Western Kentucky coaches want to get Cameron Echols-Luper on the field. They did that last week against Charlotte, putting the wide receiver out there for “upwards of 60 snaps,” coach Mike Sanford said.

The plan going forward is to keep the graduate senior Echols-Luper involved in what the Hilltoppers are doing offensively.

Echols-Luper is listed along with Xavier Lane as a possible starter at one of WKU’s three wide receiver positions for the team’s game Friday at Old Dominion. Kickoff between the Toppers (4-2 overall, 2-1 Conference USA) and Monarchs (0-4, 0-2) is scheduled for 5 p.m. CDT from Norfolk, Va., with the game to be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Quin Jernighan is atop the depth chart at the other outside receiver position, with Nacarius Fant and Kylen Towner set to alternate snaps in the slot.

Sanford said the rangy Lane (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and speedy Echols-Luper (6-foot, 195 pounds) give defenses different and challenging looks at wide receiver.

“I think Cam Echols-Luper and Xavier Lane are really complementary toward one another at the receiver position,” Sanford said. “… Those two guys have got to continue to rotate.”

Echols-Luper had his most productive game yet in a WKU uniform Saturday in a 45-14 win against Charlotte. He caught five passes for 50 yards, both season highs, surpassing season bests of two catches and 38 yards recorded in a Sept. 23 win against Ball State.

Echols-Luper said Tuesday he enjoyed that extra playing time against the 49ers.

“I just love being on the field competing,” Echols-Luper told the Daily News. “I love being out there with my brothers and I just love being able to be a competitor each and every down.

“It’s just so much fun being able to play the game that you love.”

Echols-Luper was a late addition to the WKU roster, finalizing a transfer from Arkansas State to the Hilltoppers in August. Because the receiver had an undergraduate degree already, he was immediately eligible to play in 2017 for WKU.

Echols-Luper said he “loves everything about” playing for the Hilltoppers, his third college program.

Prior to Echols-Luper playing the 2016 season at Arkansas State, he played 2013-14 at Texas Christian where his father, Curtis Luper, is an offensive assistant.

“It’s a true blessing to be somewhere where you can be happy every day and just feel the love between the coaches and staff and your teammates,” Echols-Luper said. “It’s just a great feeling when you can just enjoy the game that you love to play, that you began playing when you were 2, 3 years old.”

Offensive coordinator Junior Adams said Echols-Luper spent extra time in the film room and after practice getting ready for his increased role last week.

“He’s been through it,” said Adams, who’s also Echols-Luper’s wide receivers coach. “He’s played some big-time football, comes from a football family. He grew up in a football office and it shows.

“Cam is good to be around. He’s fun to be around. He’s personable, has a big smile, is always laughing, having fun, but when it’s time to go to work he goes to work.”

The Ennis, Texas, native Echols-Luper now has nine catches this season for 105 yards, with a long reception of 34 yards. He made an impressive one-handed touchdown catch in an Oct. 7 win at Texas-El Paso, but it was called back due to an offensive penalty.

Echols-Luper has carried the ball twice for six yards, returned two kickoffs for 35 yards and returned a punt for -2 yards.

“Whenever you can get a fifth-year guy that’s played a lot of football and a lot of big-time football on the field, it helps just because they’re comfortable,” quarterback Mike White said. “You don’t have those jitters that the younger guys have.

“He’s a playmaker. Whenever you get the ball in his hands, something good happens. Whether it’s running a route to get a certain player to cover him to open someone else, or him making a crucial catch on a third down, I think he played very well and is going to continue to do so.”{&end}