TC56 2022 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PROSPECT REPORT: WIDE RECEIVERS

The evolution of offensive football is clear. In the last 2 drafts 23 wide receivers have been taken in the first 2 rounds. There is a saying that goes “you never have enough pass rushers”, however I think you can start to include in that saying that you never have enough pass catchers. With that depth there is not a cookie cutter type of wide out. Slot receivers, big outside targets, and versatile players are what the pro game is looking for in their receiver room.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

John Metchie – 6’0” 195 – Alabama – Junior – Rating (4.10)

2020 Stats: 13 Games / 55 receptions / 916 receiving yards / 6 touchdowns

Strengths: Sharp route runner, High football IQ, and dangerous play maker in space

Weakness: Unknown if he can handle the load of being the number 1 offensive weapon.

Player Comparison: Steve Smith – Former Carolina Panthers & Baltimore Ravens

Overall: Heisman trophy winner DeVonte Smith (1^st round pick, 10^th overall) is gone, Dynamic play maker Jaylen Waddle (1^st round pick, 6^th overall) is gone, starting quarterback Mac Jones (1^st round pick, 15^th overall) is gone, Power back Najee Harris (1^st round pick 24^th overall) is gone, enter John Metchie. Metchie had a great season for the National Champion Crimson Tide. Like a typical Alabama receiver he is both smart and tough. Metchie could also be utilized in a punt returner role in important situations. Nick Saban and the coaching staff will find every way possible to get the ball into the juniors hands and help young quarterback Bryce Young.

Ty Fryfogle – 6’2” 210 – Indiana – Senior (RS) – Rating (4.00)

2020 Stats: 8 Games / 37 Receptions / 721 Receiving Yards / 7 Receiving Touchdowns

Strengths: Excellent with the 50/50 ball, hands catcher, and big time competitor.

Weakness: He doesn’t have elite speed and needs to put a consistent season together.

Player Comparison: Allen Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars & Chicago Bears

Overall: Ty Fryfogle’s production has gone up every year at Indiana. The redshirt senior put his name on the map with dominant performances against both Michigan State (11 rec -200 yds. -2 tds) and Ohio State (7 rec-218 yds-3 tds) last season. Fryfogle could have left for the NFL off those games alone but he stated there was “unfinished business at Indiana” after a 6-2 season in Bloomington. As a coach, teammate, or fan you love seeing that kind of competitive mind set. An October 23^rd matchup against Ohio State and fellow top receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson is a huge part of that unfinished business Fryfogle is talking about.

Chris Olave – 6’1” 189 – Ohio State – Senior – Rating (3.85)

2020 Stats: 7 Games / 50 receptions / 729 receiving yards / 7 touchdowns

Strengths: Slick route runner, great hands and balance along the sidelines

Weakness: slight in size and gets banged up.

Player Comparison: Golden Tate – Detroit Lions & New York Giants

Overall: The senior receiver enters the 2021 season on a mission to be the number 1 wide out in the country. Returning for his senior season will certainly give a boost to an already talented Ohio State football team. Along with his teammate Garrett Wilson these too look to be a dynamic duo that will be tough to stop in the Big 10. Olave is a smooth receiver who has an outstanding catch radius and elite speed. Olave, like many of countries top wide outs on this list, will be catching passes from a new quarterback in C.J. Stroud. Ohio State has a great test early against a scrappy Minnesota team to open the season.

Justyn Ross – 6’4” 205 – Clemson – Junior – Rating (3.80)

2020 Stats: Opted out of the season because of injury

Strengths: Size and ball skills.

Weakness: Has not played since the national title game in 2020, recovering from a serious neck injury.

Player Comparison: Former teammate at Clemson Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals

Overall: Ross spent last year on the sidelines recovering from surgery on his neck and spinal cord (congenital fusion condition). Prior to the surgery, Ross was well on his way to being another in a long line of Clemson stud receivers with 17 touchdowns and 1865 receiving in 2 seasons with the Tigers. His comeback this year will be with a new quarterback at the helm in D.J. Uiagalelei. The junior’s ability to prove he is healthy and productive will make GM’s more comfortable about choosing Ross in Mays draft.

Garrett Wilson – 6’0” 193 – Ohio State – Junior – Rating (3.75)

2020 Stats: 8 Games / 43 receptions / 723 receiving yards / 6 touchdowns

Strengths: Goes and gets the football, good hands

Weakness: Doesn’t have top end speed.

Player Comparison: Terry McLaurin – Washington

Overall: Wilson is not the flashiest receiver in college football but he may be the most reliable. He started the 2020 season with 4 – 100 yard receiving games for the Buckeyes. The junior wide out has excellent footwork and knows how to get open verses both zone and man coverages. Wilson has to share touches with another elite receiver in Chris Olave. C.J. Stroud will certainly need both Wilson and Olave to excel his development for an Ohio State team who always has Big 10 and National title hopes on its season goals list.

Sleeper 6

Romeo Doubs – 6’2” 200 – Nevada – Senior – Rating (3.70)

2020 Stats: 9 Games / 58 Receptions / 1002 Receiving Yards / 9 Receiving Touchdowns

Strengths: Football speed, gets behind defenders.

Weakness: Doesn’t play against top end secondaries.

Player Comparison: Mike Wallace – Former Pittsburgh Steeler, Miami Dolphin, and Baltimore Raven

Overall: Two keys that will eventually get Doubs out of the sleeper role and into the top 5 will be his continued chemistry with top quarterback Carson Strong and Nevada getting to a big time bowl game to show off his excellent skills on a big stage. Doubs was under recruited coming out of high school because of a poor 40 times. All the film I watched he was getting behind defenders and rarely was caught from behind in the open field. His ability to track the ball in the air, run routes, and leadership could mean Nevada might get a bowl game a little closer to New Year’s Day this season.