College Football Programs Stockpiling Top WR Recruits
College football programs are attempting to spread the ball around on offense more than ever, elevating the importance of depth across an attack. This is particularly apparent within a receiver rotation, as several pass targets are implemented each play.
Having an array of talented receivers prevents defenses from locking onto one go-to guy, presenting matchup issues near the line of scrimmage and deep downfield. Several programs appear primed to unleash elite talent at the position in bunches during the coming years thanks to impressive recruiting efforts.
Here's a rundown of five squads that should be stocked with outstanding young receivers moving forward.
Ohio State Buckeyes
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Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer has a full cupboard of blue-chip recruits across his depth chart, including at quarterback, so expect incoming receivers to face stiff competition for immediate reps. Ohio State is in excellent shape to torch opponents through the air in the future, with freshmen Austin Mack, Alex Stump, K.J Hill and Binjimin Victor likely to become bigger factors moving forward.
All four were considered 4-star recruits upon high school graduation, and the team will welcome another infusion of talent at the position next year. Ohio State carries commitments from two top-10 receiver prospects for a second straight cycle (Mack and Victor carried such designations in the 2016 class).
Trevon Grimes (St. Thomas Aquinas High School; Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and Tyjon Lindsey (Bishop Gorman High School; Las Vegas) are rated No. 3 and No. 6, respectively, in Scout.com's receiver rankings. Lindsey has caught 31 touchdown passes since 2014 from Bishop Gorman teammate and fellow Buckeyes commit Tate Martell.
USC Trojans
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USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin established himself as a premier recruiter during his tenure as receivers coach prior to an internal promotion. He played a pivotal role last cycle, signing arguably the nation's best class at the position with four prospects in the overall top 250 on Scout.com.
Tyler Vaughns, Trevon Sidney Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Imatorbhebhe haven't made a ton of noise this season, but expect these true freshmen to evolve into key ingredients for a successful aerial attack in Los Angeles. Their emergence should benefit redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Darnold, who looks like the Trojans' long-term leader behind center.
Vaughns and Sidney were teammates at Bishop Amat High School (California), while Pittman initially pledged to UCLA before landing with crosstown rival USC. Imatorbhebhe traveled across the country following a strong prep career in Georgia and is joined on the roster by former Florida Gators tight end and older brother Daniel Imatorbhebhe.
Florida Gators
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It didn't take Antonio Callaway long to exceed expectations as a 3-star recruit, as he leads Florida in receiving yards for a second straight fall with his junior season ahead next year. Meanwhile, freshmen Joshua Hammond, Freddie Swain and Tyrie Cleveland were each considered top-40 prospects at the position last cycle.
Cleveland, a Houston area product rated No. 2 among receivers in the 2016 recruiting class, established career-high totals for yards in a game (79) and recorded his collegiate first touchdown catch earlier this month against Missouri. Swain reached the end zone twice in September.
The Gators haven't produced a 1,000-yard receiver since 2002, but expect this influx of talent to help end that trend soon. Florida found another 4-star pass target in the 2017 cycle, securing a commitment from Tampa product Daquon Green.
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Alabama Crimson Tide
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Considering its streak of seven consecutive composite No. 1 recruiting classes, Alabama could land on the "stockpile" list for just about every position. Receiver is no different, as leading target Calvin Ridley is just a sophomore and Crimson Tide coaches continue to land sensational supplemental weapons.
Ridley, a 5-star recruit in the 2015 class, follows the footsteps of fellow Florida native Amari Cooper. Head coach Nick Saban reached into the Sunshine State yet again for top-10 2017 receiver Jerry Jeudy, who joined 6'6" 4-star Texas receiver Tyrell Shavers in the class this summer.
Freshmen Trevon Diggs—the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings standout Stefon Diggs—and T.J. Simmons were each considered 4-star talents last signing day. Crimson Tide quarterback and dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Hurts is a true freshman, so there's an opportunity for substantial growth for the passing attack in Tuscaloosa.
Given the long-standing success of Tide running backs, Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin have assembled the makings of America's most balanced attack in the seasons ahead.
Clemson Tigers
5 of 5
Even in the aftermath of Heisman Trophy contender Deshaun Watson's departure, Clemson should provide plenty of offensive fireworks. Along with landing two Elite 11 finalist quarterbacks this cycle, the Tigers have secured one of America's most intriguing receiver tandems.
Tee Higgins and Amari Rodgers—both Tennessee standouts—are on board and complement each other well. Higgins is a 6'4" target with perhaps this class' most expansive catch radius, while Rodgers provides significant burst and shiftiness at 5'10".
Both members of this duo are enjoying productive senior seasons, and they'll further enhance a Clemson receiving corps that includes former 4-star recruits in sophomores Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud and freshmen Cornell Powell, Diondre Overton and Tavares Chase.
The Tigers can point to professional success for their receiver products as proof of their effectiveness at cultivating the position. Sammy Watkins (Buffalo Bills), DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans) and Martavis Bryant (Pittsburgh Steelers) are recent Clemson contributors who have enjoyed productive Sundays in the NFL.
"Clemson is basically 'Wide Receiver U,' so it doesn't get much better than that," 2018 Clemson receiver target Jahan Dotson told Bleacher Report.
Tyler Donohue is a national recruiting analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings and information are courtesy of Scout.com.
Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
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