Film Room: Jordan Anthony

On3 imageby:Adam Luckett07/27/21

adamluckettksr

After missing out on one Mississippi receiver, Kentucky dipped down into the Magnolia State to find another.

On Tuesday, high three-star wideout Jordan Anthony per the 247 Sports Composite pledged to the Wildcats over Ole Miss and Syracuse. Florida State joined the party late by offering Anthony on July 15. In the end, Jon Sumrall goes into the Deep South again and pulls off another recruiting win for the Kentucky football program.

Now let’s step into the KSR Film Room to see what type of receiver Liam Coen’s offense is getting in this new commitment. Anthony is a burner with legit track speed that could fill a much-needed role in Kentucky’s passing game.

At the next level, Anthony projects to be a slot receiver. At just 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, this prospect does not have the size to dominate on the outside. However, his quickness and burst allow him to create matchup issues for defenses. This can be advantageous in the red zone.

On the snap, Anthony gets a clean release off of the line and then uses a subtle left shoulder dip to create separation. The quarterback delivers a good ball, and the receiver comes down with six ended by a nice look-in grab. The short-area quickness and burst could help Anthony be an effective inside target at the next level.

The speed is nice, but ball skills are required. At the next level, receivers are not going to be wide open on every design. Isolation situations will present themselves, and the perimeter players must go make plays. Anthony shows some nice ball tracking on tape.

On the double move, Anthony is not able to get behind the safety in coverage and has to make a play on an underthrown ball. However, the receiver does a great job of finding the ball in the air and coming down with a contested catch. After the grab, Anthony finishes the play with a nice run after the catch for an explosive play touchdown. Kentucky needs playmakers at the receiver position. This is a play where Anthony was able to create a home run seemingly out of nothing.

The speed is evident on tape for Anthony. The shifty receiver is scooting by Mississippi defensive backs. This appears to be a player that could potentially turn into a home run hitter in the vertical passing game.

Last season playing for Tylertown (Miss.) High, Anthony finished the year with 15 receptions for 351 yards and six touchdowns while also playing safety on defense and serving as the team’s primary punt returner. The prospect averaged 23.4 yards per reception and posted a 40 percent touchdown rate. The potential is there.

Anthony has legit next-level speed. This is a player that can stretch defenses vertically and horizontally on over routes. The big-play potential is evident on the tape. The high three-star prospect will need route tree development while the size issues will continue to be a battle at the next level. However, the traits are obvious.

Kentucky is looking for more speed on offense and is now adding players that check that box.

Discuss This Article

Comments have moved.

Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.

KSBoard

2024-03-28