Oregon Ducks 2015 Recruiting Update: Wide receivers

With the offense that the Ducks run, wide receivers are vital to spreading the field and throwing up the deep ball (especially if Marcus Mariota is your quarterback).

From Josh Huff to Devon Allen, Oregon always had a consistent number one option at the receiver spot. What helps the Ducks is that their receiving core is relatively young, with Bralon Addison (junior) and Keanon Lowe (senior) being the oldest. Speed demon Devon Allen is still here to stay for the time being, and freshman Jalen Brown and Chance Allen will have their chance to shine soon enough.

But there are some solid receiving prospects in the 2015 class that the Ducks should take a look at. They already received a verbal commitment from possession receiver Alex Ofodile, but it wouldn't kill them to get another pass catcher or two.

Tyron Johnson: At 6'1", Johnson's combination of speed and size make him one of the most balanced recruits in the country. A consensus four-star out of New Orleans, Johnson has been looked at by top-flight programs such as LSU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Oregon.

Bud Elliot compiled a scouting report on the wide receiver earlier this year:

Most impressive are Johnson's hands and body control. Johnson makes a number of excellent catches in traffic and in the red zone by controlling his body, gaining the positioning advantage over the defender, timing his jump, and snatching the football aggressively with his hands, never letting the ball get into his chest plate. That's a set of skills that produces first downs, and in the red zone, touchdowns.

Ykili Ross: The California product is listed as an athlete, but given his 6'2" frame, it's hard to not see him coming out as a wide receiver. He doesn't have the type of burning speed to blow past defenders in the open field, but he has the hands to catch most balls thrown his way. Add in his height, and he's a great threat on 50/50 balls and going deep. He's a bit of a project. given his lack of top-end speed and the work he needs to put into his route running, but his size is hard to turn down.

Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Oregon are all viewed as contenders to land him.

Jaylinn Hawkins: A four-star receiver out of California, Hawkins has been pursued by some top-of-the-line Pac-12 schools, including Oregon. Hawkins has decent height at 6'1", but it wouldn't hurt him to add a few more pounds to his thin frame. A smooth runner, Jaylinn is a solid route runner who's clean on his cuts. Like Ross, Hawkins doesn't have track star speed to blow past defensive backs. While that could hurt him in the long run, it shouldn't stop the Ducks from trying to lock him down.

Christian Kirk: Another receiver out of the southwest, Christian Kirk is a four-star recruit who lacks on size (5'10") but not on speed. He's one of the most explosive and electric pass-catchers in this class, with incredible straight line speed. His route-running needs work, but his ability to use his athleticism to elude defensive backs makes it easier to overlook that. Alabama, Florida State, Texas A&M, and Oregon are all in the hunt.