Look back at New Jerseys top WR prospects
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Mitchell is ranked No. 102 nationally, the No. 19 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 3 recruit in New Jersey.
Analysis: Hands are a question mark, but I'm not overly worried about it. I've seen a ton of kids struggle with consistency and be up and down in the hands department and solve it at the next level. Downfield speed and separation are more of an issue to me, but his upside is certainly high and we have two more rankings cycles to see where he lands.
3
WR
Miles Shuler (2011)
Long Branch, NJ
Shuler was the No. 127 recruit nationally, the No. 16 wide receiver and the No. 3 recruit from New Jersey, behind Savon Huggins and Anthony Sarao, in the Class of 2011. Academics were always a huge priority for Shuler, as was the possibility of playing close to home. So after he took official visits to both Stanford and Northwestern, he decided that staying in-state was best for him and he committed to Rutgers in December of 2010. Shuler played two seasons at Rutgers, but was unable to make an impact offensively so he transferred to Northwestern in early 2013. After sitting out his first season, Shuler had 23 receptions for 190 yards last fall. He is returning to Evanston for his final season this fall.
Farrell's Take: One more year to live up to this lofty ranking. Shuler was one of the fastest players in the country his recruiting year and overcame a lack of size to impress us enough for that top 150 ranking. However, his best contribution to Rutgers was his recruiting ability as he was a key reason that was a class with a lot of highly-regarded players. He's absolutely perfect for Northwestern's spread offense so if he doesn't have a big year this year there are no excuses.
4
WR
Shakim Phillips (2010)
Wayne (NJ) DePaul
Phillips was the No. 144 recruit nationally, the No. 21 wide receiver and the No. 1 recruit from New Jersey in the Class of 2010. After focusing on schools like Boston College, Maryland, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, North Carolina and Michigan State, Phillips committed to the Eagles during the beginning of his senior season. After finishing with only one reception in four games as a true freshman, Phillips decided to transfer to UConn. Phillips sat out the 2011 season due to his transfer and then totaled 32 receptions for 399 yards and a touchdown in his first season with the Huskies. As a junior Phillips missed four games due to an injury, but still finished with 28 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns. Graduating from UConn after his junior season, Phillips actually transferred back to Boston College for his final season of eligibility and totaled only 13 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns during his return to Chestnut Hill. Phillips went undrafted this year, but was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, though he was cut by the team on Friday.
Farrell's Take: Phillips was a bit overrated - that's become clear. The fact that he's still battling for a roster spot in the NFL is a bit surprising because he never really improved his speed and separation from his junior year of high school until now. He always had good hands, was a solid return threat and had good size, but never panned out.
5
WR
Cameron Chambers (2016)
Sicklerville (NJ) Timber Creek
Chambers is the No. 147 recruit nationally, the No. 32 wide receiver and the No. 6 recruit from New Jersey in the Class of 2016.
Farrell's Take: Chambers is a big, physically gifted kid who is a long strider and actually reminds me a bit of a much more filled out Kamara. Spartans fans hope he has more success in college of course and it will be fun to watch how Mitchell, Hawkins Jr. and Chambers all develop as rivals.
6
WR
Juwan Johnson (2015)
Glassboro, NJ
Johnson was the No. 152 recruit nationally, the No. 16 wide receiver and the No. 3 recruit from New Jersey, behind only Minkah Fitzpatrick and Brandon Wimbush, in the Class of 2015. Offers for Johnson came in fast and furious during the early stages of 2013, which led him to trim his list to Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Boston College and Michigan State by March. While he claimed a top five, the Nittany Lions were an obvious favorite and sealed the deal during an on-campus visit a couple of weeks later. Johnson has performed well during his first pre-season camp at Penn State and has made the initial depth chart for the Nittany Lions this season.
Farrell's Take: It's still too soon to tell how he will develop but he has good size and solid hands and could be an impact guy early, especially in short yardage and near the end zone. Long-term he has a big boom or bust potential like most bigger receivers without elite speed so time will tell.
Rounding out the Top 10
7
WR
Leonte Carroo (No. 166 in Class of 2012)
Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep | Rutgers
8
WR
Damiere Byrd (No. 186 in Class of 2011)
Sicklerville (NJ) Timber Creek | South Carolina
9
WR
Brad Hawkins Jr. (No. 224 in Class of 2016)
Camden, NJ | Michigan
10
WR
Dejuan Miller (No. 232 in Class of 2008)
Metuchen, NJ | Oklahoma
Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
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