Beyond the Numbers – Receivers

Antoine Hicks

October 28, 2021 @ 03:38 PM

To find great talent, you have to look beyond the numbers. Some kids have great stats, but nothing on film blows you away. Some have one big game that skews the numbers. Then you look further down the list and you see something weird. Why does this kid have so many yards per catch? How does he have so many TDs with so few touches? These WRs have game that jumps off the film. Their impact on the game goes way beyond the stat sheet. [player_tooltip player_id="140798" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"], Sr., Burlington Township 25 rec, 621 yds, 5 TDs Anthony has an incredible combination of strength and balance that makes his plays look like a man amongst boys. At a legit 6’1, 190, he uses his big body to box out DB’s and make contested catches often dragging multiple defenders down for extra yardage. Versus Pennsauken, a team with athletes all over the field, Johnson stole the show having 5 catches for 165 yard and a ridiculous 1 handed catch for a touchdown! He then follows it up with a 4 catch, 130 yard game with another 2 TDs. At 24.8 yards per catch, Anthony can dominate a game with only a handful of catches and the threat to take it to the house any time. Anthony is committed to play for the James Madison Dukes next year, and the dogs are getting another dog. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10613920/Anthony-Johnson">https://www.hudl.com/profile/10613920/Anthony-Johnson</a> Nick Depietro, Sr., Parsippany 35 rec, 821 yds, 10 TDs Nick is a top 5 receiver in the state and he only has 35 catches. The impressive thing is how he’s doing it, which is making catches all over the field. Some receivers are one trick pony’s. Nick’s film is a joy to watch because of his versatility. He uses his big, 6’1 frame to for slants and comebacks for crucial yards, but he also lines up outside for deep passes, using his long arms to separate from defenders. I especially like how he goes up for contested balls, high pointing catches over sometimes multiple defenders. Don’t get it twisted though, Nick can run too. On several plays, he takes those slant routs to the house! <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2G5SfA">http://www.hudl.com/v/2G5SfA</a> [player_tooltip player_id="120547" first="Quiyon" last="McMillan"], Jr., Nottingham 22 rec, 524 yds, 8 TDs Quiyon is 6’2 and he used it well. Some guys just lean on smaller DB’s but he really goes up and gets the football at the highest point. You can tell his QB has great confidence in him as he thrown it up in to some tough situations and Q comes down with it to the tune of 8 TD’s and 23.8 yards per catch. Quiyon is a hands catcher, extending his long arms to gain advantage over DB’s. If you look at the film you can also see real development in his game over the season. Instead of just throwing the ball up and letting him be an athlete I saw more variation in his usage like screens and comebacks. His route running is much improved and there’s some real shiftiness in his run after the catch. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10148427/Quiyon-Q-McMillan">https://www.hudl.com/profile/10148427/Quiyon-Q-McMillan</a> Lotzeir Brooks, Fr., Millville 21 rec, 603 yds, 8 TDs Lotzeir has lights---out---speed. A defender can do exactly what he’s taught and still get beat. The young man has 3 games where he has 4 catches or less and went for over 99 yds and a TD. Many of his catches are just screen plays where he just beats all the defenders. This isn’t just straight line speed either. Lotzeir shows flashes of cutback ability in the run game, taking advantage of defenders propensity to overrun the play. The first play of this film is a KR for a TD, but not just any old kick return. He does a Kyrie Irving worthy, ankle breaking cross over at full speed, making two defenders fall over each other on the way to the crib. He is a FRESHMAN! Just click the link. Just do it. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GBS0U">http://www.hudl.com/v/2GBS0U</a>