneralizing.

 

[GBdomer]

hahaha we don't even use the slot position now. I'm with you Rackem

 

[woolybug25]

hahaha we don't even use the slot position now. I'm with you Rackem

You guys realize that they may want him as a rb hybrid ala sproles/woodhead right? You know, the type of dude they can line up in multiple formations?

Laugh at it if you want, but they obviously are hell bent on getting this type of player. So I doubt they plan on using him the same way.

 

[Emcee77]

You guys realize that they may want him as a rb hybrid ala sproles/woodhead right? You know, the type of dude they can line up in multiple formations?

Laugh at it if you want, but they obviously are hell bent on getting this type of player. So I doubt they plan on using him the same way.

Right, I totally agree. We may not have seen what Kelly intends to do with this kind of player, because Kelly hasn't had this kind of player since he has been here.

 

[Rack Em]

Right, I totally agree. We may not have seen what Kelly intends to do with this kind of player, because Kelly hasn't had this kind of player since he has been here.

He did have Davonte Neal, though he was a freshman.

 

[Rack Em]

You guys realize that they may want him as a rb hybrid ala sproles/woodhead right? You know, the type of dude they can line up in multiple formations?

Laugh at it if you want, but they obviously are hell bent on getting this type of player. So I doubt they plan on using him the same way.

I thought that was going to be Carlisle???

I get what you're saying Wooly, my concern stems from the lack of offensive identity that indicates this type of player will be successful.

 

[Luckylucci]

Riddick and Toma combined for 57 catches in 2011 and 60 in 2012. 2011 they both played only slot. 2012 toma was primarily slot with Riddick catching passes out of the back field. I would say thats pretty productive.

 

[dublinirish]

Right, I totally agree. We may not have seen what Kelly intends to do with this kind of player, because Kelly hasn't had this kind of player since he has been here.

Theo Riddick?

 

[Rack Em]

Riddick and Toma combined for 57 catches in 2011 and 60 in 2012. 2011 they both played only slot. 2012 toma was primarily slot with Riddick catching passes out of the back field. I would say thats pretty productive.

Fair point. Maybe I'm getting to technical here, but Toma is a possession receiver and Riddick is a decent size RB who can also run between the tackles. Neither were the Woodhead/Sproles clone that the coaches seem to have a huge boner for this cycle.

The more I think about it, yours is a good point. But I think Toma wasn't a guy to isolate in space and let him make moves. Riddick was also a threat to run up the gut and did so in several key games last year.

I don't see McKenzie/Cathey/etc. being those types of players - too elusive to be possession receivers and too slight to have 15 carries a game between the tackles. Until Kelly/Martin start running routes over the middle of the field to really open a defense up (too many routes are outside the hashes), I don't see the point in these types of offers.

 

[Rack Em]

Theo Riddick?

I addressed that in my post above.

Jeez if I didn't have GB on my side, I'd look like Kuehnja right now.

 

[Luckylucci]

I would agree that Toma and Riddick aren't the perfect example of what they want but their productivity in the offense was still good catching passes. Riddick was never a true WR and Toma wasn't explosive enough so if they were productive why wouldn't somebody more suited for the position. Davonte Neal was supposed to be that guy but he didn't want to wait his turn I guess.