4* & 5* Freshmen WR performances across CFB this season

Submitted by taistreetsmyhero on
247 Comp. Rank Name School Receptions Yards TD
1 Donovan Peoples-Jones Michigan 12 155 0
2 Tee Higgins Clemson 7 75 0
3 Jerry Jeudy Alabama 12 208 1
4 Joseph Lewis USCali 4 39 0
5 Jeff Thomas Miami 11 249 2
6 Trevon Grimes OSU 3 20 0
7 Tyjon Lindsey Nebraska 11 70 0
8 D.J. Matthews FSU 1 12 0
9 Devonta Smith Alabama 4 79 1
10 Jhamon Ausbon TAMU 25 263 1
11 Henry Ruggs III Alabama 6 159 5
12 Tyrell Shavers Alabama 0 0 0
13 Jalen Reagor TCU 19 308 4
14 James Robinson Florida 0 0 0
15 Tarik Black Michigan 11 149 1
16 Amari Rodgers Clemson 11 67 0
17 Tylan Wallace Ok State 3 56 0
18 Jeremiah Holloman Georgia 1 7 0
19 OrTre Smith USCar 18 224 3
20 Osiris St. Brown Stanford 0 0 0
21 Mark Webb Georgia 0 0 0
22 D.D. Bowie Ole Miss 0 0 0
23 Nico Collins Michigan 1 12 0
24 CeeDee Lamb Oklahoma 33 591 6
25 Damion Miller Texas 0 0 0
26 Omar Manning TCU 0 0 0
27 Charleston Rambo Oklahoma 0 0 0
28 Jaylen Harris OSU 2 27 0
29 Oliver Martin Michigan 0 0 0
30 Hezekiah Jones TAMU 2 13 0
31 Danny Davis Wisconsin 8 170 1
32 Terrell Bynum Washington 0 0 0
33 Daquon Green Florida 0 0 0
34 Ty Jones Washington 2 14 0
35 Shamond Greenwood OK State 0 0 0
36 Manni Netherly LSU 0 0 0
37 Bo Melton Rutgers 1 48 0
38 Isaiah Hodgins Oregon St 23 223 1
39 Noah Igbinoghene Auburn 0 0 0
40 Jaevon McQuitty Nebraska 0 0 0
41 Mike Harley Miami 6 63 0
42 JaVonte Richardson Kentucky 0 0 0
43 KD Nixon Colorado 2 17 0
44 Keyshawn Johnson Nebraska 0 0 0
45 Jamire Calvin Wash St 30 266 3
46 Hunter Rison MSU 16 211 0
47 KJ Hamler PSU 0 0 0
48 Trey Blount Georgia 0 0 0

DPJ is tied for 8th/48 in receptions and is 12th in yards. In just 3 games, Tarik Black is tied for 10th in receptions and is 13th in yards.

There are only really 6-9 freshmen that seem to be significant AND productive cogs of the offense (underlined), which is a 13%-19% rate.

MGoStrength

November 15th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^

Hopefully with another year of experience (and another year of experience for the line and QB), these two should have break out year's next year.  We literally only lose 2 players off the offense and return all our recieving threats at WR and TE two QBs with experience.  If our offense doesn't progress quite a bit next year I'd be surprised and disapointed.

Kevin13

November 15th, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^

has definitely hurt, but not too sure DPJ has been open as much as you allude to. He has struggled with routes and seperation all year. I expect this to be a learning year for him and expect him to take a huge step next year. Also expect our QB play with Peters to also take a huge step next year and would expect a much more balanced offense with a competent passing game.

BananaRepublic

November 14th, 2017 at 9:35 PM ^

You're quickly becoming one of the more insightful posters on this board.

Be interesting to see the average number of starts between the top 3 receivers on each team to control for how much of a burden these freshman are shouldering.

stephenrjking

November 14th, 2017 at 11:03 PM ^

DPJ still has a lot to learn. His routes seem to have improved, but the places he can get open are places that the QBs can't hit him. And his body control for the high-point passes just isn't there yet.

