Rising Junior Wide Receivers Making a Name For Themselves

Today's article centers around the wide receiver group in Ohio, specifically the 2024 class. Each prospect featured in this piece made a steady impact at the varsity level as sophomores but have yet to garner much-recruiting attention. As they enter the most important season from a recruiting perspective, look for them to have a hefty jump in production and see their game step up to a whole other level. Here's who you need to know! <hr /> <em><strong>Isaiah Smith, 6', 160, Western Brown</strong></em> A crafty slot receiver with good build-up speed after the catch. Smith can make defenders miss on the perimeter and knows how to weave his way out of traffic. He'll run up on defensive backs toes, forcing them out of their pedal before making his cuts. He's a dedicated blocker who will work all the way downfield to help spring a long reception. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14836357/61a25276d21bad0a68f97751" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="284633" first="Troy" last="Martin"], 6’2", 190, Reynoldsburg</strong></em> A major vertical threat who can easily track the deep ball. Troy is quite smooth coming out of his breaks and proved to be a natural hands catcher. He's a total mismatch when left singled up on the perimeter and is willing to make tough catches in traffic. His body control is pretty spectacular as he showed that he can contort his frame and make catches in seemingly awkward positions. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14467148/617595646e81bb09f4374058" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Kyle Keener, 6'3", 180, Brecksville-Broadview Heights</strong></em> A lengthy x receiver with enough speed to slip behind zone coverage. Keener shows loose hips at the top of his routes and will calmly work back towards the quarterback. This is a possession-type receiver who knows where to sit in zone coverage and can make something happen in the screen game. He does his best work at the intermediate level, setting up defensive backs before slamming on the breaks. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14486481/618452684ba7ec0b64413e85" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Amarr Davis, 5'10", 170, Mansfield Senior</strong></em> A burner who can catch the football and immediately make something happen. Davis uses his god-given speed to simply run by defenders in man coverage and will race right under the deep ball. He's shown plenty of positional versatility and was able to create mismatches when doing so. He's a big play waiting to happen and was a major source of Mansfield's chunk plays in the receiving game in 2021. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14846902/618bef9aff01a7060010fb76" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Steven Cammack, 5'10", 170, Twinsburg</strong></em> An explosive prospect that can line up at all four receiver spots and make a major impact. Steven is unphased by press coverage and will his quickness to simply blow past corners. He knows how to stack defenders once he's beat them and can make tough contested catches in traffic. He's created splash plays as a returner and will set up good field position for his offense. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15827479/6175ad19f55fb70524fdfb82" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="263514" first="Preston" last="Hopperton"], 5’10", 175, Streetsboro</strong></em> Preston was a production machine in 2021, totaling 1,350 yards and 22 touchdowns. On film, he displayed fantastic burst off the snap and a nasty demeanor as a blocker. In addition, Hopperton baffles defenders with route tempo, getting them to relax before quickly accelerating &amp; running right past them. The top-end speed you want in a high-level wideout is there, as is the ability to make something happen after the catch. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14566154/618b074e9a90e206b0156b69" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>