Live Scouting Report: Corey Dyches
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – Terrapin Times was on hand for the Potomac (Oxon Hill, Md.)—Douglass (Upper Marlboro, Md.) game Oct. 5 to watch Terps’ receiver commit Corey Dyches. Our take on the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder is below:
Dyches is a long, sinewy wideout with lengthy arms and decent-sized hands. He has a developed frame for a high-school receiver, but has room to add a bit more bulk and get even stronger.
At the snap, Dyches releases well off the line and quickly eats up the cushion and enters his pattern. He’s a smooth strider who cuts well and doesn’t lose much momentum when changing direction.
Dyches has solid speed and plus acceleration too. He can get behind the defense and take a short pass and split the seam. He’s quicker than he is fast, however; Dyches can out-maneuver defenders in the open field, proving to be elusive and slippery. It follows that he’s difficult to catch and bring down when given room to run. But that doesn’t mean Dyches can’t bull forward for extra yards after the catch. He’s a tough customer and isn’t afraid to put his shoulder down in traffic.
But where Dyches does some of his best work is in the air. Displaying terrific body control and an above-average vertical (Dyches plays basketball and has been measured at 42 inches), the Potomac product can go up and get the football. He tracks the ball well, shields defenders, and snatches the ball out of the air at its highest point. Dyches has outstanding hands; he’s not a “body catcher” and hauls in most anything thrown in his direction.
What’s more, Dyches is physical both in the air and at the line. He’s not afraid to rise up in traffic for passes, nor does he back down when facing press coverage. Furthermore, he’s a willing blocker and will work to push a cornerback out of the play.
Finally, Dyches has great field awareness and a keen sense of where to find openings in the defense. He settles down in-between a zone and provides a sizable target for his quarterback.
To improve, Dyches mainly has to tighten up his patterns. Although he cuts and transitions well, his footwork must become even nimbler and more precise. He needs to consistently chop his feet and sink his hips at the top of the route. Moreover, Dyches has to learn how to set up receivers by deking and disguising his intentions. He seems to be fairly savvy, but he could stand to become even more refined so defensive backs can’t read him.
Next, Dyches must hone his blocking technique on run plays, and, more importantly, work on defeating the jam. Dyches is physical at the line, but he can be tossed off his route and neutralized from time to time.
Lastly, Dyches has to make sure he gives full effort all game long. Since he’s such a terrific athlete, sometimes he can “go through the motions” and still get by. That may work in high school, but it won’t fly at the next level.
But Dyches has the potential to be an early contributor at Maryland. He’s as talented of an athlete as the Terps have in this class, and if he puts in the work and masters his fundamentals, he could be a prime playmaker. Dyches reminds of Jeshaun Jones and Darryl Jones, both of whom impacted the Maryland offense soon after stepping on campus.
Terrapin Times Rating: 3 Stars (87 overall)