B/R Recruiting CFB 200: Top Wide Receivers of 2017 Class
After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Damon Sayles, Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports composite rankings and provided in-depth analysis on each young athlete. Bleacher Report will run a position-by-position breakdown series of the best college football recruits in the class of 2017. Here we present the Top Receivers.
College offensive attacks are spreading things out with greater regularity than ever before, placing increased emphasis on stretching the field and exploiting space. This demands depth at receiver, with a rotation that provides an array of size, speed and skills.
The 2017 recruiting class features athletes across the country who are primed to take the collegiate landscape by storm in the coming years. This group of receivers includes 13 prospects considered top-80 overall recruits in composite rankings and at least a half-dozen within striking distance of 5-star status.
Many of these playmakers remain in search of an ideal university fit weeks shy of their senior season, attracting significant interest from coaching staffs and committed quarterbacks alike. Expect many premier players at the position to remain in the spotlight through national signing day.
B/R's Recruiting CFB 200 series wraps up with a closer look at the top receiver talents. Each athlete was assessed based on route-running technique, release, speed, agility, blocking and hands.
Player order and star ratings are based on 247Sports' composite rankings through July 26. Unless otherwise noted, player stats are courtesy of 247Sports. All quotes and observations firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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28. 4-star Terrell Bynum,
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Washington
Bynum is already advanced in his route tree, attacking defenses with precise footwork and burst out of breaks. He grades out among the top half of prospects on this list when it comes to reliable hands, extending to bring the ball in without sacrificing acceleration. Bynum, who bursts for major chunks of yardage on short, quick-hit passes, recorded 70 receptions for 1,002 yards and eight touchdowns during the past two seasons, per MaxPreps.
27. 4-star Jaylen Harris,
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee
Harris is 6'5" and smooth in the open field, which is a rare blend in high school. This strong-handed target counters defensive backs with quality agility and physical aggressiveness, securing clear release on most plays. He'll be challenged to sharpen things up as a route-runner, but Harris has the attributes to crack a collegiate two-deep by his sophomore season. Harris broke out with 42 receptions for 796 yards and five scores in 2014, according to the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.
26. 4-star Tyrell Shavers,
Bleacher Report Score: 86/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama
Packed with perhaps more overall athleticism than any Lone Star State receiver, the promise is apparent for Shavers. It's easy to see why he managed to attract attention from the Crimson Tide and other powerhouses despite still being in early progressions as a complete receiver. Standing 6'6", 196 pounds, Shavers is a freakish speedster who could develop into one of the SEC's most feared red-zone weapons during his career. Still more of an athlete than a polished positional standout, he caught 36 passes for 667 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015.
25. 4-star Tylan Wallace,
Bleacher Report Score: 88/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Oklahoma State
Wallace does great work exploiting seams underneath and appears to possess spacial awareness that creates greater opportunities for big gains after the catch. He can also go high up top to extend and pull down passes, though it will be a challenge for him to consistently outclass larger defensive backs. Wallace has tallied 126 catches for 2,827 yards and 36 touchdowns through three high school seasons.
24. 4-star Daquon Green,
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Florida
Green is still gaining traction as a route-runner, but he understands how to finish plays. Fearless in traffic, his hands are a sure thing, and he seems to compete larger than a 6'1", 185-pound frame might suggest. Upon completion, there's little wasted motion when Green surges into an upfield stride. He snagged 31 passes for 734 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015, per MaxPreps.
23. 4-star Jeremiah Holloman,
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee
An impressive frame (6'2", 185 lbs) matches developed downfield coordination, and the result is a relatively polished prep pass-catcher. Holloman won't have trouble operating inside or up top depending on his team's game plan. Quarterbacks can count on him to sacrifice his body in an effort to pluck passes in a crowd. This style of play helped produce 70 receptions for 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns the past two seasons.
22. 4-star Tarik Black,
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford
Few receivers in this cycle possess the quality footwork Black implements in each route. This short-area explosiveness provides routine clean release off the line and keeps defensive backs on their heels. Standing 6'4", 208 pounds, his unique combination of physique and finesse is coveted by collegiate staffs. He erupted as a top recruiting target with 21 total touchdowns as a freshman and sophomore, per MaxPreps.
