Rivals Rankings Week: Who is the best WR in 2022?
When it comes to rankings, especially this early in the recruiting cycle, there can be some heated debates across the board. During the 2022 rankings meetings our analysts went back and forth over several recruits at every position.
One of the best debates was over the two five-star receivers in this class – East St. Louis, Ill., recruit Luther Burden and St. Louis (Mo.) St. Mary’s Kevin Coleman – in a rare year where the top receivers are from the Midwest.
National recruiting analyst Adam Gorney and Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt weigh in on this debate.
NEW RANKINGS: Class of 2022 wide receivers
*****
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK SCHEDULE:
Monday: Five-Star Countdown
Tuesday: New Rivals250 | Big movers | Where five-stars stand | Five-star watch | Farrell's thoughts
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Programs with most commits
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
*****
GORNEY'S VIEW: Kevin Coleman
There is no doubt Burden is more physically impressive than Coleman but when it comes to production at the college level and what the NFL wants, Coleman is right in the wheelhouse and that’s why he should be considered more as the top receiver in this class.
I saw him this past weekend at the Pylon 7v7 in Bullhead City, Ariz., playing with FAST Houston and while he’s definitely not the biggest player on the field, Coleman is super fast, separates against every cornerback and catches every single ball thrown his way. He’s a phenomenal playmaker and that’s why Alabama, Texas, Oregon and so many others are pursuing him.
Coleman is undersized but I’m not worried about it and it could actually be an advantage. He’s about the same size as Henry Ruggs was in high school and could pack on a few pounds in college like Ruggs did. Marquise Brown was a first-round draft pick at 5-foot-9 and 166 pounds. DJ Moore was only 6-foot and a first-rounder. And John Ross moved all the way up to No. 9 overall at 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds.
The five-star receiver is dynamic, he’s a playmaker and he’s excellent in space. That’s what matters most.
*****
HELMHOLDT'S VIEW: Luther Burden
These are two prospects I have been covering for several years and like a lot. I could make a case for either one, but we do rank Burden slightly higher right now. If I had to line up and play tomorrow, Coleman would probably be my pick, but long term I see Burden with the highest ceiling.
He is a big, physical receiver and has all the physical tools, and I feel we are not close to seeing his best football yet. Burden entered high school as a two-sport star, but now his focus is clearly on football. He may end up the first prospect to play five high school seasons in four years if his plan to play a spring and fall football season in Illinois works out. That takes a special level of passion for the game, and it is that drive combined with his exceptional skill set that earns him the No. 1 spot in the 2022 wide receiver rankings.
*****
2022 DEFENSIVE RANKINGS: Strongside defensive end | Weakside defensive end | Defensive tackle
2022 OFFENSIVE RANKINGS: Offensive tackle | Offensive guard | Center | Wide receiver | Tight end | Running back | All-purpose back | Pro-style quarterback | Dual-threat quarterback