PRZPA’s Positional Rankings: 2023 WRs #9-4
In this article:
Our new 2023 prospect rankings are live! We will be breaking down our rankings in the coming week’s position by position, diving deep into what made the scouts, including myself, place players where we did. In today’s piece, we will…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOur new 2023 prospect rankings are live! We will be breaking down our rankings in the coming week’s position by position, diving deep into what made the scouts, including myself, place players where we did.
In today’s piece, we will be breaking down the top ten wide receiver prospects on our newly released 2023 player rankings.
2023 Wide Receivers
10. Jolten Flory Jolten Flory 6'2" | 160 lbs | WR Tri-Valley | 2023 State PA
6’2″, 160lbs, Tri-Valley
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13015489/Jolten-Flory
Prime example of a raw prospect with a ton of room to grow physically and technically. Jolten Flory Jolten Flory 6'2" | 160 lbs | WR Tri-Valley | 2023 State PA out of Tri-Valley HS has the height you want from your X wideout, but the soon-to-be junior has a ton of room to grow under his pads. Flory primarily plays outside for TV and gives quality reps at defensive end/ outside linebacker as well. Gaining 10-15 pounds via weight room could drastically help Flory’s production at both positions. He displays good awareness, working back to the football on hitches and comebacks as well as flashing his numbers and relocating in zones when plays break down behind the line of scrimmage. He will fight for extra yards despite the somewhat frail frame, which leads me to believe the kid will only want to grow and fully fill out his frame. There’s a lack of production at WR either because of quarterback play or offensive scheme, however, there’s work to be done by Flory as well. I often see frequent chest catches, would love to see him catch the ball with his hands more often. He frequently rounds off the top of his routes, something that an offseason of work can fix. I am looking forward to seeing how Flory grows as a prospect this coming season.
8. Jayvin Thompson Jayvin Thompson 6'2" | 185 lbs | ATH Central Valley | 2023 State PA
6’2″, 185lbs, Central Valley
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11721764/Jayvin-Thompson
Central Valley’s 1st-team All-Conference wideout Jayvin Thompson Jayvin Thompson 6'2" | 185 lbs | ATH Central Valley | 2023 State PA looks and plays the part. Great height-weight combination, the primarily outside lane receiver is a long-limbed, long-striding prospect who also gets reps in the backfield and at defensive back as well. Thompson shows really good burst off of the line when matched up against off coverage. He covers the initial 5-8 yards with long balanced strides that want to attack the leverage of his opponent. Good at keeping his feet under him and breaking down at the top of his routes and flashing his numbers to be seen by the quarterback. Wouldn’t say he has a wide catch radius but he’s athletic enough to make plays on inaccurate passes. He runs strong vertical routes, he does a great job staying on track and not being deterred off route by physical contact downfield. He also does a solid job locating the ball when attacking vertically. Thompson wouldn’t be described as an elite athlete by any means but there’s subtle change of direction ability in his game that makes him hard to bring down. He’s a big body but isn’t lethargic in his steps, he wants more after the catch and will drive his feet and fight for more yardage, which is proven by his frequent use in the screen game. I’d love to see him catch the ball with his hands out in front of him more often, as well as see how he’d handle press coverage. Interested in how he continues to develop.
7. Connor Shamany Connor Shamany 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Hazleton Area | 2023 PA
6’2″, 175lbs, Hazleton
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/12931650/Connor-Shamany
Really like Connor Shamany Connor Shamany 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Hazleton Area | 2023 PA ’s almost cerebral approach to the game. He averaged just under 5 catches, 57 yards per game in a COVID plagued season. Hazleton’s offensive playmaker primarily sets up outside but can beat you all over the field. Loves to attack the leverage of his defenders. Tries to manipulate defenders with his cuts and does a good job of it, making defenders flip hips or react according to Shamany. It explains why he’s used in double moves so often. Really quick feet for a taller player. I wouldn’t go as far as to say he can out leap opponents for jump balls, it’s his great concentration and high-pointing ability that allows him to frequently come up with contested catches. Another trait seen on film is his ability to fight off press-coverage at the LOS with his hands. It wasn’t frequently done on film but when pressed, he showed he can handle physicality upon release. That concentration downfield isn’t thwarted by physicality either. Good overall hands, can be trusted to catch the ball away from his body. Can be trusted to catch balls that are anticipated to him (route concepts). More than a willing blocker, seems to enjoy it at times. Small nitpick, but would really like him to create that same separation without exaggerating his routes so much. His pads aren’t often under his feet which can give away intentions to some of the best defensive backs. Looking forward to seeing how productive Shamany and most other prospects can be without COVID showing its ugly head.
