Elon, N.C.- Leading up to the start of the 2025 Elon football season, we will take a look at each position ahead of Elon's first game against Duke on August 28. Our next look will be at the wide receivers coached by Matt Christian. This preseason report is presented by Courtyard Marriot.
 
In 2024, Chandler Brayboy finished up his final year with the Phoenix and left his name across the Elon record book in doing it. Over his final six games in an Elon uniform, Brayboy combined for eight total touchdowns, six receiving and two kick return touchdowns. In Elon's last four games, Brayboy averaged 133 yards receiving and notched five receiving touchdowns to go with it. After Brayboy signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars and with the departure of Onuma Dieke, depth pieces from years past look to carry the load in the receiver room in 2025.
 
Coach Matt Christian is in his first year leading the receiving corps. Christian comes to Elon after two seasons at Arizona State where he helped navigate one of college football's biggest turnarounds. Christian not only learned behind head coach Kenny Dillingham but also under Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward.
 
"With my experience last two years at Arizona State and being able to be a part of building that program from the ground up with Coach Dillingham and the guys there. We went from a 3-9 team to 10-2 and Big XII champs," Christian said. "I got to be a part of that and really witness and learn from it, to bring something to the table here."
 
Following the departure of both Brayboy and Dieke, young talent and redshirted veterans will lead the receiving corps this season. A name that caught attention at the end of last season was Isaiah Fuhrmann who made plays in the passing game over seven games. He started the final three games of the season and made a touchdown catch in the road win over William & Mary.
 
"Obviously it's a new year but I think I gained a lot of personal experience from the seven games that I played," Fuhrmann said. "Getting meaningful reps and being able to play that full speed, I feel prepared going into this next year and ready to go full swing from week one."
 
Another name that has been at Elon and is now getting significant reps in Landyn Backey. The slot receiver from Monroe, N.C. has caught just three passes each of the last two seasons but showcased confidence in this group of receivers to carry the load left behind by Brayboy and Dieke.

"Honestly, we have one of the best receiving rooms in the CAA. I think our ones, our twos and even our threes, all of them could play in a game. I feel really confident, and I think our coaches feel really confident in all of us," said Backey.
 
Furhmann echoed the same message.
 
"I see guys that can just make plays. We're eight deep and we're going to have a lot of guys be able to play and make plays. We're going to be able to fresh and just head-hunting defenses all year."
 
The most experienced receiver back for the Phoenix is redshirt-senior Jamarien Dalton. He finished third on the team a season ago with 31 catches for 408 yards. A consistent threat over the past two seasons, Dalton had at least three catches in a game seven times last season and was tied for the team-high in receiving touchdowns in 2023 with five.
 
After three catches in ten games last season, another receiver making a name in camp is Kenaz McMillian. A local product from RJ Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, McMillian has been earning reps with the first team and delivering in seven-on-seven drills across the first six practices of camp.
 
"Every team has to have an edge," Christian said. "What is our edge as a receiver room going to be? When people put the film on and they watch Elon football, what are they going to say about the receivers? I want that to be is that they played freaking hard. You better strap your helmet up and bring it because these boys are coming."
 
 
Wide Receiver Personnel:
 
Jaedon Alford | Fr. | 5'11 | 190 | Rolesville, N.C.
Landyn Backey | R-Jr. | 5'10 | 184 | Monroe, N.C.
Jamarien Dalton | R-Sr. | 6'2 | 187 | Lexington, N.C.
Isaiah Fuhrmann | So. | 6'4 | 192 | Norfolk, Va.
Braden Gower | Fr. | 6'1 | 175 | Mooresville, N.C.
TyQuan Harney | R-Fr. | 5'9 | 192 | Elizabeth City, N.C.
Tommy Kane | R-So. | 6'2 | 201 | Westwood, Mass.
Owen Kelley | Jr. | 6'3 | 220 | Manchester, N.H.
Ben Kirsch | Fr. | 6'3 | 190 | Charlotte, N.C.
Kenaz McMillian | R-So. | 6'0 | 161 | Winston-Salem, N.C.
Gavin Powell | R-Fr. | 6'0 | 180 | Concord, N.C.
Ian Westbrook | R-Jr. | 5'8 | 162 | Raleigh, N.C.
Zimere Winston | R-So. | 5'11 | 162 | Raleigh, N.C.
Cord Yates | R-Fr. | 5'8 | 160 | Vienna, Va.