Sophomore Wide Receivers That Are Standing Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, I'm looking at some of the Empire State's top sophomore receiver prospects. These guys have put together some intriguing highlight films, and I believe they deserve some recognition. With two more years of high school eligibility left, look for them to only improve and become serious forces at the varsity level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='505385' first='Tyler' last='Washington'], 6' 160, Webster-Schroeder</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has long strides to go with a ton of build-up speed.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows exceptional body control and the ability to go up &amp; high-point the football.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Well tuned vision in space with the ball in his hands.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plucks the football out of the air.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='406848' first='Kelvin' last='Shepard'], 5'9" 165, East</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Does a good job shooting his hands late to ensure a defensive back can't knock a pass away.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He's proven that he can haul in tough contested catches through contact.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Consistently finds his way open in the red area.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plenty of production behind him.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390762' first='Jahyden' last='Clark'], 5'10" 165, Canisius</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has put up an impressive regular season stat line in year one, totaling 50 catches for 665 yards &amp; 6 touchdowns.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>An explosive route runner that generates a ton of downfield separation.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Quick feet lead to easy press releases.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Natural hand-eye coordination makes deep ball tracking look easy.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1283625' first='Jayden' last='Gordon'], 5'9" 145, Freeport</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows outstanding patience as a route runner and has a great understanding of how to set up a defensive back.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Displayed an aggressive running style after the catch.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Terrific balance and change of direction with the ball in his hands.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kid catches everything within the framework of his body.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Steven Dowdy, 6' 165, Iona Prep</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is such a fluid route runner on tape.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a ton of production on throws of twenty yards plus.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>An explosive return man who can break a game wide-open.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has no fear going over the middle.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='451481' first='Bryce' last='Hinsdale'], 5'11" 160, Panama</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has the vision and burst to create huge chunk plays on jailbreak screens.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A big-time playmaker on defense, oh and by the way he can kick too.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is a possession-type receiver that can eat up yards in the short-intermediate game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plays a fearless brand of football.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Collin White, 5'10" 160, Westhill</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cuts are violent and create good separation at the top of his route.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is a serious problem working out of the slot against slower linebackers in coverage.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Makes the most out of his redzone opportunities, totaling nine touchdowns in 2022.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is an intelligent blocker that wins with leverage and body position.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Gerald McCloud, 5'8" 160, Bishop Timon-St. Jude</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Quite shifty in the open-field.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A strong lower-half helps him accelerate right through arm tackles.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has some burners once he gets going.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a ton of potential as both a slot receiver and scatback.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->