The loss of the top two wide receivers in Yale football history will certainly impact the receiving production in the 2021 season but rest assured that the cupboards are not bare. Mason Tipton is clearly the top returning talent at the wide receiver position after a solid 2019 performance in which he hauled in 24 receptions for 325 yards and four touchdowns. Tipton improved week after week in 2019 and was truly phenomenal in the final contest versus Harvard with 6 catches for 82 yards and one of the most memorable touchdown receptions in Yale football history. Jaylan Sandifer started five games in 2018 and showed that he can be a home-run threat in 2019 averaging 24.6 yards per reception. Darrion Carrington has seen action in contests since his freshman season and notched two touchdown receptions in 2019. Jay Brunelle is the true wild-card of the bunch as a former 3-star recruit that transferred from Notre Dame. He suffered an AC separation in his shoulder that kept him out of the 2020 season for the Fighting Irish, but if he can stay healthy, he could be a key contributor at this position group and possibly break into the starting lineup. Jacob Biggs is another transfer who walked onto the football team at the University of Utah and made an impact on special teams for the Utes. Melvin Rouse is a dynamic player that could start on either side of the ball and although we will need him to start at defensive back, he can be thrown in at wide receiver at anytime and generate a big play when needed. Joey Felton has blazing speed and saw action as a freshman in 2019, no small feat when there was an abundance of talent at the position that season. Beyond the wideouts with collegiate experience, we have young talent such as Mason Shipp, CJ Thompson and Ryan Lindley that could have breakout seasons in 2021.
Projected Starters:
Mason Tipton
Jaylan Sandifer
Darrion Carrington
Challengers in the Mix:
Jay Brunelle
Joey Felton
Wide Receiver List:
David Pantelis-Freshman
Mason Shipp-Freshman
Kelvin Smith-Freshman
Shaun Gold-Freshman
Ryan Lindley-Freshman
Chase Nenad-Freshman
CJ Thompson-Freshman
Aidan Maloney-Sophomore
Brayden Carey-Sophomore
Jay Brunelle-Sophomore
Mason Tipton-Sophomore
Joey Felton-Sophomore
Jacob Biggs-Sophomore
Jack Biestek-Junior
Jaylan Sandifer-Junior
Seun Omonije-Junior
Noah Aaron-Junior
Darrion Carrington-Senior
Melvin Rouse-Senior (Starting DB)
*Please note that due to the cancellation of the 2020 season the listed class years for each player could vary based on eligibility