Where are the Young Husky Receivers?

If there has been one consistent refrain from Husky fans across the nation near the mid point of the 2019 football season, it has been: WHERE ARE ALL OF THE YOUNG RECEIVERS?

The Huskies have made it a priority over the past couple of recruiting seasons to go out and snag some of the most talented wide receivers in the nation. Looking at just the past two classes, the Huskies went out and landed:

RS-Fr Marquis Spiker

In his three-year high school career, Spiker caught 244 passes for 4,661 yards and 72 touchdowns, breaking the California state record for career receiving TD’s. He was listed as the No. 5 wide receiver in the nation and No. 29 overall recruit in the country by rivals.com.

RS-Fr Trey Lowe

Trey Lowe was the 2017 Gatorade state player of the year in Oregon. The PrepStar All-American was listed as the no. 4 all purpose back by ESPN and was selected to play in the Army All-American Bowl.

RS-Fr Austin Osborne

Osborne was rated the No. 22 wide receiver and No. 115 overall recruit in the country by rivals.com. His Mission Viejo team finished second in the nation due in large part to Austin’s 47 catches for 889 yards and nine touchdowns during his senior year.

FR Puka Nacua

One of the most coveted players in the nation last year, Nacua was the 2018 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year, USA Today's All-Utah Offensive Player of the Year, named as Utah’s  "Mr. Football" by the Deseret News, broke Utah state records for career receptions (260), yards (5,226) and receiving touchdowns (58) and as a senior, caught 103 passes for 2,336 yards and 26 touchdowns, setting single-season state records in all three categories

With the rash of dropped passes, missed opportunities and lack of big plays being made by the Husky receiving corps this season, many Husky fans have been left scratching their heads and asking: Why not play these young Dawgs?

These youngsters have been virtually invisible in terms of actual meaningful playing minutes this season. Freshman Puka Nacua was targeted just once this season - a “Go” route during the Husky home game vs Hawaii that resulted in a 28 yard touchdown for the Dawgs. He hasn’t been targeted at all since then. Most of the other young receivers have either played in mop up time, on special teams or not at all - again causing a lot of frustration among the Husky faithful.

Husky Head Coach Chris Petersen was asked today during his Monday press conference why his young receivers aren’t getting more game time experience and targets this season. Watch the video to below to see  his response.

Chris Petersen on Young Husky Receivers

I think at this point in the season, it’s time to let the young receivers get more reps than they have been getting so far. It will not only provide some new targets and fresh legs to this line up, but it could provide the spark that the Dawgs will need for the rest of the season as the Pac 12  schedule kicks in full steam ahead.

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.