Best Fits for Top 2016 Uncommitted Wide Receivers

It's difficult to identify a deeper position than wide receiver in the 2016 recruiting class. Pass-catchers account for 15 of the top 100 spots in 247Sports' composite rankings, providing plenty of premier options for college football programs across the country.

Several notable receivers—including top talents Sam Bruce (Miami), DeKaylin Metcalf (Ole Miss) and Nate Craig-Myers (Auburn)—have already announced commitments. Still, many marquee members of this group remain undecided well in advance of national signing day.

Here's a look at some of the key uncommitted playmakers to monitor moving forward, and where they may find their ideal collegiate fit.

4-Star Mykel Jones

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 89 overall; No. 13 wide receiver

High School: Patterson (Patterson, Louisiana)

Notable Offers: Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Texas and USC

Recruitment Update

Mykel Jones recently named a "top four" during his conversation with Hank South of 247Sports, pointing out Alabama, Tennessee, LSU and USC as programs that currently carry the most clout. 

The 6'0", 180-pound prospect is a key in-state recruiting target for the Tigers, but Alabama has lured elite wide receivers beyond state borders before. The Crimson Tide signed Patterson teammate Daylon Charlot last month following a head-to-head battle with LSU.

"Since my homeboy just committed, I feel like it wouldn't be bad if we would be another duo again," Jones told Drew Champlin of AL.com in February.

He tallied 108 receptions for 1,764 yards and 20 touchdowns during the past two seasons.

Best Fit: Alabama

Both the Tigers and Tide have impressive depth at receiver, but there's more faith in the Alabama offensive attack these days. LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has come under scrutiny, especially after the team finished last in the SEC in passing yards per game last season. 

Alabama also boasts a better crop of quarterbacks at this stage, along with Jones' former teammate and close friend in Charlot.

4-Star Darnell Salomon

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 85 overall; No. 12 wide receiver

High School: Miami Central (Miami, Florida)

Notable Offers: Alabama, Clemson, Florida, LSU and Miami

Recruitment Update

Darnell Salomon revealed he's focused on five favorites at the start of spring, listing each of the universities above during a discussion with Nate Adelson of 247Sports. He is set to replace Florida State signee Da'Vante Phillips as the top target at Miami Central after a recent transfer.

The 6'3", 198-pound playmaker is likely to stick to the Southeast, but Miami could be hard-pressed to add him to its quality 2016 talent haul. Clemson has a quality track record with Florida receivers, while the Gators are off to a strong start on the recruiting trail under Jim McElwain. 

LSU and Alabama routinely clash for top recruits and could ultimately meet again for a showdown over Salomon.

Best Fit: Clemson

The Tigers have developed quite a reputation with receivers since Dabo Swinney took over the program, ranging from top-10 NFL draft pick Sammy Watkins to incoming 5-star Tampa talent Deon Cain.

Salomon would be another excellent addition to a young corps of pass-catchers who could make life quite enjoyable for standout rising sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson.

4-Star Trevon Sidney

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 77 overall; No. 11 wide receiver

High School: Bishop Amat (La Puente, California)

Notable Offers: Arizona, Miami, Michigan, UCLA and USC

Recruitment Update

Trevon Sidney teams up with 5-star wide receiver Tyler Vaughns at Bishop Amat to form a fearsome tandem. Though he is also considered a viable cornerback prospect, the 5'11", 160-pound recruit is likely to land on offense in college. 

Earlier this month, he told Ryan Bartow of 247Sports that USC leads this pursuit. The Trojans are attempting to land both him and Vaughns next signing day.

Michigan offered at the start of March. Oregon has yet to extend a scholarship, but the Ducks could reshape his recruitment by joining this chase. 

Sidney caught 38 passes for 540 yards and three touchdowns in 2014, per MaxPreps, adding four interceptions and an average of 31 yards per kickoff return.

Best Fit: USC

The Trojans are working to restock a roster previously ravaged by scholarship sanctions. Steve Sarkisian has done an excellent job replenishing depth along the offensive front and in the backfield during the past two cycles, and now the focus centers on landing multiple perimeter threats to join a group that already features 5-star 2014 signee John "JuJu" Smith.

4-Star Javon McKinley

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 75 overall; No. 10 wide receiver

High School: Centennial (Corona, California)

Notable Offers: Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and Washington

Recruitment Update

Javon McKinley has attracted plenty of attention from Pac-12 territory and beyond. Scholarship offers have arrived at a steady pace since a monster junior season that included 91 receptions for 1,906 yards and 20 touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

He is set to visit Notre Dame in April, effectively expanding his recruiting horizons beyond the West Coast. USC is the most likely landing spot if McKinley stays home, but the Trojans are in pursuit of several pass-catchers, and that could complicate the process depending on where he's listed within the program's pecking order at the position. 

Washington may emerge as the strongest contender among USC's conference foes.

