2023 WRs Who Deserve More Love

We’ve been grinding through the upperclassman lately and today is no different! We’ve got 5 Wide Receivers throughout the state who deserve some more love as they enter their senior years. The 2023 class could arguably be the best Indiana class we’ve seen in a long time and these guys only help solidify that belief. Ryan Keays - Carroll - WR - 6’2" 190lbs Keays is a lengthy athlete with a well-built frame. Typically guys who stand at 6’2" that early are too lean. With Keays, that’s not the case. While I do think he could add some weight, it’s not a dire need. Even better, Keays understands how to use his frame and win at the catch point regularly. His release off of the line is rather clean and he doesn’t waste much if any movement. He’s got really long strides and is able to eat up a ton of ground in a hurry. When the ball is in the air is when Keays is at his best. His body control is rather decent and he’s almost always to make the adjustments and bring down the ball in an acrobatic catch. In the RedZone, he’s as big of an issue for defenses as you can imagine. His ability to jump, use his frame, and adjust to the ball makes him a scoring machine. His catch radius is really wide and there are times when you think he’s covered and he’s able to rise up and make the catch with guys all over him. His hands are strong and not once did I see the ball bobble after hitting his hands. There are times he’s able to clear the DBs hands and elbow and put him away and then other times he’s not able to do so. His route tree is still a work in progress but if he’s able to master the footwork and body control to become a route technician, it’s over for the defender. Keays is also an aggressive blocker and is going to give the same effort blocking as if he were getting the ball. To keep it simple, Keays is where he’s supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there, and then finds a way to make the catch. That alone is going to draw college interest. Keays comes across as a player who understands his game and when he’s at his best. Where he goes is TBD but he’s set with the toolbox to be very successful at the next level. Bryson Bonelli - Batesville - WR - 6’3" 180lbs Bonelli is an overall exciting player who does a ton of things well. His ball skills are the most obvious thing about his game. He’s able to high-point and be physical at the point of attack. Even when the defender guarding him loses their balance and forces a ton of contact, he’s able to fight through it and make the play. While he isn’t the fastest player on earth, he’s got the speed to be dangerous after the catch. Once he has the ball in his hands he’s able to flip on that second gear and is off to the races. Bonelli is arguably just as good in the short game as he is with those deep shots down the field. You can tell Batesville spends a good amount of time with their entire WR corps at the LOS working on releases, stances, and first bursts. While I do think there are times he’ll get a little loose in the middle of his routes, it’s just a knit picky thing. Throughout the season you could see his confidence grow along with his burst off the line. As the season developed, it became more natural for him and by the season’s end, the difference was night and day, and he was good before. His lengthy frame really gives him an advantage in most situations when the ball is near. I would like to see him add a bit of weight and some blocking work. I say that because in college I imagine schools are going to see him as a true X. If he’s collegiately ready when it comes to blocking, there’s a chance he can contribute on day 1. Some schools may try to move him to TE, and while I do think he could be successful there, I think he’s best when he’s 1 on 1 out wide and is able to use his strengths to his advantage. Bonelli put up over 1000-yards and 11TDs in a year where there were some ups and downs for the team. Bonelli was a steady hand week in and week out for Batesville and he really came through when they needed him most. I’m excited to see what he’s able to do this fall now that everyone in the area knows you need to double him. [player_tooltip player_id="107090" first="Joe" last="Walker"] - Warren Central - WR - 6’5" 215lbs Walker is a freakish athlete who is just scratching the surface, yet is still one of the better WRs in the state in my opinion. He’s really fast, has long strides, shoots off the ball, and has incredible ball skills. If he catches the ball in the second level in stride, it’s best just to ring up 6. All you have to do is get the ball in his area and he’s going to make the catch. He’s an intelligent enough player to know how to get open if his QB is extending the play. If not, you can just throw it up to Joe regardless and he’ll probably make the catch. While not a good habit, the point is that he’s going to make the play. His arms are incredibly long, his hands are strong, and he’s able to jump halfway to Mars. He’s good off the line and has some, but not much, wasted movement and is able to get vertical right away. He understands how to use his hands and fight through contact to get his hands free and make the catch. While his route tree isn’t perfect and still needs some work, it’s actually fairly decent and he’s someone who spends time working on footwork. He doesn’t play choppy and is a willing blocker in the run game. Regardless of where he is on the field and how many defenders are around him, he’s not covered. When he gets the ball in his hands, he’s able to make some guys miss and break some tackles while not losing much, if any, speed. Walker is one of those dudes who was born to play WR and has the natural ball skills, instincts, size, athleticism, and work ethic you can’t coach. Walker’s ceiling is as high as he wants it to be. He’s already got a few D1 offers but I expect more to come this fall. [player_tooltip player_id="242955" first="Jaden" last="Wayt"] - Terre Haute North Vigo - WR - 6’3" 180lbs Wayt is a great athlete who is also really good at the point of attack and is able to outjump pretty much everyone he comes across to make the catch. His ball skills are elite and he’s going to make some crazy catches and have some highlight moments. He’s a great RedZone threat and is practically unguardable and has to be doubled. Even then, he’s still a threat because all you have to do is get the ball in his area. He’s got decent top-end speed and while he isn’t the fastest guy out there, he can and will break those long plays teams dream of. His field awareness is really good and he’s always able to make the play before he goes out of bounds. Wayt doesn’t run the cleanest routes and could bulk up some, but those both come with time and he’s gotten better each time he’s stepped on the field. The offense does a good job moving him around so defenses aren’t able to key in on him too much. Wayt is a smart player who knows where to go when his QB is extending the play to give himself a shot at the ball. He’s willing to go over the middle of the field and take the big shot if he needs to. He always bounces right back up and is ready for the next down. He’s a decent blocker and there are times he’s shown the ability to put his hand in the ground and seal the edge as a blocker. That versatility will be great in college. While I’m not sure which position he prefers, my guess is he’ll have options to play either or and can pick his preferred spot. [player_tooltip player_id="107081" first="Isaiah" last="Thacker"] - New Palestine - WR - 6’1" 190lbs Thacker is a versatile guy who is a problem for defenses. He’s quick, twitchy, and someone who reminds you of an elite Slot WR yet is still tall enough and fast enough to beat you downfield. He’s got really good ball skills and is able to track the ball through defenders as it’s coming in. He can play through the defender if he needs to in order to make the catch. While he isn’t the cleanest route runner yet, he’s twitchy and has the ability to cut on a dime and change direction in an instant you love to see guys have as they’re mastering the art of route running. His ability downfield is undeniably noticeable. He’ll layout and make some incredible 1 handed grabs, go up and outjump the defender in his way, or stop on a dime and have them go scooting by. Once he hits the open field he isn’t going to be run down. He returns kicks for New Palestine here and there and when he does, the kicking team has to hold their breath. When he gets the ball in his hands he’s like an RB and has decent vision, is able to make guys miss and break tackles while taking the ball to the house His frame is decent and while he could add some weight, it’s not a pressing need. New Pal will use him in the slot, out wide, and then move him across the field in motion to throw a screen to him. Whatever they can do to get the ball in his hands is usually a good route to take. Good things happen when he touches the ball. Thacker really is that Deebo Samuel-type weapon for New Palestine and he’s built for it. His skill set is so versatile that you can have him succeed in just about any situation and that’s something colleges will take notice of if they haven’t already. Over the next year, I anticipate the offers coming in hot and heavy while letting Thacker pick the best fit for him.