21. 4-star Omar Manning,
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Oklahoma, Texas and TCU
Manning provides a surprising blend of quickness and agility for his size (6'3", 203 lbs), presenting a difficult matchup for defensive backs. His hands are among the best in this receiver class, and midair adjustments put him in position to pull down pivotal snags that prevent punts. Manning averaged 20.3 yards per reception last fall, with 12 of his 33 catches resulting in touchdowns.
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20. 4-star Osiris St. Brown,
Bleacher Report Score: 87/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon and Stanford
The Fighting Irish hope he follows older brother Equanimeous St. Brown to South Bend, Indiana. The 6'2", 181-pound prospect is a persistent competitor who provides a plus in rushing efforts with impressive blocking. Most impressive while competing for intermediate tosses in a crowd, he's a third-down conversion waiting to happen. St. Brown's junior season featured 43 receptions for 884 yards and 12 touchdowns, per MaxPreps.
19. 4-star Damion Miller,
Bleacher Report Score: 87/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Texas
The Longhorns land another asset who should help elevate an aerial attack that's struggled to take off under head coach Charlie Strong. Miller isn't a polished product at this point, specifically when it comes to consistently high-pointing passes, but there's plenty to appreciate about the 6'1", 193-pound prospect. His athleticism shines when it's time to go airborne for 50-50 balls, and Miller makes defenders work with route-running technique that continues to improve. He totaled 41 catches for 912 yards and nine touchdowns last fall.
18. 4-star Hezekiah Jones,
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Texas A&M
If defenders fall a stride behind Jones off the snap, the outlook is ugly for opponents. Explosive in short areas and lethal along the sideline, he exploits seams across the field. His skill set will make it tempting for college coaches to occasionally give him the ball behind scrimmage and let him do damage behind a wall of blockers. He's compiled 53 receptions for 1,066 yards and 12 touchdowns since 2014.
17. 4-star OrTre Smith,
Bleacher Report Score: 89/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Clemson, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina
Smith continues to command widespread collegiate attention on both sides of the ball, but he projects strongest long term on offense. The long-limbed 6'3", 215-pound playmaker provides a potentially dominant vertical element in any aerial attack. Smith, who shows consistency with completing catches, can climb the ladder to beat defenses with elite length and leaping ability. He collected 84 receptions for 1,364 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2015, according to Phil Kornblut of The State.
16. 4-star Mark Webb,
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Penn State
Still putting the pieces together from a physical/coordination perspective, Webb is well on his way toward developing into a dynamic top-of-rotation target in college. He's gained significant mass during the past year, now standing 6'2", 199 pounds, and uses this size to shrug off opponents while jockeying for position. His explosive tendencies were on display last season when he averaged 25.4 yards per reception en route to 10 touchdowns.
15. 4-star Jalen Reagor,
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Oklahoma
Reagor, the son of former Texas Tech All-American defensive lineman Montae Reagor, bursts off the line and can take the top off a defense with elite straight-line speed. He's able to do serious damage on short-yardage completions and is slippery in space and capable of evading contact with fleet footwork. His junior campaign featured 64 receptions for 1,108 yards and 13 scores.
14. 4-star Amari Rodgers,
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Clemson
Rodgers warranted a surge up composite rankings following a dominant performance at The Opening, and we suspect his rise isn't over just yet. Son of USC offensive coordinator and former star Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin, he is well-versed in schemes and has few peers when it comes to route running and finishing with firm hands. Don't let his lack of ideal height (5'9 ½") fool you, as he competes with a physical edge at 209 pounds. Rodgers racked up 2,511 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior, according to Chris Thomas of the Knoxville News Sentinel.
13. 4-star Nico Collins,
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Florida State, Georgia and Michigan
Place a pass within Collins' vicinity, and there's a strong chance it will be completed. The 6'5", 195-pound prospect brings rare reach and reliable hands to the position, putting defensive backs at a spacial disadvantage even when coverage is properly applied. Collins, who projects as a money red-zone target, claimed 60 receptions for 1,103 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2015.
