Raylen Sharpe is not the biggest and probably not the fastest player on the field, but during a dismal Missouri State football season, the junior receiver has emerged as one of the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s brightest stars.
All the while, the 5-foot-9, 172-pound Sharpe is playing through various aches and pains with more than personal accomplishments on the line.
“We’re lucky to have him here at Missouri State,” Bears head coach Ryan Beard said. “His numbers are through the roof, he doesn’t drop passes, he competes as hard as his little body possibly can.
“He is beat up and he is pushing through for this team and this university. I can’t say enough good things about him. Heart of a champion.”
Former high school quarterback excelling at wide receiver
Sharpe has been a consistent standout for the 3-6 Bears, with 54 receptions for 745 yards and five touchdowns, two of which came in last week’s 36-35 loss to Illinois State. The junior from Allen, Texas, is second in the league and sixth nationally in receptions per game (6.75) and first in the Valley in receiving yards per game (93.1).
A former high school quarterback who went on to play one season at the University of Houston, Sharpe said it’s tough to balance his personal accomplishment in the backdrop of the team’s losing record.
Last week epitomized the season, as Sharpe had six receptions and two touchdowns. But what should have been a post-game celebration both personally and team-wide was diminished when Illinois State scored the go-ahead points in the final minute.
“You have to look at the good and bad,” Sharpe said afterward. “Sometimes you lose. Sometimes you have a good game, but I’m hurt at the same time. My dad’s gonna tell me, ‘You had a good game.’ But we lost. It does hurt.
“At the same time, you have to look at good and bad and look at them both and balance them both. I’m pretty straightforward and look at the mistakes and keep going.”
Waiting his turn
Sharpe, who also ran track and field at Houston, transferred to Missouri State before the 2022 season and finished with 16 catches for 307 yards and a touchdown in his first season as a Bear. Ty Scott, who went on to spend time as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this fall, led the receiving corps and Sharpe had to wait his turn.
When the chance came his way, Sharpe was ready. He’s on pace to at least quadruple his production from a year ago. He went over 1,000 career receiving yards in last week's game and his 70 catches for 1,052 yards has taken just 19 games to reach. He is the 26th MSU receiver to reach the milestone.
“I feel it started in the offseason for him,” Missouri State quarterback Jordan Pachot said. “Last year he wasn’t as big a part of the offense as he is this year. I think he knew coming into the year this was gonna be the year for him. He stepped up and took a big leadership role in the offense. Starting with that and his ability that he has, it all came together.”
Sharpe said preparation and guidance from “the man upstairs” has been key in his development.
“I try to perfect my craft as much as possible and Coach E (receivers coach Donte Ellington) helps us a lot in making sure we know where we’re supposed to be at the right time,” Sharpe said. “Just me doing my job, that’s all I have to do, and just ball. That’s what I’m here for. Play ball and have fun with it and just do my job.
“Whether that’s two catches on the day, that’s cool. If it’s seven, that’s cool.”
Sharpe gets his toughness from judo fighter father
Sharpe said he is a frequent visitor to the athletic trainers’ room this time of the season to try and stay on the field. He said it’s vital to be out there if at all possible. He credits his father, former judo fighter Ray Sharpe, for passing along toughness.
“If I’m not in the hospital, I’m gonna play ball,” Sharpe said. “That’s how my dad raised me. He was a judo fighter. If you can run, we’re gonna play ball. The thing is, it’s not just for me. I do have a why and I think everyone does.
“You understand this game is not just for you. You have to think about the people that came before you. If I can go, I’m gonna go and I’m gonna do it for my boys as well.”
Happy he's made Missouri State his home
Sharpe said he’s come to call Missouri State home over the last couple of years with the occasional cold winter weather the only downgrade from life in south Texas. He said running back Celdon Manning, a teammate in high school and at Missouri State, has helped him make the transition an easy one.
“Being here has changed me as a man tremendously,” Sharpe said. “I’m glad I made this home.”
Before looking ahead to next season, Sharpe said it’s important to try and finish the season on a high note. The Bears wrap up the home schedule at 2 p.m. Saturday against Northern Iowa before a Nov. 18 trip to No. 1-ranked South Dakota State.
“Just love for the game of football. That’s the biggest thing,” Sharpe said of what’s left to play for in 2023. “The man upstairs has a plan for us. We just have to come next week and play ball and have fun with it. That’s the thing about this game. You have to have fun and stick together.”
