WKU Football: Tops Add Grad Transfer Receiver for 2017
After Mike Sanford mentioned the possibility of adding one more grad transfer receiver last week at Conference USA media days, we found out…
After Mike Sanford mentioned the possibility of adding one more grad transfer receiver last week at Conference USA media days, we found out Wednesday afternoon that WKU will be adding Arkansas State grad transfer Cameron Echols-Luper.
Echols-Luper started his career out at TCU, where he played sparingly. Echols-Luper was originally a dual-thread quarterback recruit when he signed with the Horned Frogs and was also a star on their track team. His stats during his time in purple included passes, runs, returns, receptions and tackles. He transferred to Arkansas State after posting 13 catches for 93 yards. He is more known for his kick and punt return prowess than his receiving skills. Here’s a return he had against Kansas in 2014:
Big things were expected in 2015 but he abruptly left the program. At Arkansas State, he saw more playing time at receiver accumulating 407 yards receiving on 26 catches with one touchdown.
Echols-Luper did have a recent drug related suspension that probably escalated his transfer. He will be called upon as a potential play maker for a receiving corps that is replacing two all-time greats in Taywan Taylor and Nicholas Norris. After Lucky Jackson and Nacarius Fant, there is a large group of talented but unproven players including Quinn Jernigan, Will Bush, ETSU grad transfer Dalton Ponchilla, Xavier Lane & others.
Echols-Luper could be a player to watch on trick plays. He has completed 5–7 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns in his career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a double pass with him somewhere along the way this season. Another interesting question is how much he’ll get to return the ball? WKU has two all conference returnees back, Kylen Towner & Fant. I could see him sliding into Fant’s punt returning role with him returning from injury. It will be very interesting to see how Echols-Luper fits moving forward.
What do you think about WKU adding Echols-Luper? Is he worth his baggage? Let us know in a comment below, via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.