Purdue Football Recruiting: Wide Receiver Offers

Wide receiver isn’t a position of need in terms of numbers this recruiting cycle. Purdue currently has 8 returning scholarship wide receivers and will bring in 2 players from the 2014 class.

Talking about receivers as a group is a little difficult. There are actually 3 different receiver positions in most offenses, and each position requires a different type of player.

Y Receiver (slot):

Generally speaking, this position is usually reserved for quick players who excel at getting open close to the line of scrimmage, and have excellent hands. Dorien Bryant (5’10, 175) was Purdue’s last good slot receiver.

X Receiver (split end):

Ideally, the X receiver is a tall, fast player that can challenge the safety over the top. They are tied to the line of scrimmage and can’t be put into motion. They are generally considered the #2 receiver in the offense. They can be utilized in the red zone because of their height. Kyle Ingraham, while not "fast" is a good example of what an X receiver can look like (granted, most X receivers are around 6’4 or 6’5 and not 6’9).

Z Receiver (Flanker)

This position is usually considered the #1 receiver in an offense. The Z receiver plays off the line, and can be put into motion. They are usually the entire receiving package, with good size, speed, and route running abilities. Keith Smith is Purdue’s last good Z receiver.

Ideally, Purdue picks up an X, Y, and Z receiver in this class, but a tall X receiver and solid Z receiver should be given preference, because both of Purdue’s 2014 receivers can play the Y.

Player	Class	Height	Weight	Position
Danny Anthrop	JR	6’0	190	Y, Z
Shane Mikesky	JR	6’4	210	X
DeAngelo Yancey	SO	6’2	200	Z, X
Dan Monteroso	SO	6’3	185	X, Z
Cameron Posey	SO	6’1	180	Z, Y
Bilal Marshall	SO	6’3	180	X, Z
B.J. Knauf	SO	5’10	180	Y, Z
Myles Norwood	RS FR	6’0	185	Z, Y
Trae Hart	FR	5’11	155	Y
Gregory Phillips	FR	5’11	180	Y, Z

While quantity isn’t a problem, Purdue desperately needs a game-changing receiver. Purdue’s last 1000-yard receiver was Keith Smith in 2009. Since Smith’s breakout season, no Purdue receiver has topped 700 yards. Defensive coordinators enjoy the week or preparation before playing Purdue. They don’t have to worry about rolling coverage, bracketing receivers, or playing deep safeties. Walking the safeties into the box and challenging Purdue’s receivers to beat their corners one-on-one coverage is an easy game plan to execute. Purdue’s current receiving corps has some potential, but recently, potential has remained unrealized. An infusion of 2 or 3 solid receivers in the 2015 class would be a huge going forward.

Purdue currently has handed out 28 wide receiver offers. If you play wide receiver and don’t have a Purdue offer, you might be doing it wrong.

Committed to Other Teams:

Player	State	Height	Weight	Position	Ranking (Scout/Rivals/247)	Verbal Commit
David Dowell	OH	6’1	180	Z	(4* / 4* / 4*)	Northwestern
Dexter Neal	GA	6’2	195	Z	(3* / 4* / 3*)	USCe
Alex Stump	OH	6’3	190	Z, X	(3* / 3* / 4*)	U.K.
Emonee Spence	FL	6’2	180	Z	(3* / 3* / 3*)	Miami
Spencer Tears	IL	6’2	175	Z	(3* / 3* / 3*)	Nebraska
Nyqwan Murray	FL	5’10	165	Y	(3* / 3* / 3*)	Florida State

David Dowell: Dowell would have been an excellent, and seemingly possible, 4* pick up for the Boilers, in what should be fertile recruiting ground for Coach Hazell. Instead, Northwestern swooped in picked up 4* David Dowell and his 4* RB brother Andrew Dowell. The trajectory of the Northwestern and Purdue football programs can be seen in this commitment for the Wildcats.

Dexter Neal: With numerous offers from elite southern teams, Neal was a pipe dream offer. Purdue got a sniff from Neal, but it was impossible to overcome location and the S.E.C.

Alex Stump: Stump plays on the same team as the Dowell brothers, and again, would have been a nice pick up for the Boilermakers. Instead, Kentucky moved in and picked up an early commitment from Stump.

Emonee Spence: Pulling a Florida kid to West Lafayette when he has a Miami offer isn’t going to happen. As soon as Miami offered, Spence was gone.

Spencer Tears: Purdue should have been in the conversation for Tears, but Nebraska secured his services in April. Another talented player lost to a Big 10 team. Purdue is going to have to start winning some recruiting battles against Big 10 teams if a turn around is going to happen.

Nyquan Murray: It appears that Purdue’s 5/15 offer didn’t stop Murray from committing to the Noles on 5/17. Honestly, Purdue simply can’t compete right now when a heavy weight like F.S.U. offers a player.

