Wide receivers back and looking for more – Part II
In this article:
Playoff football in Minnesota can be rough on the passing game. The weather did very little to slow down these returning receivers. Part two of my breakdown of the top returning (statistical) wide receivers includes guys who put up around…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPlayoff football in Minnesota can be rough on the passing game. The weather did very little to slow down these returning receivers. Part two of my breakdown of the top returning (statistical) wide receivers includes guys who put up around 800 yards last season.
With just over 800 yards last season, Guggenberger has a large catch radius. He uses his length to snatch balls well before they are in his body, making it tough for defenders to make plays on the ball. His athletic ability makes him a threat to make a play on balls thrown too high or down at his feet. The soon-to-be junior has excellent body control – allowing him to make catches on the sidelines. Often lined up in the slot, Guggenberger is effective both down the field and on quick throws between the hash marks. Although he has good speed, his route running and ability to find holes in zone coverage stand out.
Luke Gardner
Luke Gardner
With over 800 yards receiving as a junior, Gardner is a physical target coming out of the slot. He has a big catch radius and uses his hands well. He uses his body well to shield off defenders and create space. He makes sharp cuts coming out of his breaks and with the ball in the open field. Garnder accelerates out of his breaks – quickly getting separation from defensive backs. He does a nice job adjusting to the ball in the air – helping out his quarterback by making catches on balls that are not well thrown.
Bryce Gapinski Bryce Gapinski 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Foley | 2024 State MN
Bryce Gapinski Bryce Gapinski 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Foley | 2024 State MN
Gapinski put as good a catch as someone can on his highlight package. Think of the famous Odel Beckham Jr one-handed catch in his prime with the New York Giants. While that was a high bar to top, he nearly does it with a few other catches in his highlight package. In short, Gapinski has phenomenal hands. He doesn’t even need both hands sometimes. He is not just a good set of hands. When he has the space to open up, few defenders are going to catch him. Not surprising, he uses his hands well, gets good extension, and catches the ball well away from his body. He has solid body control – keeping his feet in bounds near the sidelines and the end zone.
With nearly 800 yards receiving, Green uses his length and leaping ability to adjust to balls all over the field. He adjusts to the ball as well as anyone in the state. His athletic ability is more than just relegated to getting vertical. The ability to lay out and bring in overthrown deep balls is also in his toolbox. To make those types of catches – obviously, his hands are a strength. He comes out of his cuts fluidly and has speed that allows him to get plenty of separation on deep balls as well as underneath routes.
Highlights
Schmidt has great speed. His first step allows him to get more separation than most guys on short routes. His ability to locate and adjust to deep balls makes him a big play waiting to happen. His 20 yards per catch average was in the top five in the state – regardless of class – for receivers with at least thirty catches. That quickness allows him to beat most press coverage. While straight speed is what separates him – literally – he has good feet and is very creative in the open field. He is effective without the ball too. He is a solid blocker on the outside.