New Jersey’s WR1 – How to Decide

To call someone the best at any position is subjective. It depends on who you ask and what that person values. To some people its number of catches or total yards. Because of Covid, however, that’s not definitive because not everyone played the same number of games. Some people play in pass heavy offenses. Some receivers are so good they draw double teams. Some people have better quarterbacks to get them the ball and some players, frankly, don’t play against very good competition. I’m still writing this article though, so this was the fairest thing I could come up with. BTW, there may receivers in NJ being recruited by D1 schools that aren’t on this list, so I understand the question, “Why isn’t such and such WR from something Catholic on this list?” That’s because this isn’t a recruiting article. What colleges are looking for may differ from what is considered great HS performance. Make of that what you will. Here’s how I did it. I listed the top 5 returning receivers in the state in these categories: Catches per game, Yards per game, Yards per Catch and touchdowns. Whoever shows up highest on the most lists is my WR1. Catches per game 1. [player_tooltip player_id="183662" first="Colby" last="Laughton"] – Westwood – 8.5 Best Game: 11 catches, 159 yds, 1 TDs Westwood HS only played 4 games due to Covid, but in two of those games Colby caught 11 passes. These aren’t just 2 yard hitches either, he averaged 10.2 yards per catch on the season, snagging everything drag routes across the middle to fades in the corner of the end zone. Even more impressive, he did it as a sophomore. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ejc1g">http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ejc1g</a> 2. [player_tooltip player_id="191030" first="Zach" last="Thomas"] – Morris Catholic – 5.9 Best game – W vs. Whippany Park. 6 Rec, 140 yds, 2 TDs Zach is a very polished receiver with clean release moves and great footwork to stay in bounds on sideline catches. He also displays great toughness, often counted on to move the chains and make catches in traffic. A true go-to receiver. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F6yXk">http://www.hudl.com/v/2F6yXk</a> 3. [player_tooltip player_id="27968" first="Kenny" last="Fletcher"] – Delran – 5.8 4. [player_tooltip player_id="191032" first="Jaimen" last="Bryant"] – Somerville – 5.6 5. [player_tooltip player_id="160789" first="Nick" last="Dunneman"] – Seton Hall Prep – 5.5 Best game: L vs St. Josephs Regional 7 rec, 150 yds, 2 TDs Nick’s film is impressive, showing great body control and awareness on the field. He catches the ball away from his body and is money making catches in traffic. Nick was 3rd team all-state Non-public and has an offer from Yale. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CPZpV">http://www.hudl.com/v/2CPZpV</a> Yards Per Game 1. [player_tooltip player_id="140798" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"] – Burlington Township – 96.4 Best Game: L vs. St. Joseph’s Academy – 6 Catches, 175 yds, 3 TDs Johnson is a big play waiting to happen. At 6’1, 195 lbs he is strong at the catch point and can flat out run away from would be tacklers. He recently committed to play D1 ball for the James Madison Dukes. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="191032" first="Jaimen" last="Bryant"] – Somerville – 95.9 3. [player_tooltip player_id="183662" first="Colby" last="Laughton"] – Westwood HS – 92.5 4. [player_tooltip player_id="146667" first="Ejani" last="Shakir"] – 91.3 Best Game: L vs Triton: 7 Catches, 151 yds, 3 TDs He is exceptionally athletic, able to make adjustments with the ball in the air. His film also shows great strength as he is able to runs through tacklers for long gains and use his strong hands to come down with touch catches in traffic. This is a rare combination in a HS wide receiver, which has drawn offers from Boston College, Florida State, Miami, Penn State and more. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Egi2j">http://www.hudl.com/v/2Egi2j</a> 5. [player_tooltip player_id="27968" first="Kenny" last="Fletcher"] – Delran – 87.5 Best Game: W vs. Cinnaminson. 4 Catches, 114 yds Fletcher only played 4 games last year but did not disappoint. His 6’5, 215 lb frame was mismatch for whoever was guarding him to the tune of 350 receiving yards in 2021. He’s committed to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights...as a Defensive End. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2F72d3">http://www.hudl.com/v/2F72d3</a> Yards Per Catch >20 catches: Some people caught one pass for 50 yards so I made this a minimum of 20 catches to make the list. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="140798" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"] – 29.3 2. [player_tooltip player_id="140797" first="Jon" last="Wyatt"] – St. Thomas Aquinas - 25. 4 Best Game: W vs. Colonia. 4 Catches, 179 yds, 2 TDs Jon is a smooth athlete with good speed. He uses his long 6’2 frame to get to balls defenders can’t even reach. He also snagged a whopping 5 Int’s on defense. Jon recently committed to play D1 football at Villanova. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Efbvc">http://www.hudl.com/v/2Efbvc</a> 3. Khan-Yae Stevens – 22.9 4. [player_tooltip player_id="115063" first="A’Khoury" last="Lyde"] - Depaul – 20.7 Best Game: W vs. Ocean City. 3 catches for 94 yds, 2 TDs Great open field runner, but the thing that stands out to me is the catches in traffic and many over the middle knowing he’s gonna take hits. That takes guts. BTW, his DB film is incredible and he’s already committed to play for the University of Wisconsin at that position. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EiQH2">http://www.hudl.com/v/2EiQH2</a> 5. Jake Ciencin – Colonia HS – 20 Best Game: L vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, 7 catches, 172 yds, 2 TDs Jake is great down the middle of the field, catching those difficult seam routes over the shoulder. He also displays great concentration, coming down with catches in traffic and contending with multiple defenders. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ehvxd">http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ehvxd</a> Touchdowns 1. Khan-Yae Stevens – 11 Stevens is a nice open field runner, able to extend short catches with great athleticism. He tracks the ball well on long pass plays and uses his elusiveness to score when others would have been tackled. He’s such a scoring machine he even threw 2 TDs last season! <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfYKU">http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfYKU</a> 2. [player_tooltip player_id="140787" first="Thomas" last="Amankwaa"] – Hillsborough - 9 Best Game: 6 catches, 212 yds, 3 TDs Thomas is shifty and has great footwork for a 6’ 195 pound receiver. Has the speed to turn quick hitches into long TD runs. He’s also an excellent corner with a long list of offers including Delaware, James Madison, Elon and Villanova. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4557597/5fb9a241ab92e6105cdb4c56">http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4557597/5fb9a241ab92e6105cdb4c56</a> 3. [player_tooltip player_id="191032" first="Jaimen" last="Bryant"] – 9 Best Game: W vs. Hunterdon Central. 3 Catches, 143 yds, 3 TDs Bryant is very explosive, often accelerating from defenders on short routes. He’s also a certified ankle breaker in the open field, who can take it to the crib on any given play. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ef1hV">http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ef1hV</a> 4. [player_tooltip player_id="140798" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"] – 8 4. [player_tooltip player_id="140797" first="Jon" last="Wyatt"] - 8 This article ended up being harder than I first thought, but I got to see film of some amazing receivers along the way. Two players, [player_tooltip player_id="140798" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="191032" first="Jaimen" last="Bryant"], both showed up on three of the four lists, so I had to go to average position in each category. Bryant was 4th in Catches per game, 2nd in YPG and 3rd in TD’s for an average position of 3. Johnson was 1st in YPG, 1st in YPC and tied for 4th in TDs for an average position of 2, so according to the Hicks Wr index (patent pending) [player_tooltip player_id="140798" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"] of Burlington Township and soon to be James Madison University is our WR1.

