Big Board: OSU’s Top Targets at Wide Receiver

Continuing on in our big board series taking a look at some of OSU’s top football targets for 2018, we’ll take a look today at the wide receiver group — one of the deepest positions for OSU not only in 2017 but arguably over the last several years. It’s also a position that hasn’t grabbed a commitment for 2018 yet.

Quarterback | Running back

Similar to the running back position, wide receiver is one that can go unfilled for an extended period as top recruits. Many of OSU’s top targets are still undecided to this point, and final decisions might not come until official visits and the full courting process is complete. But at this point OSU has plenty of feelers out for its top targets, and the big board is taking shape as we look ahead to the summer. So let’s nail down who OSU’s top targets are.

CJ Moore — Union (Tulsa, OK)

CJ Moore is the cousin of former OSU receiver Tracy Moore, so there’s a connection working in favor of the Cowboys. Because of that, OSU was one of the first schools to recognize his talents in extending an offer in the summer of 2016. He’s a big-bodied, 6-foot-5 receiver with the softest hands in the state and wiggle of a slot receiver.

Moore’s top schools include Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss and Oregon. Surprisingly, the Sooners have not offered the in-state star who led the Redskins to a state title this past season. There’s nothing Moore can’t do as a receiver.

JaMarr Chase — Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, LA)

Pulling talent out of The Boot is a laborous chore that pays big dividends, as OSU has seen solid production out of Louisiana kids such as Vincent Taylor and Kevin Henry over the years. But there’s a reason I called it laborous—prying talent away from LSU is a tough ask, at a minimum, and if they’re talented enough to grab an offer from the in-state Tigers, more times than not they’ll stay and play for them.

Chase might be one of those, but OSU is doing its best to pry away.

A 6-foot-1 prospect from Archbishop Rummel,  Chase has 33 Division I offers but has a list of 11 schools he says he’s focusing on that includes OSU, LSU, Kansas, Texas Tech, TCU, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Arizona State and Tennessee. He was committed to the Kansas Jayhawks previously before decommitting in February.

Scout’s evaluation of Chase indicates he’s both an inside and outside receiver, which is an interesting factor for OSU who will need to eventually replace Jalen McCleskey’s production working inside.

Chase is a strong wide receiver who has worked outside and in the slot. He may not test off the charts, and he can improve his speed and explosiveness. [Scout]

Al’vonte Woodard — Lamar (Houston, TX)

I’d venture to say that just below CJ Moore as target No. 1 is Woodard, a four-star recruit from Houston Lamar with close to 30 scholarship offers. Texas is considered the favorite, according to his 247Sports crystal ball, however Alabama recently entered the mix this week, and LSU, Baylor and TCU are all lingering.

His list of top 10 schools he’s narrowed down includes OSU, Baylor, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Texas, LSU, Clemson, Indiana and West Virginia. Like Chase, Woodard can line up all over the field. From Scout:

Woodard is a technician at the position who can put on a clinic with his footwork and ability to get open and create separation.You can also put a check mark in the size and frame departments. He is ready to compete at the college level from a developmental standpoint. A versatile receiver who can line up anywhere on the field. He can get vertical or go underneath and make a play. Has good speed, quickness, and body control. [Scout]

Woodard caught 42 passes for 909 yards and 15 touchdowns on 21.6 yards per reception as a junior last season.