John Hightower is a Vertical Threat WR for Boise State. John's 2019 season ranks in the 90th percentile nationally by opponent-adjusted EPA per play across 100 plays — a elite rate for the WR.
Elite deep receiver who stretches the field. Wins downfield, commands safety attention, and creates the threat that opens underneath routes.
Players from 2014–2024 matched on EPA efficiency, play volume, and adjusted value tier — not just one metric.
| Player | Team | Yr | Plays | WEPA/play | Line val | Total EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keytaon Thompson | Mississippi State | 2017 | 70 | 0.460 | 1.2 | 32.2 |
| Savion Williams | TCU | 2024 | 56 | 0.450 | 1.1 | 25.2 |
| DeAndre Hughes | Air Force | 2021 | 60 | 0.470 | 1.3 | 28.2 |
| Zach Abey | Navy | 2016 | 70 | 0.370 | 0.8 | 25.9 |
| Javion Posey | Florida Atlantic | 2020 | 53 | 0.450 | 1.4 | 23.8 |
Comps are statistical — efficiency, volume, and value tier all factor in. Style and conference context differ.
| Wk | Opponent | Result | Opp SP+ | Rec | Rec Yds | Avg | Rec TD | Long | EPA/play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @Florida State | W36-31 | 1.8 | 2 | 25 | 12.5 | 0 | 14 | 0.15 |
| 2 | vsMarshall | W14-7 | -1.9 | 2 | 46 | 23.0 | 1 | 47 | 0.24 |
Usage = share of team plays (CFBD has no true snap counts).
Rec 3 · Rec Yds 20 · Avg 6.7 · Rec TD 0
| 3 |
| vsPortland State |
| W45-10 |
| — |
| 4 |
| 79 |
| 19.8 |
| 1 |
| 44 |
| 0.76 |
| 4 | vsAir Force | W30-19 | 12.1 | 5 | 48 | 9.6 | 0 | 16 | 0.15 |
| 6 | @UNLV | W38-13 | -17.4 | 4 | 105 | 26.3 | 1 | 76 | 0.77 |
| 7 | vsHawai'i | W59-37 | -1.9 | 7 | 141 | 20.1 | 2 | 42 | 0.74 |
| 8 | @BYU | L25-28 | 1.3 | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 8 | -0.17 |
| 10 | @San José State | W52-42 | -7.2 | 5 | 129 | 25.8 | 0 | 41 | 1.12 |
| 11 | vsWyoming | W20-17 | -1.1 | 2 | 46 | 23.0 | 0 | 43 | 1.10 |
| 12 | vsNew Mexico | W42-9 | -17.0 | 4 | 124 | 31.0 | 1 | 51 | 0.99 |
| 13 | @Utah State | W56-21 | -4.3 | 3 | 56 | 18.7 | 1 | 30 | 0.03 |
| 14 | @Colorado State | W31-24 | -3.9 | 5 | 49 | 9.8 | 0 | 23 | -0.14 |
| 15 | vsHawai'i | W31-10 | -1.9 | 3 | 64 | 21.3 | 1 | 36 | 0.29 |
| 1 | vsWashington | L7-38 | 18.3 | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 0 | 12 | -0.36 |