They call themselves The Band of Misfits.
They are Georgia State’s receivers and they come in extra large (tight end Keith Rucker), large (wide receiver Robert Davis), medium (Donovan Harden) and small (Penny Hart.)
They have combined to catch 205 passes for 3,258 yards and 24 touchdowns. They were all recently named to one of the all-Sun Belt Conference teams.
They call themselves the misfits because only one coaching staff could see their potential. Only one FBS coaching staff offered them a scholarship: Georgia State.
“Everybody doubted us, nobody wanted us, but we made a home here,” said Davis, who came up with the nickname.
That no one could see their talent will continue to drive them in Saturday’s Cure Bowl in Orlando, as it has motivated them throughout their careers.
“I have a mountain on my shoulder and always will,” Hart said.
They weren’t recruited by other schools for different reasons.
Because he is short (5-foot-8), Hart didn't even have any other offers from any coaches on any level: FCS, Division II, Division III or NAIA. He was recently named the Sun Belt Conference newcomer of the year after the leading the league in catches (71) and yards (1,095), and was second in touchdowns (8). He is tough across the middle to absorb hits from linebackers and safeties, but also fast enough to escape cornerbacks. When he arrived on campus during the summer he worked diligently with quarterback Nick Arbuckle, recently named the Sun Belt student-athlete of the year, to learn the playbook and develop chemistry.
“That’s the true definition of a man that’s working for what he needs to get,” Hart said. “The coaches have helped make me into that person.”
Davis played in a run-based offense at Northside High School in which he estimated he caught no more than nine passes in four years. Though he has the size (6-foot-3, 198 pounds) of a NFL wide receiver, he had no other scholarship offers. He developed into a receiver big enough to win one-on-one-matchups on the outside and quick enough to create space on curls, posts and drags.
“Blessed to have coach Miles see that lanky guy and say maybe we can make him into a receiver,” he said.
Harden was going to attend a Division II school until an assistant coach there called Illinois State offensive coordinator Luke Huard to say “you’ve got to see this guy.” As the two coaches were talking Huard found Harden’s highlights online. It didn’t take long for Harden to receive an offer and sign with the Redbirds.
Harden matriculated to Georgia State when Huard joined Miles’ inaugural staff in 2013. After sitting out a year, Harden earned all-Sun Belt honors after leading the Panthers with 60 catches for 885 yards last year. He caught 35 passes for 662 yards and four touchdowns this season, playing in nine games after breaking his foot during August’s practice. He still earned honorable-mention all-conference honors.
Rucker was being recruited by Miles’ assistants while at Indiana State, and they continued to woo him when they came to Georgia State. Rucker signed with the Panthers as another unknown because he caught seven passes as a senior in high school because he also played in a run-based offense. His production has improved each year at Georgia State, from 14 catches as a freshman to 39 for 522 yards and six touchdowns this year, good enough for second-team all-conference honors. He stepped into the starting role that opened because of Joel Ruiz’s knee injury and provided Arbuckle with a dependable weapon in the middle of the field.
“Some people have attitudes about what they do and why they are doing it,” Rucker said. “I’m doing it to say (to other schools) you had your chance and you blew it. I’m happy with the group of people we have now. I’m so ecstatic with this university and the things we are doing now.
“We couldn’t fit in anywhere else but we all found each other here.”
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