Wide Receivers
Washington State, 1998
6th Season at Idaho State
208-282-3376
Recruiting: Southern California Bryant Thomas enters his sixth season with Idaho State, once again coaching ISU's talented receiving corps. Thomas came to Pocatello after spending two seasons at Washington State as a graduate assistant. Thomas continued his string of talented freshmen in 2005, as rookie Eddie Thompson led the team in receiving yards and a receptions. Despite injuries, ISU receivers ranked one through four on the 2005 chart for receptions. The receivers accounted for 77.7% of Idaho State's receptions last year, 77.8% of ISU's touchdown catches, and 84.4% of the teams' receiving yards. In 2004, senior Sale' Key broke ISU's career receptions mark, and finished second in yards and touchdowns on his way to an NFL contract. ISU's top three receivers each caught over 52 passes, and receivers accounted for 233 of ISU's 305 catches, along with 2,990 yards and 22 touchdowns. Also in 2004, a Bengal senior recorded double figure catches in all four of his seasons, marking the seventh time that has happened in school history, with five coming under Thomas' watch. Five different Bengals caught at least 30 passes, six caught at least 20, and a whopping eight caught at least 10 that year, led by Sale' Key's 58 catches for 882 yards. Thomas' receivers were a big factor in ISU finishing sixth nationally in passing in 2003, and he had three receivers ranked among the Big Sky's top eight in receptions per game. In 2002, the receivers were once again stellar for ISU, with five players with 20 catches, including four with 30 or more. Senior Eugene Mirador became just the third Bengal to ever have 10 or more catches in four consecutive seasons, as he hauled in 47 passes. ISU's top four receivers caught 157 passes for 1,890 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2001, ISU's wide receivers were a huge strength, with six receivers grabbing at least 20 passes on the year. Bengal receivers accounted for 20 touchdown receptions, and even one touchdown pass. Thomas came to Idaho State after serving the past two years as a defensive backs coach with Washington State, as he took over for former Bengal coach James Ward when he came to Idaho State in 1998 with head coach Larry Lewis. At Washington State, he caught 52 career passes for 626 yards and four touchdowns before moving to defensive back as a senior, helping the Cougars to their first Rose Bowl appearance in 67 years. As a defensive back he earned two Washington State weekly awards; one for Special Teams play against Southwestern Louisiana, and the Big Hit Award against Arizona. Bryant had his best defensive game against Southwestern Louisiana, picking off a pass, and recovering a fumble for a touchdown.