Under The Radar: 2023 Wide Receivers

<strong>With the entire state filled with top talent across multiple positions and plenty of schools having prospects with FBS offers, here we will look at some athletes that are flying under the radar and going into their Senior seasons are still awaiting their first offer. </strong> <hr /> &nbsp; <strong>Maclane Watkins, Kennedy Catholic HS</strong> Watkins is a long receiver with a huge catch radius and offers some nice upside at the next level. A true outside receiver, he is a long strider that covers a ton of ground and can stretch the field. In traffic, he can go up and snag 50/50 balls while high pointing and boxing out smaller defenders while showing nice body control when catching from different body angles. Although still developing top end speed, his understanding of coverages and getting into the blind spots downfield while knowing how to use his length and catch radius makes up for it. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87419" first="Jace" last="Villers"], Auburn-Riverside HS</strong> Another long pass catcher, Villers is very impressive after the catch and a strong bodied receiver that can make big plays in the open field and could find himself playing outside linebacker at the next level. A jumbo athlete that attacks the ball in the air, Villers has some twitch to him and has an explosive first step off the line while able to us his hands and strength to get off a press and separate downfield. After the catch, he is physical with the ball in his hands and can break one on one tackles easily while patient in his route running. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87414" first="Justin" last="Smith"], Lakes HS</strong> Smith is a quick twitched receiver with intermediate and vertical route running abilities. On tape, he shows he can make contested catches downfield and is a natural athlete with good start stop abilities and can play both outside and in the slot. Not afraid to block, he also shows the ability to be physical with and without the ball while possessing sneaky downfield speed and can sink his hips at the top of his routes. Coming off a huge Sophomore season a year ago, he is poised for a big Senior year and should start collecting some college interest in the next few months. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87422" first="Kyler" last="Ronquillo"], Yelm HS</strong> The 2023 prospect is a very versatile player that can probably play on both sides of the ball at the college level and flashes some good open field speed and athleticism. He is very explosive off the ball and can create separation downfield with body positioning and physicality before going up and making contested catches. On tape, he shows he can make awkward catches in traffic and win one on one battles in the end zone while able to run precise routes underneath and find soft spots in coverage. Seemingly always around the ball with terrific natural instincts, he has big playmaking ability on either side of the ball and has a nose for finding the end zone after the catch. He is a very intriguing prospect that can play multiple position in college. &nbsp; <strong>Ryder Alfrey, Mountain View HS</strong> Alfrey can make an impact at the college level and is coming off a nice Junior season and had success on both offense and defense. On tape, he shows he is a precise route runner that can make big plays in the short and intermediate passing game and flashes some yards after catch abilities with above average downfield speed. A very tough player, he has a high IQ and natural instincts both from his receiver position and at safety and should find a home at the next level before graduation.