The Daily O’Collegian

After lurking in the shadows for the past couple of seasons, Jeremy Broadway is ready for the big stage.

Broadway, a sophomore wide receiver, played in six games as a true freshman, but managed only two catches for a total of 26 yards.

His sophomore year was stopped in its tracks when a wrist injury forced him to forgo the 2006 season with a medical redshirt.

After a strong spring game during which he racked up 61 receiving yards and a touchdown, Broadway has impressed his coaches this fall and is eager to get back on the field.

“It’s a real blessing, especially for me being that I was out last year and now I’m getting right in the mix of things,” Broadway said.

Coach Mike Gundy said he thinks Broadway will be able to handle all the playing time.

“He’s starting right now for us so we need him to learn fast,” Gundy said. “He’s not a guy that’s gonna be thrown in there for the first time. He’ll go through some growing pains, but hopefully he’ll make some plays early.”

Broadway is expected to take over for sophomore Artrell Woods, an agile receiver who suffered a fractured vertebrae in a weightlifting accident earlier this summer.

Broadway knows a thing or two about season-ending injuries and how they affect the team.

“We’re always together and when Artie went down, it brought us a little bit closer and made us realize that we really did have to step it up,” Broadway said. “Like I said before, if I make a play, it’s gonna be for Artie.”

Broadway will certainly be looking to make plays this season, but the wealth will be divided among a plethora of other offensive weapons.

Touches will be split up among senior Adarius Bowman, who some have called a Heisman candidate receiver; freshman phenom receiver Dez Bryant; senior Dantrell Savage and sophomore Keith Toston, two potential All-Big 12 running backs; multi-dimensional sophomore quarterback Zac Robinson; and junior Brandon Pettigrew, who coaches say is an NFL-caliber tight end.

But Broadway doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight for the time being and knows his time to shine will come.

“I gotta make some plays for people to see the real me first in the next year or two,” said Broadway. “Right now, I’m just going to play my role and make plays like I can.”

Although an arsenal of offensive talent may mean fewer marks on the stat sheet, it offers a great atmosphere for young players to learn.

When in doubt, Broadway said he always knows he can look across the field to Bowman for guidance.

“He’s a teacher, he’s a great athlete, and he’s a leader,” Broadway said. “Whatever you can use that’s positive to describe him, that’s what he is. I feel privileged to play with him, and I’m gonna be like a sponge and soak in whatever I can from him.”

But while Broadway is learning from the best, can he step into the starting role and become the deep threat receiver that the Cowboys need?

“We’re gonna find out,” Gundy said. “He fits our system with what we try to do. So we’ll chunk it down there to him a couple times and see if he can go get it.”

Broadway said he thinks he is up for the challenge.

“At times I can make very explosive plays,” Broadway said. “I consider myself exciting to watch because I can make some catches sometimes that I don’t know how I caught them.”