6. Ian Tuffs Ian Tuffs 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Hempfield Area | 2023 State PA
6’3″, 185lbs, Hempfield Area
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13211537/Ian-Tuffs
Ian Tuffs Ian Tuffs 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Hempfield Area | 2023 State PA ’ film was incredibly limited due to playing in just 5 games this season. Production was low, putting up 13 catches for a solid 242 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 18 yards per reception is what sticks out and watching the film, it’s understandable. Tuffs is a playmaker. Tuffs, who also produces at defensive back, is primarily kept outside the numbers where Hempfield Area likes to isolate him as their X receiver. He shows good acceleration out of his stance and when transitioning between cuts. The noticeable burst tends to catch opposing defensive backs off guard, most likely because of his great size. Don’t see prospects his size with his acceleration too often. He’s aware when plays break down. He can jump well and can be trusted to catch the ball with his hands and away from his body to not allow passes to be defensed. Solid radius, showing the ability to rise up and catch balls above his head or outside his pads. Good body control, being able to catch balls at an awkward position. Yards after the catch isn’t his game, but he doesn’t go down easily. Limited route tree on film, but again the film was limited this season and he looks the part to see expanded route exposure. Love his ability to secure the ball, whether it be boxing out defenders on jump balls or playing physically enough to overpower weaker defenders. Can’t wait to see more film on this kid.
5. Sincere Smith Sincere Smith 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Westinghouse | 2023 State PA
5’11″, 152lbs, Westinghouse
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14488406/Sincere-Smith
Sincere Smith Sincere Smith 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Westinghouse | 2023 State PA is the best athlete on this list thus far. Smith brings position versatility and absolute gas from anywhere on the line of scrimmage. Westinghouse primarily lines Smith in the inside/outside slot, giving him space to work with. There were a ton of different routes on display. Wheels, screens, slants, as well as attacking downfield with some seams and posts. Displays good hands and great transition from catch to run, quickly getting his head turned upfield to maximize each gain. The 5’11″ sophomore brings great explosion out of his stance, going from 0 to 60 in a hurry. Can be considered a deep threat because of this explosion as well as his terrific straight-line, track-star speed. Westinghouse can’t gameplan Smith enough into their offense as emphasis on him in the open field should be a priority. Smith shows good eye discipline in the open field, combined with quick feet and good agility. This trio of traits make it difficult for defenders to get him down upon initial contact. I’d personally love to see how Smith would handle press coverage or physicality on the line of scrimmage but he makes it so tough just to get hands on him. Smith could always fill out his pads some and has ample time to do so. Would like him to reach 165-170 to really solidify his spot on our rankings or even see a boost this time next year.
4. Jaymont Green-Miller Jaymont Green-Miller 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Sto-Rox | 2023 State PA
5’9″, 160lbs, Sto-Rox
Hudl Profile: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13268033/Jaymont-Green-Miller
Jaymont Green-Miller Jaymont Green-Miller 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Sto-Rox | 2023 State PA is the first blue-chip prospect on this initial rankings piece. The Sto-Rox playmaker and top 50 sophomore is a home-run waiting to happen. Elite athleticism is what defines Green-Miller’s game. Great balance, agility and lateral quickness allow him to create separation anywhere along his routes. Disciplined route runner who loves to attack leverage and set up his defenders to fail using great situational awareness and great understanding of route concepts. He brings position versatility, showing he can return punts and kicks and even play defensive back to really show off his ball-hawking skills. Great ball tracking downfield and situational awareness to maneuver himself into correct position when attacking vertically. Great change of direction ability and great elusiveness allow him to take simple slants or screens behind the line of scrimmage and all the way to the house. What I also like about Green-Miller’s game, every step he takes has a purpose behind it, which is rare to see amongst lower-classmen. Would love to see him expand his understanding of how he can manipulate his defenders. If he can combine his athletic ability with more of a technical approach, he could really shoot into the top 25 of his class. Nonetheless, the kid produces. Also,I love how much attitude he plays with. There’s an edge he brings at wideout and defensive back, where his opponents just don’t want to keep up with him any longer. Excited to see how far Jaymont can develop.