Freshmen Report: Pass Catchers Turning Heads this Fall

As far as 2027 WRs/TEs are concerned, things are relatively quiet on the recruiting front in Georgia. However, there are several underrated and athletic freshmen who are showcasing impressive playmaking skills and upside this fall. Here are the ones that caught my eye the most on film.   [player_tooltip player_id='416494' first='Grant' last='Haviland'] - TE - Milton   Haviland is having to sit behind elite 2025 TE [player_tooltip player_id='338634' first='Ryan' last='Ghea'], but in his own right, Haviland is a future FBS TE prospect, and potentially P5. Haviland measures in at 6'4 205, and is definitely not done growing, especially in the weight department. Right now, you see the framework of a prospect who can split out wide and has the twitchiness to run vertical breaking routes downfield. He has impressive route running savviness for a youngster still growing into his size and possesses the body control necessary to optimize his already large catch radius. As far as blocking is concerned, that is the area where Haviland has the most growth ahead of him. Still, he has reps as an in-line blocker and reps at the HB spot, possessing the willingness and experience to take on defenders. As he adds more weight and becomes a stronger force as a blocker, his game is only going to continue to grow. At his best, Haviland will offer elite measurables, blocking capabilities, and an outside mismatch.   <a href="https://x.com/GrantHaviland/status/1704114489937842227?s=20">https://x.com/GrantHaviland/status/1704114489937842227?s=20</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='1096368' first='Hudson' last='Hill'] - WR - Prince Avenue Christian   Prince Avenue always has a good crop of WR talent, and [player_tooltip player_id='1096368' first='Hudson' last='Hill'] has already locked himself in as a go-to receiving threat over the next several years. Hill is an explosive prospect with crisp route-running ability and can impact the defense at all levels. After the catch, Hill does an excellent job of pinpointing open running lanes downfield and has enough horizontal shimmy to force defenders to miss. He also isn't afraid to take on contact, powering through contact to push for extra yards. Hill creates excellent deception as a route runner, catching DBs leaning or jumping while he quickly accelerates into soft pockets on the field. When he reaches his release points, he flashes subtle yet effective footwork and shimmy in his hips/head to create separation. When Hill reels in the football, he does a good job of protecting the catch pocket and holding his own ground, not getting blown off his assignment by DBs. When the scramble drill ensues, Hill does an excellent job of finding vacated grass and working back to the QB. All in all, Hill is a reliable receiving threat who can be schemed the ball in many ways.   <a href="https://x.com/hudsonhill2027/status/1712607289218134023?s=20">https://x.com/hudsonhill2027/status/1712607289218134023?s=20</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='580115' first='Keyon' last='Standifer'] - WR - Athens Academy   Standifer is easily one of the most athletically gifted WRs in Georgia for the class of 2027 and he has shown flashes of excellence in the early part of his career. Standifer gets most of his separation of the line, showcasing several ways to beat different coverages. Against press coverages, Standifer is extremely twitchy and explosive at the release point, selling the inside route and often getting the DB to completely bite on the move. When lined up against off-man coverages, he has the speed and next gear to quickly eliminate cushion and either break off an inside route or keep climbing behind the safeties. Standifer isn't the biggest WR prospect, standing at 5'9. However, he plays MUCH bigger than his size, showing the ability to fight through contact to reel in the football. He also possesses the leaping ability to play above the rim. His pass-catching ability really stands out, sticking the ball with his hands away from his body even while getting pulled down and slapped at. Standifer is also dangerous after the catch, but the rare jump ball upside and ability to play outside as a smaller guy is the basis of intrigue for him. He is a future P5 prospect.   <a href="https://x.com/keyonstandifer/status/1703771948272992348?s=20">https://x.com/keyonstandifer/status/1703771948272992348?s=20</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='210612' first='Carson' last='Bruce'] - ATH - North Cobb Christian   Bruce is a chess piece for North Cobb Christian, taking snaps all over the field on offense and also playing snaps on defense and special teams as a long snapper. Bruce is one of the most productive freshman receivers in the state, and he is doing it all while playing a TE/HB-type position at 6'0 180. Bruce is schemed up several different ways to touch the football, with most of his opportunities coming in the flat with the ball in his hands. From there, his YAC capabilities are on display. He isn't a burner, but he has solid suddenness and explosiveness in his lower body and has a solid understanding of when to bounce the ball outside. He is capable of creating separation for himself, whether by juking around tacklers or by fighting them off with a stiff arm. Either way, he is physical with the ball in his hands and offers a unique receiving threat from a position you usually don't see a lot of volume from. He projects more as a traditional WR long-term if he sticks with offense. The physical reps he has right now as a blocker and after the catch will only help him as he settles into a more specific position in the future.   <a href="https://x.com/carsonbruce22/status/1696296940760158364?s=20">https://x.com/carsonbruce22/status/1696296940760158364?s=20</a>   Ta'Shawn Poole - ATH - Howard   Poole is another gifted prospect with reps at WR, DB, and as a return man. Poole is a lanky, dynamic speed threat who is just starting to crack the surface of what he is capable of. Once he hits his top speed, he is capable of quickly eating up grass and shooting through gaps to trot his way to the endzone. Even with the smallest bit of space available, Poole is capable of putting his cleats in the dirt and exploding through the secondary. As a receiver, he is still growing as a route runner and pass catcher, but he has the athleticism to climb the ladder and high point the football. He is also sudden enough to effectively stem off his release and run underneath route concepts. His special teams reps showcase what he is capable of doing with the ball in his hands. He has good vision and is fairly elusive, but his combination of length, acceleration, and sheer speed will garner recruiting attention down the line. Poole is one of the most explosive receivers in Georgia for the 2027 class.   <a href="https://x.com/poole_tashawn/status/1710823102593093909?s=20">https://x.com/poole_tashawn/status/1710823102593093909?s=20</a>

As far as 2027 WRs/TEs are concerned, things are relatively quiet on the recruiting front in Georgia. However, there are several underrated and athletic freshmen who are showcasing impressive playmaking skills and upside this fall. Here are the ones that caught my eye the most on film.