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FlaVarsity ranks the top wide receivers

The state of Florida has always been known for speed, but now, they are really starting to combine that speed with size. When looking at the wide receiver class for 2012, the average size is, roughly, 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds. These are high school juniors, which means they are going to get bigger, stronger, and faster before even stepping foot on a college campus. There is a chance that these student-athletes could grow another inch or two and gain another 10 pounds. That is why more and more freshmen are able to step on campus and compete for early playing time. This class is full of guys that will play a great deal early in their collegiate careers.
Over the last few years, the state of Florida has produced some very talented players at the receiver position. In 2009, Andre Debose had a terrific early impact with the Florida Gators. Also, Rodney Smith and Willie Haulstead have performed very well for the Florida State Seminoles. In 2010, Chris Dunkley, who signed with the University of Florida and later transferred to the University of South Florida, was very highly touted out of high school and will be a welcomed addition to the Bulls roster. Seminole fans hope that 2010 signee Christian Green will continue to improve and make some major noise this year at Florida State, as he was an Army All-American in high school. Just this past year, for the 2011 class, Sammy Watkins, who signed with Clemson University, is being looked at as a major contributor early and often in his freshman season this year. Kelvin Benjamin is another one to watch this year at Florida State. He is a huge target with terrific athleticism.
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There is a great deal of talent, this year, at the wide receiver position. Nelson Agholor is a game changer and quite possibly, the top wide receiver recruit in the nation. He has all the tools to be the "next big thing" at collegiate level and schools are drooling over this young man. Chris Black is another potential star from this class. He has narrowed his recruitment down to the University of Alabama, Florida State University, and the University of Florida. He has great hands and runs very crisp routes. Avery Johnson, the brother of Patrick Peterson, who was just drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Draft, is another one to watch this year. He has offers from just about everyone and when you watch him play, you will know why. He really attacks the ball at its highest point and plays fearless. If LSU can hold onto his commitment, they will be getting a very talented prospect.
Here are the wide receivers who made the FlaVarsity Top 160.
Nelson Agholor
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 185 | Berkeley Prep
Buzz: Agholor has the best combination of athleticism, route running, and speed in the entire state and possibly the country, at the wide receiver position.
Schools in the mix: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Oregon, Southern Cal
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Chris Black
Wide Receiver
5-foot-11 | 160 | First Coast
Buzz: Black has tremendous hands and runs precise routes. He may lack Agholor's size, but other than that, they are very similar playmakers.
Schools in the mix: Alabama, Florida, Florida State
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Avery Johnson
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 180 | Blanche Ely
Buzz: Johnson isn't the blazer that his brother Patrick Peterson is, but he runs crisp routes, attacks the ball in the air, and has terrific hands. LSU got a solid player.
College Decision: LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Alton Howard
Wide Receiver
5-foot-9 | 170 | Edgewater
Buzz: There are not many prospects that could beat Howard in a foot race. He has tremendous speed and can really stretch the field. His athleticism speaks to his ability to play receiver or cornerback.
Schools in the mix: Central Florida, Cincinnati, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Angelo Jean-Louis
Wide Receiver
6-foot-0 | 185 | Palm Beach Central
Buzz: There are not many players in the state that are more explosive with the ball in his hands than Jean-Louis. His body control in the air is second to none.
College Decision: UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
LaMarlin Wiggins
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 181 | Plant City
Buzz: Wiggins is very athletic. He can excel at corner, running back, or safety, but his future is bright as a receiver. His routes are very smooth and he's a big target.
College Decision: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Malcolm Lewis
Wide Receiver
5-foot-11 | 170 | Miramar
Buzz: Lewis may have the best hands in the state. He catches just about everything thrown his way and he runs very crisp routes.
Schools in the mix: Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Latroy Pittman
Wide Receiver
6-foot-1 | 190 | North Marion
Buzz: Body control and big play ability are Pittman's best assets. He has no fear when he plays and usually wins the battle for the ball.
College Decision: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Herb Waters
Wide Receiver
6-foot-1 | 170 | Homestead
Buzz: Waters is a big play receiver. He makes all the routine plays, but is fearless when going over the middle. He also has legit "4.4" speed.
Schools in the mix: FIU, Florida State, Louisville, Marshall, Ohio State, Oregon, UCF, West Virginia
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Marvin Bracy
Wide Receiver
5-foot-10 | 162 | Boone
Buzz: Bracy is the fastest man in the state, hands down. Once he fine tunes his route running and hands, he will push to be one of the top receivers in the state.
Schools in the mix: Florida State, Miami, LSU, Oregon, Texas A&M
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
D'vario Montgomery
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 210 | Winter Park
Buzz: Montgomery is big, strong, and really uses his size well. He is a tough jam for corners because he is so physical off the line. He has great hands and does well at catching the ball at its highest point.
Schools in the mix: Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Virginia Tech
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Amari Cooper
Wide Receiver
6-foot-1 | 180 | Miami Northwestern
Buzz: Cooper is a very skilled receiver. He has terrific hands and he runs excellent routes. He is one of the most polished wide receivers in the state, but he needs to gain weight.
Schools in the mix: FIU, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, UCF, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Western Michigan
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
DeAndre Jasper
Wide Receiver
5-foot-11 | 180 | Miami Jackson
Buzz: Jasper has deceptive strength and is tough to bring down. His speed won't wow you, but his special teams returns will. He projects well as a slot receiver.
