Rivals really needs to get a handle on their WR grade inflation - 63 wide receivers in this class who were rated 4-stars or better?
The big winners so far on this list? Clemson, Alabama, LSU, and USC.
Some pretty colossal busts on this list, but don't laugh too hard - NU signed four WRs in this class and none of them are currently with the program.
Nice work by Scott Frost's favorite manlet (Troy Walters).
Taken in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft
1.) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Southern Cal; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #3 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in California; Three-year starter at USC and finished his career with 177 receptions for 2,270 yards and 16 TDs; Was taken in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Clemson's leading receiver in 2019 who sat out 2020
2.) Justyn Ross, Clemson; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #15 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in Alabama; Sat out 2020 with a medical condition; Led the National Champions with 1,000 receiving yards and 9 TDs on 46 receptions as a true freshman in 2018; Has 112 receptions for 1,865 yards and 17 TDs through two seasons at Clemson.
3.) Justin Shorter, Penn State; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #18 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in New Jersey; Now at UFlorida after spending two seasons at Penn State; Had 23 receptions for 246 yards and 3 TDs for Dan Mullen's squad last year.
Taken in the 2nd round of this year's NFL Draft
4.) Terrace Marshall, Jr. Louisiana State; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #27 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in Louisiana; Started 20 games in Baton Rouge, registering 106 receptions for 1,594 yards and 23 TDs; Was taken in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft; I had to laugh when a RSSer told me that Marshall was "over rated" three years ago.
5.) Mark Pope, Miami; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #28 on the Rivals 100, 9th-best prospect in Florida; First-year starter for the Canes in 2021; UMiami's 3rd-leading receiver last year; Has 52 receptions for 680 yards and 4 TDs so far in his career.
First-team All-ACC cornerback who was arrested on felony charges last month
6.) Derion Kendrick, Clemson; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #30 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in South Carolina; Was arrested and charged with gun and drug violations two months ago; Charges are still pending; Two-year starter at cornerback and first-team All-ACC in 2020.
Taken 6th-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft
7.) Jaylen Waddle, Alabama; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #31 on the Rivals 100, 2nd-best prospect in Texas; Three-year starter for the Tide who broke his ankle this past year; Was taken 6th-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins; Finished his collegiate career with 106 receptions for 1,999 yards and 17 TDs.
8.) Marquis Spiker, Washington; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #36 on the Rivals 100, 6th-best prospect in California; Now at Nevada-Reno; Appeared in 10 games over three seasons in Seattle and had three (3) receptions in his career as a Husky.
9.) Blue Smith, Ohio State; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #39 on the Rivals 100, 3rd-best prospect in Ohio; Current whereabouts unknown; Redshirted in his only season at Ohio State and then transferred to Cincinnati where he was a reserve with 2 receptions in 2019.
10.) Brennan Eagles, Texas; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #44 on the Rivals 100, 3rd-best prospect in Texas; Started 15 games over three seasons in Austin and regged 61 receptions for 1,026 yards and 11 TDs during his career; Declared early for the 2021 NFL Draft but was not selected.
11.) Devonta Jason, Mississippi State; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #50 on the Rivals 100, 2nd-best prospect in Louisiana; Now at FCS Nichols State where he had 13 receptions for 198 yards in 2021; He appeared in two games in Starktucky in 2018 while dealing with "personal issues"; Appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman and had 2 receptions on the season.
Taken 5th-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft
12.) Ja'Marr Chase, Louisiana State; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #67 on the Rivals 100, 4th-best prospect in Louisiana; Sat out the 2020 season and was taken 5th-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals; In two years at LSU, he had 107 receptions for 2,093 yards and 23 TDs.
Cashed a $4.1 million check to play pro baseball
13.) Jordyn Adams, North Carolina; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #72 on the Rivals 100, 4th-best prospect in North Carolina; Opted to sign with the Los Angeles Angels for $4.1 million after they took him 17th-overall in the 2018 MLB Draft; Slashed .250/.346/.358 with 12 stolen bases as a centerfielder for Class A Burlington in 2019.
