Jerreth Sterns making the most of his senior year with Western Kentucky
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Jerreth Sterns is no stranger to catching touchdown passes from quarterback Bailey Zappe. Through three seasons with the Houston Baptist Huskies, prior to joining Zappe at Western Kentucky, Sterns caught 220 passes and scored 18 touchdowns, earning him a reputation as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the FCS.
This season, however, the 5-foot-9, 194-pound speedster is proving he can burn secondaries at any level of football.
In an offense that leads the nation in passing yards per game (432.6) and passing touchdowns (34), Sterns has emerged as the go-to weapon.
Through week nine, Sterns leads the FBS in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,166) and receiving touchdowns (11). The senior transfer has been virtually unstoppable since the Hilltoppers kicked off the month of October with a visit to Michigan State, pulling in a monstrous 70 catches for 806 yards and seven touchdowns over five games.
“It’s a surreal feeling, honestly, but it really just attributes to my teammates and coaches for giving me opportunities,” Sterns in an interview with WKU Athletics. “All of the other receivers are making plays and it opens everything up for me. Then you have Bailey Zappe, the best quarterback in the nation 鈥� that makes it easy. I never have to extend for a ball or anything, I never have to worry about that part. The O-line is doing a great job, and the running backs are doing a great job making it hard to play the pass only.”
As a result of his spectacular play, Sterns was named to the 2021 Associated Press (AP) Midseason All-America Team back in October and has been placed on the 2021 Biletnikoff Award Watch List, which recognizes the nation鈥檚 top receiver.
According to his teammates, however, these accolades don鈥檛 come as much of a surprise.
“Mr. Consistent 鈥� that’s all I can say,鈥� Josh Sterns, Jerreth鈥檚 brother and fellow Western Kentucky wide receiver, in a WKU Athletics interview. 鈥淗e doesn’t drop the ball. … He deserves it. He’s worked for this all his life and he continues to work for it every day, so he’s reaping what he’s sewn.鈥�
It鈥檚 also no coincidence that Western Kentucky went 3-2 in October, closing out the month with a three-game winning streak. Sitting at 4-4 entering November, Sterns and the Hilltoppers offense appear to be peaking at just the right time.
One of the major keys to Western Kentucky finishing the year strong and making a bowl game will be the connection between Zappe and Sterns. Hilltopper players and coaches don鈥檛 have to worry about Sterns keeping up his intensity or level of play, either. The star wide receiver is known for being one of the hardest-working individuals on the team.
鈥淚’ve said it 100 times 鈥� you’re not gonna find a more deserving guy with what he does on and off the field on a daily basis,鈥� Hilltoppers offensive coordinator Zach Kittley . 鈥淩eally, really cool for him because I know he’s kind of been the guy his whole life who’s been told he’s too small and all that stuff. But he comes to work with a chip on his shoulder and wants to get better everyday.鈥�
Western Kentucky has built some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season, and it largely has Sterns to thank for providing the spark.
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