Penn State wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield was a record-breaking wide receiver at Purdue from 2001-04. After his college career, Stubblefield had a brief stint in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers and St. Louis Rams before he got into coaching.
Stubblefield arrived at Penn State in 2020 and that’s where he met wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Entering his junior season, Dotson had a total of 40 receptions for 691 yards and five touchdowns in his first two college seasons.
Under Stubblefield, Dotson’s career took off. Dotson caught 52 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In 2021, Dotson was even better, recording 91 receptions for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Dotson’s breakout performance led to him becoming a legitimate NFL prospect. Last week, Dotson was selected No. 16 overall in the 2022 NFL draft by the Washington Commanders.
This week, Stubblefield joined the “John Keim Report” podcast to discuss his former star pupil.
Keim asked Stubblefield what Washington was getting in Dotson.
“Someone who is consistent, low maintenance, high production, you’re getting a guy who is highly competitive and you won’t even know it,” Stubblefield said. “And you’re getting a sure-handed dude that has the ability to be very explosive.”
Stubblefield went on to explain Dotson the person, his parents, work ethic, etc.
Washington coach Ron Rivera excited fans last week when he compared Dotson to DeSean Jackson and Steve Smith. Stubblefield, who briefly played with Smith, can see the comparison.
“I can see the Steve Smith comparisons,” Stubblefield said. “He has the explosiveness ability to be like Steve Smith. Obviously, the size is similar.”
Stubblefield didn’t stop there, also comparing Dotson to another future Hall of Famer in Torry Holt.
“And the silky smooth route running of Torry Holt,” Stubblefield continued.
College coaches generally praise their former players. Stubblefield praised Dotson in every facet as a football player, a person, leader and described him as easy to coach.
Rivera wants high-character players. That’s Dotson. And he also happens to be a good football player who should immediately help the Commanders in 2022.