Oregon 2024 Under the Radar: Wide Receivers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up next on the under the radar series is the wide receiver group. Oregon has talent at the receiver position with players like [player_tooltip player_id='152356' first='Joey' last='Olsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='488914' first='Andre' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='152353' first='Caden' last='Negra'], and more. However, in this series, I look at some guys who may be getting a bit overlooked and deserve recognition. Here are five players at the wide receiver position in Oregon that people need to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["154326"],"_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":"First up is the new receiver for the Lakeridge Lakers, [player_tooltip player_id='154326' first='Luke' last='Womack']. Luke was a standout player for Nelson High School last season and further impressed at the Oregon Prep Redzone Prospect Tour at the beginning of this month, taking home camp MVP. Luke is a tall and athletic receiver who is confident in his hands. He ran a lot of deep routes for Nelson last season because of his speed, and he could take the top off the defense and make a contested catch if needed because of his frame. He is also agile and will make people miss when he has the ball in his hands. I believe it is only a matter of time before Luke gets some big offers to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["278403"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Up next is [player_tooltip player_id='278403' first='Niko' last='May'] from Central Catholic High School. I like Niko because he is as solid as they come. He is the definition of an all-around wide receiver. I think the best thing from Niko's game is his hands, which happens to be the most important for a receiver. He shows the ability to high-point the ball and is reliable when catching in traffic. He also offers a willingness to get physical and block, which is very important. I am excited to see what Niko can do in his Senior year after another offseason of improving his game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["383833"],"_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":"Now we have [player_tooltip player_id='383833' first='Tyler' last='Creswick'] from Rex Putnam High School. Tyler is one of the best players in the state at the 5A level for the Kingsmen. He won 1st team all-league at both wide receiver and defensive back while earning 2nd team return specialist. The best quality of Tyler's game is his shiftiness with the ball in his hand, as Tyler will make multiple people miss; he returned multiple kicks last season for a touchdown. I also enjoy his route-running, as he runs hard and is shifty at the top of his route. I would not say Tyler has blazing speed, but speed is a plus with him; you won't have to worry about him being slow. I am also a fan of how hard he plays; he is physical and plays with great intensity. I am so excited to see what this kid does in his Senior year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["346503"],"_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":"Next is the former Lincoln Cardinal turned Central Catholic Ram, [player_tooltip player_id='346506' first='Tommy' last='Pempel']. Tommy is an exciting player. If he was a couple of inches taller, we could be looking at a top recruit at the wide receiver position. The thing that stands out about Tommy is his route-running and overall shiftiness. Tommy shows the ability to sink his weight and stop on a dime, which makes him very hard to guard man-to-man. Tommy also has excellent hands and showed multiple times he can take a hit while making a catch in the middle of the field, which is essential for a receiver so small. If a college team needs a route-runner and is not too worried about size, Tommy should be one of the first guys they call. I am excited to see how he does with a Quarterback like [player_tooltip player_id='152354' first='Cru' last='Newman'] this upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["738767"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Lastly, we have [player_tooltip player_id='738767' first='Walker' last='Bonar'] from Thurston High School. In my notes, the word I put down to describe Walker's game was u0022SMOOTH.u0022 He is a confident player who is not the fastest, not the most explosive, but just smooth. Another adjective I would give would be reliable, as it seemed like Walker was his QB's safety blanket. Walker has good hands and does not rely on body catches, which is vital to see. I am excited to see how much Walker has improved for his Senior year, as putting on some muscle would really benefit his game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6476cb52c90e5"} /-->