2023 WR’s to be Excited About

<span style="font-weight: 400;">There were more than a few teams that had sophomores play significant roles for their receiving cores. Having young players fill varsity positions provides valuable game experience at a very early stage in their high school careers. </span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">There is quite a bit of buzz surrounding the players mentioned below. Now that the seniors in front of them have graduated, the coming up season will be their grand opportunity to shine.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="50576" first="Keyshawn" last="Dooley"] | Vista Ridge</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Dooley is an under-the-radar type of player primarily because he has had to bide his time for his chance to show just how good he is, and his time is now. He has explosive acceleration, shifty route-running abilities, and reliable hands. He uses his size, speed, and understanding of the game to his advantage by reading defenses and slipping through secondaries to exploit coverages. Once the ball is in his hands, he can gain yards after the catch while eluding defenders. Dooley is a player who puts on impressive performances every time he steps on the field, making his senior season one to anticipate.</span> [caption id="attachment_273474" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-273474 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/740D728D-0FB8-4275-AFFA-D2C7D7A4BC8E.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> [player_tooltip player_id="169501" first="Dylan" last="McCollough"] (right)[/caption]<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="169501" first="Dylan" last="McCollough"] | Regis Jesuit</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">McCollough is perhaps one of the more underrated receivers in the state. He is a crafty route runner, especially with his releases. His ability to strategically plan his release per the cornerback’s position is what makes him so difficult to cover at the snap. McCollough is not shy when it comes to playing physically, which also helps to make him a tough player to stop. He continues to work for leverage and explodes out of every break, almost instantly putting defensive backs in trail positions. McCollough has had to wait for his opportunity to shine as a receiver, but expect for him to shock the state once his number is called. </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="150172" first="Richard" last="Okuno"] | ThunderRidge</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Okuno is another crafty WR with excellent route running abilities and reliable hands. His dedication to his craft can easily be seen while watching him run routes. His breaks are crisp, his strides are explosive, and his pad level is consistently positioned to take away a DB’s ability to jam. Okuno will be entering the fall as one of the veteran players on a team with a lot of talent on each level, potentially resulting in him being one of the offensive leaders for the Grizzlies. </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="150168" first="Cooper" last="Pollard"] | Cherry Creek</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Pollard is a true sleeper among the receivers in his class. He can be a viable receiving option at every level. His quickness off the line, sharp breaks, explosive acceleration, and reliable hands make him a threat in the quick and intermediate game, while his overall speed and uncanny ability to track the ball in the air make him a serious deep threat. Pollard will hopefully see a substantial increase in playing time now that he is entering his senior year.</span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><img class="size-medium wp-image-140547 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/IMG_3363.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />[player_tooltip player_id="150170" first="Landen" last="Loomis"] | Horizon</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Loomis is an athlete who has made quite the reputation for himself as being a talented WR with great potential. In addition to being a phenomenal route runner, Loomis is a high-point fanatic when it comes to going up and snagging the ball out of the air. He is a competitive player who brings toughness and energy to the field. Loomis is one to watch out for during his senior season, expect big things from him in the fall.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: 400; font-size: 14pt;">Other WR’s to watch in the fall</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="22761" first="Ismael" last="Cisse"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> | Cherry Creek</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="242109" first="Rashad" last="Caldwell"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> | Denver South</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="22763" first="Isacc" last="Gomez"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> | Thornton</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="62229" first="Caden" last="Lettis"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">| Erie</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="62225" first="Kyair" last="Johnston"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">|  Cherry Creek</span> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="246894" first="Zach" last="Siegler"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> | Heritage</span>