2020 Recruiting Class Overview: Wide Receivers, Part One

As we look at the most recent recruiting classes, we see more and more college players being ready to take significant playing time away from upperclassmen due to their extreme athleticism. Freshmen are coming in even more polished as true receivers than ever before. This recruiting class is no exception to that as we see players who are ready to use their athleticism on day one.

In devy leagues, it is looking at the players who can get minutes as freshmen that give us an advantage. When freshmen do not see the field, we have a buy window for players, but we want to see the players who will give us the best return on our devy picks and most notably that happens with players ranked inside the top 500 in all recruits.

But enough preamble. Let’s jump into the players!

Julian Fleming, Ohio State

Image from 247sports.

Fleming comes in as the number one receiver, according to 247Sports and it is no surprise. Not only does he have exceptional speed – he has run a 4.45-second 40-yard dash – but he has a great set of tools that allows him to separate from defensive backs. He has great lateral agility, allowing him to use quick feet at the line of scrimmage for an easy release. If we add that on to the great physicality that is shown at both the line as well as on jump-ball opportunities, we can see why the 6’2” Flemming is going to be an instant contributor, especially in the red zone.

But let’s not leave Ohio State yet, because they tallied four top-16 recruits (via composite score from 247Sports). What is even more interesting is that they managed to get four players who have different skillsets between Julian Fleming, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gee Scott Jr., and Mookie Cooper, so let’s look at each of them before we move onto other players.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Image from 247sports.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba does not have similar athleticism to Fleming, but that doesn’t mean that we should discount the gifts that he does have. Smith-Njigba is a very sound receiver who uses his size to adjust to the ball in the air. Add in the fact that his release is above-average for a recruit coming out of high school and we can see why he was recruited so highly.

One trait I look for in receivers is their ability to catch the ball away from their body and it is clear that this one can do that consistently. Like most recruits, Smith-Njigba has some part of his game that need work. For example, he has some trouble accelerating on straight-line routes but can kill defenses over the middle.

Gee Scott Jr., Ohio State

Image from 247sports.

Scott Jr. might be the most technical and pro-ready receiver out of the group, but that doesn’t mean that he has the highest ceiling. His solid floor is going to be similar to that found from other Ohio State receivers in the past.

He comes into college with great route-running skills. He can set up defenders by using both his hips and his shoulders to deceive. He ensures to sink his hips to be able to cut quickly and efficiently. Because Scott Jr. is such a technically-sound receiver, he is difficult to press at the line of scrimmage. This ability will allow him to see some quick playing time in a conference that loves to play press-man coverage.

Mookie Cooper, Ohio State

Image from 247sports.

Mookie Cooper might be the most explosive of the four Ohio State recruits – he possesses both burst and speed. He uses his explosiveness to create separation and uses that to run routes well, but he will need to work on improving even more in that area.

Overall, he is a very solid receiver and can catch the ball in traffic as well as block with physicality. Between the four receivers, Cooper is ranked the lowest on 247Sports, but it is going to be tough for him to get time in the first couple of years at Ohio State. Here is how I rank the four receivers:

1. Julian Fleming
2. Gee Scott Jr.
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
4. Mookie Cooper

Kayshon Boutte, LSU

Image from 247sports.

With the recent success at LSU, we have to ask: can it continue? There has to be a change in the scheme as Joe Brady and Joe Burrow are no longer there, but what does that mean for incoming recruits?

I believe there will be a similar scheme run, but it will not be nearly as impressive. However, this scheme gives credence to many different pass catchers and we have to assume that it will still give these players great opportunities. With Boutte, his ceiling on this team his freshman year is the WR3. Coming in at six feet and 180 pounds, we know that Boutte will have to put on some weight throughout his time in college, but that doesn’t mean that LSU can’t use his skillset now.

Boutte is a quick-twitch player who is fast off the line of scrimmage due to his quick burst of acceleration. You could look to him in the return game to get on the field faster. He always catches with his hands and this is shown really well in contested catch and jump-ball situations. Boutte is incredible in the open field due to his athletic ability. I want Boutte on my devy roster now as he will be a top pick in either the 2023 or 2024 draft.

Demond Demas, Texas A&M

Image from 247sports.

Demas is my top receiver in this recruiting class because he projects as the clear “alpha” wide receiver at Texas A&M and as a future draft pick. He does have a slender frame at 6’3” and 182 pounds, but his athleticism will easily make up for that.

Demas’s best trait is what some call the “go up and get it” trait. He is going to come down with the ball more often than not in 50-50 situations. Add in the fact that he has incredible speed and acceleration on straight-line routes, and he is going to be a terror in the NFL. Demas was clocked at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash and if you add in his 41.1 inch vertical, and it is clear to see how special he is going to be.

Jordan Johnson, Notre Dame

Image from 247sports.

Johnson has decent size, but clearly needs to put on weight. His choice to go to Notre Dame is a good one as Chase Claypool is leaving a tight end-sized hole at the wide receiver position.

Johnson gets in and out of his breaks well and shows great ability to get his hands on the ball in contested-catch situations. He is a very technically-sound receiver but needs to get faster and stronger in order to win at the catch point consistently in college as well as in the NFL.

I can see Johnson sliding down some devy drafts due to his ability to rely on his natural talents. If that is the case, I would take a shot at him in deep devy drafts or just buy him after he has a lackluster first year.

Thank you so much for reading. If you have thoughts on any of the players, don’t hesitate to ask. You can always ask me questions on Twitter as well at @Devy_Kane.

Image used in header is from SI.com.