14.) Warren Thompson, Florida State; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #83 on the Rivals 100, 20th-best prospect in Florida; Now at Arkansas where he walked-on after having contentious relationships with both Willie Taggart and Mike Norvell; He left Tallahassee with 11 career receptions.
15.) Kevin Austin, Notre Dame; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #88 on the Rivals 100, 22nd-best prospect in Florida; Had one (1) reception in 2020; Was suspended for the 2019 season; Had 5 receptions for 90 yards as a true freshman in 2018.
16.) Jalen Preston, Texas A&M; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #90 on the Rivals 100, 7th-best prospect in Texas; Started one game for Jimbo Fisher in 2020; Has 11 career receptions for 124 yards and a TD over three seasons.
17.) Al'Vonte Woodard, Texas; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #92 on the Rivals 100, 8th-best prospect in Texas; Looking pretty 'busty' here with 7 career receptions for 62 yards over three seasons.
Currently serving life in the slam
18.) Jalen Hall, Oregon; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #106 on the Rivals 250, 17th-best prospect in California; Currently serving life in prison after being arrested in September 2018; Was charged with home invasion robbery, kidnapping to commit robbery and first-degree burglary.
19.) Chase Cota, UCLA; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #110 on the Rivals 250, 2nd-best prospect in Oregon; Two-year starter for UCLA; Has 49 receptions for 597 yards and 2 TDs through three seasons in Westwood.
20.) C.J. Moore, Oklahoma State; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #111 on the Rivals 250, 3rd-best prospect in Oklahoma; Now at Iowa Central Community college after spending two years as a seldom-used backup in Stillwater.
Taken in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft
21.) Dyami Brown, North Carolina; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #120 on the Rivals 250, 6th-best prospect in North Carolina; Three-year starter in Chapel Hill; Racked 123 receptions for 2,306 yards and 21 TDs over three years at UNC; Was taken in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.
22.) Austin Osborne, Washington; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #125 on the Rivals 250, 18th-best prospect in California; Has appeared in five games during his career and has one reception for minus-2 yards; Pretty safe to say that this guy was a bust.
23.) Isaah Crocker, Oregon; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #131 on the Rivals 250, 19th-best prospect in California; Had a big spring in 2021 but hasn't done jack shit over the previous 3 seasons - literally.
24.) Jacob Copeland, Florida; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #132 on the Rivals 250, 28th-best prospect in Florida; Starter for Dan Mullen and the Gators in 2020; Has 45 receptions for 724 yards and 5 TDs over three seasons in Gainesville.
25.) Joseph Scates, Iowa State; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #136 on the Rivals 250, 6th-best prospect in Ohio; You don't often see Iowa State guys on these lists - Joe Scates is why; Reserve WR who has 8 receptions over the past two seasons for 159 yards and 3 TDs.
*****snip*****
45.) Dominick Watt, Nebraska; 4-stars, 5.8 RR, 58th-best prospect in Florida; Did not qualify, spent two seasons at Garden City CC in Kansas, and now plies his trade at NAIA Waldorf University, which is apparently somewhere in Iowa; I have to admit - I have been to nearly every P5 college campus in the U.S. and my immediate family is one of the largest private landowners in the state of Iowa, yet I'd never heard of Waldorf University until now.
*****snip*****
84.) Andre Hunt, Nebraska; 3-stars, 5.7 RR, 60th-best prospect in California; No longer at NU; Was recently acquitted on sexual assault charges; Appeared in two games in 2018 and did not log any stats.
*****snip*****
NR.) Katerian LeGrone, Nebraska; 3-stars, 5.6 RR, 74th-best prospect in Georgia; No longer at NU; Was recently acquitted on sexual assault charges; Appeared in three games in 2018, catching one pass for 8 yards in mop-up duty.
NR.) Justin McGriff, Nebraska; 3-stars, 5.5 RR, NR among the top 100 prospects in Florida; Left Nebraska after one season and is now a starting WR at Utah State where he was second on the team in both receptions (15) and receiving yards (185).
