All-State Top 50 Team: Wide Receivers

Through the first couple of articles on the All-State Top 50 team, we have talked about players who play critical roles for their teams. But, today we talk about the explosive playmakers. There are six elite wide receivers on the Top 50 squad, all who have surreal ability. Each of these receivers possess explosiveness. These are the fun-to-watch players who have the potential to light it up in college. [player_tooltip player_id="39048" first="Omar" last="Cooper"] Jr., 6’1, 185 pounds, Lawrence North, Senior [player_tooltip player_id="39048" first="Omar" last="Cooper"] Jr. was a highlight reel player also season for Lawrence North, a big part of the reason why he is heading to Indiana next year to play for the Hoosiers. Cooper possesses the critical ability to high-point the football, helping him make catches even in good coverage. Quarterbacks can throw it up to Cooper and he can come down with it. He frequently wins 50-50 balls. An excellent route-runner, Cooper keeps working throughout the duration of the play, and consistently finds ways to get open. Cooper does well to pick up additional yardage after the catch is secured. Tom Allen is getting an exciting playmaker in [player_tooltip player_id="39048" first="Omar" last="Cooper"] Jr. [player_tooltip player_id="98101" first="Rory" last="Heltsley"], 6’3, 195 pounds, Gibson Southern, Senior [player_tooltip player_id="98101" first="Rory" last="Heltsley"] was an instrumental player for a Gibson Southern team that captured a state championship this season. Heltsley is a speedy receiver who is a terrific redzone option. In spite of the condensed space in that part of the field, Heltsley still finds ways to get open and help the quarterback. Heltsley does a good job of evading defenders after the reception. On the year, Heltsley brought in 99 receptions for an eye-popping 1,751 yards. He averaged an incredible 17.7 yards per catch to go along with 24 touchdown grabs. [player_tooltip player_id="98101" first="Rory" last="Heltsley"] has all of the tools necessary to be a fixture in a collegiate offense. [player_tooltip player_id="98093" first="Crishon" last="McCray"], 6’0, 165 pounds, Avon, Senior [player_tooltip player_id="98093" first="Crishon" last="McCray"] brings the dynamism that is essential in the game today. He can be a threat as a receiver and as a runner. McCray has terrific speed, and he uses that quickness to frequently blow right past defenders. McCray does well along the sideline, exhibiting the necessary body control to make the catch in bounds. He also provides an element of versatility. McCray gave solid contributions at defensive back this season. Further proving his versatility is the fact that McCray threw a touchdown pass this year. McCray hauled-in 62 passes for 1,337 yards and 18 touchdowns. He carried the ball a dozen times for 154 yards. Defensively, McCray had two passes defensed and one interception as well as one fumble recovery. McCray was a contributor on special teams as well. He had 341 yards on 16 kickoff returns, averaging 21.3 yards per return. He also returned five punts for 77 yards. [player_tooltip player_id="97823" first="Cael" last="Vanderbush"], 6’6, 200 pounds, Plainfield, Senior There are many instances where receivers need to be strong and physical. [player_tooltip player_id="97823" first="Cael" last="Vanderbush"] checks that box. He makes the tough grabs in tight coverage that are necessary to keep the offense moving. Vanderbush is a great blocker who can help create space for his teammates. He showcases good body control, and he is outstanding at finding ways to get open. Vanderbush corralled 35 receptions for 736 yards and 8 touchdown catches. Vanderbush carried 18 times, going just over 100 yards. Vanderbush also brings a special teams presence. He punted 7 times for a net total of 232 yards, pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line three times. Vanderbush returned seven kickoffs for 177 yards. [player_tooltip player_id="107090" first="Joe" last="Walker"], 6’5, 210 pounds, Warren Central, Junior Teams looking for that elite down-field threat ought to look no further than [player_tooltip player_id="107090" first="Joe" last="Walker"]. Walker can stretch the defense vertically, challenging both corners and safeties, and giving the offense an opportunity for a big play. But Walker does well working underneath. Walker consistently creates chunk plays to keep the offense in rhythm. He had 27 receptions for 565 yards this year. Demonstrating his explosiveness, Walker averaged over 20 yards per catch. Walker came up with 10 touchdown catches. [player_tooltip player_id="107090" first="Joe" last="Walker"] keeps defenses honest, opening up many things for the offense. [player_tooltip player_id="98070" first="Rowan" last="Zolman"], 6’5 210 pounds, East Noble, Senior [player_tooltip player_id="98070" first="Rowan" last="Zolman"] was a leader on both sides of the ball this past season for the East Noble Knights. With great size and speed, Zolman is tough to keep up with and even tougher to stop from making the catch. Zolman regularly makes tough grabs. He provided spark plays all year for the Knights and shut things down on defense. At wide receiver, Zolman recorded 24 catches for 540 receiving yards. He averaged 22.5 yards per reception, scoring five times. At defensive back, Zolman is a fantastic tackler. He had 72 solo and 91 total tackles on the season. Zolman plays with physicality and he delivers the boom on many of his hits. Zolman grabbed one interception with three passes defensed. He also recovered two fumbles and forced two fumbles as well. Zolman punted 11 times this year, netting 464 yards. He had an impressive 42.2 yards per boot, and he dropped five punts inside the 20.