12. 4-star D.D. Bowie,
Bleacher Report Score: 91/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Ole Miss
Bowie is a force lined up wide or in the slot, presenting instant options for a college coaching staff, and we're also compelled by his potential at defensive back. He racks up every possible yard, completing plays with ferocity by plowing through defenders, and there's an element of wiggle to his arsenal that helps him avoid tackles altogether. Bowie secured 62 receptions for 1,649 yards (26.6 per reception) and 21 touchdowns during the past two seasons, per MaxPreps, adding 729 yards and 13 scores on the ground in 2015.
11. 4-star Jhamon Ausbon,
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to LSU
Physically imposing at 6'2 ½", 217 pounds, Ausbon provides the Tigers with yet another big-bodied target in a receiving corps that added a ton of size last cycle. He's an authoritative presence across the middle, where quarterbacks should view him as a reliable target in traffic throughout his career. Ausbon has the makings of a premier possession receiver who can do consistent damage on third down.
10. 4-Star Devonta Smith
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Height/Weight: 6'1", 160 lbs
High School: Amite (Amite, Louisiana)
247Sports Ranking: No. 10 receiver; No. 63 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, LSU and Miami
The Crimson Tide are considered a heavy favorite for Devonta Smith, carrying 100 percent of experts' predictions in his 247Sports "crystal ball." SEC rival LSU is still a factor, and the same can be said about Miami, but at this stage, it's Alabama's race to lose.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Still quite slight when it comes to physical frame, this rangy receiver will assuredly be a different-looking athlete within two years in a collegiate training system. Smith has an expansive catch radius and puts in solid handwork to gain consistent release (18/20) off the line.
He can feast on intermediate routes while flashing enough quickness (14/15) to command recognition from the back end of a defense. This versatility is reflected on big-gain screen plays and deep routes along the sidelines alike, and his collegiate offensive coordinator should feel confident in using him as a multifaceted component in the passing game. Smith surpassed 900 receiving yards in 2015, according to Kelly McElroy of The Advertiser, and caught 13 touchdowns.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
9. 4-Star Jeff Thomas
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Height/Weight: 5'10", 170 lbs
High School: East St. Louis (East St. Louis, Illinois)
Composite Ranking: No. 9 receiver; No. 62 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Miami and Missouri
Jeff Thomas named the Crimson Tide his No. 1 option at The Opening, according to Hank South of 247Sports, placing Alabama in prime position for yet another top-tier 2017 receiver. Miami is also firmly in the mix to lure him South, while nearby Missouri seemingly needs to make strides here.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Opponents must account for Thomas' lethal straight-line speed (15/15), forcing defensive backs to provide plenty of cushion on most plays. He clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at The Opening, and that quickness translates onto the field in pads.
Thomas will be challenged to fight through larger, physical defenders in traffic but flashes the hands (24/25) to reel in contended pass attempts. If found in stride at the top of his route (18/20 route running), he's a threat to repeatedly pile up significant yards after receptions. Thomas tallied 127 receptions for 2,431 yards and 28 touchdowns during his first three prep campaigns.
8. 4-Star James Robinson
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Height/Weight: 6'3", 196 lbs
High School: Lakeland (Lakeland, Florida)
Composite Ranking: No. 8 receiver; No. 56 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Clemson, Florida and Ohio State
James Robinson is a primary concern for Gators head coach Jim McElwain, who signed No. 2 overall 2016 receiver recruit Tyrie Cleveland and could further bolster a burgeoning corps of pass-catchers with this in-state standout. Clemson entered the equation by offering him as a sophomore, while the Buckeyes present another intriguing opportunity beyond state borders.
Bleacher Report Analysis
This long-striding target has No. 1 receiver skills and could quickly emerge as one of college football's finest field-stretching weapons with increased consistency. Robinson, who plucks passes (25/25) at their high point, can extend into areas many defenders simply can't reach.
