Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tim Billings says life after Willie Ponder will be different -- but not all that bad -- for the Indians.

As Southeast concluded its second week of spring workouts this week at Houck Stadium, Billings and his staff continued the search to replace go-to wide out Ponder, who completed a record-setting career last season as arguably the top receiver in school history.

But maybe the Indians aren't searching for Ponder's replacement at all.

"We would love to have Willie back, but we have everybody else back, and I think we'll be fine there," Billings said. "We might not have just one go-to guy, we might spread it around to several guys.

"When I was at Marshall, we had Randy Moss, and we went 10-3 in his last year. He left and we went 15-0. We just had other guys step up."

In no way does Billings diminish the impact the dazzling Ponder had in helping the Indians go 8-4 last season for their first winning record since 1994 and their best record since 1969.

Ponder, a Division I-AA All-American who could be selected in next month's NFL draft, caught 87 passes for 1,453 yards and 15 touchdowns last season -- all school records. The 1,453 receiving yards also set an Ohio Valley Conference mark.

In his rookie season at Southeast in 2001, the Tulsa transfer caught 70 passes for 1,090 yards.

"Willie was a special kid," Billings said. "You don't really replace a player like that.

"But the good thing is, these younger guys got to work with Willie, see how hard he worked. When you have a guy like that at that position, it helps rub off on the other guys."

Despite losing Ponder, Billings said he feels good about his receiving corps because everybody else who made a significant impact last season returns, and several talented newcomers will be added to the mix when fall practice begins in August.

Chris NesSmith caught 38 passes for 432 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore last year to rank second on the team.

Senior Tarik Simpson was right behind with 36 receptions for 571 yards and five TDs, and his 15.9-per-catch average was not far off Ponder's 16.7.

Bill Coleman caught 32 passes for 297 yards and three TDs as a redshirt freshman, and true freshman Jamel Oliver -- a converted running back who has drawn rave reviews from the Southeast coaching staff -- came on late to snare six receptions for 100 yards and two TDs.

T.J. Milcic made a couple of clutch two-point conversion receptions as a freshman, and walk-on Brandon Amick from Scott City High School adds even more depth to the unit.

Southeast also returns all of the tight ends who combined for 29 receptions, led by Jackson High School product Ray Goodson with 17 for 130 yards and three TDs.

In the fall, the Indians will add to the wide receiver mix TCU transfer Anthony Gilliam, speedy freshmen Nikelya Dennis and Joe Whitest from Florida, freshman Scott NesSmith -- Chris's younger brother -- and freshman Antonio Scaife.

"We've got some good receivers coming back, and we like the ones we've got coming in," Billings said. "Simpson will be a leader. He's strong and he's got good speed, although he's not a 4.3 guy.

"NesSmith and Coleman had good years. Oliver really came on at the end. He has the true speed, as far as running by people. Gilliam is a speed guy. And the two kids from Florida are speed guys."

While acknowledging Ponder's loss, Chris NesSmith agrees with Billings that the Indians' receiving corps should be in good hands.

"Of course, Willie is a big loss," NesSmith said. "But everybody is looking good so far, although I know it's early.

"We probably won't have that one guy who catches so many passes like Willie, but I think we'll spread it around more."

East moved from QB

With an abundance of talent at quarterback, Jeff East has changed positions twice so far this spring, first moving to running back and now to wide receiver.

East spent most of his redshirt freshman season last year as record-setting Jack Tomco's backup after Jeromy McDowell suffered a knee injury in the opening game.

East, the best runner among Southeast's quarterbacks, completed nine of 16 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 60 yards on 16 attempts.

"We've got so many good quarterbacks, we're trying to find a spot for Jeff," Billings said.

Tomco and McDowell both are back, and the Indians have added Arizona State transfer Andrew Goodenough to the quarterback mix.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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