Rising Prospects 2024: 5 Underrated WRs
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The wide receiver position has become crowded with prospects vying for spots in FCS and FBS programs. Let’s take a look at five under-the-radar prospects who could shoot up boards with a strong senior season. Santino Varvel AZ #78 WR…
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Continue ReadingThe wide receiver position has become crowded with prospects vying for spots in FCS and FBS programs. Let’s take a look at five under-the-radar prospects who could shoot up boards with a strong senior season.
Santino Varvel Santino Varvel 6’3″ | 170 lbs | WR Canyon View | 2024 State AZ is a player who is continuing his rise nationally after a productive junior season. Standing at 6’3 175 pounds, Varvel is a mixture of size, speed, and athleticism. For Canyon Del Oro, he was a consistent deep threat able to separate from defenders easily on go routes. He accelerates quickly, helping him get to top speed off the line leaving corners in the dust. It makes him dangerous in the open field on screens and after the catch opportunities. Varvel is a smooth route runner who can quickly get out of his breaks with flexibility in his hips to change directions when selling routes. His hands display the manual dexterity to make contested catches in traffic and to use his size to his advantage while high-pointing the football. Varvel is a rising player who can cap it off with a stand-out senior season.
Dillon Dwiggins Dillon Dwiggins 6’2″ | 175 lbs | WR Sunnyslope | 2024 State AZ has the luxury of playing with Oregon commit Luka Moga but has an impressive film of his own. Dwiggins is explosive on tape at 6’2 175 pounds and is physical with the ball in his hands. He has the speed to take a screen for big plays while breaking tackles in the open field. He is crafty in his routes and finds ways to create separation using different moves vs. press and off coverage. When he faces the press, he has a good release off the line that makes him effective in the red zone. His physicality shows up at the catch point, consistently coming down with 50/50 balls for his quarterback. When the ball is thrown into traffic, Dwiggins has the hands and concentration to come down with the football and take a big hit. Dwiggins is a highly underrated player, and another year with his star quarterback might change that.
Christian Sanabria Christian Sanabria 6’1″ | 175 lbs | WR Camp Verde | 2024 State AZ is one of the most productive receivers in the state of Arizona with 24 touchdowns and 1301 yards receiving. Sanabria specializes is making defenders miss in the open field. His athleticism is on full display when the ball is in his hands being elusive with juke moves stretching short passes into big plays for the offense. As a route runner he can get in and out of his breaks quickly allowing him to sell routes to help him get open against coverage. He exhibits the balance and concentration to make sideline and acrobatic catches while keeping his feet in bounds. Sanabria dominated at the 2A level and should start to get national attention after a good offseason.
James Diaz James Diaz 6’3″ | 200 lbs | WR Tucson | 2024 State AZ is a two-sport athlete coming off a productive season for Cienega. Diaz is a contested catch extraordinaire with a jumping ability to high-point football and make tough receptions. His strong hands allow him to snatch the football out of the air when working 50/50 situations. He is a clean route runner who doesn’t waste movement in and out of his breaks. It allows him to separate at the top of his stem and give open looks to the quarterback. When facing press coverage, Diaz has a good release package that helps him win at the line of scrimmage. He is quick into his stem, which allows him to set up different routes and be in a winning position against defensive backs. Diaz is climbing boards and should continue the move in 2023.
Jack Freeburg Jack Freeburg 6’1″ | 175 lbs | WR Desert Mountain | 2024 State AZ is keeping the tradition of great receivers at Desert Mountain after Kade Warner. Freeburg is dynamic with the ball in his hands with blazing speed to turn screens into 80-yard touchdowns. He is elusive, with plenty of wiggles to force missed tackles in the open field, and has defenders swinging at air. Where Freeburg stands out is his prowess as a route runner. He is advanced in setting up his routes vs. press and off coverage, creating separation and wide-open looks for his quarterback. His release allows him to be a weapon in the red zone, using a slide release to force corners into challenging positions. He can easily snatch the football out of the air with great hands and concentration to make tough catches. Freeburg is already on the radar of a few division one schools, but the film exhibits he deserves a deeper look.