James Proche is a Slot Specialist WR for SMU. James's 2018 season ranks in the 100th percentile nationally by opponent-adjusted EPA per play across 132 plays — a elite rate for the WR.
The offense's primary passing-down weapon — routes, separation, and reliability on 3rd down define this role.
Players from 2014–2024 matched on EPA efficiency, play volume, and adjusted value tier — not just one metric.
| Player | Team | Yr | Plays | WEPA/play | Line val | Total EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadree Henderson | Pittsburgh | 2016 | 63 | 0.530 | 1.6 | 33.4 |
| Keytaon Thompson | Mississippi State | 2017 | 70 | 0.460 | 1.2 | 32.2 |
| DeAndre Hughes | Air Force | 2021 | 60 | 0.470 | 1.3 | 28.2 |
| Savion Williams | TCU | 2024 | 56 | 0.450 | 1.1 | 25.2 |
| Javion Posey | Florida Atlantic | 2020 | 53 | 0.450 | 1.4 | 23.8 |
Comps are statistical — efficiency, volume, and value tier all factor in. Style and conference context differ.
| Wk | Opponent | Result | Opp SP+ | Rec | Rec Yds | Avg | Rec TD | Long | EPA/play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @North Texas | L23-46 | 2.1 | 2 | 77 | 38.5 | 1 | 59 | 1.08 |
| 2 | vsTCU | L12-42 | 6.9 | 6 | 50 | 8.3 | 0 | 17 | 0.36 |
| 3 | @Michigan | L20-45 | 22.0 | 11 | 166 | 15.1 | 2 | 50 | 0.71 |
Usage = share of team plays (CFBD has no true snap counts).
Rec 11 · Rec Yds 183 · Avg 16.6 · Rec TD 1
| 4 | vsNavy | W31-30 | -10.2 | 9 | 64 | 7.1 | 1 | 14 | 0.69 |
| 5 | vsHouston Christian | W63-27 | — | 3 | 69 | 23.0 | 1 | 43 | 1.28 |
| 6 | @UCF | L20-48 | 16.5 | 12 | 100 | 8.3 | 2 | 24 | 0.72 |
| 8 | @Tulane | W27-23 | -3.5 | 6 | 93 | 15.5 | 1 | 67 | 0.43 |
| 9 | vsCincinnati | L20-26 | 5.4 | 6 | 72 | 12.0 | 0 | 25 | 0.68 |
| 10 | vsHouston | W45-31 | 2.3 | 9 | 90 | 10.0 | 1 | 35 | 0.37 |
| 11 | @UConn | W62-50 | -26.4 | 6 | 101 | 16.8 | 0 | 46 | 0.89 |
| 12 | vsMemphis | L18-28 | 9.2 | 12 | 134 | 11.2 | 2 | 31 | 0.69 |
| 13 | @Tulsa | L24-27 | -11.2 | 11 | 183 | 16.6 | 1 | 46 | 1.06 |
