Position Breakdown: Top 10 Wide Receivers In 2022 Rankings
In this article:
Last week we presented an offensive positional breakdown of the 2023 class. Now we’re doing the same for the 2022 class. Today we’re putting the spotlight on the top 10 wide receivers in our rankings based on their play on…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLast week we presented an offensive positional breakdown of the 2023 class. Now we’re doing the same for the 2022 class. Today we’re putting the spotlight on the top 10 wide receivers in our rankings based on their play on the field or at camps over the past several months.
Update: Former Rio Rancho WR Daymari Cox has moved to New Orleans, so he is no longer included in our 2022 ranking.
1. Isaac Hinson Isaac Hinson 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR Lovington | 2022 State NM , Lovington: Arguably the top two-way player in Class 4A, Hinson is one of three talented wide receivers returning in the fall for the Wildcats. In addition to showcasing his great speed and catching a bunch of balls on offense, Hinson made 54 tackles and 4 interceptions in five games on defense. Watch out for Hinson and the entire Lovington offense in the fall. The Wildcats are definitely Class 4A title contenders.
2. Tayten Hilliard Tayten Hilliard 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Lovington | 2022 State NM , Lovington: The second of three dynamic Lovington receivers in our 2022 ranking. How much has Hilliard improved? As a sophomore in 2019, Hilliard finished well down the list of Lovington’s leading receivers, averaging just over one reception per game. That wasn’t the case this spring as he finished with 14 receptions for 274 yards and four touchdowns in 5 games. Yeah, Lovington’s wide receiver corps will be scary good in 2021.
3. Tim Drennan Tim Drennan 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR West Mesa | 2022 State NM , West Mesa: Another team that’s going to have a fabulous offense this fall? West Mesa. Drennan is a big reason for that with 11 receptions and four touchdowns in just 3 games this spring. Colleges are beginning to take notice too. Drennan was offered by Iowa Wesleyan earlier this week.
4. Adam Aguilera Adam Aguilera 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Lovington | 2022 State NM , Lovington: Aguilera doesn’t have the size of Hinson or Hilliard, but all he does is make plays. He led Lovington with 15 receptions this spring and returns kicks. Oh. And he punts too. Incredible speed. Someone will give him an opportunity at the next level.
5. Matthew Quartieri Matthew Quartieri 6'3" | 215 lbs | WR Raton | 2022 State NM , Raton: We’ve told you about the Raton offense for a while, and this fall could be the season when it finally all comes together for the Tigers. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Quartieri has been a weapon for the Raton offense since he was a freshman three years ago. For his career, Quartieri has 65 receptions for 750 yards and 7 touchdowns. The potentially prolific Raton offense should do big things in Class 3A.
6. Chance Carrillo Chance Carrillo 5'3" | WR Farmington | 2022 State NM , Farmington: His older brother Caleb has graduated and is no longer the Farmington quarterback, but Chance should follow up a solid spring (8 receptions for 181 yards) with a great fall. The Scorpions’ top three receivers in the spring were seniors, so Carrillo will be counted on heavily by the Farmington coaches.
7. Kaden Valdez Kaden Valdez 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM , Volcano Vista: Who is the state’s top returning receiver in terms of both receptions and yardage? Valdez. He had 22 receptions for 422 yards and 3 TDs in the spring. If the Hawks find a suitable successor to college-bound Johnny Herrera, Valdez should flourish again.
8. Kieran Gonzales Kieran Gonzales 5'8" | 150 lbs | WR Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM , Volcano Vista: The second piece of Volcano Vista’s dynamic three-way combination at WR should be Gonzales. He averaged 23.5 yards per reception in the spring. Put him together with Valdez and Kieran Cordova, and the Hawks should be very explosive in the passing game. We’ll refer to the Hawks’ receiving corps as ‘Special K.’
9. James Jenkins James Jenkins 6'0" | WR Hope Christian | 2022 State NM , Hope Christian: Possessing good size (6-2) and speed (4.6 in the 40), Jenkins is the second best WR in Class 3A behind Quartieri. Jenkins emerged as one of the top young receivers in the Albuquerque Metro area in 2019 when he caught 28 passes for 555 yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore. He continued to excel this spring and should be on the cusp of a breakout year. Definitely college caliber.
10. Matthew Gonzales Matthew Gonzales 5'5" | QB Robertson | 2022 State NM , Robertson: Now listed as a wide receiver, we didn’t see Gonzales play in the spring because the Las Vegas school district opted out of playing football. Gonzales has done it all for the Cardinals, historically a powerhouse program with numerous state championship game appearances. In 2019 he caught 1 pass for a 65-yard TD. Preview of coming attractions? We think so.
https://t.co/kOqqfdspLI
Class of 2022
Isaac Hinson
WR/DB/LB
5 Game Season
10 rec 144yds 2 TDS
15 solos 39 assists 2 TFL
4 interceptions 5 pass breakups
5 KOR’s 21 yard average return
Long Athlete with great speed and range. @marshhhhhy #FE— Wildcat Football (@lvtwildcatsfb) April 10, 2021
https://t.co/PH1vvdtRly
Class of 2022 WR/DB
Tayten Hilliard
5 Game Season
10 rec 144 yards 4 TDS
12 solo tackles 31 assists 1 TFL
1 caused fumble 1 FR
1 INT, 8 pass breakups
On the field in all 3 phases of this great game. Game changer! #FE— Wildcat Football (@lvtwildcatsfb) April 8, 2021
https://t.co/8WpvFcXtYw
Class of 2022 Slot WR/DB/KR/PK/Punter
Adam Aguilera
5 Game Season
15 rec 179 yds 11.9 avg per catch 2 TDs
104 KOR yards on the season 1 TD
36 yard Punt Average Longest Punt 47 yards
Dynamic Football Player and Incredibly Explosive #FE @aguilera_adam3— Wildcat Football (@lvtwildcatsfb) April 8, 2021
https://t.co/gfoAxQVOMN Junior Season Highlights- 3 Game Season
11 Receptions
4 TD’s
162 Yards— timothy drennan (@drennan_timothy) April 4, 2021
2021 Junior Year Highlights
3 Game Covid Season
22 Receptions
422 Receiving Yards
5 Receiving TD's
1 Kick Return TD
WR @CoachWallin @coach_jb71 @CoachMcTeigue @vvhsfootball @HawkVvhs https://t.co/6OOyZVXjyt #hudl— Kaden Valdez (@valdez_kaden) April 7, 2021
Volcano Vista High School CO 2022
5’9 150lbs Slot Receiver
Bench: 185
Squat: 275
PC: 180
DL:285
40: 4.69
Vert: 29”
Cell: (505)353-0951
Dedicated, hard working, passionate athlete with tons of heart. All i need is an opportunity.https://t.co/ZnhCl7q7uF— Kieran Gonzales (@kierangonzaless) May 13, 2021