To call someone the best at any position is subjective. It depends on who you ask and what that person values. To some people its number of catches or total yards. Because of Covid, however, that’s not definitive because not everyone played the same number of games. Some people play in pass heavy offenses. Some receivers are so good they draw double teams. Some people have better quarterbacks to get them the ball and some players, frankly, don’t play against very good competition. I’m still writing this article though, so this was the fairest thing I could come up with.
BTW, there may receivers in NJ being recruited by D1 schools that aren’t on this list, so I understand the question, “Why isn’t such and such WR from something Catholic on this list?” That’s because this isn’t a recruiting article. What colleges are looking for may differ from what is considered great HS performance. Make of that what you will. Here’s how I did it.

I listed the top 5 returning receivers in the state in these categories: Catches per game, Yards per game, Yards per Catch and touchdowns. Whoever shows up highest on the most lists is my WR1.

Catches per game

1. Colby Laughton Colby Laughton 5'11" | 190 lbs | WR Westwood | 2023 State NJ – Westwood – 8.5
Best Game: 11 catches, 159 yds, 1 TDs

Westwood HS only played 4 games due to Covid, but in two of those games Colby caught 11 passes. These aren’t just 2 yard hitches either, he averaged 10.2 yards per catch on the season, snagging everything drag routes across the middle to fades in the corner of the end zone. Even more impressive, he did it as a sophomore.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ejc1g

2. Zach Thomas Zach Thomas WR Morris Catholic | 2022 State NJ – Morris Catholic – 5.9
Best game – W vs. Whippany Park. 6 Rec, 140 yds, 2 TDs

Zach is a very polished receiver with clean release moves and great footwork to stay in bounds on sideline catches. He also displays great toughness, often counted on to move the chains and make catches in traffic. A true go-to receiver.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2F6yXk

3. Kenny Fletcher Kenny Fletcher 6'3" | DL Delran | 2022 State NJ – Delran – 5.8

4. Jaimen Bryant Jaimen Bryant WR Somerville | 2022 State NJ – Somerville – 5.6

5. Nick Dunneman Nick Dunneman 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Seton Hall Prep | 2022 NJ – Seton Hall Prep – 5.5
Best game: L vs St. Josephs Regional 7 rec, 150 yds, 2 TDs

Nick’s film is impressive, showing great body control and awareness on the field. He catches the ball away from his body and is money making catches in traffic. Nick was 3rd team all-state Non-public and has an offer from Yale.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2CPZpV

Yards Per Game

1. Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Burlington | 2022 State NJ – Burlington Township – 96.4
Best Game: L vs. St. Joseph’s Academy – 6 Catches, 175 yds, 3 TDs

Johnson is a big play waiting to happen. At 6’1, 195 lbs he is strong at the catch point and can flat out run away from would be tacklers. He recently committed to play D1 ball for the James Madison Dukes.

