Kentucky Sleepers to Watch For: Wide Receivers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our last post, we discussed the most slept-on running backs in the state of Kentucky. Although plenty of running backs did not receive as much collegiate interest as they should have, the wide receiver position had a bigger gap for sleeper players. Throughout the past 2022 season, the position that continued to shine week in and week out was the state's receiving core. The performances these receivers put out week after week did not go unnoticed, and easily topped it over other positions for single-game stat lines. Today, we will be listing a few heavily slept-on wide receivers who have received little to no collegiate interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["385952"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='385952' first='Darius' last='Evans'] has been on the prep Redzone Kentucky receiver radar for quite a while now. The senior had a great final season with Martha Layne Collins High School completing 60 receptions for 966 receiving yards u0026amp; 11 receiving touchdowns in 10 games played. Darius is an athletic wideout that is fantastic at route running and making sharp cuts to jab past the defender. His yards after catch should not go unnoticed as he is one of the better receivers to record extra yards after the catch in the 5A division. Evans' ability to catch with lots of contacts is one of his best traits as he can come up with the grab with multiple defenders jumping up in the air trying to knock the ball out. Along with that, his strength off the ball is solid as he is a terrific blocker when not receiving the football. Although national signing day has passed, I hope Darius finds his way to a college team in the future because he has more than enough talent to compete for a competitive collegiate football squad.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JqpRnu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1252816' first='TJ' last='Cothron']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Fern Creek High School","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"TJ is a younger prospect who already has the athletic attributes of a collegiate wide receiver after just finishing his sophomore season at Fern Creek High School. TJ is a dual threat in the backfield as he takes plenty of snaps at running back while simultaneously grabbing difficult catches as one of their primary receivers. Due to his ability to play multiple slots on the offense, TJ is excellent at using his impressive lateral movements to break the defense when running the ball. What is unique about TJ is that he is one of the stronger receivers on our radar as he has the strength of a big-bodied running back and can break many tackles after the catch. Since TJ is only a sophomore, it is understandable why some schools have not gotten a chance to check him out, but I believe they should begin to add him onto their recruiting radar. With 2 years left of high school football, there's plenty of time for TJ to further develop his game. Especially with the resilience he shows on the field with his playstyle, it makes sense he would apply the same to his work ethic.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2KAMKzu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["502743"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003ePastu003c/strongu003e u003cstrongu003eAnalysisu003c/strongu003e: On offense, Wyatt was their top option at receiver and his athleticism u0026amp; speed helped him grab many touchdowns for the Metcalfe County squad. But on defense, Wyatt tied for first in the entire state for total interceptions at 9 (which included 2 pick-sixes). As a nickelback, Wyatt was able to lock down nearly every receiver he faced. His defensive movement aligning with the momentum of his assigned receiver is solid as he can position himself to the point where he gives zero space for the receiver to come up with the catch. Another great aspect of Wyatt's playstyle at CB is his extremely fast reaction time. Once the ball leaves the quarterback's fingertips, Wyatt can adjust his positioning to get to where the ball is and make a play if he is close enough. Sure enough, with his speed u0026amp; agility, he can come up with many picks because of this. Although Wyatt may decide to recruit himself as a receiver, people should not sleep on his talent on the defensive side of the ball.rnrnu003cstrongu003eCurrent Time: u003c/strongu003eAlthough I recently looked at Wyatt as a defensive back, I think his talent at receiver is just as good or even better than his abilities at DB. The senior had a great senior season on offense for Metcalfe County, grabbing 62 receptions for 932 receiving yards u0026amp; 16 receiving touchdowns in 13 games played. Wyatt is an extremely quick receiver who is amazing at making difficult off-body grabs. Moreover, his athleticism enables him to take over the game for the passing offense as he makes it extremely difficult to make a stop on him. In the case of Wyatt, speed kills. As a defender, watch out when you're assigned to Wyatt on a go route since he will most likely speed past you to come up with the grab. Blythe is another player who has not reported signing anywhere to play college football as of February 1st, but the talent is still there for him to pursue when the time comes.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JJgKNu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["518257"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Tyson is another talented receiver who can beat you with his crafty moves running the ball and his speed. The junior finished his 2022 season catching 53 receptions for 889 receiving yards u0026amp; 13 receiving touchdowns in 11 games played for Clay County High School. Tyson is one of the more gifted kick returners in the state, and he applies his skills in returning kicks to the wide receiver position. The reason Tyson is so dominant returning touchdowns is due to his vision u0026amp; abruptly sharp cuts when dashing around defenders. Wagers can make a quick decision on where he intends to run the ball and use his lightning-fast footwork to create a filthy move on a defender to blow by them. Along with that, he sees the field like a running back in which he can quickly identify running lanes while simultaneously avoiding tackles from Dbs. Tyson has become one of the best receivers at gaining yards after the catch. As of now, Tyson has a year left for Clay County and has not received any collegiate offers. But from his performance during the 2022 season, he has proven he can be a valuable piece to a skillful college football offense.rnrnTape:","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Devin Taul","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Montgomery County High School ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Devin is another senior who stood out to me over his performance in the 2022 season. Taul finished with 43 receptions for 814 receiving yards u0026amp; 8 receiving touchdowns in 11 games played for Montgomery County High School. One aspect of Devin's game that clearly stands out above everything is his route running. Devin's superior ability to create separation off a route he is running is top-notch which enables him to break out onto open field after nearly every catch. Along with that, Devin's tall athletic frame allows him to make difficult catch's that most receivers would have to leap high to come down with it. Taul did not announce any signings or any collegiate interest from any schools, but I do not believe high school ball is the end for him. He has the talent and athleticism to play at the next level and college recruiters should look at him for the future.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2J1p7fu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e4918d34945"} /-->