Inside the Huddle-Wide Receivers-Class of 2016

 

In part-2 of Inside the Huddle we are going to break down the receiver class of 2016. Florida will never lack talent at the receiver position. This year not only is there at receiver but the overall depth at the position is pretty impressive. This year you could see well over 50 receivers in Florida go D1. We would not be surprised to see that number closer to 60-70 that end up at the highest level of college football.

1-Keith Gavin-Wakulla-6’4-220-After watching Gavin in the state title game he has moved to number 1 on our list. He has great size for a receiver. He is a major miss-match for any defensive back that Gavin goes against. He also uses his size to his advantage. Once Gavin gets his hands on the ball there is no question he will come down with it. We feel Gavin is the most complete receiver in the state of Florida this year.

2-Nate Craig Myers-Tampa Bay Catholic-It is tough to not turn on Myers film and not come away impressed. Here is another receiver that has the size and speed that impressed you. He does need to become a more consistent receiver. We have Gavin slightly ahead but Myers is very good in our opinion.

3-Sam Bruce-Saint Thomas-5’8-180-(Committed to Miami)-If Bruce was 6’0 instead of 5’8 he may be the number one player in the nation regardless of position. He is a very elusive receiver and forget trying covering him one on one. He will just blow by a defender and make the opposing defense look silly. He has very good hands and runs routes very well.

4-Ahmmon Richards-Wellington-6’2-180-If there is a more under the radar player in Florida this year we would like to see one. Richards is a receiver but we like him even more as a defensive back. If Richards played cornerback full time he may be the top rated player at that position. Richards could make an impact his freshman season.

5-Binjimin Victor-Coconut Creek-6’5-175-From the first time we watched him till now there is not a player that has improved more than Victor. He has very good size (6’5). He understands how to use his size to beat smaller defensive backs. If you don’t try and jam him at the line of scrimmage, forget about having a chance to stop him from making a play.

6-Drake Davis-IMG Academy-6’4-215-Davis is a receiver that you just throw the ball up and let him go and get it. He has good speed. He also has the ability to stretch the field and get behind a secondary. He is raw but you can see the upside with him. There is no question that once Davis develops he could end up being one of the top 2-3 receivers in this class.

7-Cavin Ridley-Deerfield Beach-6’1-200-Ridley is a player we first scouted as a freshman at Chaminade Prep. He is a big, physical receiver that continues to get better each time we watch him play. He is not a finished product but the upside is evident when you watch him play in person. Put him in the slot and Ridley is going to outmuscle a smaller defensive back to the football. It would not surprise us to see him end up on defense in college.

8-Freddie Swain-North Marion-6’1-175-(Committed to Florida)-Swain is one of the more polished receivers in the 2016 class. He runs solid routes and understands how to get open. He also has very good hands. We would like to see him do a little better job of high pointing the football. He has a tendency to allow the football to come down to him.

9-Josh Hammond-Hallandale-6’0-180-(Committed to Florida) –Hammond had a brother who went to University of Florida and is now in the NFL. The younger Hammond may be more talented than his older sibling. Josh is the type of receiver that is going to snatch the football away from a defensive back.

10-Elijah Stove-Niceville-6’0-175-(Committed to Auburn)-Elijah Stove is a player we like because of his versatility. He is the type of player you can line up at receiver, running back, defensive back or even on special teams and he will make plays. He is one of the better receivers in Florida that is never talked about. What we like about him is his ability to make the big plays.

11-Dionte Mullins-Gulliver Prep-5’11-185-(Committed to Miami)-One of the best athletes in this year’s class is Mullins. If not for missing the year we would have him rated higher on the list. He is a very good athlete who can play cornerback or receiver in college. He is very elusive, has very good hips and is explosive.

12-Keyshawn Young-Miami Sr-5’11-170-Young is one of those players you sign and get on the field. He is very competitive. He is a play maker and needs the ball in his hands. If you have him on offense you can do so much with Young. You can line him up at running back and Young will make plays. Put him at receiver and Young will go out and turn the field in your favor. He is just one of those guys you want on your team.

13-TJ Chase-Plant City-6’2-180-(Committed to Clemson)-Chase is another player who has flown under the radar. He is deceptively fast. Get him the ball and let him do his thing. He has the ability to beat press coverage. You stay off of him and Chase will make you pay. He is a solid route runner. We would like to see him get a little more aggressive when the ball is in the air.

