Ricketts Jr. has already generated buzz this offseason, and that continued when he clocked a 4.8 40 at the SKLZ Speed Challenge, putting him in a tie for 3rd fastest from the event.

Cortez uses his speed incredibly well in game, blowing past defenders to corral deep passes, piling up yards after the catch in the short to intermediate passing game, return kicks, and making big plays on the defensive end.

With a few offers already under his belt, he cemented our belief that he’s a must watch prospect this fall.

Cortez Ricketts Cortez Ricketts 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR/WR KY Jr is a player who has been attracting some attention this offseason. Ricketts is a very skilled receiver who uses his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs with ease in the deep passing game. He is also very impressive after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness to pick up extra yards. As a sophomore at Valley, Ricketts caught seven passes for 61 yards and a touchdown in eight games. He also threw three touchdown passes, returned one kickoff for a touchdown, and recorded 12 tackles and a tackle for loss this past season. Ricketts currently holds offers from Bowling Green State and Campbellsville, and he will be an intriguing prospect to watch this season after transferring to Eminence.

What a fun watch Cortez Ricketts Jr was, who is ranked here at PRZ as one of the premier players in Kentucky. This kid was all over the field, in a good way. He played S, which is really where he flashed, consistently hovering around receivers and flashing the explosiveness to quickly jump routes and create turnovers. He then flipped around and played QB, where he proved capable of pushing the ball vertically. On both sides of the ball, he created explosive, game-altering plays. If his team makes a deep run on Sunday, he will be the engine.

While most of the receivers on this list win with size, 2028 Playmakers Elite WR Cortez Ricketts Cortez Ricketts 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR/WR KY Jr brings a completely different style to the field. Ricketts is a twitchy, explosive athlete whose game is built on sudden movement and burst. He snaps off routes with sharp cuts and has the speed to separate quickly from defenders. Once the ball gets in his hands, his quickness really shows up as he creates yards after the catch and turns short completions into bigger plays. His ability to generate separation and threaten defenses with speed made him a tough cover throughout the weekend.

Cortez Ricketts Cortez Ricketts 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR/WR KY Jr. has the chance to be a special player in the near future. Ricketts is very good after-the-catch; he is very dynamic in space with great change-of-direction, ability to make defenders miss and be a home-run threat in space. As a receiver he can high-point the ball and has elite leaping ability and great ball skills. Holds multiple college offers already with more to come his way.

Ricketts is one of those guys who jumps off the field without trying. He’s twitchy, explosive, and already putting together some highlight-worthy stuff on both sides of the ball. Whether he’s making defenders miss or closing space on defense, his athleticism shows up fast. He’s got a strong 6-foot, 175-pound frame as a freshman, and with the way he’s moving right now, he’s got a legit case to be one of the top guys in the class.

Ricketts Jr is a good athlete who is simply finding his way on the field. He’s versatile and can play a handful of different positions. This year alone, he played on all 3 phases at some point. Whether it be corner, gunner on special teams, or something on offense, he’s been everywhere getting his feet wet. Defensively, he’s not afraid to come up and play the run, which is ideal. He’s a bit raw, but if he can put everything together, he’ll turn into a heck of a player.