Ashton Minor has a tremendous amount of potential. His limited film shows dominance at the catch-point, elite ball-tracking ability and easily won 50/50 balls. Minor is phenomenal at winning jump balls and could become a secret weapon for whatever college he lands with.
Minor has the frame of a prototypical x-receiver. He measures in at 6’2, 175 pounds and with a 4.49 40-yard dash time- it’s no surprise he’s great at flipping the field. He knows how to time his jump to meet the ball in air, and does this to win difficult 50/50 balls with ease. Minor can catch above a defender, to his side- even in double coverage, Minor still comes away with the football. He has strong, soft hands that reel in the football every time.
Minor might not be a yards-after-catch receiver, but it doesn’t really matter. He understands route concepts, knows how to get open, and has a size advantage off the line making him unable to be jammed or bothered by physical corners. Essentially, Minor is a targetable first down. He is aware of where he is, relative to everything else on the field. This means he works well against zone coverage, though he could settle down in it more, and can be targeted on the sidelines. He’s already a major red-zone threat, and could continue to become more so.
It’s uncommon to see college players make NFL catches, let alone high school kids. But, that’s all that Minor does. Aside from the jump balls, he’s also making sideline, toe-dragging catches. Not just one foot either, both feet. It’s partially plays like that, that have earned him two offers, even with limited film. He has a tremendous work ethic too, working hard in the off-season to refine his skills.
On top of utter dominance in air and at the line of scrimmage, Minor is also a pretty solid route runner. He uses a combination of his hands and route running to defeat press-coverage, and displays good foot work when creating separation against man coverage. He has a good amount of finesse in his game, even for someone who bullies defenders, which helps to create separation when he faces double teams.
Which he does. Although Minor is only a Junior in high school, with a limited amount of targets, teams still double him. Colleges might not have caught wind yet to how good of a receiver Minor is, but opposing defenses are definitely aware. If the cornerback is by himself against Minor, in man, you can expect the safety to come help. Even then, it’s not guaranteed to make a difference.
This “gravity” helps raise the efficiency for the entire offense. Even when Minor isn’t targeted, he’s impacting the game. His presence essentially makes it a 10v9, in favor of the offense.
He’s a large wide receiver with blazing speed, who works well against zone or man and wins jump balls with ease. Minor could be put in the “unguardable” category because of how well rounded his skill set is. The 2025 receiver already has a few offers. However, as his role in Natchez’s offense increases next year, so should the number of college’s interested in him. He is already a spectacle to watch, even with limited film- everyone will want to watch what he puts on display next year.
Below is a QnA between Minor and myself:
What is your height and weight?
“I’m 6’2, 175 pounds.”
What are some things you have overcome in life?
“I had to overcome from being mentally weak and being very emotional”
What are your biggest goals?
“My biggest goal is to move my mother out of Natchez, Mississippi and retire her.”
What player do you compare yourself to and why?
“I compare myself to Romeo Odunze cause of the height and can consistently make contested catches.”
What are your plans once you’re done with football and why?
“My plan after football is to start doing Real Estate and motivate the young in my city cause of all the violence going on in it.”
What is your GPA?
“I have a 3.2 GPA.”
What do you like about the sport of football and how is it significant to you?
“I like football cause of the new bonds you make with people, it’s significant to me cause I don’t talk to a lot of people and I try to make new friends”
Do you have any offers, if so where?
“I have 2 offers from Southwest CC and Coahoma CC.”
Do you play any other sports, if so which ones?
“Yes, I run track.”
What is your 40 speed, Broad, Vert, Shuttle, ETC?
“4.49 40-yard dash, 10’2 broad jump.”
What is an interesting fact about you outside of football?
“I’m very good with my history and I know any and every car.”
What is your dream school to play for in college?
“I’d love to play at Grambling State University cause of my family or the University of Alabama cause of the history of them.”
What are your current football goals?
“Current football goals are to get D1 offers and make the all-state team”
What’s something you’re working to improve?
“I’m trying to improve my footwork some more and my defensive skills”
What is a strength you have in the game?
“My strength in game is the 50/50 ball.”
What’s something football taught you?
“Something football taught me is not everybody wants to see you win.”
What’s your favorite activity outside of football?
“My favorite activity out of football is to lift weights and spend time with family and friends.”