Purdue? That’s in the Northeast… Right? (No Shot)

Player	State	Height	Weight	Position	Ranking (Scout/Rivals/247)	Favorite (s)
Van Jefferson	TN	6’2	175	Z	4* / 4*/ 4*	O.$.U
Devante Peete	FL	6’5	195	X	4* / 4*/4*	Miami
Jayson Stanley	GA	6’3	200	Z, X	4* / 3*/ 4*	Auburn, U.G.A.
Irvin Charles	NJ	6’4	215	X	3* / 4*/ 4*	P.S.U., Miami
Kaleel Gaines	FL	6’0	175	X, Y	3*/3*/NR	O.$.U.
Tim Irvin	FL	5’9	190	Y	4*/4*/4*	Miami
Reggie Hemphill	TX	6’0	170	Y, Z	4*/4*/4*	TAMU, Baylor

Overall Summary: I’ll save a few keystrokes on these guys. Simply put, Purdue can’t go on the road and recruit with the big boys right now. You’ve got to make these offers, but you’ve also got to know that the scholarship offer probably got filed in the same place unwanted credit card offers end up.

Purdue? Isn’t That in the Midwest? (Long Shot)

Player	State	Height	Weight	Position	Ranking (Scout/Rivals/247)	Favorite (s)
Felton Davis III	VA	6’3	175	Z, X	3*/ 3*/ 3*	Va Tech
A.J. Alexander	VA	6’4	220	X	3*/ 3*/ 4*	Wisconsin
Shaquery Wilson	FL	6’3	190	Z, X	3*/ 3*/ 3*	Lousiville
Flynn Nagel	IL	5’11	185	Y, Z	3* / 3*/3*	Illinois
Kalif Jackson	FL	6’5	220	X	3*/3*/3*	Duke
Cameron Green	IL	6’2	195	Z, X	3*/3*/3*	Northwestern
Isaiah Zuber	GA	5’11	175	Y, Z	3*/3*/3*	Va Tech
Tyshawn Brown	GA	6’0	180	Z, Y	3*/3*/NR	Ole Miss

Overall Summary: Again, I’ll save a few keystrokes. These guys all have favorites, and Purdue isn’t one of them. It will take a small miracle, such as a stellar start to 2015 season, for Purdue to get their foot in the door. It’s not impossible, but it is highly improbable. If Purdue gets a visit from any of these guys, I will revisit this post and provide a quick write up. Otherwise, I will give a quick write up when they commit to another team.

Purdue, Yea, That’s in Indiana. (Maybe)

Player	State	Height	Weight	Position	Ranking (Scout/Rivals/247)	Favorite (s)
Kezio Snelling	FL	6’1	175	Z	NR / 2*/ 3*	None
TJ Rahming	GA	5’8	150	Y	3*/3*/3*	Tenn
Tony Brown	CA	6’1	175	Z	3*/3*/3*	None
Jaron Locke	GA	6’3	190	Z, X	NR/2*/3*	None (it’s complicated)
Patrick Anderson	PA	6’3	220	X,Z	3*/3*/3*	None

Kezio Snelling: Snelling has the sort of offer list that Purdue should be able to compete against. It is littered with M.A.C. teams and Cincinatti. Snelling wouldn’t be the top receiver on my recruiting board, and may be a kid Purdue could make a move on late if necessary.

TJ Rahming: Purdue caught Rahming’s interest with their recent offer, and he might visit this summer. Rahming is similar in size and skill set Trae Hart from the 2014 Purdue class. He is tiny, but explosive, and would be a solid option in the slot, and possibly on kick returns. Tennessee is currently listed as his favorite, but they are in a scholarship crunch, and have some bigger names on their recruiting board. I’m going to guess that his U.T. offers isn’t an "actionable" offer right now.

Tony Brown: Brown would have to turn down a few Pac-12 offers to end up in West Lafayette. He will need to add some weight to frame to play the Z position in college, but the good thing about 17-18 year olds (and the bad thing about 33 year olds) is that they tend to get bigger. Brown would be a solid and somewhat surprising pick up for the Boilers.

Jaron Locke: Locke has committed and decommited to F.I.U. and Ga. St. It looks like whatever school he visits last will probably end up with his commitment. He has nice size, and is considered one of the top prep school wide receivers in the nation this season. If he comes to Purdue, his prep school year might allow him to compete for time early. He has the size to play both the Z and X positions.

Patrick Anderson: Anderson has a fairly impress offer list, and has the physical size to contribute early at the X position. Purdue has few options on the current roster in terms of big receivers, and it would seem like Anderson would fit the bill nicely. He has an offer from Miami, but again, I wonder if it is an "actionable" offer at this point. If Pitt offers, it’s going to be tough to beat them. Right now, I would put West Virginia in the lead, but Purdue has a decent shot.

Purdue! I’ve Always Wanted to Live in Northwest Indiana!

Player	State	Height	Weight	Position	Ranking (Scout/Rivals/247)	Favorite (s)
Freddie Simmons	PA	6’3	175	Z, X	3*/3*/3*	Purdue

Freddie Simmons: Simmons is a tall, lanky receiver that currently has Purdue in the lead. Rutgers, Cal, and U.V.A have all offered Simmons, so Purdue will have to beat out a couple decent schools for Simmons services. He would be a solid pick up and could play either the Z or X position at Purdue if he fills out a little. Purdue should be able to get a visit from Simmons, and he is the type of player Hazell must close.