Top Under the Radar 2023 Leading Receivers

If there’s one class and position group we haven’t seen a ton of so far, it’s 2023 wide receivers. It’s not the deepest or most talented group in the state and doesn’t have an elite 5-star guy like a [player_tooltip player_id="33861" first="Travis" last="Hunter"]. There are a few who are emerging this year and there’s a good chance we’ll know all about a few rising stars before the season is over. Here are a few "under the radar" 2023 wide receivers who are having a big season so far... &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145593" first="Jaden" last="Gibson"] - Rabun County</strong> Playing with arguably the top QB in the entire state in four-star [player_tooltip player_id="33862" first="Gunner" last="Stockton"], it was easy to see Gibson having a big season. Stockton needs weapons to throw too, and Gibson is one of the top playmakers across North Georgia. He’s a smooth route-runner and has shows strong, reliable hands all season. He’s excellent in the screen game and can be a threat to score with any type of room to run. He’s been a touchdown machine for the Wildcats and having one of the best starts to the season for any receiver in his class. He’s caught 24 passes so far this year for 668 yards and six touchdowns so far this season and could be one of the leading receivers in their classification by the end of the year. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=a8d2da55-7b39-42f1-834f-1af9e39d6eb3&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Damare</span> Franklin</a> - Veterans</strong> Still an unknown prospect, there haven’t been many more reliable offensive players in Middle Georgia than Franklin. The quick, twitchy receiver is off to a big start this year and has been the go-to playmaker for the Veterans offense. He’s beene on an absolute tear for the last four games, catching 7+ passes for 100+ yards in each contest. In their only win so far this year over Jones County, Franklin caught 10 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown. He hasn’t been stopped these laxt few weeks and he’s only getting better. He’s shown great hands and the ability to pick up big yards with each grab, averaging 16 yards per reception this season. So far, Franklin has caught 40 passes this season for 637 yards and three touchdowns. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=578170f2-c540-46e0-b1ac-979cf518510e&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Zion</span> Taylor</a> - Parkview</strong> Another under the radar player, Taylor has quietly had one of the best season of any receiver in Gwinnett County. The Parkview standout has good size and shown big-play ability, scoring 7 touchdowns so far this season. The 6-foot-1 185-pounder has big, strong hands and can run with power after the catch. He holds two offers from Utah and Georgia Tech, but the way he’s playing so far this year, he should start to see more come his way. He’s been a giant weapon in the redzone and should see more opportunities there as the season moves along. Leading Parkview to a 3-3 record, Taylor has caught 37 passes for 548 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34073" first="Malik" last="Leverett"] - Evans</strong> Out in East Georgia is where you’ll find another quiet playmaker in Leverett. Another wideout who can turn around and play some defensive back, he has good size at 6-foot-2 190-pounds with impressive athleticism. He uses his frame to his advantage and can overpower smaller defenders for the football. He’s good in jump-ball situations and has been tough to handle for defensive backs for the last two weeks. He helps in the run game as well, but for the last two weeks specifically, Leverett has been unstoppable catching the ball. He’s hauled in 21 passes over the last two weeks for 350 yards and two touchdowns. If he keeps up this pace look for his recruitment to take off sooner than later. On the season, Leverett has 30 receptions for 545 yards and three touchdowns. &nbsp; <strong>Bailey Stockton - Prince Avenue Christian</strong> The Wolverines may not have 5-star QB [player_tooltip player_id="33652" first="Brock" last="Vandagriff"] anymore, but they still have a high-powered passing attack and junior receiver Bailey Stockton who can catch just about everything. The Wolverines had some impact seniors leave last year so Stockton is taking full advantage of his starting role this year as a junior. A shifty, quicker receiver at 5-foot-10 170-pounds, Stockton has earned over 100 yard receiving in four of the team’s first five games this season. He’s also found the endzone an impressive seven times this season. His biggest game of the season last week in a big 35-10 win over Wesleyan where he caught 7 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=92381a09-4130-4316-8914-6969a2fd7dbb&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Camron</span> Lacy - Stephens County</a></strong> Another North Georgia standout, Lacy has been one of the more productive receivers in the area in recent weeks, earning over 100 yards receiving in the last three weeks. His biggest game came this last week as he caught 7 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He’s playing better and better each week as he gets more opportunities. The 5-foot-10 155-pounder is a precise route runner and can break off a long run any time he touches the ball. He’s had receptions of 63, 83, 72 and 46. He’s an explosive weapon who should see more passes his way over the next few weeks. &nbsp; &nbsp;