Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
Size:
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 231 pounds
Arm Length: 35 3/8"
Hand Size: 10”
Accomplishments:
Second Team All-ACC (2022) • 2022 FSU Newcomer of the Year (2022)
“Johnny Wilson has a rare combination of size, quickness, and athleticism that makes him a mismatch for most defenders. ”
Strengths:
Great catch radius
Contested-catch ability (red-zone threat)
Positional versatility (alignment versatile)
Short-area quickness to separate
Concerns:
Ability to create separation on vertical routes
Beat press against bigger stronger corners
Role-specific
Film Analysis:
Johnny Wilson's rare size and athletic profile at the receiver position naturally create advantageous situations for Wilson to be physically dominant. At Florida State, Wilson is versatile in alignment, showing the ability to line up as an outside receiver and also in the slot, showcasing the ability to win in both alignments. As an outside receiver, Wilson wins by using his frame to shield defenders away from the ball on in-breaking routes. On vertical routes, Wilson shows great ball-tracking ability and the ability to attack the ball at its highest points. There have been multiple instances where Wilson has been covered but has simply been able to use his size to go up and attack the ball at its highest point using great body control and be able to come down with the ball. Wilson is a reliable back-shoulder receiver and red-zone threat. In off overage, Wilson has deceptive speed, and for defensive backs who pay him too tight, he can beat them vertically for big plays. Once Wilson has the ball, he has shown to be a difficult tackle in the open due to his size and it is difficult for defenders to break him down, making him a plus-level run-after-catch receiver.
Wilson's needed improvements as a player start with his ability to separate vertically consistently against defensive backs. There are recurring instances of Wilson struggling to separate from corners who play a mirror-press technique. Defensive backs who play with patience, allowing Wilson to choose his release and jump into his hip pocket, have success covering him and can make it difficult for him to separate vertically. This makes him reliant upon 50/50 catches or back-shoulder throws to get him the ball. Wilson also has to improve his catching. There are moments where Wilson appears to have concentration drops, where he is looking to make a play after the catch before actually securing the catch.
Overall, Wilson has dominant physical traits that will allow him to be a key offensive weapon on the next level. The lack of speed can be compensated for by an alignment change to the slot or a positional change to the tight end position—he has all of the tools needed to dominate the middle of the field.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 – Winning Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: LSU (2023), Clemson (2023), Duke (2023), Florida (2032), LSU (2022), Louisville (2022), Clemson (2022), Florida State (2022), Oklahoma (2022)
