For the last four years, Elon University football has seen wide receiver Aaron Mellette break numerous school records while torching opposing Southern Conference defenses with ease.
The hype and attention surrounding Mellette grew as he made more and more exciting plays and put up spectacular numbers as his Elon career progressed. In April, the journey continued for Mellette as he was drafted in the seventh round of the National Football League draft by the Baltimore Ravens. On Aug. 31, Mellette became the first football player from Elon to make an NFL roster since 2007 graduate Chad Nkang.
While the Elon faithful continue to follow his pro career, his coaches are moving on, preparing to run an offense without Mellette on the field.
Head coach Jason Swepson and offensive coordinator Chris Pincince have taken the time of transition to strengthen the running game, which struggled mightily last season. Between then-sophomore Karl Bostick and then-freshman Tracey Coppedge, the Phoenix averaged a mere 85.1 rushing yards per game and 2.6 yards per rush.
“The reason why we relied on Aaron so much a year ago is just because we had young running backs,” Swepson said. “This year, our running backs are much older.”
Both Coppedge, a Southern Conference all-freshman team pick in 2012, and Bostick figure to play a big role for Elon, along with redshirt freshman B.J. Bennett. Bennett was injured for the duration of the 2012 season, but showed promise in spring practice and the spring game.
“We’ve got three kids that can really be top level kids at this level of football,” Pincince said. “They’re probably some of the better kids in the league.”
Despite a commitment to running the ball, Swepson is quick to point out Elon is still a pass-first team. Rather than utilizing one playmaker, the Phoenix wants to “spread the wealth” in the passing game in 2013.
“Without Aaron, we have a big opportunity to spread the ball around to our other playmakers at the receiver position,” said junior quarterback Mike Quinn.
Players such as redshirt freshman Justin Osborne, sophomore Andre Davis, junior Kierre Brown and senior Rasaun Rorie will be targets throughout the upcoming season. Rorie, who played opposite Mellette and hauled in 21 catches for 256 yards last year, will become the primary outside receiver, according to Swepson.
“He’s had a good camp,” Swepson said. “He’s showing some leadership skills and we’ve got to increase his catches.”
Davis, who impressed in the spring game, will move from the slot to an outside receiver position. Brown, who had what Swepson called “a breakout year” in 2012, looks to repeat and improve on his 45-catch, 642-yard season. According to Swepson, Osborne figures to play in the slot receiver position vacated by Davis’ move to the outside.
“If Kierre Brown can get up to 55 catches and Rasaun Rorie gets up to 40 catches, and Andre Davis gets to 40 catches and Justin Osborne gets to 30 catches, our production will not slip,” Swepson said.
Swepson and Pincince indicated sophomore Ricky Brown and junior Danny Sellers would also get playing time at receiver.
“Ricky Brown and Danny Sellers have a lot of experience for us,” Pincince said. “Especially two years ago, Danny Sellers played a lot of football for us.”
As Elon prepares for the upcoming season, the team acknowledges having a new, inexperienced quarterback under center will be a challenge. The new signal caller will be surrounded by proven playmakers, though.
Quinn was quick to point to summer team workouts as a commitment to offensive improvement.
“Since most of the offense made a huge commitment to stay at Elon this summer, we really got a chance to play on each other’s strengths and help improve our weaknesses,” Quinn said. “This will help us in both the running and the passing game at all positions.”
While Elon will come to expect a more balanced offense committed to using the run to strengthen its high-octane passing game, the biggest difference will be Quinn doesn’t have a target like Mellette to throw to. For Elon football, 2013 is “A.M.” — After Mellette.