Burnt Orange Nation - Slot receiver among most interesting positional battles for Texas this springRomancing each other since 2004https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47839/BONfavicon.png2019-03-18T18:30:08-05:00http://www.burntorangenation.com/rss/stream/180232042019-03-18T18:30:08-05:002019-03-18T18:30:08-05:00Versatility should allow Jake Smith to carve out a role in slot receiver rotation
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<figcaption>Twitter: @jakesmith27</figcaption>
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<p>With the wide receiver room becoming increasingly competitive, Smith’s versatility should allow him to see touches elsewhere in 2019. </p> <p id="ZMxTyr">Between recent recruiting efforts and contributors such as <span>Collin Johnson</span> and <span>Devin Duvernay</span> returning for their senior seasons, <span>Sam Ehlinger</span> and the <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> won’t be without options in 2019, and plenty of them. In addition to the two leading returning receivers, former high school All-Americans including <span>Joshua Moore</span>, <span>Brennan Eagles</span>, Al’Vonte Woodard, <span>Malcolm Epps</span>, and Bru McCoy are among the next wave of high-upside wide outs waiting in the wings, just to name a select few of those already in Austin participating in spring practice. </p>
<p id="1s5Cfn">Simply put, the Texas wide receiver room appears to be as deep and talent-rich as any position on the roster. While this is certainly ideal for a program pursuing national prominence, it also means that a former highly-touted talent such as Jake Smith isn’t required to become the immediate plug-and-play pass catcher he may have been in previous years, regardless of how ideal of a fit he may be in the slot. </p>
<p id="jgqN02">Nevertheless, signing the Gatorade National Player of the Year necessitates finding ways to get that player the football, which, of course, could prove a bit challenging when the receiver room, and specifically the slot position as it pertains to Smith, is as chock-full with weapons as it’s set to be in 2019. </p>
<p id="7Ht854">Fortunately for Smith and for the Texas staff as they aim to figure out how to get the speedy slot onto the field, Smith’s versatility could prove especially valuable, as head coach Tom Herman detailed during his Early Signing Period press conference. </p>
<p id="xt8xUf">“Jake Smith, the numbers speak for themselves. He’s a Gatorade National Offensive Player of the Year,” Herman said. “He can do everything: run it, catch it, return it, play DB, I’m sure he could drive the bus to the away games if you needed him to. Multi-sport athlete. Excels at lacrosse, as well. Just excited about his versatility.”</p>
<p id="9h5AJ7">Bearing in mind that <span>Moore</span> and McCoy are already on campus and competing for playing time in the slot, it’s quite possible that by the time Smith steps foot on the Forty Acres, he’s merely fighting for his place as the third option in the slot. This, of course, in contingent upon how well <span>Moore</span> progresses under heightened expectations and competition, as well as McCoy’s pending eligibility. But in any case, playing time won’t simply be parceled out as freely as servings at a soup kitchen. </p>
<p id="aWn6Mv">So again, as it pertains to Smith’s path to playing time, his versatility is infinitely valuable. </p>
<p id="gqV5B9">Something of a Swiss Army knife type of talent, Smith is regarded as one of the premier wide receiver prospects in his class, ranking No. 8 nationally at the position after amassing 1,112 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2018. But his impact was felt all over the field for Scottsdale (Ariz.) Notre Dame Preparatory. </p>
<p id="Y1gCme">In addition to his primary role as a receiver, Smith collected 741 yards and 15 scores on 100 carries as a complementary option to junior running back Dominick Mastro, and excelled as a returner, as well, averaging 38.2 yards per kick return and 19.7 per punt return. </p>
<p id="Gv5TdL">In doing so, Smith displayed his dynamic ability with the ball in his hands, flashing great burst, quite a bit of cut-and-go ability, more than his share of shiftiness in space, and the kind jaw-dropping speed in the open field that may be unparalleled by any receiver on the current roster. </p>
<p id="B2WZN1">Though Smith’s raw speed and fluidity as a route runner are largely what allows him to fit the mold as the prototypical slot receiver — he’s maybe more of a natural fit in the slot than Moore and McCoy — that same speed and explosive nature are what will allow Texas to implement him elsewhere if and when Moore or McCoy are seeing most of the reps in the slot. </p>
<p id="iE2CxB">To that end, consider the ways in which Texas aimed to utilize <span>D’Shawn Jamison</span>’s speed and explosiveness as a returner and during jet sweeps last season. </p>
<p id="DGSHBN">Now, project those touches transferring to a prospect who’s seemingly far more suited to fit that specific role. </p>
