The Best Route Runners In The State

These are the wide receivers who have an array of routes on their tape. Who combine suddenness, change of direction, hips, and tempo that exemplify the key traits that breed great route runners. This article is aimed to go into detail as to what coaching points and techniques these athletes employ most when winning with route running. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="154114" first="Omaree" last="Walker"], Don Bosco, 2023</strong> Walker may have the best tape-in terms of the array of tools he uses to win when it comes to route running. Walker has the athletic traits to win in most one on one situations but if you watch closely he uses specific moves to get open. Two aspects of route running that he combines well are selling vertical and attacking the blindspot on deep routes. He does this a number of times when facing zone coverage. Does a really great job of attacking the blindspot with his speed then stacking defensive backs once he has two steps of separation. Off that, when he sees the same zone or off coverage specifically off man with inside leverage. He can attack vertically the same way, but this time he can use his uncanny suddenness to throttle down quickly eliminating the time at the top of the route. Basically, being uncoverable on out and comeback routes. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Had a great time at the <a href="https://twitter.com/UANextFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UANextFootball</a> camp I’m glad I got to get out there and show my skills <a href="https://twitter.com/CoAcHKeLZZz3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoAcHKeLZZz3</a> <a href="https://t.co/nRdKGSOxsp">pic.twitter.com/nRdKGSOxsp</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="154114" first="Omaree" last="Walker"] (@OmareeAkaOzone) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmareeAkaOzone/status/1508408405500829698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> As mentioned in previous articles Walker has the best doubles moves on tape of any wide receiver in the state. He is one of the best salesmen when executing double moves. When you watch, you notice that he has great manipulation of tempo on his routes. On double moves specifically, he’s able to sell with his eyes, and upper body, using an aggressive pressure step to eliminate time at the top of the route. [player_tooltip player_id="154114" first="Omaree" last="Walker"] has the total package when it comes to route running and is a tough cover for any defensive back. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ouuuuiiii had a great time at the Roman soldiers showcase and got MVP for wide receiver position <a href="https://twitter.com/R_Oben?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@R_Oben</a> 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/pISdjS6cFx">pic.twitter.com/pISdjS6cFx</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="154114" first="Omaree" last="Walker"] (@OmareeAkaOzone) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmareeAkaOzone/status/1511850748090404868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="und">⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/OmareeAkaOzone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OmareeAkaOzone</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/hmeF4Jk29f">pic.twitter.com/hmeF4Jk29f</a></p> — EJ Daniels (@edaniels77) <a href="https://twitter.com/edaniels77/status/1513489031593664518?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="183641" first="Najih" last="Rahman"], Red Bank Catholic, 2023</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="183641" first="Najih" last="Rahman"] is a great route runner in his own right. He can win at all levels of the field but especially excels in winning on the deeper routes; specifically nine routes and deep crossers. He excels at winning at the line of scrimmage. He has very active hands and a diverse release package. Once he has created separation from a defensive back he’s the best at stacking defenders when deep, keeping them in trail position, with no chance of ever getting back into the play. The most important part is he knows how to finish. He finishes deep catches. Has good tracking when it comes to the deep ball and excels after the catch. While we understand this doesn’t speak to route running. What good is it to run a beautiful route, and not finish the play? Another aspect of his route running that’s impressive is how he gets open on secondary releases. Uses the pressure step effectively with a shoulder lean to get defensive backs off balance and to not lose speed when breaking outside. [player_tooltip player_id="183641" first="Najih" last="Rahman"] can win in any way as a receiver and should put up gaudy numbers in his senior year. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Regular season highlights (8 games). Watch a PLAYMAKER in action. @RBCCaseyRecruit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WTD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WTD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PLAYMAKER?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PLAYMAKER</a> <a href="https://t.co/FfueFhwQGv">pic.twitter.com/FfueFhwQGv</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="183641" first="Najih" last="Rahman"] 1️⃣3️⃣ (@thenajih84) <a href="https://twitter.com/thenajih84/status/1458799685641117705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="220095" first="Michael" last="Zarfati"], Middle Township, 2024</strong> Micheal Zarafati has a solid set of hips. He transitions in and out of his breaks better than most of the receivers you watch around the state. He shows the ability to execute double moves. Able to transition effectively and maintain his speeds on two breaks. Just finishing his sophomore season there’s still quite a bit of rawness to his game, but once he commits to mastering route running. His routes will be a beauty to watch <strong>  [player_tooltip player_id="216246" first="Billy" last="Lindenmuth"], Audubon, 2023 </strong> Lindenmuth excels at getting open deep. He has an array of moves off the line of scrimmage. And uses his track speed to separate on deep routes specifically deep crossers, corners, and nine routes. He has a  great understanding of how to stack receivers on these routes and has great control of his body while tracking the ball deep. In his senior year would like to see Billy expand his route tree. He has the speed, moves, and understanding to be a great route runner. Now, we need him to take the next step so he isn’t looked at as a one-trick pony. &nbsp;