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Running a reported 4.49 speed in the 40, it is no surprise that Scottsdale (Az.) Saguaro's Christian Kirk is so highly sought after. The four-star receiver has terrorized many a defensive back with that speed, and looks well-positioned to do so at the next level, as well.
Despite standing 5'11, 197 pounds, Kirk is widely considered to be one of the 10 best in the country at his position.
Kirk has drawn at least 23 reported offers as of Feb. 2014, with his talents in demand by many schools of note: Alabama, Florida State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, USC and Stanford being just a few.
Scouting by Derrell Warren, West Coast Recruiting Analyst (@yssd):
Kirk is one of the nation's most electric athletes. At 5’11, he’s not necessarily the tallest player, but he is a sturdily built 197 pounds.
Currently, Kirk lines up in various spots over the offensive formation for his high school team. This includes lining up as an outside receiver and in the slot, as well as getting snaps from the backfield as well. He has the overall skill set to be used in the same multi-faceted fashion at the college level as well, depending on which program winds up gaining his services.
Most likely, Kirk will get snaps primarily as a wide receiver and as a returner to begin his college career.
On tape, Kirk has exceptional straight line speed and displays the ability to score from anywhere on the field. However, unlike most burners, Kirk compliments his long speed with good open field elusiveness. He shows good stop/start agility, weaving through tacklers in the space. He smoothly transitions in and out of cuts and generates tremendous lateral burst, allowing him to gain an initial step when trying to outrun the pursuit angles of defenders.
From a route running perspective, Kirk is still a work in progress. He’s a speed-cut guy who gets off the line quickly when coming out of his stem. That said, he needs to become a more disciplined route runner who can sink his hips and break down his frame as he goes into his breaks. He relies primarily on athletic gifts to get open.
Also, evaluators would like to see him do a better job of ‘setting-up’ his routes to win the leverage battles versus DBs who can stay attached to him through his routes.