Yesterday, Norris released his receiver rankings, and there is a link to his podcast with special guest Matt Harmon. Harmon is semi-famous for his Reception Perception, a evolutionary analysis of both NFL receivers and those about to enter the league.
Norris ranks Henderson and Taylor as his third and fourth WR prospect, and explains
3. Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech
Where He Wins: Explosion is ridiculous. Wins both in the slot and outside. Wins contested despite 5-foot-11 frame. One of the best I’ve seen after the catch. Threat as a kick returner.
Ranking explanation: Has a chance to be the premiere receiver in this class. Yep. Refinement, comfort, nuance… if those buzzwords enter his game, watch out.
4. Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky
Where He Wins: Creates separation and sustains it, both underneath and downfield. Displayed plenty of success both inside and outside. Acceleration and explosion is there. Will try to win contested catches, leaves the ground at 5-foot-11 thanks to 32-plus inch arms. Can create after the catch.
Ranking explanation: Big plays and a consistent output from the the slot and outside. Athletic expectations are high. Played on just the right side for majority of final season.
Here is what Harmon tweeted about Henderson
Best success rate vs. zone and press coverage and the highest 2+ broken tackle rate among prospects the last 2 years #ReceptionPerception https://t.co/k8CeQYEuCH
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) February 17, 2017
Here is PFF
WR Carlos Henderson from @LaTechFB forced 48 missed tackles on 81 receptions in 2016.
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) February 3, 2017
No other WR in the past 3 years forced more than 33. pic.twitter.com/QbokjOYqMa
Draft Analyst Kyle Crabbs (Draft Dudes podcast, NDT Scouting, FanRag Sports) is another analyst who is high on Taylor and Henderson. Crabbs discusses Henderson here. Crabbs compares him to Corey Coleman. He also praises Taylor, ultimately comparing him to Michael Crabtree.
My thoughts
Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
Henderson didn’t play elite competition, but did put up a stat line of 82 catches for 1535 yards and 19 TD his final year at Louisiana Tech.
Henderson was not someone I studied or ranked over the summer. Ironically, I only stumbled across him when studying Taylor.
They were on the field together, when the two teams played each other for the Conference USA Championship, with WKU beating La Tech 58-44 in the highest-scoring FBS conference championship ever.
In the game, the pair of stud receivers combined to catch 16 passes, for a whopping 396 yards!
Unfortunately, my favorite youtube channel, One Hour Football does not have the condensed game, but if anyone is interested, I found it here.
Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky
Taylor was a 0-star recruit whose only other offers were Colorado State and UT-Martin, but he quickly proved to be a diamond in the rough, earning seven starts as a true freshman. As a sophomore, he once again started seven games, and had 69 catches for 1,037 yards in his first two seasons.
In 2015, Taylor set single-season records for receiving yards (1,467), receptions (86) and touchdown catches (17). Additionally, Taylor only dropped two passes all season. Strangely, Taylor was only on the field for 53.5 percent of the school’s snaps in 2015 and 53 percent of his catches were made between the numbers and less than 10 yards down field.
Tayor made Bruce Feldman's Annual 'Freaks List": Feldman wrote "his spring testing numbers — an 11-5 broad jump, a 39.5-inch vertical and a 4.33 40 — figure to turn heads when the wideout gets to the NFL Combine next year."
My pre-season thoughts
The 6-1, 195-pound senior may miss QB Brandon Doughty in 2016, but if he sees a higher percentage of his teams snaps, his numbers may not suffer that much. His resume should get him a Senior Bowl invite, and if Feldman is correct, the NFL Combine may also boost his stock.
Update (Conference Championship Risers)
Taylor caught seven passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns in WKU's win over Louisiana Tech. The win gave Western Kentucky consecutive Conference USA titles.
In the process, Taylor broke the WKU single-season record that he set a year ago with 89 for 1,586 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Conclusion
If Taylor and Henderson perform like expected at the NFL combine, all the SPARQ guys should love them, while the stats and analytics guys will love their production - each eclipsing 1500 yards receiving in 2016.
Finally, the film junkies should be impressed as well. Each are quick in and out of their breaks, are not limited to the slot, and can win contested catches. Taylor looks longer while Henderson a little more of a Steve Smith build.
I think there is about to be shake up among the 2nd-4th round receivers, with Taylor and Henderson eclipsing some better known prospects. In my book, both are slam dunk top-100 prospects, who could rise into fringe 2nd rounders. However, both are currently ranked well outside of that threshold by a wide margin by most draft analysts (CBS has Taylor as the 119th and Henderson #161).