<p id="CRs9Or">“They want to use me in the backfield and also at receiver,” Smith <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgaY-9XrBUg">previously told Sports260AZ</a>. “A lot of the backfield stuff will be jet sweeps and just trying to get me the ball to the outside, but mainly I’ll play slot receiver and I think that’s where I’ll fit best. I’ll also have my opportunities on the outside on one-on-ones, so I think they want to use me in a lot of different ways. Also, in the return game, I forgot about that, so they see me as a versatile player and they want to use me that way.”</p>
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https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/3/18/18259468/jake-smith-texas-longhorns-signee-versatility-slot-receiver-rotation-2019-football-previewCody Daniel2019-03-10T20:27:03-05:002019-03-10T20:27:03-05:00Bru McCoy is the closest thing to Lil’Jordan Humphrey on the Texas roster
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<p>From his physical stature to his film, McCoy looks the part of an ideal replacement for the NFL-bound slot receiver. </p> <p id="l3mmLx">Lil’Jordan Humphrey is no longer with the <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a>, but the next star-caliber jumbo slot receiver may have already stepped foot on the Forty Acres. This is a luxury the Longhorns likely didn’t see coming to fruition, certainly not this soon, but it was one unexpectedly gifted to Tom Herman’s program in late January when Bru McCoy, just weeks after enrolling at USC, <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/recruiting/2019/1/25/18196693/bru-mccoy-financial-aid-agreement-texas-longhorns-usc-trojans-transfer-portal">elected to transfer to Texas</a>. </p>
<p id="qwtM3a">The consequence of McCoy entering the transfer portal after a quick cup of tea with the Trojans is that the early enrollee’s eligibility remains unclear, but should it be determined that McCoy can suit up as soon as next season, he may very well resemble the school’s recently departed star receiver, considering he is the closest thing Texas has to 2018 breakout star Lil’Jordan Humphrey on its roster. </p>
<p id="6bkgpp">That’s certainly the way Texas wide receivers coach Drew Mehringer sees it, as he recently <a href="https://247sports.com/Article/Texas-Longhorns-football-Bru-McCoy-Drew-Mehringer-129709036/">noted the comparison between the two</a> to 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. </p>
<p id="Ebjgy3">“That’s what we talked to him about (during the recruiting process), what role you can fill for us, they’re similar body types,” Mehringer said. “LJ is a little taller, Bru a little faster, similar skill sets and I was like oh my god, LJ is in the draft I got a great role for you.”</p>
<p id="zPmCKe">Of course, replacing Humphrey’s role in the slot will be far easier said than done. </p>
<p id="K0lD93">When the curtain closed on Humphrey’s college career, his often herculean efforts resulted in 1,176 receiving yards, which is now etched as the third-best single-season showing in school history. It would be unfair to expect any Longhorn outside of <span>Collin Johnson</span> to replicate such profound productivity in 2019, but McCoy’s skill set would, at times, allow the Longhorns offense to operate as if Humphrey never left. </p>
<p id="ME39H1">Save for McCoy’s late signature, this almost certainly wouldn’t have been the case. </p>
<p id="uPb1Cw">The early signing period produced signatures from five-star athlete <span>Jordan Whittington</span>, who thrived as a slot at Cuero, and National Gatorade Player of the Year Jake Smith. Whittington has since made the move to running back, though he may occasionally see time in the slot, and in any case, the two are more of your prototypical shifty and speedy receivers that fit the mold of what most consider a common slot receiver to resemble. To an extent, the same can be said of sophomore <span>Joshua Moore</span>, who’s returning from a season-ending shoulder injury and will push for starting reps, though his long-term fit may be at the Z receiver. </p>
<p id="DjK51T">In short, Texas would have been just fine in the slot without McCoy, but the ways in which the Longhorns implemented and utilized the position into the offense in 2019 likely would have looked drastically different than it did a season ago. </p>
<p id="dGM6DA">However, if the NCAA grants McCoy’s appeal for immediate eligibility, which Texas <a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/NCAA-eligibility-ruling-in-favor-of-Justin-Fields-at-Ohio-State-a-positive-for-Texas-Longhorns-transfer-Bru-McCoy--128896558/">reportedly feels optimistic about</a>, then the mismatches that <span>Sam Ehlinger</span> and the Longhorns often exploited courtesy of Humphrey’s big, physical frame and elite agility should be evident for the foreseeable future through McCoy. </p>
