2023 Rising Wide Receivers: Part 1

The importance of having a playmaking wide receiver that you can rely on is very high. Such a pass-catcher can take a lot of pressure off the quarterback’s shoulders and put the pressure on the opposing defensive backfield. Today, we will take a look at some of the wide receivers who are poised to make their case to ascend the state rankings in their senior seasons. [player_tooltip player_id="107291" first="Desmond" last="Duffy"], 5’9, 180 pounds, Carmel [player_tooltip player_id="107291" first="Desmond" last="Duffy"] is a speedy prospect who makes his presence felt both in the passing-game and the return-game. Duffy is a vertical threat for the Greyhounds. He can use his speed to get down the field quickly and run right past cornerbacks. Duffy has good route-running ability. He is excellent on the edge. When he gets the ball on the outside, Duffy can make defenders miss or outrun them to generate a big play. He is particularly effective on wide receiver screens. Duffy is a solid returner. He does an excellent job of finding the running-lane and hitting the gas. [player_tooltip player_id="107291" first="Desmond" last="Duffy"] is a prospect to watch heading into the 2022 season. [player_tooltip player_id="107223" first="Anthony" last="Kennedy"], 6’2, 185 pounds, Avon There is not nearly as much space outside the numbers compared to the middle of the field. But you would not be able to tell by watching [player_tooltip player_id="107223" first="Anthony" last="Kennedy"]’s highlight tape. He is outstanding on the edge. But he also brings the crucial ability to work the sideline to make some spectacular catches. He shows great body control and awareness to drop his feet in bounds while extending over the boundary to make the reception. Kennedy’s 2021 season was limited to just seven games. During that span, he caught 12 passes for 157 yards. [player_tooltip player_id="185176" first="Luke" last="Jones"], 5’10, 170 pounds, Monroe Central [player_tooltip player_id="185176" first="Luke" last="Jones"] excels at both wide receiver and free safety for Monroe Central. Offensively he shows that he can match good physical ability with instinctiveness. Jones has the ability to take the top off the defense. For all of the routes that he runs, Jones shows a good understanding of the coverage that he is facing, and he finds the windows in the defense to give his quarterback a good passing lane. Jones can be a threat after the catch as well. In 2021, he tallied 561 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions. [player_tooltip player_id="185187" first="Mario" last="Lomax"], 6’0, 170 pounds, Lawrence North [player_tooltip player_id="185187" first="Mario" last="Lomax"]’s junior year was limited to just eight games. In that stretch, though, he showed that a breakout senior year may be on the horizon. Last year, Lomax posted 17 receptions for 181 yards. He also demonstrated that he can be effective as a ball-carrier. He had four carries a season ago, gaining 31 yards in the process. [player_tooltip player_id="185187" first="Mario" last="Lomax"] is a prospect who can make a big splash next fall.