Mind Your X’s and Z’s: Iowa’s Top C/O 2022 Wide Receivers Part I

Ben Salomon

February 11, 2021 @ 11:44 AM

There is a lot a wide receiver has to be on every down in order to be successful: tough, coordinated, agile, resilient, instinctive, athletic, strong, intelligent, creative, focused, the list goes on and on. Take a look below at some of Iowa’s best who put it all on display on a regular basis as they head into their Senior years. Easton Harms Easton Harms 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR OABCIG | 2022 State IA , OABCIG, hudl, Twitter WR, 6’1, 185 Harms creates so much separation against a defense off the line of scrimmage through rapid acceleration, quick cuts, and precise route running. It is almost impossible to run any kind of man coverage to his side of the field; he is going to get open. Harms is a deep threat that can run textbook go, fade, wheel, and post routes, but what impresses most is how he picks up big yards after short receptions. Harms makes difficult, contested catches that require elite athleticism look easy. Connor Frame Connor Frame 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Harlan Community | 2022 State IA , Harlan, hudl, Twitter WR, 6’2, 190 Frame is an absolute playmaker and it is clear opposing defenses key on him, but don’t have much success. He can run advanced, technical routes and has a knack for finding space in zones. Frame appears to be very knowledgeable of coverage and can identify what to do on choice routes. He is very fast and incredibly difficult to tackle in the open field. Frame is also a big red zone threat and comes down with 50/50 balls. Griffin Greiner Griffin Greiner 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Cardinal | 2022 State IA , Cardinal, hudl, Twitter WR, 6’1, 180 Greiner has blazing speed, especially in changes of direction, and is very dangerous on underneath routes. He has tremendous field vision and, upon making the catch, finds space and avoids defenders. Greiner also has spectacular body control and makes tough catches in unfavorable spots. Greiner is a serious deep threat, too, and often gets behind coverage with speed and skilled route running. Defenders cannot run him down. Graham Friedrichsen Graham Friedrichsen 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Urbandale | 2022 State IA , Urbandale, hudl, Twitter WR, 6’2, 180 Friedrichsen can leap out of the stadium and has a huge catch radius; he will go up in tight coverage and come down with the ball over more than one defender. His physical strength is obvious in the way he attacks coverage. He is also a superior athlete who is very agile in changes of direction at top speed and looks very smooth in his cuts. Friedrichsen is a complete player who is a stud blocking downfield; you love to see it. Caden Hartz Caden Hartz 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Columbus Catholic | 2022 State IA , Columbus Catholic, hudl, Twitter WR, 6’2, 175 Hartz impresses out of his stance; he fights hands with a DB to get off press coverage and knows how to threaten a DB in catch coverage with space. Hartz also does a very fine job of knowing how to position his body at the top of a route to keep a defender from making a play on the ball. He makes catches even when coverage is excellent by timing cuts and jumps and knowing where the ball will be thrown. Joe Bockman Joe Bockman 5'10" | 185 lbs | WR Decorah | 2022 IA , Decorah, hudl, Twitter WR, 5’10, 180 Bockman is a monster in the slot; he is fearless running through high traffic zones underneath and knows how to split deep zones on seam or go routes. Bockman can cut on a dime, creating big space between himself and defenders, which helps him avoid contact after the catch and pick up big chunks of yards. Bockman is far from one dimensional; he can attack the sideline and make tough catches through contact. Tucker Dickherber, Camanche, hudl, Twitter WR, 5’9, 170 Dickherber has a honed sixth sense in routes and shows outstanding field awareness; he knows where the sideline is, where the sticks are, and where defenders are. Dickherber is allusive in space, but is also a very tough runner and is hard to take down on first contact. Dickherber is versatile within formations and it is clear his offense wants to get him the ball. He is especially good at picking up yards on bubbles and screens. Kadin Abele, Lake Mills, hudl, Twitter WR, 6’4, 185 Abele is a big, physical receiver who is a huge downfield threat. He regularly sees man coverage based on the run first approach of his offense and opposing defensive backs stand little chance. Abele has a big frame, long arms, and does a great job of making catches at the highest point with impressive concentration. Abele is difficult to bring down and picks up tough extra yards. He is also a strong downfield blocker.