14-Darnell Salomon-Miami Central-6’2-205-(Committed to USF)-Talent wise there are not many players who have Darnell upside. He has the size (6’2-205) and speed (4.5). He is a player that needs to just put in the time and continue to develop his game. He will need a red-shirt to adjust to college life and learn how to play the position.

15-Tre Nixon-Viera-6’1-170-Nixon is an underrated receiver that does pretty much everything you ask of him well. He runs solid routes. He also has very good hands. His speed and quickness also are solid as well. Nixon is going to be a very good number 2 or 3 option at the next level.

16-Rick Wells-Jacksonville Raines-6’0-190-(Committed to Florida)-Wells is a player that is not going to blow you away with his top end speed. What he can do is out-muscle most defensive backs for the football. He is a strong kid who relies on his strength to overpower defensive backs. He does a solid job of getting in and out of his routes. He also displays pretty good hands once the football is thrown his way. We see him a slot receiver at the next level.

17-Johnny Huntley-South Plantation-6’3-190-(Committed to Colorado)-Huntley has the physical tools to be a big time talent in college. He is one of the more physically gifted players in the state of Florida that plays receiver. Huntley is a raw prospect that has the upside you want in a player that has room to grow. He runs well and can make plays once the ball is in his hands. We would not be surprised to see him play on either side of the football in college.

18-Reginald Henderson-Clewiston-6’4-190-(Committed to Miami)-Henderson did not play as a junior so most recruiting experts don’t know about him. Henderson blew up at the University of Miami camp. He lacks great deep speed but Henderson can still get behind a secondary. Put the football up high and Henderson will go up and get it. He can physically outmuscle most defensive backs for the football. You need to run a fade route in the end-zone, Henderson is your guy.

19-Eddie McDoom-West Orange-6’1-170-(Committed to Oregon)-The West Orange star committed to the University of Oregon. He is the type of player that does well in open space. You get him the ball one on one with a linebacker and it is a battle he will win every-time. He has the type of speed and quickness to flip the field in a hurry.

20-Isaiah Johnson-Dwyer-6’3-190-Johnson is a player that came out in a loaded year of receivers. He has the size and Johnson is more than fast enough to play at the next level. We like how smooth he is. Johnson gives you a receiver with the size to give smaller defensive backs problems. Inside the red-zone and on third down Johnson will be a viable option for any quarterback that is throwing him the football.

21-Freddie Pinder-Southridge-6’4-200-Pinder is a receiver that has been on the recruiting radar for over two years. He has the size that college recruiters are looking for. What he lacks is the top end speed to flip the field. He is a difficult match up because smaller defensive backs can’t beat him out for a football. He needs to continue to refine his overall game.

22-Brandon Johnson-American Heritage Plantation-6’2-175-(Committed to Tennessee)-Johnson is the son of former Miami Marlin Baseball player Charles Johnson. Heritage was another team that relied on the run more than the pass in 2015 and Johnson stats did not show what he is capable of doing on a weekly basis. He is a very good player who should do well in Tennessee offense. The Volunteers have made a living off receivers from the state of Florida.

23-Tyrin Summers-Clewiston-5’9-170-(Committed to Cincinnati)-Summers is not only a very good football player on the field but off it he has everything you want in a student athlete. Summers is the type of player who you get the football. If you need to line him as a quarterback, running back or receiver Summers needs to touch the ball multiple times during a game. He is a threat to make a big play when you put the ball in his hands.

24-Dredrick Snelson-Flanagan-6’0-170-(Committed to Minnesota)-There is not a single receiver that has seen his stock drop as much as Snelson. Two seasons ago it seemed as if every program in the country was after him. While Snelson stock has dropped that does not mean he is still not a very good prospect. He has committed to University of Minnesota and it would not surprise us to see him have a better career then most of the guys listed above.

25-Jaquaris Bargnare-Dr. Phillips-5’8-180-(Committed to UCF) –Bargnare may not be the biggest receiver but there are not many that are tougher. He will go up and fight for the football. He runs solid routes and has very good hands. When the football is in the air he will try and high point it. You will not see him allow the ball to get into his body.

 

Best of the rest…..

*Marquis McClain-Crestview-6’2-210-(Committed to Auburn)-Auburn always seems to come into the sun-shine state and pull a sleeper prospect. McClain is not talked about much but with his size and overall athletic ability they may have found one player who takes his game to another level in college. McClain is a gifted athlete who could end up on either side of the football in college.

*Demetrius White-Dillard-6’2-200-White teamed with James Jackson to give Dillard two of the better receivers in Broward County. White gives you the type of size that you look for in a college prospect. He is more of a straight line receiver. He also could end up playing in the secondary in college.

