Athletes That Can Play Above the Rim

When it comes to the wide receiver and tight end positions there are a few critical traits that are key to identify in their game. One of the main ones is how do the athletes create separation from the DB so their QB has a large area to target. An athlete can do it with route running, whether that be sudden agility or savvy tricks, pure speed, or with size. Size that allows them to either box out a defender or go up over the top of them in a jump ball scenario. That trait is who we focus on today. Who can go up and get the ball and who has the overall size advantage to tower over their opponents. These are the athletes where a QB knows that even in the worst case the receiver is still open 6" over his head, and all he needs to do it put it up there for him to go get. These are big athletes with college talent. To help narrow our list we will focus on the uncommitted 2025s. Let's dive in!    The 2025 TE Class is as elite as they come. We have seen a handful already commit to the FBS level with a couple more that I expect to be joining them. The leader of those uncommitted star TEs is [player_tooltip player_id='385215' first='Trent' last='Oiler']. The TE out of Brookfield East is a massive prospect at 6'5" 230 lbs. The massive prospect has the size of an elite TE and the athleticism of a wide receiver. That allows him to dominate while lined up traditionally or split out wide. Trent is able to get off the line quickly and get vertical with pure speed. He also has the body control to be able to run effective routes and leave DBs trying to catch up. The big man also has the ball tracking skills and strong hands to be a monster in the redzone. Whether he is shielding the ball and taking a hit at the catch or going up and getting it at the high point, Trent is able to corral the ball. He is a nightmare anywhere on the field, especially in the redzone. Big things are ahead for Trent.      Another top TE prospect in this loaded group is another athlete with a great frame, and he seems to still be growing and packing on the size. Ben is now up to 6'4" and 240 lbs. That is up from his roughly 220 lbs last fall. At 220 lbs Ben shined as a receiver in his limited reps. He showed explosive leaping ability and a rare amount of body control to be able to contort himself last second to adjust to the ball. His ability to track the ball is special and his hands have the strength to hold onto the ball while taking hard hits after the catch. The big man has the speed to stretch the seam, and even at 220 lbs you could count on him to handle a DE in the run game. I'm pumped to see him at 240 lbs this summer/fall. Check out the junior film.      One of my favorite WRs in the Class is Hudson's [player_tooltip player_id='685843' first='Tyler' last='Lessard']. The 6'4" 200 lbs athlete is one of the more slept on prospects so far. I expect that to change as the summer camps kick off. Tyler is a big play creator out wide. He finished 2023 averaging just over 23 yards per reception. The big target has soft hands that maximize his already large catch radius. He separates himself from being just another big bodied WR with excellent body control and some quick twitch athleticism that allow him to win as a route runner in the quick passing game. Tyler has the strength after the catch to create yards after contact with a strong stiff arm and the balance to run through contact. Adding to his mismatch threat on offense, Tyler also stands out with his range, ball skills, and football IQ at safety on defense. Dive into this kid's film. He is a big, athletic, prospect with production at a strong program.      One of the most impressive pure athletes in WI this year will be [player_tooltip player_id='1180568' first='Max' last='Ruedebusch'] out of Lake Mills. I believe has the talent to play either side of the ball at the next level. Whether that be OLB or TE. In this pass catching article we are going to focus on that threat on offense where he brought home 1st Team All Conference as a receiver. The big target is an unfair balance of size, strength, and speed out wide. He has 10'+ broad jump explosiveness, 4.6 40 speed to stretch the field, and the body control needed to make the subtle adjustments to get hands on the ball downfield. Watching his highlights at receiver gives a glimpse of what he could be at TE. Someone who can stretch the field, or create yards in the short passing game. We see him use his size in the redzone. Plus his strength while taking on OTs while playing defense also gives a glimpse into what he could be as an inline run blocker at TE. The ceiling is very high for Max.      Jonah is a prospect that is just barely scratching the surface on his potential. We see the 6'5" 205 lbs WR win out wide in a variety of ways. He has enough speed to get deep and uses that size to go up over the CB, if they were able to run with him. He flashes some effective route running and double moves to create separation. Most importantly, Jonah consistently makes catches while using that big frame and long arms to protect the ball. You will see a lot of plays ending with DBs trying to get to the ball but only being able to try and wrap him up because they can't get to it. I'm excited to see how the body control advances this offseason, which would lead to even more effective route running.      Michael is a prospect that is right on the verge of a huge breakout. He has size at 6'4" 220 lbs. We also see the versatility he brings to the position. Michael can line up in the inline TE position or split out wide. He also is utilized in the run game as a blocker just as much as he is in the passing game as a receiver. As a blocker, Michael uses that big frame and quick agility to position himself between the defender and the ball, then stay there while engaged in the block. There is room for the power to improve, but the technique and body positioning is impressive. In the passing game, Harris is a smooth route runner that gets him open consistently. It is impressive watching how well he is able to get through routes while maintaining speed at his size. Michael is a natural hands catcher that plucks the ball out of the air. Among TEs, Michael is one of the top sleepers. Give him a look.      We end with the big WR prospect out of West Salem. Carter is a 6'5" 200 lbs prospect that loves to compete. We have had him out to Showcases in Minnesota and Wisconsin this offseason, and every time he impresses. The big WR does a really good job of playin the ball in the air. Carter is quick to react and adjust to the ball in flight. Carter is a long strider when he gets in the open field, but is still able to be smooth through routes such as slants, posts, and corners where he can keep that speed through the route. Pontius attacks the ball in the air and uses that size to box out DBs. He also uses that size advantage to be an impact in the run game as a blocker. The film is below! Get on him this summer and fall.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/cpontius23/status/1764034639746748451 </div></figure>

When it comes to the wide receiver and tight end positions there are a few critical traits that are key to identify in their game. One of the main ones is how do the athletes create separation from the DB so their QB has a large area to target. An athlete can do it with route running, whether that be sudden agility or savvy tricks, pure speed, or with size. Size that allows them to either box out a defender or go up over the top of them in a jump ball scenario. That trait is who we focus on today. Who can go up and get the ball and who has the overall size advantage to tower over their opponents. These are the athletes where a QB knows that even in the worst case the receiver is still open 6" over his head, and all he needs to do it put it up there for him to go get. These are big athletes with college talent. To help narrow our list we will focus on the uncommitted 2025s. Let's dive in!