Prospect Tour Top Performers: Wide Receivers
The Prep Redzone Prospect Tour made its stop in Colorado a week ago, but the top-performing players are still fresh on the mind. The majority of the players in attendance were Colorado athletes, but a few made the trip from…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Redzone Prospect Tour made its stop in Colorado a week ago, but the top-performing players are still fresh on the mind.
The majority of the players in attendance were Colorado athletes, but a few made the trip from different states. This includes Payden Anderson (2023) from Queen Creek in Arizona, who earned positional MVP of the wide receiver group.
This article will look at the other top-performing wide receivers and a few other receivers who stood out during the event.
Manuel Gonzales | Grant (NM) | 2024 WR
40-yd dash – 4.85s | Shuttle – 4.31s | L-Drill – 7.16s | Broad jump – 8’11”
Gonzales made the trip up from New Mexico and left a lasting impression as one of the best performing WRs at the event. He had excellent combine scores, with his L-drill time being the fourth-best of the entire event. He started to steal the spotlight during the position-specific part of the camp.
He showed his explosive acceleration, crafty releases, and shifty route running abilities. His head gets around quickly when coming out of his breaks, allowing him to track the ball well and secure the catch. Gonzales put on one of the best performances at the event, making him a sleeper prospect with a ton of upside.
I was extremely impressed with @ManuelLG_2 yesterday! Shifty releases & explosive breaks, creates separation and has reliable hands. 2024 WR radar pop-up worth watching @PrepRedzoneNM https://t.co/j2ZFnECck4
— Ryan Wesley (@coachwes_23) April 17, 2022
Reece Pratz
Reece
Pratz
5'10" | 170 lbs | WR
Northridge | 2023
State
CO
| Northridge | 2023 WR
40-yd dash – 4.54s | Shuttle – 4.13s | L-Drill – 6.87s | Broad jump – 9’9”
Pratz had the best combine scores overall, finishing second in the 40-yard dash and first in every other drill. He is an explosive athlete who can expose coverages and create space from the defensive backs. He has the speed that allows him to run underneath passes, which gives quarterbacks the opportunity to take shots downfield with confidence.
Pratz is an under-the-radar athlete who has phenomenal playmaking abilities, which makes him a player who should be seeing his name moving up on recruiting boards.
@PratzReece was moving in his shuttle @PrepRedzoneCO @PrepRedzone pic.twitter.com/pXIlblFV4k
— Ryan Wesley (@coachwes_23) April 16, 2022
Brian Dykstra | Northglenn | 2023 WR
40-yd dash – 4.62s | Shuttle – 4.34s | L-Drill – 7.4s | Broad jump – 9’2”
Dykstra is another receiver who started to shine during the position-specific portion of the event after putting up impressive numbers during the combine drills. He is a strong route runner with reliable hands. His physicality can be seen in how he runs his routes and attacks the ball rather than waiting for it to arrive.
Dykstra has impressive explosiveness when coming out of his breaks, and he does a great job at securing the catch away from the defender. This radar pop-up put himself on the list of sleepers to watch this fall.
@PrepRedzoneCO pic.twitter.com/H3Cs4qzFHa
— Ryan Wesley (@coachwes_23) April 16, 2022
Joshua Gerlach II Joshua Gerlach II 6'3" | 190 lbs | ATH Palmer Ridge | 2023 State CO | Palmer Ridge | 2023 WR
40-yd dash – 4.85s | Shuttle – 4.66s | L-Drill – 7.15s | Broad jump – 9′
Gerlach II is no stranger to the spotlight, and his showing at the Prospect Tour was no different. He had impressive combine scores, with his L-drill time being the third-best overall. His athleticism and route running abilities are impressive, especially with his 6-foot-3, 203lbs frame factored into the equation.
He goes into his breaks with great leverage with the ability to drop and turn his hips sharply to create space. Gerlach II is a well-known player and popular recruit with significant playmaking abilities.
Mason Pryor | Grandview | 2024 WR
40-yd dash – 5.1s | Shuttle – 4.56s | L-Drill – 8.13s | Broad jump – 7’6”
Pryor was another player who flashed his explosiveness during the combine but emerged as one of the top players during game-like situations. He has a solid frame that makes him a physical route runner with reliable hands. He did a great job locating the ball, playing it in the air, and immediately turning upfield. Pryor is another must-know receiver with a lot of upside as a potential college prospect.
https://twitter.com/CakeFaceMase/status/1515530974909526016?s=20&t=aE4Wkv1Qo9ah8Z0bVILYJw
Aidan Lauer Aidan Lauer ATH Littleton | 2023 State CO | Littleton | 2023 WR
40-yd dash – 5.18s | Shuttle – 4.72s | L-Drill – 8s | Broad jump – 7’11”
Lauer is an athletic receiver with impressive length gives him a wide catch radius. His ability to create space from DBs and track the ball in the air made him stand out during the one-on-one portion of the event. Lauer’s performance showed that he has the potential to be a strong addition to a WR core, making him an ideal prospect for any passing scheme.
Had a great time at the @PrepRedzoneCO prospect tour and the chance to get better! Thank you @coachwes_23 https://t.co/OMqRr2pQyc
— Aidan Lauer (@Aidan_Lauer1) April 17, 2022
Zachariah Smith Zachariah Smith 6'7" | 260 lbs | TE ThunderRidge | 2024 State CO | ThunderRidge | 2024 TE
40-yd dash – 5.31s | Shuttle – 4.65s | L-Drill – 8.15s | Broad jump – 7’11”
Smith was an instant standout as soon as he stepped foot into the build because of his towering 6-foot-7, 247lbs frame. His size makes him an ideal passing target, while his wingspan gives him an impressive catch radius. He is an instant mismatch when paired against a DB because of his size advantage, which he exploited multiple times during one-on-ones. With Smith having two more seasons left as a high school player, his potential as a recruiting prospect will gain traction.
@ElvioAgagah vs @Zachari68893966 pic.twitter.com/zR4yDhzoze
— Ryan Wesley (@coachwes_23) April 16, 2022
Other standout WRs to know:
Kaiden Smith Kaiden Smith 5'8" | 150 lbs | WR Estes Park | 2024 State CO | Estes Park | 2024 WR
40-yd dash – 4.62s | Shuttle – 4.62s | L-Drill – 7.57s | Broad jump – 8’4”
Zach Johnson Zach Johnson ATH Cheyenne Mountain | 2023 State CO | Cheyenne Mountain | 2024 WR
40-yd dash – 5.1s | Shuttle – 4.57s | L-Drill – 7.18s | Broad jump – 8’3”
Bryant Wainright Bryant Wainright 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Lewis Palmer | 2025 CO | Palmer Ridge | 2025 WR
40-yd dash – 4.85s | Shuttle – 4.56s | L-Drill – 7.97s | Broad jump – 9’1”
Aidan Harrison | Heritage | 2025 WR
40-yd dash – 4.88s | Shuttle – 4.53s | L-Drill – 7.25s | Broad jump – 8’3”