by Kristie Boudwin
Daily Lobo
UNM football fans and NFL scouts have something in common this season.
They are all watching wide receiver Hank Baskett.
According to an NFL scout who said he wanted to remain anonymous for team confidentiality reasons, the 6-foot-4-inch 220-pound senior is on preseason scouting lists and has the potential to play professional ball if he performs well this season.
"Hank is a big, strong, powerful wide receiver with very good hands," the scout said. "He has excellent hand-eye coordination and makes tough catches look easy. He has a chance to go pretty high in this year's draft if his speed checks out."
Baskett said he is aware of the scouting attention he will receive this season, but he is not really worried about that right now.
"I just want to have a really good season this year," he said. "If our team performs on the field, the draft will take care of itself for a lot of people."
Baskett said this year's passing game will be different than in past years. There will be fewer tight ends up the middle and more receivers spread out on the field.
The new offensive system could be a good fit for the star receiver and defensive magnet.
Last season, Baskett caught nine passes for 165 yards in the season opener against Washington State. After proving his ability, Baskett often found himself in double coverage as the season progressed.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Baskett said he is confident in the other receivers this year, and thinks many of them have developed into strong individual threats, he said.
"If a defense tries to focus on one person, we have too many weapons to exploit them," Baskett said. "The ball is going to get moved around and it is going to benefit everyone on the team."
He said he focused on improving his ability to catch tough passes and deep balls during the offseason.
Starting quarterback Kole McKamey said Baskett has improved most in his ability to run great routes.
"This year he is putting it all together," he said. "He is just getting open a lot more, and that's because he is putting a lot more time and detail into his routes."
Baskett said he and McKamey have a mutual understanding of ball placement and timing. Baskett said he realizes McKamey will help him succeed this year.
"My success depends a lot on him, because if he is able to run the ball, defenses will try to stop the run, and then we can throw more," Baskett said. "Kole has a lot on his shoulders, but I know he is capable of handling it. I am very confident in him."
McKamey said he does not feel pressure to assist Baskett in reaching his full potential on the field. Baskett should be able to prove himself.
"I'm going to do my job and Hank is going to do his," McKamey said. "There is enough pressure in college football, especially playing quarterback. I don't even think about things like that."