<p id="qNAS0R">In fact, it’s quite possible that McCoy, who’s <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/3/10/18259109/texas-longhorns-spring-football-roster-early-enrollees-jordan-whittington">now listed</a> at 6’3, 215 pounds — up from 6’2, 205 in high school — ultimately proves to be even more of a walking mismatch than Humphrey become in 2018, as his high school testing numbers are already more notable than the 6’4, 210-pound Humphrey’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a> efforts. </p>
<p id="eb75Iw"><em>Bru McCoy vs. Lil’Jordan Humphrey:</em></p>
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<li id="8skUYR"><em>40-yard dash: 4.62 seconds — 4.75 seconds</em></li>
<li id="Zv3KoO"><em>Vertical leap: 37.9 inches — 33.5 inches</em></li>
<li id="rZGHmO"><em>Shuttle: 4.22 seconds — 4.29 seconds</em></li>
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<em>Hand size: 10 inches — 9 </em><sup><em>1</em></sup><em>⁄</em><sub><em>2</em></sub><em> inches </em>
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<p id="q648dq">Aside from the size and testing results, though, it’s McCoy’s dynamic skill set that should make for a seamless fit into what Texas now appears to want out of a slot receiver, as <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/1/31/18204527/bru-mccoy-texas-longhorns-scouting-report">detailed by BON’s Wescott Eberts</a>:</p>
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<p id="vsRPdS">After the catch, McCoy can also show the physicality that makes him such a terror coming off the edge, as he’s willing and able to use a stiff arm to punish smaller defenders. His agility makes him a dangerous player in space, as he can change direction and accelerate in short areas much better than most players of his size. As McCoy continues to gain strength, his ability to run through arm tackles will only improve.</p>
<p id="M1ZdTc">And though the 4.62 40-yard dash doesn’t jump off the page, it is a strong number for a player of his size and enables him to serve as an explosive big-play threat — McCoy doesn’t project as just a possession receiver. Not in the least.</p>
<p id="OMNI67">As a route-runner, he shows the ability to hit defenders with double moves to create separation. With the fluidity he shows on defense, particularly in his hips, there’s every reason to believe that McCoy can grow in the necessary areas to maximize his elite physical ability.</p>
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<p id="bthHj4">Sound familiar? McCoy’s senior film reveals similarities to Humphrey, as well. </p>
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<p id="W07CgD">Considering the convincing similarities between the two and the fact that Texas plans to implement McCoy into the role Humphrey left behind, all eyes will be on the former five-star prospect, but that isn’t simply because he looks the part. </p>
<p id="3shSTO">On a scale far larger than Humphrey’s high school playing days, McCoy arrived on campus with a track record of productivity that can now be considered award-winning. </p>
<p id="zr3dXo">As the headliner of a Mater Dei squad that MaxPreps dubbed as the top high school team in the country, McCoy hauled in 78 receptions for 1,428 yards and 18 touchdowns, all while being featured on both sides of the ball. As a result of such efforts, McCoy was named the MaxPreps National Player of the Year on Jan. 2, and more recently, honored with The Maxwell Football Club/Adidas National High School Offensive Player of the Year Award on Friday. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bru McCoy honored today at the 82nd Annual Maxwell Awards Gala. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThisIsTexas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThisIsTexas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HookEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HookEm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxwellFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaxwellFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/buhbuhbru?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@buhbuhbru</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZGLvn83MeW">pic.twitter.com/ZGLvn83MeW</a></p>— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/TexasFootball/status/1104137162507853825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2019</a>
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<p id="TpTM5f">Furthermore, in addition to finishing as the No. 9 player in the 2019 class, per the 247Sports Composite, the same service considers McCoy to be the eighth-highest-rated recruit to ever sign with Texas and the best since running back <span>Johnathan Gray</span> in 2012. </p>
<p id="7zj7yk">What better way to begin addressing the void Humphrey left behind than with the type of talent that looks the part on both paper and film? </p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/3/10/18252534/bru-mccoy-liljordan-humphrey-texas-longhorns-slot-receiverCody Daniel2019-03-06T19:44:05-06:002019-03-06T19:44:05-06:00Texas WR Joshua Moore faces a crucial spring amid heightened competition
