Rivals Rankings Week: Breaking down the 2024 WR/TEs
With the updated 2024 Rivals250 being unveiled Tuesday, it's now time to dive into the position rankings. The offensive position rankings are being released today, and here we focus on the wide receivers and tight ends.
UPDATED 2024 RANKINGS: Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB | All-Purpose Back | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Defensive Tackle | Strongside Defensive End | Weakside Defensive End | Outside Linebacker | Inside Linebacker | Cornerback | Safety
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be No. 1?
Monday: Five-star countdown | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: Rivals 250 released | Ten prospects on the verge of five-star status | Gorney's thoughts
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | QB rankings spotlight | RB rankings spotlight | WR/TE rankings spotlight | OL rankings spotlight
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released | DL rankings spotlight | LB rankings spotlight | DB rankings spotlight
Friday: State rankings released | Who will finish as top RB?
Saturday: Rankings Roundtable
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No. 1 at the position: Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith keeps his place atop the wide receiver rankings – and for good reason. The Ohio State pledge is a dominant player out wide that has even generated some comparisons to a young Julio Jones. Those expectations are lofty, but the No. 2 prospect in the Rivals250 is everything that a program could want in a pass catcher.
He's a fluid route runner that creates separation with ease. Smith has reliable, strong hands that make him a quarterback's best friend. The five-star is a threat down the field, but he is also very effective after the catch. Overall, Smith is not only a safe, high-floor prospect, but he is also a high-ceiling player with legitimate long-term NFL Draft upside.
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Two programs to watch: Ohio State and Texas Tech
Ohio State is always a team to watch when it comes to wide receiver recruiting. Receivers coach Brian Hartline has produced an elite pipeline at the position, and that does not look to be slowing down anytime soon. Smith headlines the group set to join the Buckeyes for next season, but he's far from the only potential impact player. Four-star Mylan Graham joins Smith, and Ohio State is also after other premier players in the passing game as Ryan Day and staff look to continue reloading at an elite level.
As for Texas Tech, the Red Raiders are a team to watch for one simple reason: Micah Hudson. Joey McGuire and his staff are set to host the five-star for an official visit this coming weekend and sit in a strong position in Hudson's recruitment.
Elsewhere, Tech has four-star pass catcher Ivan Carreron in the class. The 6-foot-6 playmaker has had strong showings this offseason, leading to programs such as Oklahoma attempting to flip him. The Red Raiders are also players for four-star speedster Ernest Campbell, one of the fastest prospects in the 2024 class with a verified 10.2 100-meter time.
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Three players in the spotlight: Micah Hudson, JJ Harrell, Cameron Coleman
The aforementioned Hudson is at the center of a heated Lone Star State recruiting battle between Texas and Texas Tech. As it stands now, the Red Raiders appear to be in the driver's seat ahead of the two upcoming official visits. Tech has done a tremendous job recruiting the elite wideout, while the Longhorns have also given him a lot to think about. What Hudson ultimately opts to do will undoubtedly have a major impact on the recruiting landscape in Texas. Either he bucks the trend and heads to Lubbock, becoming the highest-rated player to sign with the Red Raiders, or he stays in the Central Texas region and catches passes from Arch Manning in Austin.
Harrell became one of the hottest prospects available on the market after decomitting from Tennessee earlier this month. Harrell had been in the Vols' class since February before deciding to open things back up. Now, the four-star out of Mississippi is a top target for several in the SEC, including LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. He's a multi-sport athlete with an exciting ceiling on the gridiron. Harrell has the talent to finish much higher by the time that final Rivals rankings come around. For now, he's weighing all of his options in his recruitment.
Coleman has seen his stock rise more than nearly any recruit in the 2024 recruiting cycle. Coleman makes his debut in the Rivals rankings just outside five-star status. The rising wideout is a coveted target out of Phenix Central in Alabama, a program known for churning out next-level receivers. Auburn and Clemson have both been mainstays in his recruitment, while Texas A&M and Florida State are among the additional programs making serious pushes for the Yellowhammer State standout.