Wide receivers room at SIU bolstered by addition of Fabian McCray and return of Vinson Davis III

CARBONDALE, Ill. — SIU’s wide receivers room looks much different than it did just five months ago during spring ball. The off-season addition of Jackson State transfer Fabian McCray, plus the return of All-Conference wideout Vinson Davis III, who had been in the portal, has bolstered the position.

With several players battling injuries in the spring, how the receivers room would shake out in camp was an open question, but coach Zach Grant couldn’t be happier with how the wideouts have developed into a deep and formidable group.

“I think when you have six or seven guys that can all play at a high level, it's a good problem to have,” Grant said. “I tell them all the time, the energy can definitely come through this room.”

Receivers took turns making big plays in training camp each day.

“I love the personality of the room, they all love football and have fun at practice,” Grant said. “They want the ball, like every receiver does, and they are very competitive.”

Wide receivers profiles, with comments from Coach Grant

#9 Fabian McCray, 6-2, 195, Senior

Chicago native and close friend of QB DJ Williams…was on the HBCU+ Player of the Year Watch List at Jackson State in 2024, but missed all but three games due to injury…in 2023, had 41 catches for 584 yards (14.2 avg) and 4 TDs.

“If I could describe him in one word it’s ‘competitive.’ He’s a very competitive player who wants to win. He's played a lot of football in his career and is somebody the younger guys can look up to. Fabian caught everybody's attention with his playmaking ability, but also with doing the little things on the field, like downfield blocking. He's been a great addition.”

#2 Vinson Davis III, 5-8, 175, Senior

Has played in 27 games at SIU and has 101 career catches, 1,113 yards and six touchdowns…an explosive kick returner…All-Conference in 2023.

“I think this is the best version of VD that I've seen. He's a great route runner, he’s fast, he's explosive. He’s really taking a step forward with the leadership role. He's just comfortable in our offense and understands what we expect. He makes my job easy because he is so coachable. I think he has a really bright future in football, whether he wants to keep playing or get into coaching.”

#13 Jathen Jones, 6-4, 210, Senior

In 16 career games at SIU, has 10 catches for 195 yards, with four touchdowns.

“You can tell it's clicking for him right now. He's stayed all six years, and he's just continued to grow. I'm super proud of Jathen, who he is as a person, number one, and also what he's become on the field. I’ve seen a different side of him in the meetings. He’s a quiet kid, and I've seen him open up a lot more. He's laughing. He's having fun playing football and doing a heck of a job.”

#0 Tae Marrero, 5-10, 187, Senior

Played mainly on special teams at SIU in 2024 as a return man…at Charleston in 2023, had 55 catches for 923 yards and 10 TDs.

“Tae looks as good as he ever has since he's been here. He’s just a reliable guy that does his job as a receiver and in the return game at a high level. You're also not going to find a better kid. He's gone through a lot with injury rehab, and it's great to see him start having success in practice.”

#10 Jackson Parker, 6-2, 205 Senior

A transfer from FCS Albany who played in 35 games and recorded 94 career catches for 1,224 yards and 5 TDs.

“He's really come into his own throughout the fall camp. You can tell JP's played a lot of football. He's just a very polished receiver, works really hard in the run game and has been making plays as he’s getting comfortable in our offense. I know the quarterbacks really like him because he makes contested catches and is a big, strong kid.”

#6 Kyle Thomas, 6-3, 190, Sophomore

A transfer from FBS Northern Illinois who played in six games in two seasons for the Huskies…Caught 3 passes for 62 yards in 2023.

“He's got great ball skills, being able to high-point the ball in the air and is very twitchy for a bigger kid. He's made some really big catches throughout fall camp, and I definitely think KT can have a role for us this year. He wants to be coached hard and he works really hard. He and Jathen are out every day, catching jugs before practice.”

#88 Kam White, 6-1, 195, Sophomore

Has yet to play at SIU due to injury, but caught 85 passes for 1,161 yards in his career at Huntsville High School (AL), with 11 TDs.

“Of all the players I've coached, he’s probably had the toughest experience in college, considering all of his injuries, but he has a positive attitude and keeps coming back every single day, wants to learn. He wants to have a role. He's a great kid and a pleasure to coach. It’s great for the other guys in the room, seeing all the things that he's gone through and continuing to come back and how he's persevered.”