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Florida standout John Burt.
Florida standout John Burt.Credit: 247Sports

Power Ranking Top 10 WR Recruits in Class of 2015

Tyler DonohueMar 5, 2014

Young athletes are gravitating toward wide receiver more than ever as the position continues to command greater precedence in a pass-oriented era. The 2015 recruiting class features a collection of explosive receivers who are ready to become dominant stars in college.

The group features plenty of size and speed, along with the son of rapping royalty. We sorted through game film to uncover the top 10 receivers in America, aiming to identify their ideal blend of agility, physicality and fundamental technique.

All prospect information and statistics courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

10. Alex Ofodile

1 of 10

Size: 6'3", 185 pounds

School: Rock Bridge High School (Columbia, Mo.)

Junior Season Highlights

Alex Ofodile enjoyed a burst in production for the Bruins as a junior. He caught a career-high 92 passes for nearly 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Scouting Report

Ofodile has the physical approach of a tight end and size that nearly warrants a look at that position, but he's also a burner. He rapidly accelerates off the line and has enough spring to beat the majority of defenders in a footrace.

He's a technician in the open field as a route-runner. His precision and burst to the ball will make many quarterbacks happy in the future.

He uses his height and leaping ability to beat opponents on high-target pass attempts. That's a distinct advantage in the red zone.

Recruitment Status

He attended a February junior day at Missouri. The Tigers are an early favorite to keep the coveted in-state recruit, but Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Florida State and Clemson are among several teams that are involved in the equation.

9. Desean Holmes

2 of 10

Size: 5'10.5", 170 pounds

School: John Muir High School (Pasadena, Calif.)

Junior Season Highlights

Desean Holmes earned co-MVP honors in Southern California's talent-landed Serra League at Alemany High School. However, he transferred to John Muir in December and joins a program that finished 11-2 last fall.

Scouting Report

Holmes is what defensive coaches might call a "pest." He's a relentlessly scrappy route-runner who fights for space and exploits it for with gains when the ball comes his way.

His toughness is admirable and takes cornerbacks by surprise at times. He can maneuver well in the open field to make defenders miss but is at his most dangerous as a downhill runner.

He challenges the secondary on every play, and that effort usually pays off with big plays late in a game.

Recruitment Status

USC would love to pair Holmes with 5-star quarterback commit Ricky Town. The Trojans must fend off Oklahoma, Cal, UCLA and Washington in order to make that desirable scenario a reality.

8. Equanimeous St. Brown

3 of 10

Size: 6'4", 190 pounds

School: Servite High School (Anaheim, Calif.)

Junior Season Highlights

Equanimeous St. Brown stood out for the Friars as a top offensive weapon. He secured 42 catches for 725 yards and six scores, per MaxPreps.

Scouting Report

St. Brown arguably has the best hands of any receiver on this list and shows them off with inconsistent targets. His grip on the football allows him to make difficult boundary catches and snag inaccurate passes in traffic.

His footwork is solid from a fundamental standpoint. He does excellent work pushing off for his final break to the football.

Refinement is required in intermediate route-running technique, but he oozes with athleticism. His game will translate well and improve rapidly at the next level.

Recruitment Status

The battle for St. Brown's signature may boil down to another turf war between UCLA and USC. Notre Dame and Stanford each offered in February.

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7. Tyron Johnson

4 of 10

Size: 6'1", 185 pounds

School: Warren Easton High School (New Orleans)

Junior Season Highlights

Tyron Johnson earned all-state honors at Easton as a junior. He caught 85 passes for 1,325 yards and 23 touchdowns, according to NOLA.com.

Scouting Report

Johnson is slippery in space, leaving undisciplined defensive backs in his dust. He's an exciting player to watch when forced to fight for a pass, displaying elite body control and athleticism.

When the ball is in his clutches, there's no hesitation when he transforms from a receiver to a runner. He can turn a short-yardage target into a scintillating sprint to the end zone.

He is one of the best kick returners in the country. He should immediately contribute as a special teams playmaker in college.

Recruitment Status

LSU aims to land another dynamic New Orleans receiver, but the Tigers will be challenged by several out-of-state options. Texas A&M, Michigan, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are also in pursuit.

6. John Burt

5 of 10

Size: 6'3", 170 pounds

School: Lincoln High School (Tallahassee, Fla.)

Junior Season Highlights

John Burt enjoyed a jump in his production with the Trojans. He led the team with 37 receptions for 713 yards and nine touchdowns—all career highs.

Scouting Report

Burt managed to carve out a big role in a run-oriented offensive attack as a junior. Still an unpolished product, he's the kind of receiver who can rise near the top of this list by making strides as a senior.

His size gives him a height advantage against most defensive backs. Outstanding reach and jumping ability add to the mismatch.

He is devastating on passes directed toward his outside shoulder, displaying superb adjustment traits on the run. It's a safe bet he's always been the most athletically imposing player on his football team growing up.