*James Jackson-Dillard-6’3-195-Jackson gives you a receiver with both size and speed. He is a little more smooth then White. Jackson is a player that in a couple of years after being developed at the college level could turn into a solid player.

*Kevin Stepherson-Fletcher-6’0-180-(Committed to Notre Dame)-Stepherson is a prospect we first had the chance to watch two years ago. He has committed to Notre Dame. What he should give them is a receiver that can create the big plays. He will be able to get behind a secondary and that is what the Irish need on offense.

*CJ Riley-North Broward Prep-6’5-175-(Committed to NC State)-Riley is a big receiver that will do well moving the chains. You need a first down; Riley can beat a defender to the inside and make a play. You need a play in the red-zone; Riley can go and get the football. He lacks the stretch the field speed to make him an elite prospect but overall Riley should be a productive player at the next level.

*Dontay Mayfield-Gulliver Prep-6’0-190-(Committed to UCF)-When you look at Mayfield film it is impressive at times. He shows the ability to break down defensive backs. He can get behind them on the deeper throws. He is a player that has not come close to playing to his potential.

*MJ McGriff-Vero Beach-5’8-180-If we broke this list down by slot receivers, McGriff would be rated much higher. He is a very good slot receiver. When Vero Beach needed a big play over the past couple of seasons it was McGriff they would throw the ball to.

*Thomas Geddis-Ely-6’3-165-Here is a player we would like to keep an eye on. He is a fast twitch kid who can get behind a defender quickly. While Geddis is raw the potential is there for him to be a very good player in college. He still needs to work on his route running and become a more polished receiver. If that happens Geddis could end up one of the top players on this list a couple of years from now.

*Chris Cotto-Hallandale-5’11-180-(Committed to Western Kentucky)- When you look at Western Kentucky roster it is made up of players like Cotto. Not the biggest or fastest but productive high school players. Cotto should go on and have a productive career in college.

*Devontres Dukes-Wharton-6’4-200-Dukes comes on the heels of Auden Tate who signed with FSU last season. He is a big receiver who can run. There is no question that Dukes is going to cause problems for teams that try and line up a smaller defensive back on him. He is a raw prospect but if Dukes continues to develop he will be a steal from the 2016 class.

*Dominic Thieman-Saint Thomas-6’3-180-(Committed to Illinois)-While Sam Bruce got most of the attention at Saint Thomas, Thieman ended up having a solid senior year. He gives Illinois a receiver with both size and speed. Dominic is not a guy that is going to make the big plays like Bruce but he can move the chains and pick up the yardage needed to get first downs.

*Darrius Scott-Booker T. Washington-5’8-175-(Committed to FIU)-Scott is not the biggest receiver but he is fast. He can get into the open field and make a defense look slow. He is the type of player that you try and get a miss-match with a defense and exploit it.

*Dock Luckie-Gainesville-6’1-170-Luckie is one of those kids who does everything right on and off the field. We like players who are productive in high school. He was a very productive player and that should continue at the next level. We would not be surprised to see Luckie end up going to an FCS program and outperforming guys who signed with D1 schools.

*Montray Smith-Carol City-6’3-170-Smith is a player that popped up on the recruiting radar late. He may have to go to a smaller school to develop his skills. He is another player that has not even come close to his potential. Smith gives you both the size and speed that recruiters covet.

*Jerron Rollins-Columbus-6’2-180-When it comes to receivers that have improved the most over the past two years, not many can compete with Rollins. He has become a tougher kid. He has learned how to go up and attack the football better. He has gotten bigger and stronger. He is a player that we expect will have a much better college career than high school.

*Ronald Patterson-Raines-6’1-170-Patterson is not as highly rated as his teammate Rick Wells but it would not shock us to see him do better in college. He has the type of size that college recruiters like. He also is faster than his teammate. He just needs to become more consistent at the next level.

*Stantley Thomas-Charlotte-6’1-170-(Committed to FIU)-Thomas left North Port High School to play his senior season at Charlotte. They are a run first offense so his skill set was not shown off much. ESS did get to watch Thomas play this past season and he looked good. He is smooth and can make something happen after the catch. He is a bit thin so there is no doubt that Thomas must continue to work on his body in college. He reminds us of Robbie Anderson who starred at Temple this past season.

*Jahcour Pearson-Flanagan-5’9-170-(Committed to Northern Illinois)-Behind Sam Bruce, Pearson may be the 2^nd best slot receiver in Broward County. He was one of the few players on Flanagan offense this year they could count on to make a big play.