These are all things he can come through on, but a combination of being extremely raw and horrible QB play have limited what he can do. Black, with a full route tree and a natural sense of how to use his physical ability, shows what DPJ will be with just a little refinement. And, uh, improvement under center.

EDIT: and just as he is gaining some routes and getting used more, Michigan has stopped throwing the ball. Hard to get a lot of catches when you only throw 15 times a game.

The Fan in Fargo

November 14th, 2017 at 11:43 PM ^

Teams will have to for surely load the box next season or they will be toast. Black will get doubled because you'll have to. DPJ, Perry, Nico, that white kid who jumped in the pool(cant remember his name at the moment) better work hard because the sky should be the limit for them come next year. I can see DPJ coming back faster and stronger than ever. The kid knows how to train and lift. Still kind of green looking on the field but a sophomore is usually light years ahead of his freshman year if he doesn't have that stupid slump. I've always thought that saying is for suckers and is a mental thing for weak minds that buy into it. Not mother fucking DPJ or Nico okay. Damnit!

mrkid

November 15th, 2017 at 7:58 AM ^

In DPJ's defense, he has at least +100 more yards, +2 more receptions and potentially 2 more TDs if the QBs could hit a deep ball. I can vividly remember at least 2 plays, I am sure there are more.

DPJ has been open a few times for big plays and was missed and that is not his fault. I have been happy with this play so far.

LKLIII

November 14th, 2017 at 9:51 PM ^

Useful list, but as others have said, several factors impact those stats including who has solid QB play, sold pass protection, and lack of or a significant depth at the WR position already.

Kevin14

November 14th, 2017 at 10:09 PM ^

These numbers are crazy low even for what Brian has mentioned before on the blog.

Between White and Rison, MSU has two successful true freshmen WR.  Anybody know if we gave them any looks as recruits?  Rison was right in our backyard.  

The difference in numbers between White/Rison and DPJ/Black are probably due to QB play (and obviously health).  

Bodogblog

November 14th, 2017 at 10:46 PM ^

Rison is Grant Perrry, almost an exact clone.  No we didn't pursue either, because we had one of the best WR classes in the nation.  Yes if agree that with better QB play, and Black (and the other kid, Oliver Martin)  not  being injured, the numbers woukd be closer.  IOW, M's receivers will turn out much better than these two in several years. 

Kevin14

November 14th, 2017 at 10:54 PM ^

And I hope you're right about our WRs.  I thought Black looked great.  DPJ has been a little more up/down but shows a ton of promise.  I even though Collins has looked good in limited opportunities.    

Still weird to think we wouldn't pursue Rison at all given he was very highly regarded and a hometown guy.  I get our WR class is stacked, but teams can always use another guy like him. 

Yo_Blue

November 15th, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^

Valid question...  We recruited a kid whose father was an OSU captain (McCray).  He is now one of our captains.  We recruited a kid whose father was an NFL player and lived in the state where his father attended college (Bush).  He is now our top LB.  You can't always ignore a recruit because of who his father is.

BroadneckBlue21

November 15th, 2017 at 6:13 AM ^

Freshmen WRs are not consistent. DPJ has made less mistakes (knock on wood) than past youngsters, with PR responsibility. He hasn’t shown all his skills, yet, but he can and should develop way past Darboh and Chrsson did at a faster pace. If only we had a sold to great vet to mentor him. Crawford and Perry are still children, while Moe Ways is just not that good. No upperclassmen to show him the mental side of the game, or to compete with to show them what work is.

Bodogblog

November 14th, 2017 at 10:16 PM ^

He was a 3* though.  He's had a great year, but I think this analysis has to be bounded in some way.  I'm sure there are freshman throughout the country who've done better than those in this list.  But a key question on this blog for a while was his good could we expect the excellent recruiting class of WRs to be this year, given the data says even highly rated freshman struggle.  I believe that's what the OP is trying to address. 

OwenGoBlue

November 14th, 2017 at 9:53 PM ^

Could easily be something like 17 for 400 if they hit him some of the times he's screamingly open deep.

It doesn't yet show on the stat sheet but I've been noticing his route tree expanding in recent weeks. Dude is getting separation on more than just the go-routes and drags he was open on (and usually missed) to start the year.