Kentucky Wide Receivers to Watch

Today, we wanted to take a look at prospects across Kentucky that we believe could make a big impact at the wide receiver position this fall. Here are five names to know entering the 2021 season! <hr /> <em><strong>Mason Grant, 6’2", 180, Graves County, Sr</strong></em> Grant already put together an impressive junior campaign that featured 888 receiving yards and 20.2 yards per catch. This is a z receiver that can eviscerate defenses with his yards after the catch. He shows outstanding build-up speed and loose hips to help cut up against the grain. He's comfortable defeating press and will stack cornerbacks immediately after. You're looking at a smooth route runner with a plethora of double moves in his toolbox. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12546583/6019d924ff01d709fc04cb6d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Decker Renfrow, 6", 160, Daviess County, Jr</strong></em> Renfrow is a genuine vertical threat that can take the top off any defense. He's crafty after the catch with great vision and sheer acceleration. He's a consistent deep ball tracker equipped with sticky hands and exceptional body control. He's a strong blocker on the perimeter and looks to burry anyone in front of him. Despite being six feet tall, he has a surprisingly big catch radius and can twist his frame to make receptions in awkward body positions. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10059200/5fc519620c5e52029c0700c6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Max Gainey, 5’8", 160, Louisville Male, So</strong></em> Only just a sophomore, but Mr. Gainey has already made an impact for one of Kentucky's top teams. You're looking at a shifty slot receiver with great top-end speed. Max is extremely effective on shallow crosses and was regularly able to create chunk plays off of them. Once he catches the football, he cautiously tucks it away and looks to get vertical. With three years on varsity left, I think the sky is the limit for this young man. Look for his production to take off in year two. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15059518/5fce12840dc1400a1c434ab5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144957" first="Xavier" last="Brown"], 5’11", 175, Lexington Christian, Sr</strong></em> Brown can line up on the outside, in the slot, or in the backfield. He's a physical runner with the ball in his hands and has an athletic lower half that helps him drive right through arm tackle attempts. He shows great vision and can turn any quick game concept into a substantial gainer. Brown has a knack for finding the end zone, hitting pay-dirt thirteen total times as a junior. Some have Brown listed as a tailback, which I do think he could very easily play at the next level; however, I wouldn't be shocked if he was asked to split out wide as well, based on his god-given ability. <em>Committed to Virginia</em> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9684432/5f9072544206360a441a9f59" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Mason Likens, 6’1", 175, Russell, Jr</strong></em> A big-time playmaker on both sides of the football. On tape, Mason is a natural hands catcher with great change of direction after the catch. He's rarely brought down by the first tackler and has a solid stiff-arm behind him. He shows no issues working over the middle and looks to deliver contact himself. He effortlessly defeats re-routes and is a major mismatch for linebackers playing man coverage in the slot. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13062718/5fac0117f327a70990150d4e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>