The big winners so far on this list? Clemson, Alabama, LSU, and USC.
Some pretty colossal busts on this list, but don't laugh too hard - NU signed four WRs in this class and none of them are currently with the program.
Nice work by Scott Frost's favorite manlet (Troy Walters).
Taken in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft
1.) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Southern Cal; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #3 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in California; Three-year starter at USC and finished his career with 177 receptions for 2,270 yards and 16 TDs; Was taken in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Clemson's leading receiver in 2019 who sat out 2020
2.) Justyn Ross, Clemson; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #15 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in Alabama; Sat out 2020 with a medical condition; Led the National Champions with 1,000 receiving yards and 9 TDs on 46 receptions as a true freshman in 2018; Has 112 receptions for 1,865 yards and 17 TDs through two seasons at Clemson.
3.) Justin Shorter, Penn State; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #18 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in New Jersey; Now at UFlorida after spending two seasons at Penn State; Had 23 receptions for 246 yards and 3 TDs for Dan Mullen's squad last year.
Taken in the 2nd round of this year's NFL Draft
4.) Terrace Marshall, Jr. Louisiana State; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #27 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in Louisiana; Started 20 games in Baton Rouge, registering 106 receptions for 1,594 yards and 23 TDs; Was taken in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft; I had to laugh when a RSSer told me that Marshall was "over rated" three years ago.
5.) Mark Pope, Miami; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #28 on the Rivals 100, 9th-best prospect in Florida; First-year starter for the Canes in 2021; UMiami's 3rd-leading receiver last year; Has 52 receptions for 680 yards and 4 TDs so far in his career.
First-team All-ACC cornerback who was arrested on felony charges last month
6.) Derion Kendrick, Clemson; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #30 on the Rivals 100, #1-overall prospect in South Carolina; Was arrested and charged with gun and drug violations two months ago; Charges are still pending; Two-year starter at cornerback and first-team All-ACC in 2020.
Taken 6th-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft
7.) Jaylen Waddle, Alabama; 5-stars, 6.1 RR, #31 on the Rivals 100, 2nd-best prospect in Texas; Three-year starter for the Tide who broke his ankle this past year; Was taken 6th-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins; Finished his collegiate career with 106 receptions for 1,999 yards and 17 TDs.
8.) Marquis Spiker, Washington; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #36 on the Rivals 100, 6th-best prospect in California; Now at Nevada-Reno; Appeared in 10 games over three seasons in Seattle and had three (3) receptions in his career as a Husky.
9.) Blue Smith, Ohio State; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #39 on the Rivals 100, 3rd-best prospect in Ohio; Current whereabouts unknown; Redshirted in his only season at Ohio State and then transferred to Cincinnati where he was a reserve with 2 receptions in 2019.
10.) Brennan Eagles, Texas; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #44 on the Rivals 100, 3rd-best prospect in Texas; Started 15 games over three seasons in Austin and regged 61 receptions for 1,026 yards and 11 TDs during his career; Declared early for the 2021 NFL Draft but was not selected.
11.) Devonta Jason, Mississippi State; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #50 on the Rivals 100, 2nd-best prospect in Louisiana; Now at FCS Nichols State where he had 13 receptions for 198 yards in 2021; He appeared in two games in Starktucky in 2018 while dealing with "personal issues"; Appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman and had 2 receptions on the season.
Taken 5th-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft
12.) Ja'Marr Chase, Louisiana State; 4-stars, 6.0 RR, #67 on the Rivals 100, 4th-best prospect in Louisiana; Sat out the 2020 season and was taken 5th-overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals; In two years at LSU, he had 107 receptions for 2,093 yards and 23 TDs.
Cashed a $4.1 million check to play pro baseball
13.) Jordyn Adams, North Carolina; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #72 on the Rivals 100, 4th-best prospect in North Carolina; Opted to sign with the Los Angeles Angels for $4.1 million after they took him 17th-overall in the 2018 MLB Draft; Slashed .250/.346/.358 with 12 stolen bases as a centerfielder for Class A Burlington in 2019.