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<p>The former top-100 prospect may not be a perfect fit in the slot, but playing time is there for the taking pending Bru McCoy’s eligibility decision and Jake Smith’s arrival.</p> <p id="04IeNN">The next few weeks will mark the most crucial stretch of <span>Joshua Moore</span>’s young tenure with the <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a>. Perhaps even his entire football career thus far. </p>
<p id="f9SFje">On Saturday, the Longhorns will begin spring practice and <span>Moore</span> is among the trio of former highly-touted talents set to contend for the Texas vacancy in the slot following Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s early departure to the NFL. <span>Moore</span>, however, maybe more than any other former high school All-American currently — or soon to be — calling the Texas wide receiver room home, is faced with pressure to make the most of the newly-opened opportunity as the slot receiver. </p>
<p id="amtQsq">This isn’t to say Moore must solidify a starting role and take complete control of the position ahead of his sophomore season and certainly not in the same capacity Humphrey did in 2018. Texas simply has too much raw talent requiring reps, like top-ranked 2019 athlete and 2018 MaxPreps National Player of the Year Bru McCoy (pending eligibility, of course) and reigning Gatorade National Player of the Yeah Jake Smith. Former five-star athlete Jordan Whittington may push for some playing time there, as well, though most of his reps this spring likely come at running back. </p>
<p id="EMJ5YI">That said, it’s worth bearing in mind that Moore, too, was a top-100 talent in his class and an Under Armour All-American so long ago, yet it seems as if he’s largely become an afterthought in regards to the available slot receiver role. </p>
<p id="txfwIR">To an extent, that is understandable, as the two freshmen may technically be better fits. </p>
<p id="NzABZG">Smith, a dynamic top-50 prospect out of Scottsdale (Az.) Notre Dame Preparatory, is a speedster and a seemingly ideal fit in the slot, while McCoy is quite likely the closest thing Texas has to Humphrey on its 2019 roster, as wide receivers coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Article/Texas-Longhorns-football-Bru-McCoy-Drew-Mehringer-129709036/">Drew Mehringer detailed to 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong</a>. This isn’t to imply that Moore can’t excel in the slot, because he certainly can courtesy of his impressive burst and ability to create separation as a pristine route-runner. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"JOSHUA MOORE. SAM EHLINGER. PUT THE BISCUIT IN THE BASKET."<br><br>Everyone get on Gus Johnson's level. <a href="https://t.co/FUmi3Bpuq6">pic.twitter.com/FUmi3Bpuq6</a></p>— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSports/status/1041185591801503744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2018</a>
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<p id="bD44Bl">But what Moore has that the other options don’t is at least some semblance of college experience, and that may be his most notable edge at this point. The same won’t remain true by this time next spring, though, which makes this brief window of opportunity an especially important one for Moore. </p>
<p id="sD1vE0">After appearing in six games last season, hauling in seven receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown along the way, Moore missed the Baylor game due to Illness before missing the final seven games of his freshman slate as a result of a sprained shoulder. Consequently, Moore’s health, or the lack thereof, forced him to miss more than half of his freshman season, and more importantly, the development that comes along with being active throughout that span. </p>
<p id="pqdoAW">Now healthy entering the spring, Moore is no longer the freshman simply trying to find his footing. He’s a sophomore tasked with fending off a pair of slot prospects who are equally or more promising. Either McCoy or Smith or possibly even Whittington will quite likely own the starting job entering next spring, as Moore’s prototypical skill set for a Z receiver may warrant a move outside in 2020. </p>
<p id="7vF1Bh">And that’s yet another reason why Moore securing his fair share of playing time in the slot for the 2019 campaign is essential. </p>
<p id="P2RjPt">An elite-level athlete with solid size at 6’1, Moore boasts the pure track speed necessary to blow the top off of a secondary, which is exactly what Texas looks for from the Z receiver, as evident by <span>Devin Duvernay</span> and <span>John Burt</span> occupying the two-deep depth chart. Texas will graduate both <span>Duvernay</span> and <span>Burt</span> following the 2019 season, but their presence between now and then likely means that few, if any reps will remain at the Z. </p>
<p id="4TSEI2">In the meantime, as Duvernay and Burt exhaust their eligibility, Moore securing his place within the slot receiver rotation — preferably a considerable one — may not be much more than a means to his end. Call it an opportunity to prove how productive he can be in an increased role. </p>