2. Jaimen Bryant Jaimen Bryant WR Somerville | 2022 State NJ – Somerville – 95.9

3. Colby Laughton Colby Laughton 5'11" | 190 lbs | WR Westwood | 2023 State NJ – Westwood HS – 92.5

4. Ejani Shakir Ejani Shakir 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Winslow | 2023 State NJ – 91.3

Best Game: L vs Triton: 7 Catches, 151 yds, 3 TDs

He is exceptionally athletic, able to make adjustments with the ball in the air. His film also shows great strength as he is able to runs through tacklers for long gains and use his strong hands to come down with touch catches in traffic. This is a rare combination in a HS wide receiver, which has drawn offers from Boston College, Florida State, Miami, Penn State and more.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2Egi2j

5. Kenny Fletcher Kenny Fletcher 6'3" | DL Delran | 2022 State NJ – Delran – 87.5
Best Game: W vs. Cinnaminson. 4 Catches, 114 yds

Fletcher only played 4 games last year but did not disappoint. His 6’5, 215 lb frame was mismatch for whoever was guarding him to the tune of 350 receiving yards in 2021. He’s committed to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights...as a Defensive End.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2F72d3

Yards Per Catch >20 catches:

Some people caught one pass for 50 yards so I made this a minimum of 20 catches to make the list.
1. Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Burlington | 2022 State NJ – 29.3

2. Jon Wyatt Jon Wyatt 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State NJ – St. Thomas Aquinas - 25. 4
Best Game: W vs. Colonia. 4 Catches, 179 yds, 2 TDs

Jon is a smooth athlete with good speed. He uses his long 6’2 frame to get to balls defenders can’t even reach. He also snagged a whopping 5 Int’s on defense. Jon recently committed to play D1 football at Villanova.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2Efbvc

3. Khan-Yae Stevens – 22.9

4. A’Khoury Lyde A’Khoury Lyde 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB DePaul Catholic | 2022 State NJ - Depaul – 20.7
Best Game: W vs. Ocean City. 3 catches for 94 yds, 2 TDs

Great open field runner, but the thing that stands out to me is the catches in traffic and many over the middle knowing he’s gonna take hits. That takes guts. BTW, his DB film is incredible and he’s already committed to play for the University of Wisconsin at that position.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2EiQH2

5. Jake Ciencin – Colonia HS – 20
Best Game: L vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, 7 catches, 172 yds, 2 TDs

Jake is great down the middle of the field, catching those difficult seam routes over the shoulder. He also displays great concentration, coming down with catches in traffic and contending with multiple defenders.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ehvxd

Touchdowns

1. Khan-Yae Stevens – 11
Stevens is a nice open field runner, able to extend short catches with great athleticism. He tracks the ball well on long pass plays and uses his elusiveness to score when others would have been tackled. He’s such a scoring machine he even threw 2 TDs last season!

http://www.hudl.com/v/2EfYKU

2. Thomas Amankwaa Thomas Amankwaa 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Hillsborough | 2022 State NJ – Hillsborough - 9
Best Game: 6 catches, 212 yds, 3 TDs

Thomas is shifty and has great footwork for a 6’ 195 pound receiver. Has the speed to turn quick hitches into long TD runs. He’s also an excellent corner with a long list of offers including Delaware, James Madison, Elon and Villanova.

http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4557597/5fb9a241ab92e6105cdb4c56

3. Jaimen Bryant Jaimen Bryant WR Somerville | 2022 State NJ – 9
Best Game: W vs. Hunterdon Central. 3 Catches, 143 yds, 3 TDs

Bryant is very explosive, often accelerating from defenders on short routes. He’s also a certified ankle breaker in the open field, who can take it to the crib on any given play.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ef1hV

4. Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Burlington | 2022 State NJ – 8

4. Jon Wyatt Jon Wyatt 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State NJ - 8

This article ended up being harder than I first thought, but I got to see film of some amazing receivers along the way. Two players, Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Burlington | 2022 State NJ and Jaimen Bryant Jaimen Bryant WR Somerville | 2022 State NJ , both showed up on three of the four lists, so I had to go to average position in each category. Bryant was 4th in Catches per game, 2nd in YPG and 3rd in TD’s for an average position of 3. Johnson was 1st in YPG, 1st in YPC and tied for 4th in TDs for an average position of 2, so according to the Hicks Wr index (patent pending) Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Burlington | 2022 State NJ of Burlington Township and soon to be James Madison University is our WR1.