There is a lot of awesome wide outs this year in college football that will go in the first round of the draft. These are the top three overlooked college receivers. They are balling out but not getting their due credit. These guys should be household names, but a lot of people don’t know them yet. Can any of these players be like the guy on the cover, Cooper Kupp?
Underdog College Receivers: Slot
Charlie Jones
This 6’0, 188 lb Deerfield Illinois native started his career out in Buffalo with coach Leipold then transferred to Iowa. He was underutilized in the Iowa offense and his childhood friend Aiden O’Connell told him to come join him at Purdue. What a great decision that was from both of them. This year in only eight games, Jones has 72 catches for 840 yards and 9 touchdowns. He is second in yards, third in receiving touchdowns, and first in receptions. He isn’t getting the same national coverage as other big-named players. He deserves to be on the shortlist for the Biletnikoff Award and on NFL draft boards as a great slot in the league.
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Overlooked College Receivers: Possession
Oronde Gadsden II
I am telling you right now this kid is the real deal. This Syracuse Sophomore is 6’5, 216 lbs, and he plays like it. Quietly bursting onto the scene this year in upstate New York with at least three catches in each game. Gadsden has 37 catches for 593 yards and five touchdowns in his first seven games as a starter. If you follow me on twitter or hear my takes on the Spiked College Football Show, you know that I can scout talent. I told you about Grayson McCall two years ago and Drake Maye. Gadsden has “it” and will make a hell of a possession receiver in the NFL when he is done tearing up the ACC.
Overlooked College Receivers: Big Play
A.T. Perry
If you haven’t watched the Demon Deacons and A.T. Perry this year, wooo boy you are missing out. Big play offense, and Perry is a big time play maker. He is NFL sized at 6’5, 208 lbs, and he plays even bigger. He has 14 touchdowns last year as a sophomore for just under 1,200 yards. This year as a junior, being double covered on most plays, he has 32 catches for 524 yards and five touchdowns. For you keeping track at home, that is over 16 yards a catch. He has the size, speed and strength to be a huge playmaker at the next level. People better start to recognize the talent down in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
If you have not watched these three on a Saturday afternoon or night, you should now! All three of these players are dynamic in their own rights. Honestly, Jones reminds me of Kupp in college and the NFL slot defenders will not want to see him next year. Gadsden, the young buck of the group, will be on the preseason All-ACC and All American watch list next year. As for AT, if Sam Hartman and him stay next year, along with their young offensive line and other playmakers, watch out! When he does hit the league, Perry is everything you want in your X receiver. Think AJ Green.
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