Best Fit: Notre Dame

McKinley, who stands 6'2" and 185 pounds, is well-suited for the Fighting Irish attack and could join a group that also features top-rated 2015 tight end Alize Jones and heralded incoming New Jersey quarterback Brandon Wimbush. Though he isn't a speedster, McKinley possesses the physical frame and range of receivers who've flourished lately in South Bend.

His upcoming campus visit could provide a turning point in this recruitment if things go well for both parties.

4-Star Eli Stove

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 66 overall; No. 7 wide receiver

High School: Niceville (Niceville, Florida)

Notable Offers: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Ohio State

Recruitment Update

Eli Stove saw collegiate interest mount in March, as offers arrived from Alabama and Ohio State. In-state powerhouses Florida and Florida State have spent significant time making him feel wanted, as both squads presented scholarships during his sophomore year.

The 6'1", 178-pound talent's strongest relationship with a coaching staff can be found at Auburn, where he's already visited on five occasions. 

Stove secured 54 receptions for 719 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014.

Best Fit: Auburn

It will be difficult for other programs to challenge the familiarity established between him and the Tigers. There seems to be a strong element of trust in place that could lead to a relatively early pledge.

"Coach (Dameyune) Craig and Coach (Gus) Malzahn had a good conversation about how I'll fit into their program and offense," Stove told Wesley Sinor of AL.com. "(Craig) is a good (receivers) coach. I feel like I'd be really comfortable around him if I play for him. I love that program. I can tell it might fit me when I get there."

4-Star Dylan Crawford

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 45 overall; No. 5 wide receiver

High School: Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)

Notable Offers: Arizona State, Michigan, Stanford, UCLA and USC

Recruitment Update

Santa Margarita teammate and top-ranked California quarterback K.J. Costello just committed to Stanford, so there's now a natural connection in place between Dylan Crawford and the Cardinal. However, we witness quarterback-receiver combos split up on a regular basis (see: Brady White and Trent Irwin in 2015). 

"We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and are able to work off that," Crawford told David Schmulenson of USA Today. "We know how each other plays the game. He knows me and where I’m going to be.

Crawford, a 6'1", 175-pound prospect, has become quite familiar with the new Michigan coaching staff, which also heavily pursued Costello. UCLA and USC are nearby options for the Orange County standout.

He played at St. Francis last season, catching 44 passes for 1,006 yards and 13 touchdowns, per Aram Tolegian of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Best Fit: Michigan

There is room for Crawford to make an immediate impact in Ann Arbor, especially after the Wolverines failed to secure signatures from top 2015 receiving targets Van Jefferson and Chris Clark. Jim Harbaugh has made California a key priority after spending his first two college head coaching jobs at Stanford and San Diego.

Expect him to make a mark on the West Coast during this cycle, with Crawford emerging as a strong possibility. A commitment here could also potentially help Harbaugh stay in the hunt to swing Costello.

4-Star Devin Duvernay

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 39 overall; No. 3 wide receiver

High School: Sachse (Sachse, Texas)

Notable Offers: Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M

Recruitment Update

Devin Duvernay ranks among the Lone Star State's top talents, so naturally there's an abundance of interest in the 5'11", 195-pound playmaker. He secured offers from Texas Tech, Texas, Baylor and TCU before the end of his sophomore year, and things have expanded far beyond his home state.

LSU, Arizona State, Maryland and Michigan are among teams that extended scholarships last month. 

He showcased tremendous speed in March at The Opening Regional in Dallas, sprinting the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds.

Best Fit: Texas

Charlie Strong's staff has made perimeter playmakers a point of emphasis and landed a pair of quality 2015 talents last month in John Burt and Ryan Newsome. Like Newsome, Duvernay can beat defensive backs deep on a consistent basis, but he does so with a more formidable physical frame.

Texas A&M and Baylor will make a strong push here, but we expect him to land in Austin and rapidly ascend on the Longhorns depth chart.

5-Star Tyler Vaughns

247Sports' Composite Ranking: No. 29 overall; No. 2 wide receiver

High School: Bishop Amat (La Puente, California)

Notable Offers: Arizona State, Notre Dame, UCLA, USC and Washington

Recruitment Update

Tyler Vaughns is the top-ranked receiver in a stacked group of California pass-catchers. We already reviewed the situation for 4-star Bishop Amat teammate Trevon Sidney, whom we expect to end up at USC.

Vaughns is also a top-tier Trojans target, and he looks like the latest talent to end up caught at the center of a tug-of-war between USC and UCLA. Washington could make a move for the 6'3", 175-pound prospect, but we're betting he spends the next phase of his career in Los Angeles.

He caught 83 passes for 1,183 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014, per MaxPreps, picking off four passes on defense.

Best Fit: UCLA

This is a tough one to call, and we don't expect a decision anytime soon. Jim Mora managed to load up on elite offensive talent during the 2015 cycle, headlined by top-rated players at quarterback (Josh Rosen), tight end (Chris Clark) and running back (Soso Jamabo). 

Rosen is the real deal, grading out as the No. 1 overall passer in his class. A strong freshman season from him would attract attention from several marquee receivers, with Vaughns circled at the top of the Bruins' wish list.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.