Stanford's 2012 WRs: Multiple Choices

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Andrew Luck and his classmates from Stanford’s senior class will sit down for their last set of final exams next week.

In that test-taking spirit, let’s try a multiple choice quiz on the Cardinal’s WR corps for the 2012 season.

With 2011 leaders Griff Whalen and Chris Owusu joining Luck in the NFL, WR will be an intriguing position on The Farm as the Cardinal try to meet or exceed their lofty BCS performances of the past two seasons.

#2 pencils sharpened? Turn the page to begin the quiz.

Quiz Question 1

Ty Montgomery
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Q1: Which Stanford player had 16 catches for over 240 yards and a pair of TDs in the final three games of the 2011 season against Cal, Notre Dame and Oklahoma State?

a. Griff Whalen

b. Coby Fleener

c. Ty Montgomery

d. Zach Ertz

Answer: WR Ty Montgomery. The fleet freshman from Texas electrified Stanford fans with his late season breakout performance.

A hand injury kept Ty out of most contact drills during spring practice, but he looked as fast and powerful as Owusu.

Look for a big 2012 from Montgomery, no matter who is throwing to him.

Quiz Question 2

JRP
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Q2: Which Stanford WR had 3,100 yards in receptions in high school?

a. Ty Montgomery
b. Jamal-Rashad Patterson
c. Drew Terrell
d. Kodi Whitfield

Answer: Jamal-Rashad Patterson. JRP was one of the most accomplished high school WRs ever recruited by Stanford. A senior this fall, he’s yet to make an impact at the college level, and 2012 will be his last chance.

Like Montgomery, JRP has an NFL body, with ample speed and athleticism. He’s run the 110 hurdles and the 100 m dash for the Stanford track team.

His performance during spring practice was promising. He’ll be a player to watch during August training camp. As will top recruit Whitfield, the son of former Cardinal great Bob Whitfield.

Quiz Question 3

The elusive Kelsey Young (David Bernal Photography)

Q3: Name the Stanford player whose speed and moves had fans abuzz during spring practice.

a. Kelsey Young
b. Chase Thomas
c. Wayne Lyons
d. All of the above.

Answer: all of the above. All American LB Chase Thomas wreaked havoc during scrimmages, and DB Lyons showed off his superior quickness and athleticism.

But since this is a WR slideshow, we’ll highlight the elusive and explosive Kelsey Young. Originally recruited as a RB, he made numerous highlight reel plays during the open spring practices, consistently making defenders miss. Coach David Shaw indicated that Stanford will focus on getting the ball to Young in space in 2012.

Young’s hands are still a work in progress, but he could become the Cardinal’s version of D’Anthony Thomas.

Quiz Question 4

Al Bello/Getty Images

Q4: Which NFL QB has a brother playing WR at Stanford?

a. Aaron Rodgers

b. Tom Brady

c. Joe Flacco

d. Alex Smith

Answer: Joe Flacco, whose brother John is a backup WR for the Cardinal. John has not seen action and will have to battle for playing time in a deep WR corps that includes seniors Terrell and Roberts and the 27 year-old Pratt.

Pratt, a sophomore whose size, stride and hands are reminiscent of Stanford and NFL great Ed McCaffrey, displayed relentless effort during spring practices.

At age 27, he is returning to CFB after a Brandon Weeden-like experience playing eight years of minor league baseball in the Dodgers organization.

Quiz Question 5

(Photo by isiphotos.net)

Q5: For our last quiz question, name the Stanford football coach who starred at WR as a Stanford player, and also played basketball and ran track on The Farm.

a.Jim Harbaugh

b. David Shaw

c. Pep Hamilton

d. Ty Willingham

Answer: David Shaw. Coach Shaw was a four-year letterman at WR for Stanford, with 57 career catches for 664 yards and five touchdowns.

He was a member of the 1991 Aloha Bowl team coached by Denny Green and the 1992 Blockbuster bowl team coached by Bill Walsh. He also appeared in a varsity basketball game and competed in a varsity track and field meet.