He's a threat on deep attempts (14/15 speed) and presents a difficult matchup near the end zone given his ability to pull down high, well-placed tosses along the boundary. Robinson is a reliable outlet for his quarterback, aggressively ripping away 50-50 balls that others would struggle to seize.
His 2015 postseason performance (14 receptions for 309 yards and four touchdowns in Lakeland's first three playoff games, per Roy Fuoco of The Ledger) serves notice he can carry an offensive attack when called upon.
7. 4-Star D.J. Matthews
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Height/Weight: 5'11", 160 lbs
High School: Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Florida)
Composite Ranking: No. 7 receiver; No. 51 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 96/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Florida State
D.J. Matthews didn't remain unnoticed long, warranting widespread interest as a prep player. He found the right fit early, pledging to Florida State before his sophomore season, and he has since fielded offers from schools such as Oregon, Alabama, Notre Dame and USC.
Bleacher Report Analysis
While surveying the 2017 recruiting class, regardless of position, you'll find few athletes who match Matthews' ability to explode for scintillating plays at any time. A supreme route runner who exhibits advanced footwork, he stands alone as the only prospect here who earned 15/15 scores for both quickness and agility.
Regardless of where Matthews secures possession on the field, he's a threat to score because of lateral bursts that make defenders look silly and send him surging into open space. A penchant for acrobatic one-handed receptions (25/25 hands) also fills his highlight reel.
Matthews, who recorded a 90-yard touchdown reception in a 2015 state championship victory, according to Chris Hays of the Sun-Sentinel, secured 34 catches for 630 yards and seven scores as a junior.
6. 4-Star Jerry Jeudy
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Height/Weight: 6'1", 177 lbs
High School: Deerfield Beach (Pompano Beach, Florida)
Composite Ranking: No. 6 receiver; No. 35 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama
The Crimson Tide continue to lure premier receiver talent from South Florida, as Jerry Jeudy follows the footsteps of former blue-chip recruits Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper to Tuscaloosa. His July 29 commitment provided another boost for Alabama head coach Nick Saban, while leaving programs such as Miami, Florida State and Tennessee searching elsewhere for help at the position.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Any coaching staff in the country would love to land a talent such as Jeudy, who carries legitimate All-American capabilities at receiver and defensive back. An intensely competitive athlete, his combination of quickness and shiftiness (29/30) is special when matched with a formidable physique.
Defenders have a difficult time disrupting Jeudy off the snap (19/20 release), as he implements impressive strength to fight through those early efforts. He attacks routes with ferocity and a level of precision (18/20) that continues to noticeably improve.
More than willing to lend tenacity in downfield run-blocking efforts (5/5), Jeudy snagged 41 passes for 496 yards and 10 scores last season.
5. 4-Star Tyjon Lindsey
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Height/Weight: 5'8 ½", 180 lbs
High School: Centennial (Corona, California)
Composite Ranking: No. 5 receiver; No. 32 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 96/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Nebraska, Ohio State and USC
Tyjon Lindsey has a longstanding personal bond with Buckeyes quarterback commit Tate Martell, who has repeatedly expressed confidence the duo will unite in college. A brief SEC foray took him to Auburn and Alabama in mid-July, while USC is a mainstay in this process and Nebraska has gained plenty of momentum in recent months.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Diminutive but deadly in an aerial attack, Lindsey will exploit any weaknesses he uncovers within an opposing defense. The former Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) star is among high school football's most impressive route-runners (20/20), matching extremely quick feet with a seasoned understanding of how to settle into downfield seams.
He is a technician at the snap (15/15 agility), gaining necessary separation that helps him overcome a typical size disadvantage. He completes plays with one of this classes most reliable sets of hands (25/25). Lindsey averaged 25.3 yards per catch during the past two seasons at Bishop Gorman, per MaxPreps, pulling in 29 touchdown receptions.
