R.J. Shelton is a Slot Specialist WR for Michigan State. R.J.'s 2015 season ranks in the 88th percentile nationally by opponent-adjusted EPA per play across 86 plays — a above-average 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Abey | Navy | 2016 | 70 | 0.370 | 0.8 | 25.9 |
| Keytaon Thompson | Mississippi State | 2017 | 70 | 0.460 | 1.2 | 32.2 |
| Savion Williams | TCU | 2024 | 56 | 0.450 | 1.1 | 25.2 |
| Dane Kinamon | Air Force | 2021 | 39 | 0.410 | 0.7 | 16.0 |
| JoJo Natson | Utah State | 2014 | 51 | 0.390 | 1.0 | 19.9 |
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 | @Western Michigan | W37-24 | 4.9 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 0 | 7 | -0.29 |
| 2 | vsOregon | W31-28 | 15.9 | 2 | -1 | -0.5 | 0 | 0 | -0.25 |
Usage = share of team plays (CFBD has no true snap counts).
Rec 2 · Rec Yds 19 · Avg 9.5 · Rec TD 0
| 3 |
| vsAir Force |
| W35-21 |
| 4.7 |
| 5 |
| 68 |
| 13.6 |
| 0 |
| 19 |
| 1.28 |
| 4 | vsCentral Michigan | W30-10 | -3.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0.02 |
| 5 | vsPurdue | W24-21 | -7.4 | 3 | 31 | 10.3 | 1 | 23 | 0.30 |
| 6 | @Rutgers | W31-24 | -10.1 | 5 | 55 | 11.0 | 0 | 29 | 0.73 |
| 7 | @Michigan | W27-23 | 19.7 | 4 | 58 | 14.5 | 0 | 27 | 0.67 |
| 8 | vsIndiana | W52-26 | 0.4 | 6 | 76 | 12.7 | 2 | 22 | 1.24 |
| 10 | @Nebraska | L38-39 | 11.1 | 4 | 41 | 10.3 | 0 | 23 | 0.29 |
| 11 | vsMaryland | W24-7 | -1.6 | 3 | 35 | 11.7 | 0 | 21 | 0.41 |
| 12 | @Ohio State | W17-14 | 29.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0.78 |
| 13 | vsPenn State | W55-16 | 11.3 | 4 | 74 | 18.5 | 1 | 29 | 0.45 |
| 14 | vsIowa | W16-13 | 9.3 | 3 | 34 | 11.3 | 0 | 17 | 0.08 |
| 1 | vsAlabama | L0-38 | 29.0 | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 0 | 12 | 0.10 |