14.) Warren Thompson, Florida State; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #83 on the Rivals 100, 20th-best prospect in Florida; Now at Arkansas where he walked-on after having contentious relationships with both Willie Taggart and Mike Norvell; He left Tallahassee with 11 career receptions.
15.) Kevin Austin, Notre Dame; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #88 on the Rivals 100, 22nd-best prospect in Florida; Had one (1) reception in 2020; Was suspended for the 2019 season; Had 5 receptions for 90 yards as a true freshman in 2018.
16.) Jalen Preston, Texas A&M; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #90 on the Rivals 100, 7th-best prospect in Texas; Started one game for Jimbo Fisher in 2020; Has 11 career receptions for 124 yards and a TD over three seasons.
17.) Al'Vonte Woodard, Texas; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #92 on the Rivals 100, 8th-best prospect in Texas; Looking pretty 'busty' here with 7 career receptions for 62 yards over three seasons.
Currently serving life in the slam
18.) Jalen Hall, Oregon; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #106 on the Rivals 250, 17th-best prospect in California; Currently serving life in prison after being arrested in September 2018; Was charged with home invasion robbery, kidnapping to commit robbery and first-degree burglary.
19.) Chase Cota, UCLA; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #110 on the Rivals 250, 2nd-best prospect in Oregon; Two-year starter for UCLA; Has 49 receptions for 597 yards and 2 TDs through three seasons in Westwood.
20.) C.J. Moore, Oklahoma State; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #111 on the Rivals 250, 3rd-best prospect in Oklahoma; Now at Iowa Central Community college after spending two years as a seldom-used backup in Stillwater.
Taken in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft
21.) Dyami Brown, North Carolina; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #120 on the Rivals 250, 6th-best prospect in North Carolina; Three-year starter in Chapel Hill; Racked 123 receptions for 2,306 yards and 21 TDs over three years at UNC; Was taken in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.
22.) Austin Osborne, Washington; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #125 on the Rivals 250, 18th-best prospect in California; Has appeared in five games during his career and has one reception for minus-2 yards; Pretty safe to say that this guy was a bust.
23.) Isaah Crocker, Oregon; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #131 on the Rivals 250, 19th-best prospect in California; Had a big spring in 2021 but hasn't done jack shit over the previous 3 seasons - literally.
24.) Jacob Copeland, Florida; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #132 on the Rivals 250, 28th-best prospect in Florida; Starter for Dan Mullen and the Gators in 2020; Has 45 receptions for 724 yards and 5 TDs over three seasons in Gainesville.
25.) Joseph Scates, Iowa State; 4-stars, 5.9 RR, #136 on the Rivals 250, 6th-best prospect in Ohio; You don't often see Iowa State guys on these lists - Joe Scates is why; Reserve WR who has 8 receptions over the past two seasons for 159 yards and 3 TDs.
*****snip*****
45.) Dominick Watt, Nebraska; 4-stars, 5.8 RR, 58th-best prospect in Florida; Did not qualify, spent two seasons at Garden City CC in Kansas, and now plies his trade at NAIA Waldorf University, which is apparently somewhere in Iowa; I have to admit - I have been to nearly every P5 college campus in the U.S. and my immediate family is one of the largest private landowners in the state of Iowa, yet I'd never heard of Waldorf University until now.
*****snip*****
84.) Andre Hunt, Nebraska; 3-stars, 5.7 RR, 60th-best prospect in California; No longer at NU; Was recently acquitted on sexual assault charges; Appeared in two games in 2018 and did not log any stats.
*****snip*****
NR.) Katerian LeGrone, Nebraska; 3-stars, 5.6 RR, 74th-best prospect in Georgia; No longer at NU; Was recently acquitted on sexual assault charges; Appeared in three games in 2018, catching one pass for 8 yards in mop-up duty.
NR.) Justin McGriff, Nebraska; 3-stars, 5.5 RR, NR among the top 100 prospects in Florida; Left Nebraska after one season and is now a starting WR at Utah State where he was second on the team in both receptions (15) and receiving yards (185).
