2024 “Under The Radar” Wide Receivers To Know
The amount of talent coming through the state of Georgia is at an all-time high. There are younger and younger players receiving early playing time each year, and many of them made an impact as a freshman during last year’s…
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Continue ReadingThe amount of talent coming through the state of Georgia is at an all-time high. There are younger and younger players receiving early playing time each year, and many of them made an impact as a freshman during last year’s 2020 season. Even in a shortened Covid season, multiple receivers found a way to make plays in their first varsity season. The 2024 class is extremely deep early on, especially at DL and QB, but here are a few under the radar receivers to know for the upcoming season…
Nic Hester – Chattooga
One of the top young playmakers in all of North Georgia, Hester is an impressive athlete who knows how to snatch the ball out of the air. He’s not the biggest guy at 5-foot-10 170-pounds, but he still has three years left to grow and continue adding muscle. He’s a decent-sized kid for his age now, and he showed he could be an instant impact type of receiver at the varsity level as a freshman. Hester made 51 catches for 572 yards and five touchdowns last year as a freshman. He’s got good size, he’s elusive, and he has reliable hands. He’s someone who can win 50/50 balls on the outside and has the ability to take off down the field after the catch for a big gain. He’s already a deep-field threat and one of the top athletes in the region. Look for Hester to have a big season this fall as a sophomore and improve his numbers as well. He’s absolutely one prospect to keep an eye on to have a breakout year this fall.
Azarel Juste – Calvary Christian
Another young playmaker, Juste is a big-time athlete who can play multiple positions as he continues his high school career. He’s a two-sport standout who also stars on the basketball court, but in the fall, Juste looks like a promising D1 prospect. He’s coming off a big freshman year last year as he caught 21 passes for 494 yards and 7 touchdowns. That’s 23.5 yards per reception and one TD for every three receptions. He’s a true game-changer already, something you rarely see from a rising sophomore. He’s a major down-field threat and his long strides help him pick up yards in a hurry. He’s got great size for his age already at 6-foot-3 165-pounds and will continue to add more weight and muscle. The athleticism and big-play ability are easy to see early on, and the Columbus native is bound for another monster season this fall.
Marc Essley – Westlake
The Westlake Lions are likely to make a deep playoff run this fall, and they have a lot of weapons on offense to make it happen. One of those young weapons is Essley, a 5-foot-10 170-pounder with good length and reliable hands. He played like a veteran last year for Wheeler, catching 24 passes for 372 yards (15.5 yards per reception). He’s quick, shifty, and runs better routes than a lot of upperclassmen. Essley should see a lot of passes come his way in Westlake’s pass-happy offense, and with a big sophomore year, Essley could see his recruitment take off towards the end of the season. He has good hands, can make big plays down the field, and can be dangerous with the ball in his hands. Essley could end up being one of the top 2024 wide receivers in Georgia down the road.