6’0” – 195 lbs.
Background:
Caught four passes as a freshman, starting off the following season as the team’s third receiver behind DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle before taking over a starting role when the latter was injured; finished with 55-916-6 (16.7). Broke out this past year opposite Jameson Williams, with a 96-1,142-8 (11.9) line before tearing his ACL in the national championship game.
Positives:
Highly productive this past season in his first year as a full-time starter; has experience both inside and outside, both on and off the line of scrimmage. Big enough to potentially stick at flanker. Long-strider who can eat up cushions quickly; appears to have legitimate deep speed to stretch the defense. Better against off coverage but has the quickness and footwork to release at the line against press, especially inside. Sells double moves well to uncover down the field. Settles into soft spots in zone coverage. Nice tracking and body control down the sidelines; can work the back shoulder throw. Able to pluck the ball away from his frame. Dynamic with the ball in his hands; can make the first man miss, finds creases to pick up extra yardage, and fights through contact, leading to targets on screens, shallows, digs, and other plays designed to get the ball in his hands. Racked up a lot of his yardage after the catch as the option throw. Toughness looks good overall.
Negatives:
Torn ACL will require further medical evaluation. Route tree mostly consisted of intermediate/deep routes with some shallow crosses, overs, etc. mixed in. Could do a better job of sinking his hips and snapping off routes at the stem; doesn’t gear down much but often glides through relatively upright. Can be disrupted at the stem by physicality. Doesn’t always get inside positioning on breaking routes over the middle; better when he’s working underneath zones. Doesn’t present quarterbacks with the widest radius. Could be more aggressive as a blocker; doesn’t always look like he’s giving full effort to reach opponents when stalking, spending too much time looking for the ball.
Summary:
An explosive inside/outside option who can rack up yards after the catch on screens and other routes underneath zones, but who also has the speed to threaten downfield on double-moves, getting through his breaks without gearing down much. Would like to see a little bit more polish on his route stems and more competitiveness as a blocker, but could still go high if a team feels comfortable with his knee.
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