2022 NFL Draft notebook: Ohio State’s dynamic duo and more
By John Blair
A look at some of the wide receivers who are seeing their stock rise going into the 2021 season.
John Metchie III, Alabama
There is a valid reason why Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III has only had one year of good production and that reason is that he was stuck behind four first-round receivers in Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. However, when Metchie did get a chance to see the field last year he showed he belongs in the same category as these players. He finished the 2020 season with 55 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns. Now that he will be the go-to receiver this year for the Tide look for his production to increase even more.
Ty Fryfogle, Indiana
Indiana’s Ty Fryfogle went from the third-leading receiver for the Hoosiers in 2019 to a third-team All-American in 2020. His best game of the season came against Ohio State when he was able to record 218 receiving yards and three touchdowns on just seven catches. He will likely have another strong season this year since Michael Penix Jr, is back this season and Indiana should have one of the better passing attacks in the Big Ten.
Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Last season, Penn State’s Jahan Dotson proved he is one of the best deep threats in college football. Dotson tied for the nation lead in receptions over 60 yards with four and also led the Big Ten in receiving yards with 884 yards. Along with being a playmaker on offense, Dotson set the Penn State season record for punt return average with a 26.4 average.
Calvin Austin III, Memphis
Last season, Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III tripled his season highs in receptions, yards, and touchdown and established himself as one of the top Group of Five wide receivers. To go along with his excellent production Austin has the speed the NFL loves, as he was named all conferences in track in both 2019 and 2018.
Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest
The most productive receiver at the end of the 2020 season might have been Jaquarii Roberson of Wake Forest. In the last four games of the season he had at least 130 receiving yards and in five of his last six games, he had over 125 receiving yards. This was quite a stretch for a player who never had a 100-yard receiving game before this stretch and only recorded 156 receiving yards his first two seasons at Wake Forest.