With the college football season fast approaching, we’re getting to know some of the freshman wide receivers across the country. Some of the new faces on campus this year will have an opportunity to earn reps this year, and these two guys might be among them.
Nathaniel Joseph is one of the most exciting freshman prospects of the Miami Hurricanes recruiting class, while Braylon James offers a similar level of anticipation for Notre Dame. Both freshman WRs have impressive resumes coming into their respective college programs, and today we’re getting to know them a little better.
Nathaniel ‘Ray Ray’ Joseph – Wide Receiver, Miami
Nathaniel Joseph is a four star prospect who committed to his local school having grown up and played his high school ball in Miami, Florida. He had offers from several major programs including Alabama, Clemson and Georgia, and was a major win for the Hurricanes when he instead elected to stay home.
Joseph is five foot eleven with stunning speed, who had 632 yards and five touchdowns as a high school junior as well as two punt return touchdowns highlighting his impressive ability as a returner.
Joseph’s speed and vertical threat make him a much needed addition to an offense that lacked that explosiveness last season, and he will fit into the new scheme nicely as he develops with the program.
Braylon James – Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
Braylon James is a bigger body receiver standing at six foot two and 185 pounds on arrival at Notre Dame. He was a dynamic threat in high school who got a lot of work over the top as well as picking up short receptions and taking off for additional yardage on slants and crossing routes.
As he fills out his frame James will offer an ideal body type at the position, who can get work both coming across the field and going deep. He attacks the football well and managed 727 yards and five touchdowns at Stony Point High School in Texas.
He is one of four freshman wide receivers joining the program, but is considered the most exciting of the four and the most likely to get on the field early. That said, keep an eye on Jaden Greathouse too.
2023-2024 CFB Season Opportunity
Nathaniel ‘Ray Ray’ Joseph
Nathaniel Joseph gives Miami something they didn’t have last season, a genuine vertical threat and a tonne of speed. That alone could be enough to get him on the field.
The current situation with pass catchers in Miami is unclear, considering the fact that tight end Will Mallory led the team in both yards and receptions last season, and he’s now in the NFL.
Colbie Young is the most experienced guy remaining, with 32 catches, 376 yards and five touchdowns last season. He should take a big jump in his yardage production, but behind him the reps are up for grabs. Xavier Restrepo looked like he might be a major factor this year with the amount of targets he had in the teams spring ball game, but Nathaniel Joseph caught a ball over the middle and took it to the house in that game too.
I’d expect to see ‘Ray Ray’ on some kick and punt returns this year, and that might escalate into some targets as a vertical threat. Watch this young man develop because he’s quick and he’s shifty and glides with the football in his hands.
Braylon James
Braylon James seems like a really mature and humble young man, who will be easy to route for as he progresses in the college game.
As far as playing time goes this season, he might not be at the top of the pecking order but the depth at Notre Dame could mean he gets on the field early. The most prolific pass catcher returning for the Irish is Jayden Thomas, who serves as the teams slot receiver.
Outside of him the likes of Tobias Merriweather and Deion Colzie make up the likely starting rotation, and those two guys had less than 250 yards between them last year.
When Braylon James gets in the weight room and starts battling in training, I can’t see why he wouldn’t see some targets as a freshman this season.
His game is fun to watch. He’s got some things to work on and develop in and he’ll need to get comfortable with the plays, but of the guys I’ve studied so far he’s one of the best freshman wide receivers and one of my favorites to see the field this year.
Pro’s and Con’s for playing time
Nathaniel ‘Ray Ray’ Joseph
The major pro here for Nathaniel Joseph is his game changing speed. When you have an offense that didn’t have a single receiver with over 400 yards last season, which lacked the explosiveness to threaten anybody deep, you look to shake things up.
The Hurricanes have made some changes and brought in Shannon Dawson as the new offensive coordinator, who has helped to install a more explosive offense in Houston over the last few years. Miami have brought in a couple of transfers to help bulk up the offensive line, and fans should expect to see more throws downfield this season.
So why not throw in the freshman with superb speed and vertical ability to showcase that new system? The new offensive coordinator won’t have any favorites going into the year, so Joseph could prove to him that he’s to be a key piece in that new look offense.
I can’t think of many cons to him playing, other than the potential that he’s limited to just being a returner this year. It’s possible, but even if he starts there and shows what he can do, he could quickly evolve in his role.
Braylon James
Notre Dame’s weapons were fairly inexperienced last season, so they will benefit from having another year under their belts going into this year. That said, nobody truly stands out from the crowd other than Jayden Thomas thus far.
The Irish promoted tight ends coach Gerard Parker to offensive coordinator this offseason after Tommy Rees headed to a new role at Alabama. Parker looks set to run a similar style offense, only this year he has Sam Hartman and a wider range of pass catchers to work with.
Michael Mayer was highly productive for the Irish last season, and he’s now gone, so it’s a matter of who’s going to step up and play a major role this season.
The Notre Dame wide receivers have it all to play for. While I don’t necessarily expect James to be number one, there’s certainly pros in getting him on the field as part of the team’s group of receivers lining up outside the hashes.
James can go vertical for Sam Hartman or earn his playing time coming over the middle and picking up short receptions as he did in high school. Either way, with the way Notre Dame is building its offense I can’t see any negatives in giving the freshman some playing time.
Why draft him in CFB Fantasy Leagues?
Nathaniel ‘Ray Ray’ Joseph
Because of the overhaul of the offense in Miami and the fact that they might surprise some teams this year with the sudden ability to throw the football down the field.
In doing so, the speed guys like Nathaniel Joseph and co could be the answer to making that scheme tick, which is great for the young freshman.
The other side to that is seeing some production on returns. Devy league players could get some college football fantasy value out of Joseph early as a return specialist that then develops into a starter a little later on for the Canes.
Braylon James
I just love the man’s frame and what he put on tape in high school. At six foot two he moves really nicely and I’m excited to see how he develops when he puts on some muscle and fights his way into some reps early in his college career.
This young man could be a key piece in the future of the Fighting Irish’s offense. He’s exactly the type of freshman you should be looking for to fill out your CFB fantasy roster. Notre Dame fans are excited about him, and so am I.
Stock Radar as an NFL prospect
Nathaniel ‘Ray Ray’ Joseph 2%
Nathaniel Joseph has all the tools to develop into a speedy college football wide receiver, but until we see him on the field it’s difficult to commit to that notion.
We’ll start the Hurricanes wideout off slow and see how his freshman year shakes out.
Braylon James 5%
The size and frame excites me, especially with a variety of production in different scenarios in high school. I hope to see Notre Dame continue to develop him that way rather than force him into a vertical role as an X receiver. Moving him around the offense will only benefit his stock and if he goes from six foot two 185 pounds to six foot two 215 pounds the NFL will be paying attention.