Friday Five: Top 5 Mountain West Wide Receivers
· Yahoo Sports
Welcome to another edition of “Friday Five”. It finally happened, folks. After years of in-fighting and petty behavior, the Mountain West split has actually happened. The “departing five” have left to reform the Pac-12. The Mountain West has added the likes of North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, and UTEP to fill the gaps.
Visit betsport.cv for more information.
We at the Mountain West Connection intend to cover both conferences going forward. “Friday Five” will feature the five best of, well, anything leading into football season, alternating between each conference week-to-week leading up to football season. Best quarterbacks, stadiums, mascots, who knows. We’re open to your ideas! This week, we start off with Friday Five wide receivers in the Mountain West Conference.
5. Tama Uiliata, Hawaii
One of the consistent factors in putting together these lists this off-season: the transfer portal gouges some positions more than others. The wide receiver position tends to be a premium position, leading to a lot of projecting from me. Here’s what I know: Micah Alejado and the Hawaii offense will feast this fall, and slotback Tama Uiliata figures to thrive. Uiliata started all 13 games last season, catching 28 passes for 231 yards. Maybe Washington transfer Audric Harris serves as Hawaii’s second-leading receiver, but for now I’m projecting Uiliata to have a big jump statistically.
4. DeAree Rogers, Northern Illinois
Welcome to the Mountain West, Huskies, and thank you for bringing explosive talent with you. Rogers returns to NIU after starting 10 games at receiver last season while also serving as a punt returner. His 46 receptions for 510 receiving yards were both team highs for the Huskies. He’s recorded a catch in 32 straight games dating back to 2023! I couldn’t exclude Rogers from this top five and I think he has a big senior season.
3. Troy Omeire, New Mexico
There are some crazy transfer stories nowadays. Omeire started his career with the Texas Longhorns, moved on to Arizona State, then started for UNLV but will finish his career as a double medical transfer for the New Mexico Lobos. Well traveled! Omeire played in all 14 games for the Rebels, catching 31 passes for 514 yards and five touchdowns. He figures to be quarterback Jack Layne’s top target for the Lobos and a key figure in their title pursuit.
2. Kam Thomas, UTEP
I’m projecting a bounce back campaign for the receiver from Birmingham, Alabama. Thomas was an all-conference performer in 2024, catching 47 passes for 532 yards in addition to being a dynamic return man. Thomas was poised for a big season in 2025 before a season-ending injury struck on opening day. He’s back this fall and will be a key weapon for 3rd-year head coach Scotty Walden and quarterback EJ Colson.
1. Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii
I’m unsure who to praise for player retention at Hawaii. Is it Timmy Chang? The athletic director? Boosters? All of the above? Whoever it is, it’s crazy how many key players the Warriors retained. One of those stars? Pofele Ashlock. The All-Mountain West second teamer had 76 catches for 827 yards last season and has over 2000 receiving yards in his career. A bonafide superstar, Ashlock figures to be Micah Alejado’s primary target in the pass heavy run-and-shoot offense. Wheels up for lift off.
Others in consideration: Now comes the list of transfers who haven’t done anything yet, but could easily become stars. Taeshaun Lyons is likely to be the primary target for Jackson Arnold at UNLV and probably should be on this list. Nevada’s Gary Givens, Hawaii’s Audric Harris fit the bill too. Maybe Jackson Williams at North Dakota State becomes more than just a returner? I’ll throw in Eric Richardson from Wyoming for consideration too, and I’ve almost certainly missed someone on this list. It’s difficult to project things when the portal thins out the proven options.