Carson-Newman Football Position Previews: The Wide Receivers
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the fifth part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2022 season. This feature breaks down the Eagle pass catchers with the assistance of wide receivers coach Justin Zimmerman.
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JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the fifth part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2022 season. This feature breaks down the Eagle pass catchers with the assistance of wide receivers coach Justin Zimmerman.
Braxton. Braxton. Braxton.
You want to talk about Carson-Newman's receiving corps, you have to talk about Braxton Westfield.
In 2019, Westfield became Carson-Newman's first all-region wide receiver in a decade. After sitting out the pandemic year, Westfield came back 30 pounds heavier and his on-field production suffered, accounting for a sixth of the receiving yards and a fourth of the catches as he did in 2019.
"From what I've been told and have seen, he's back to his 2019 form," Zimmerman said. "He's running so well and is just being a good leader. He's so long, rangy and has good ball skills. He gets on defenders' toes quick. He's a great deep threat. The work that he has put in over the summer, the staff here has been amazed what he's done to get back to that point."
Carson-Newman's leading receiver in 2021, Westfield snagged 10 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns. He topped out at UVA Wise when he caught three passes for 83 yards and a 58-yard score. He averaged 18.6 yards per catch on the season.
However, those numbers paled in comparison to his 2019 year.
Westfield becomes Carson-Newman's first first-team all-conference and all-region wideout in a decade and the first since Reggie Hubbard earned a spot on the first team in 2009. Westfield has been a big-play threat for Carson-Newman all year.
In his second career game as a Carson-Newman football player, Braxton Westfield put his name in the record books. In a week two loss to Wingate, Westfield grabbed three passes, all for touchdowns, for a whopping 169 yards receiving.
His scores traversed 81, 53 and 35 yards. The 81-yard catch is the seventh longest reception in school history. His 169 yards are the 10th highest single-game total in school history and the third most of the option era. Additionally, his 56.3 yards per catch are the most of any wide out with three catches or more in a single game and the fourth most among players with two or more receptions. His three touchdown catches are also tied a school record. For the year, Westfield had 36 catches for 680 yards. He set an option-era record for receptions with a 10-catch, 139-yard day against Lenoir-Rhyne.
Westfield will be complimented by returners Luke Simpson and Korey Waters.
"It bothers them when they aren't finishing blocks and doing what they are supposed to do," Zimmerman said. "Korey and Luke just want to win. They are so consistent. Whether it's route running or catching the football. Luke has some leadership to him."
Waters caught two passes for 28 yards last year. An ever-reliable slot receiver for C-N, Simpson appeared in 10 games with five starts for C-N. He caught 10 passes for 98 yards. His top game came at UVA Wise (9/25) when he snared three passes for 22 yards. He had a career-high 35 yards receiving with a long of 20 yards with two passes caught against Lenoir-Rhyne (10/16).
"We have a talented group," Zimmerman said. "Coach Pursley is doing a good job figuring out ways to get this group the ball in unique ways. It's a hungry group who is willing to do the things the right way. We've been lucky to have guys on this team who are explosive."
Carson-Newman adds in a transfer and a freshman who will also factor into the mix. Cade Meeks comes to Mossy Creek from Jacksonville State while Zack Chalmers is a 6-4 freshman from Newberry, S.C. and Newberry High School.
"Cade has a high football IQ," Zimmerman said. "He plays hard and physical. Chalmers is a freshman. He is just so long. He looks like Braxton and gets down the field. He's a guy who can help us over the next four years, especially after getting in the weight room."
Chalmers was a three-time All-State selection and All-Region honoree. He was selected to the 2021 Shrine Bowl and helped lead his time to an Upper State finish.
Meeks redshirted at JSU, but starred at East Hamilton High School. He was a first-team all-state player as a senior, when he also garnered first-team all-region honors and hauled in 900 receiving yards, while rushing for over 400 yards. He recorded six interceptions as a senior and 10 in his career and was selected for Tennessee's East-West All-Star Game.
Carson-Newman's position previews continue Sunday with the running backs.