<p id="NBTij8">If Moore can showcase his skill set this spring and into the 2019 season, he could become the shoo-in starter as the Z receiver entering the spring of 2020. But that, of course, is dependent upon Moore’s ability to showcase his skill set, which, of course, is dependent upon Moore’s ability to fend off McCoy and Smith for his fair share of reps. </p>
<p id="5CcMUV">If Moore fails to do so and finds himself on the sidelines far more often than the field in 2019, then a potential move to the Z in 2020 — or even remaining in the slot — will come with increased difficulty given how hyper-competitive the Texas wide receiver room is set to become.</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/3/6/18251951/joshua-moore-texas-longhorns-spring-football-2019-bru-mccoy-jake-smithCody Daniel2018-12-11T18:12:51-06:002018-12-11T18:12:51-06:00Texas WR commit Jake Smith named Gatorade National Football Player of the Year
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<figcaption>Jake Smith (left) with Josh Rosen | Courtesy of Gatorade</figcaption>
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<p>Smith gained nearly 5,500 total yards and scored 72 touchdowns in his high school career.</p> <p id="MRiKAO">On Tuesday afternoon in Scottsdale, <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> wide receiver commit Jake Smith was surprised by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen during his Advanced Physical Education class and recognized as the 2018-19 Gatorade National Player of the Year. Smith’s family and friends walked in moments later.</p>
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<p id="jdoIKT">The Notre Dame Prep star, who committed to the Longhorns back in June, received the award following a monster senior season that saw him lead the Saints to the 5A state championship game and a 13-1 record. In the process, Smith excelled at running back, wide receiver, and on special teams in catching 64 passes for 1,112 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 741 yards and 15 touchdowns. For good measure, the 6’1, 195-pounder returned two kickoffs for scores as well.</p>
<p id="XztOzl">Now slated to play in the 2019 Under Armour All-American game to finish his high school career before heading to Austin, Smith gained 5,446 totals yards and scored 72 touchdowns despite suffering a broken tibia playing baseball as a freshman and then breaking his arm several months later playing football.</p>
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<p id="7jlGGw">Smith is also a standout off the field — he has a 3.33 GPA and volunteered with St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Food Bank Community Kitchen, Feed My Starving Children and the Miracle League of Arizona.</p>
<p id="V1Vl8O">Ranked as a consensus four-star prospect and the No. 81 player nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Smith is the No. 12 wide receiver in the country.</p>
<p id="6eNbKw">In June, he committed to Texas over offers from more than 32 schools, including USC.</p>
<p id="U8UrdG">“I fell in love at the spring game and I’ve known since then there was no other place for me,” Smith <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2018/6/4/17425424/jake-smith-commit-explanation-texas-longhorns-recruiting-2019">said in an interview with Sports360AZ</a>.</p>
<p id="b3YUtM">“To me, it really just seems like the complete package,” he said. “I really didn’t find that anywhere else — at any other school I went to. It’s a great city, a place I want to live, a place I want to be if I get injured and I’m not playing football. I would still want to be in Austin.”</p>
<p id="xmUKgp">The coaching staff also played a large role in securing Smith’s commitment, from which he has not wavered over the intervening months, and plan to use him in the same type of versatile role that allowed him to star at Notre Dame Prep.</p>
<p id="YLA7jb">“They want to use me in the backfield and also at receiver,” Smith said. “A lot of the backfield stuff will be jet sweeps and just trying to get me the ball to the outside, but mainly I’ll play slot receiver and I think that’s where I’ll fit best. I’ll also have my opportunities on the outside on one-on-ones, so I think they want to use me in a lot of different ways. Also, in the return game, I forgot about that, so they see me as a versatile player and they want to use me that way.”</p>
<p id="zfK8XW">So look for the National Gatorade Football Player of the Year to make an immediate impact for the Longhorns in the slot and on special teams.</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v-GUyTw3dTwA_uLUq4GArKeWGsY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13620032/Jake_Smith_Trophy_and_Banner.jpg">
<cite>Courtesy of Gatorade</cite>
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https://www.burntorangenation.com/2018/12/11/18136843/jake-smith-gatorade-national-player-of-the-year-texas-longhorns-commit-2019Wescott Eberts