Utah Utes football: Jereme Brooks becoming 'Papa Smurf' to Ute receivers

SALT LAKE CITY — At 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, Utah receiver Jereme Brooks isn't real big in stature. The senior is, however, the big man on campus when it comes to receiving yards.

Brooks caught 56 passes for 696 yards last season, far more than other returning player on the team. The next closest (Shaky Smithson) had 13 receptions in 2009.

Armed with the most experience, the three-time letterman is now a go-to guy — on and off the field. Utah's receiving corps, as a whole, is young with lots of freshmen and sophomores in the mix.

"It's like being a father to a bunch of kids. You have to kind of do your job and kind of help the guys out at the same time."

Despite the challenges, Brooks is learning to manage the situation. By his own account, he's "making strides" and evolving into a leader.

"He's Papa Smurf. That's what he is. He's doing a nice job," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "He's setting the pace for everybody else. He's catching everything that's thrown to him. We expect a big year out of Jereme."

The League City, Texas, product has increased his statistical output each year at Utah, catching 15 passes as a freshman and 30 as a sophomore. With last year's team receptions leader David Reed moving on to the NFL, Brooks is likely to build on the 56 catches he made as a junior.

"He's a great route runner. He's been here, been in the system. He knows exactly what to do no matter what the coverage is," said Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn. "He's definitely the leader of that corps."

It's a role Brooks relishes.

"It's always something you relish. You grow up hoping that one day you'll be like the main receiver for a big college football team," he said. "That's this year for me, and I feel great."

Brooks' game and responsibilities have elevated along with that of Wynn. The players share a mutual respect for one another.

"Definitely," Wynn said. "You always try to help out like everybody and try to get on the same page, but with Jereme's experience, it's just kind of one step farther."

There's a progression taking place. Brooks said the offense is already ahead of last season's pace.

"We have a lot of playmakers on offense," he explained. "Jordan's got a year under him, so he's much more smart and just getting better every day."