Players Mentioned
Toledo native Daryl Barnett Jr. earned a scholarship with his performance in the spring.
Before the First Catch, Toledo's Wide Receivers Built Something Bigger
7/2/2026 10:00:00 AM | Football
The culture for Mike Jacobs' first team was constructed in the wide receiver room
Fourth in a series of position-by-position outlooks for the 2026 Toledo Football team.
TOLEDO, Ohio - The first win of Toledo's offseason didn't happen on the practice field.
It happened during a meeting in the winter.
The Rockets' wide receivers looked around the room and saw two groups that could have easily stayed separate. Nearly half the room consisted of transfers arriving with Toledo's new coaching staff, while the rest had already spent time in the program waiting for bigger opportunities.
Nobody wanted that divide to exist.
"We all got together just to tell each other we're all going to work, we're all going to push each other and we're all working toward one goal," said senior wide receiver Daryl Barnett Jr.. "Only a couple people can play, but the better we are and the more connected we are, the better we're going to be. That's something we preach as receivers — continuous improvement, lifting the next guy up and being the most connected group on the team."
That conversation quietly became the foundation for one of Toledo's most intriguing position groups.
A Room Built on Connection
There are transfers eager to prove themselves at the FBS level. Returning Rockets have spent years waiting behind veteran receivers. A new coaching staff is installing its offense, while a first-year starting quarterback develops chemistry with an almost entirely new group of targets.
Instead of allowing those circumstances to divide the room, the receivers decided they would become its greatest strength.
Wide receivers coach Devin Figaro watched that identity take shape throughout the offseason. Winter workouts were about far more than evaluating speed and athleticism.
"We lost a decent amount of production, so winter workouts were really about seeing what we were working with," said Figaro, who's coached alongside Mike Jacobs for eight seasons. "You can watch guys move around in T-shirts and shorts, but you don't really know how competitive they are or how efficient they are as receivers until you get into spring practice."
By the end of spring, he liked what he saw.
"From practice one to practice 15, you saw growth from a lot of guys," said Figaro. "We've still got a ways to go cleaning up the small things, but we made strides."
The progress was cultural. Barnett believes it started with the willingness of everyone in the room to embrace one another, regardless of where they came from.
"Everybody wants to win," said Barnett. "I have to give Coach Jacobs and the coaching staff credit because they brought in a good group of guys. Everybody's blending together. We've got guys from all over the country and different backgrounds. It's special when guys can come together like that. We were all on the same page from the jump, and we all want what's best for each other."
Extra Work, Shared Purpose
Those words have turned into daily habits.
After workouts, receivers gather around the jugs machine for extra catches. They challenge one another with tennis-ball drills to sharpen hand-eye coordination. Film sessions continue outside of mandatory meeting times. And quarterback John Alan Richter regularly organizes throwing sessions to build timing before preseason camp begins.
For Barnett, that extra work reflects the mindset of a room filled with players who have spent years waiting for their opportunity.
"We all have been waiting for our moment since we got here," said Barnett. "Some of us had guys in front of us. I've learned a lot just waiting for my opportunity. We're always pushing each other, and I know all of us are going to be ready when our moment comes because of the work we're putting in."
Chemistry Starts With the Quarterback
No one has done more to bring the offense together than Richter.
Figaro smiled while describing his quarterback's commitment.
"This is the first place I've been where [the quarterback] lives [at the football facility]," said Figaro. "Coach Reisert has challenged him to build chemistry with those guys, and he's done it. They're watching film together before we're even watching it as a staff. They're always in the indoor getting extra throwing work."
That collaboration continues inside the meeting room. Before the offense splits into individual position meetings, Richter leads discussions with the quarterbacks, receivers, running backs and tight ends. Coaches review clips from practice, and players talk through route adjustments, timing and communication.
"We can coach them all we want," said Figaro. "But they've still got to get it done together."
New Faces, One Standard
For transfer receiver Adjatay Dabbs, the relationships developed faster than he expected.
Although he arrived with Figaro and several members of Toledo's coaching staff from Mercer, he entered a locker room full of unfamiliar teammates.
Any uncertainty disappeared almost immediately.
"The best part was that the guys were open," said Dabbs. "They didn't make it seem like we weren't accepted. They let us become part of their team and their family, and we all came together as one."
That acceptance allowed the receivers to focus on improving together rather than figuring out where they fit.
"We're a very talented group," said Dabbs, a first-team all-Southern Conference selection last season who led the league in receiving yards (856 yards) while scoring eight touchdowns.
"Everybody brings their own individual traits to the receiver room, and I think that's what you need. We're young, and not all of us have MAC experience, so we're talking to each other and talking to Coach Fig about what we need to work on to get ready for the season."
Opportunity Must Be Earned
Figaro believes Dabbs has the tools to become one of the offense's biggest playmakers.
Barnett's path has been different, but equally impressive. The Toledo native arrived as a walk-on. Figaro admitted he knew very little about him before spring practice began.
By the end of camp, Barnett had earned a scholarship.
"Daryl was somebody who stood out," said Figaro. "I was pleasantly surprised by his production and just how well-rounded he is as a receiver. He had one of the most complete spring camps we had."
The take-charge mentality is shared throughout the room. The transfers want to prove they belong. The returning players want to capitalize on opportunities that haven't existed before. Every receiver understands that playing time must be earned.
"I'm unbelievably hungry," said Dabbs. "I don't think I've proven anything yet. I haven't shown anything yet, even to my teammates. I'm ready for game day so I can prove I'm here to stay and make a name for myself."