Schools in the mix: Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Mississippi, Rutgers, UCF, USF
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
James Brooks
Wide Receiver
5-foot-11 | 196 | South Lake
Buzz: Brooks has really impressed this offseason. He has dominated the camp circuit and really shown flashes of greatness. Brooks does everything very well.
Schools in the mix: Florida A&M, Iowa State, Kent State, Memphis, Notre Dame
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Justin Ferguson
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 205| Flanagan
Buzz: Ferguson is a major deep threat as a legit "4.5" receiver. He has very good size as well. One thing that stands out about him is his relentless effort for 4 quarters.
College Decision: UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
MacGarrett Kings Jr.
Wide Receiver
5-foot-11 | 178 | University School
Buzz: Kings Jr. is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He is a similar athlete to former Missouri standout Jeremy Maclin. He's fast and elusive.
Schools in the mix: Boston College, Cincinnati, FAU, Louisville, Michigan State, Rutgers, UCF, West Virginia
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Devonte Mathis
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 210 | Miramar
Buzz: Mathis has very nice size and gets very good separation from his defenders. He has very good body control in the air and is a smooth all-around athlete.
Schools in the mix: Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Louisville, Texas Tech
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Dondre Daley
Wide Receiver
6-foot-3 | 175 | Tarpon Springs
Buzz: Daley has a tremendous leaping ability. He really goes up and gets the football. He also has legit "4.4" speed and is impressive in the kick return game.
Schools in the mix: Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, UCF, USF
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Trey Griffey
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 180 | Dr. Phillips
Buzz: Griffey will flourish playing for a program like Dr. Phillips. There is talent everywhere and his combination of size, speed, and hands will fit in perfectly.
Schools in the mix: FAU, FIU, Florida State, Oregon, Samford, USF, Washington State
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Devonte Robinson
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 175 | Village Academy
Buzz: Robinson can fly on the field and his long arms allow him to catch the ball at its highest point. His leaping ability makes him a very good redzone threat.
Schools in the mix: Bowling Green, Kansas, Miami, SMU, UCF, Wake Forest, West Virginia
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Jaime Wilson
Wide Receiver
5-foot-11 | 186 | Glades Central
Buzz: Wilson is the definition of a possession receiver. He catches everything thrown his way. Not much about his game will blow you away, but he gets it done.
Schools in the mix: Florida, Florida State, Marshall, Miami, USF
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Fred McRae
Wide Receiver
5-foot-9 | 160 | Chaminade Madonna
Buzz: McRae doesn't have elite size, however he continues to make plays all over the field. He gets separation at from corners and uses his wiggle to gets yards after the catch.
Schools in the mix: FIU, Illinois, Kansas, Miami, UCF, USF, Vanderbilt, West Virginia
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Chris Murray
Wide Receiver
5-foot-9 | 170 | King
Buzz: Murray lacks ideal size and height, but his hands are very, very impressive. He makes all the tough catches and has solid speed.
Schools in the mix: Bethune-Cookman, Georgia Southern, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Washington State
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Neally Cunningham
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 195 | Bayside
Buzz: Cunningham is a very shifty runner with very good size. He won't wow you with blazing speed, but his hands and ability to get separation are very impressive.
College Decision: UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
Raphael Andrades
Wide Receiver
6-foot-0 | 190 | Lincoln
Buzz: Andrades isn't spectacular at anything, but he is solid at everything. He gets good separation from corners and catches almost every ball thrown his way.
Schools in the mix: Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Miami, North Carolina, Stanford, USF
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Kevis Jones
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 195 | Northeast
Buzz: Jones is a smooth athlete that can excel at receiver or defensive back. He doesn't have top level speed, but he has a big frame and is tough to bring down.
Schools in the mix: FAU, FIU, Illinois, Miami, USF
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Reggie Love
Wide Receiver
6-foot-3 | 200 | Spanish River
Buzz: Love is under the radar, as he was only a basketball player before. He is very athletic and has a great leaping ability. He also has a very good size to speed combination.
Schools in the mix: FAU, FIU, Florida State, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami, Wake Forest
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Drico Johnson
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 200 | Agape Christian Academy
Buzz: Johnson is a big and physical receiver. He reminds me of Terrell Owens on film. He gets separation from corners with ease and shows good hands.
Schools in the mix: Ball State, Bowling Green, FAU, FIU, Memphis, North Carolina State, Temple, UCF
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Brandon Snell
Wide Receiver
5-foot-11 | 160 | Miami Norland
Buzz: Snell is not a blazer at receiver, as he is quicker than fast. His best attribute is his body control. He gets up in the air with ease and rarely loses a jump ball.
College Decision: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
Cameron Posey
Wide Receiver
6-foot-2 | 180 | American Heritage
Buzz: Posey is a very physical athlete. He plays safety as well, but his future is at receiver. He catches everything thrown his way and has deceptive speed.
Schools in the mix: Bowling Green, Cincinnati, FAU, Illinois, Nebraska, Purdue, Rutgers, Wake Forest
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
Dareen Owi
Wide Receiver
6-foot-3 | 190 | Miami Norland
Buzz: Owi has very impressive timing and a solid vertical leap. He really goes up and gets the ball at its highest point, showing off his athleticism. Owi has good hands, as well.
Schools in the mix: Bowling Green, Buffalo, Duke, FAU, FIU, Illinois State, Purdue, USF
College Decision: UNCOMMITTED
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