4. 5-Star Trevon Grimes
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Height/Weight: 6'3", 202 lbs
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Composite Ranking: No. 4 receiver; No. 20 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Ohio State
Indiana native Trevon Grimes has never shied away from identifying Ohio State as a significant front-runner, and most analysts expect him to join the Buckeyes class before his senior season. The Sunshine State's Big Three would each love to land this pledge—especially a group of Gators prospects that includes St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback Jake Allen.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Grimes gives defenses fits with a unique combination of quickness—he clocked a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at The Opening—and length. Grimes can extend beyond the reach of average defensive backs to corral a well-placed pass and possesses the strong hands (24/25) to do it.
His on-field approach features plenty of emotion, and if he can harness those feelings for positive motivation, that attitude could take him to new heights as an alpha dog. Grimes aims to build off a junior campaign that included an average of 18.4 yards per reception and seven touchdown catches.
3. 5-Star Tee Higgins
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Height/Weight: 6'4 ½", 188 lbs
High School: Oak Ridge (Oak Ridge, Tennessee)
Composite Ranking: No. 3 receiver; No. 19 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Recruitment Status: Committed to Clemson
Tee Higgins announced intentions to sign with the Tigers on July 4, celebrating the holiday in style. Clemson continues to attract top-tier receiver talent, preventing his return to a Volunteers class that once held his commitment.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Higgins has rare acceleration and agility (27/30) for an athlete of his physical stature, surging downfield with long strides and smooth coordination. He's more than a one-trick receiver who uses length to claim jump balls, capable of contributing across the middle in traffic or along the perimeter in tight coverage.
There's little a defensive back can do to contend with Higgins' combination of basketball athleticism and 5-star hands (25/25), especially since most surrender at least a few inches in single coverage. His expansive catch radius and downfield alertness helped him produce 16 touchdown receptions as a junior.
2. 5-Star Joseph Lewis
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Height/Weight: 6'1 ½", 204 lbs
High School: Hawkins High School (Los Angeles)
Composite Ranking: No. 2 receiver; No. 13 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 96/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Alabama, Arizona, Nebraska, Oklahoma and USC
USC is in strong shape to reel in another elite local talent after signing arguably the country's deepest receiver class last cycle. Official visits to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Arizona will challenge the Trojans' stronghold here, and whichever program signs Joseph Lewis should gain traction with Hawkins High School teammate and top-ranked 2018 receiver Jalen Hall.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Lewis was a model of consistency throughout his high school career. He collected at least 775 receiving yards during each of the past three seasons, per MaxPreps. Sure-handed (25/25) and sharp in route-running technique (19/20), this Southern California star can make the clutch catches in traffic.
When quarterbacks locate Lewis in stride, his speed and agility (28/30) combine to create dominant results downfield. Lewis is physical when defenders attempt to challenge him at the line, and consistent footwork allows him to gain separation (19/20 release) in search of real estate.
1. 5-Star Donovan Peoples-Jones
12 of 12Height/Weight: 6'2", 192 lbs
High School: Cass Technical (Detroit)
Composite Ranking: No. 1 receiver; No. 7 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 97/100
Recruitment Status: Contenders include Florida, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State
Donovan Peoples-Jones has been largely tight-lipped about his recruitment process and preferred to avoid the subject altogether while in attendance at The Opening. Though he holds more than 20 offers, the process is gaining greater focus with Big Ten adversaries Ohio State and Michigan battling for his services, along with SEC favorite Florida.
Bleacher Report Analysis
This recruiting cycle seems somewhat devoid of a slam-dunk top overall recruit at receiver, but Peoples-Jones remains the man atop rankings after a junior season that featured 14 touchdown receptions. He missed out on an opportunity to truly proclaim himself as the premier prospect at this position because of a hamstring injury that sidelined him throughout The Opening.
Still, there's plenty of evidence to suggest Peoples-Jones is capable of competing for No. 1 target looks by his sophomore year in college. A wide wingspan and elite leaping ability create an impression he's actually standing in the 6'4" range, augmenting a special blend of speed and agility (29/30).
Peoples-Jones' athleticism was on full display last summer when he became the first underclassman to claim Nike Football Ratings Championship MVP honors, and he's worked to sharpen route-running technique (19/20) while further expanding his physique. His skill set should equate to major gains after the catch, evidenced by an average of 25.9 yards per reception in 2015.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
