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| Dionte Sykes (image via East Valley Tribune) |
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Gilbert (AZ) Williams Field
Position: Wide receiver
Class: 2014
Notes: Holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon State, Syracuse, and UCLA . . . Reports a 4.80 forty time . . . As a junior in 2012, had 42 catches for 708 yards and 5 touchdowns . . . ESPN Watch List . . . 247 Sports 4-star WR, 90 grade, #34 WR . . . Attended same high school as former Michigan targets Christian Westerman (Auburn, now Arizona State) and Brett Hundley (UCLA)
Strengths: Big frame . . . Long arms . . . Can threaten teams due to size advantage . . . Shows ability to catch balls thrown outside body framework . . . Also capable of using body to shield defenders from football . . . Aggressive runner who will lower shoulder for extra yardage . . . Willing blocker who drives feet and stays on blocks . . . Hustles and shows positive on-field demeanor
Weaknesses: Limited speed . . . Not a whole lot of ability to making things happen on his own . . . Occasionally looks for cutbacks when he should look to get upfield . . . Not particularly elusive or explosive . . . Route running needs to improve, though his routes look rather simple and don't require much refined technique
Projection: Wide receiver. Sometimes big kids like Sykes get projected to tight end, but he doesn't have the current bulk to be a surefire prospect there. He looks like someone who will remain on the outside, but he probably won't develop into a consistent deep threat because of a lack of speed. Sykes looks more like a possession receiver, but he has a chance to be very productive because of his frame. Guys like Mike Williams and Dwayne Jarrett, for example, had a lot of success at USC without being burners. I also like the way he blocks and hustles, so I think he would fit in well where he doesn't have to get 80 catches a year to be happy.
Reminds me of: Jaron Dukes
Strengths: Big frame . . . Long arms . . . Can threaten teams due to size advantage . . . Shows ability to catch balls thrown outside body framework . . . Also capable of using body to shield defenders from football . . . Aggressive runner who will lower shoulder for extra yardage . . . Willing blocker who drives feet and stays on blocks . . . Hustles and shows positive on-field demeanor
Weaknesses: Limited speed . . . Not a whole lot of ability to making things happen on his own . . . Occasionally looks for cutbacks when he should look to get upfield . . . Not particularly elusive or explosive . . . Route running needs to improve, though his routes look rather simple and don't require much refined technique
Projection: Wide receiver. Sometimes big kids like Sykes get projected to tight end, but he doesn't have the current bulk to be a surefire prospect there. He looks like someone who will remain on the outside, but he probably won't develop into a consistent deep threat because of a lack of speed. Sykes looks more like a possession receiver, but he has a chance to be very productive because of his frame. Guys like Mike Williams and Dwayne Jarrett, for example, had a lot of success at USC without being burners. I also like the way he blocks and hustles, so I think he would fit in well where he doesn't have to get 80 catches a year to be happy.
Reminds me of: Jaron Dukes
Westerman went to Hamilton, Hundley went to Chandler High. I didn't realize those two ever played together.
ReplyDeleteThis kid goes to a newer school in Gilbert. Did he switch schools?