Scouting Deep Dive: 2024 Receiver Evaluations (Part 1)

As we go more in depth with the class of 2024, I'm releasing in-depth evaluations for several prospects at the top of a loaded class of receivers and tight ends. For more information about how we evaluate, here's a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/01/a-guide-to-how-we-evaluate/">guide to our scouting process</a> that explains the ins and outs. [player_tooltip player_id="115725" first="Jack" last="Larsen"], 6'3 220, TE- Charlotte Catholic Length of Scouting: 1.5 years College Projection: Power Five Starter Strengths: Release, Consistency as Blocker, HWS, Athleticism Areas of Improvement: Strength at Catch Point, Limited Route Tree Analysis: Larsen possesses good size for a young tight end, but that trait becomes more impressive when combined with his athleticism. At 6'3, 220, he already runs a sub-4.8 40 and has a 32-inch vertical. Those traits translate to the field where he displays a fantastic release off the line and strong cutting ability both after the catch and at the top of his routes. In Charlotte Catholic's Wing T offense, he isn't asked to run a large volume or variety of routes, but shows talent and consistency as a run blocker. As a blocker, he displays plenty of strength, so over time that should show up at the catch point. He flashed strong hands this season, and that's an area where he'll likely become more consistent in the future. His route tree is limited, but he has more than held his own in camp settings when challenged with more complex routes. Sophomore Film: <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15541738/6196df1f90f0590b185c5dff" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="147623" first="Channing" last="Goodwin"], 6'1 170, WR- Providence Day Length of Scouting: 1 year College Projection: Power Five Starter Strengths: Release, Acceleration, Hands, Disguising Routes, Yards After Catch Ability Areas of Improvement: Weight/Frame, Top-End Speed Analysis: Goodwin is a prototypical possession receiver with elite short-area quickness. He's among the best in the state at getting off the line and beating press coverage. Some of those same skills translate both to cuts at the top of his routes and to making defenders miss once the ball is in his hands. Based on his skillset and lack of elite size, I think Goodwin projects more as a slot receiver at the next level, though most of his snaps this season were out wide. He wins so easily with his lateral quickness and acceleration that he can take the top off the defense without the need for world-beating speed. Sophomore Film: <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13542263/617d8c40f31dc909dc43efad" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="147685" first="Zack" last="Myers"], 6'2 190, Ath.- Christ School Length of Scouting: 1 year College Projection: Power Five Starter Strengths: Size-Strength-Speed, Versatility, Catch-in-Traffic, Physicality Areas of Improvement: Receiver Experience, Route Running Analysis: Myers is one of the more versatile players you'll find, starting on both sides of the ball and playing multiple sports. As of today, I like him as a receiver, as do most colleges that have offered. However, depending on how he continues to develop physically, he could transition to safety full time. The physicality he displays at safety also helps him as a receiver as he's tough to beat at the catch point and can easily run through arm tackles. As a sophomore he really improved as a route runner, although he still sometimes rounds out some of his patterns. His athleticism is ahead of his technical ability, but he's shown tremendous growth in some of the more technical aspects of the position. Sophomore Film: <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13064583/61512e6832e6c50954eab7c1" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="125148" first="Jonathan" last="Paylor"], 5'10 175, WR- Cummings Length of Scouting: 6 months College Projection: Power Five Starter Strengths: Speed, Playmaking Ability, Versatility Areas of Improvement: Size, Route Tree Analysis: Paylor is a walking highlight reel and considered by some to be the top sophomore in the state. The first thing that really flashes on tape is his speed, followed closely by his versatility. He did everything for Cummings as a sophomore, taking snaps as a running back, receiver (inside and outside), safety, punt returner and even punter. He's a threat to score from any down and distance, and flashes the ability to break tackles, even at his size. His game makes it so he won't need to grow a substantial amount to be successful at the college level. As of now, I have him projected as a full-time receiver at the next level, so I'd also like to see him expand his route tree during his junior year. Sophomore Film: <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15719668/61a4fdd65eec90044888f8b3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="145401" first="Trenton" last="Cloud"], 6'1 170, WR- Northwest Guilford Length of Scouting: 6 months College Projection: Power Five Starter Strengths: Yards After Catch Ability, Ball Skills, Hands Areas of Improvement: Top-End Speed, Limited Route Tree Analysis: Cloud is best with the ball in his hands. He transitions smoothly from a receiver to a ball carrier and much of his production comes on simple screens or clear outs designed to get him the ball in space. He shows tremendous vision and ability to get upfield for more yardage once he's secured the catch. The other part of his game that impresses me is his ability to find soft spots in coverage and secure catches. He tracks the ball well in the air and catches the ball away from his body. Like most other young receivers, he hasn't shown a full route tree yet, but he knows how to get open and flashes crisp cuts on the routes he does run. Sophomore Film: <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14455556/6151cf1a479826088cc7012e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="147622" first="Jordan" last="Shipp"], 6'2 185, WR- Providence Day Length of Scouting: 1 year College Projection: Power Five Starter Strengths: Ball Skills, Catch Radius, Hands Areas of Improvement: Release, Varsity Experience Analysis: I'm not quite sure if I've ever scouted a player with ball skills like Shipp's, especially at his age. If the ball is catchable, he'll catch it. He adds to that tremendous leaping ability and a feel for where the defenders are and there aren't many passes that aren't catchable for him. He already has above average size for his age and he knows how to use his body well. He missed all but one game as a freshman after a severe back injury, but in his first varsity action as a sophomore, looked more polished than one would expect. He has the traits to develop into an elite route runner. It's hard to find a clear weakness in his game. Sophomore Film: <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14508723/61858dd3dfd7f80af8918c93" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>