Recruitment Status

He shares his hometown with Florida State, so the Seminoles are serious contenders for Burt, who has also visited Auburn. Texas and Tennessee offered in February.

5. Cordell Broadus

6 of 10

Size: 6'2", 195 pounds

School: Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas)

Junior Season Highlights

Cordell Broadus excelled at Diamond Bar High School (Diamond Bar, Calif.), catching 60 passes for 685 yards and eight touchdowns. He then transferred to Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman, where he'll team up with 4-star 2015 tight end recruit Aliz'e Jones.

Scouting Report

Broadus repeatedly attacks the football at its highest point, staking claim to passes in highly contested areas. He is among the most aggressive receivers in the country, taking on coverage schemes with tenacity.

His lack of elite straight-line speed is offset by serious physicality. That translates into the running game as well, where he shows strong blocking skills.

He has a long wingspan and can beat defenders over the top. He is the son of rap icon Snoop Dogg, which heightens the exposure of his recruitment.

Recruitment Status

Snoop Dogg is among USC's most famous fans, so it's no surprise the Trojans are in the mix for his son. High-flying offensive attacks at Baylor, Cal, Florida State, Notre Dame and Oregon are also among the top options.

4. Christian Kirk

7 of 10

Size: 5'10", 195 pounds

School: Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

Junior Season Highlights

Christian Kirk eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for a second straight season on the way to a state championship. He caught 65 passes for 1,183 yards and 17 touchdowns, adding another 832 yards and 13 scores on the ground.

Scouting Report

Kirk plays bigger than his physical dimensions indicate. He attacks defenses as a versatile threat out of the backfield, in the slot and out wide.

His effort in tight coverage is fantastic. He likely won't emerge as a consistent deep threat in college, but he is a reliable top-end target across the middle and along the sidelines.

He isn't a speedster by high-level collegiate standards, but rumbles like a running back with the ball in his hands. He's a strong candidate to lead his team in yards after contact.

Recruitment Status

He received offers from Penn State, Ole Miss, Louisville, Auburn and Alabama in recent weeks. Expect Texas A&M, Oregon, USC, Ohio State and Oklahoma also to remain in the picture throughout this process.

3. Preston Williams

8 of 10

Size: 6'4", 190 pounds

School: Lovejoy High School (Hampton, Ga.)

Junior Season Highlights

Preston Williams propelled the Wildcats to a 10-win campaign and regional title. He finished the season with 59 receptions for 1,388 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Scouting Report

Williams is devastatingly fast and finds space downfield. When a 6'4" athlete can fly at that rate, you're talking about a rare talent.

His unfair advantage of stature and speed makes him an impactful kick returner. He is an ideal target in long-yardage situations.

He displays excellent anticipation of incoming passes—an element and instinct that can rarely be coached. Expect him to emerge as a No. 1 receiver as an underclassman in college.

Recruitment Status

He committed to Tennessee in September but remains open to other possibilities. Williams attended a junior day at Florida this month and visited Georgia in February. Alabama, South Carolina and Auburn also have offers on the table.

2. Damarkus Lodge

9 of 10

Size: 6'2.5", 190 pounds

School: Cedar Hill High School (Cedar Hill, Texas)

Junior Season Highlights

Damarkus Lodge dominated for state champion Cedar Hill. He caught 72 passes for 1,255 yards and scored 25 offensive touchdowns.

Scouting Report

Lodge makes the tough catches look easy in traffic, bringing a smooth approach to the position. He shows serious concentration on every possession and secures the ball.

His route running is largely sharp, though he could develop more initial explosiveness off the snap. He runs with impressive power and picks up major chunks of yardage after receptions.

Lodge presents a large target for the quarterback and can make up for mistakes with outstanding vertical reach.

Recruitment Status

Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor are battling for the in-state standout. He attended a junior day at College Station in late February. Lodge collected offers from Alabama, LSU and Michigan during a two-week stretch this winter.

1. Calvin Ridley

10 of 10

Size: 6'2", 170 pounds

School: Monarch High School (Coconut Beach, Fla.)

Junior Season Highlights

Calvin Ridley was a feared downfield playmaker during a playoff run for the Knights. He tallied 41 receptions for 1,131 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Scouting Report

Ridley has a slight mean streak on the field, which makes him a competitive receiver. He plays with supreme confidence and feasts on defensive deficiencies.

His stardom extends to the defensive side of the football, where he excels in the secondary. Ridley can rely on his speed and shiftiness to escape defenders but also has brute force in his arsenal.

He's another top receiver who is primed to make an impact as a kick returner. His explosiveness is evidenced by a 2013 average of 28 yards per catch.  

Recruitment Status

Miami has made Ridley a top priority and hosted him for a junior day in January. His recruitment reached another level in February, when Notre Dame, Alabama, USC, Auburn and Georgia extended offers.

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