Long before the first pass is thrown this fall, Toledo's wide receivers decided what they wanted to become.
The first catch of the season is still ahead.
The culture they hope will define them is already in place.
TOLEDO, Ohio - The first win of Toledo's offseason didn't happen on the practice field.
It happened during a meeting in the winter.
The Rockets' wide receivers looked around the room and saw two groups that could have easily stayed separate. Nearly half the room consisted of transfers arriving with Toledo's new coaching staff, while the rest had already spent time in the program waiting for bigger opportunities.
Nobody wanted that divide to exist.
"We all got together just to tell each other we're all going to work, we're all going to push each other and we're all working toward one goal," said senior wide receiver Daryl Barnett Jr.. "Only a couple people can play, but the better we are and the more connected we are, the better we're going to be. That's something we preach as receivers — continuous improvement, lifting the next guy up and being the most connected group on the team."
That conversation quietly became the foundation for one of Toledo's most intriguing position groups.
A Room Built on Connection
There are transfers eager to prove themselves at the FBS level. Returning Rockets have spent years waiting behind veteran receivers. A new coaching staff is installing its offense, while a first-year starting quarterback develops chemistry with an almost entirely new group of targets.
Instead of allowing those circumstances to divide the room, the receivers decided they would become its greatest strength.
Wide receivers coach Devin Figaro watched that identity take shape throughout the offseason. Winter workouts were about far more than evaluating speed and athleticism.
"We lost a decent amount of production, so winter workouts were really about seeing what we were working with," said Figaro, who's coached alongside Mike Jacobs for eight seasons. "You can watch guys move around in T-shirts and shorts, but you don't really know how competitive they are or how efficient they are as receivers until you get into spring practice."
By the end of spring, he liked what he saw.
"From practice one to practice 15, you saw growth from a lot of guys," said Figaro. "We've still got a ways to go cleaning up the small things, but we made strides."
The progress was cultural. Barnett believes it started with the willingness of everyone in the room to embrace one another, regardless of where they came from.
"Everybody wants to win," said Barnett. "I have to give Coach Jacobs and the coaching staff credit because they brought in a good group of guys. Everybody's blending together. We've got guys from all over the country and different backgrounds. It's special when guys can come together like that. We were all on the same page from the jump, and we all want what's best for each other."
Extra Work, Shared Purpose
Those words have turned into daily habits.
After workouts, receivers gather around the jugs machine for extra catches. They challenge one another with tennis-ball drills to sharpen hand-eye coordination. Film sessions continue outside of mandatory meeting times. And quarterback John Alan Richter regularly organizes throwing sessions to build timing before preseason camp begins.
For Barnett, that extra work reflects the mindset of a room filled with players who have spent years waiting for their opportunity.
"We all have been waiting for our moment since we got here," said Barnett. "Some of us had guys in front of us. I've learned a lot just waiting for my opportunity. We're always pushing each other, and I know all of us are going to be ready when our moment comes because of the work we're putting in."
Chemistry Starts With the Quarterback
No one has done more to bring the offense together than Richter.
Figaro smiled while describing his quarterback's commitment.
"This is the first place I've been where [the quarterback] lives [at the football facility]," said Figaro. "Coach Reisert has challenged him to build chemistry with those guys, and he's done it. They're watching film together before we're even watching it as a staff. They're always in the indoor getting extra throwing work."
That collaboration continues inside the meeting room. Before the offense splits into individual position meetings, Richter leads discussions with the quarterbacks, receivers, running backs and tight ends. Coaches review clips from practice, and players talk through route adjustments, timing and communication.
"We can coach them all we want," said Figaro. "But they've still got to get it done together."
New Faces, One Standard
For transfer receiver Adjatay Dabbs, the relationships developed faster than he expected.
Although he arrived with Figaro and several members of Toledo's coaching staff from Mercer, he entered a locker room full of unfamiliar teammates.
Any uncertainty disappeared almost immediately.
"The best part was that the guys were open," said Dabbs. "They didn't make it seem like we weren't accepted. They let us become part of their team and their family, and we all came together as one."
That acceptance allowed the receivers to focus on improving together rather than figuring out where they fit.
"We're a very talented group," said Dabbs, a first-team all-Southern Conference selection last season who led the league in receiving yards (856 yards) while scoring eight touchdowns.
"Everybody brings their own individual traits to the receiver room, and I think that's what you need. We're young, and not all of us have MAC experience, so we're talking to each other and talking to Coach Fig about what we need to work on to get ready for the season."
Opportunity Must Be Earned
Figaro believes Dabbs has the tools to become one of the offense's biggest playmakers.
Barnett's path has been different, but equally impressive. The Toledo native arrived as a walk-on. Figaro admitted he knew very little about him before spring practice began.
By the end of camp, Barnett had earned a scholarship.
"Daryl was somebody who stood out," said Figaro. "I was pleasantly surprised by his production and just how well-rounded he is as a receiver. He had one of the most complete spring camps we had."
The take-charge mentality is shared throughout the room. The transfers want to prove they belong. The returning players want to capitalize on opportunities that haven't existed before. Every receiver understands that playing time must be earned.
"I'm unbelievably hungry," said Dabbs. "I don't think I've proven anything yet. I haven't shown anything yet, even to my teammates. I'm ready for game day so I can prove I'm here to stay and make a name for myself."
Long before the first pass is thrown this fall, Toledo's wide receivers decided what they wanted to become.
The first catch of the season is still ahead.
The culture they hope will define them is already in place.
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