Tall Tale: Chicagoland’s Top Wideouts Who Are 6-foot-3 and Above

I love tall receivers. There's something about a 6'4" receiver lining up against a 5'9" cornerback that just screams "throw him the ball."  It's almost as if tall receivers have a built-in advantage when lined up against smaller defensive backs. It's even more special to watch when that tall receiver has good hands, can run crisp routes, consistently win jump balls, and just altogether physically dominates the matchup in front of him. So without further ado, let's get to know 13 Chicagoland wideouts from the '23-'24 classes who are all 6-foot-3 and above... <hr /> <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139450" first="Logan" last="Lester"] | 6’3" 185lbs | Kenwood ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-157644" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/0D17FC83-BA21-49F0-A6A8-4C3584EEF267-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Lester is one of the Public League’s most talented prospects. He possesses that rare combination of size and athleticism, which can pose matchup problems for opposing secondary’s. Brings big-play potential to the field as a deep threat but is equally effective in the short and intermediate passing attacks. Simply put, Lester is as complete of a receiver as they come and must be accounted for whenever he steps between the lines. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="267885" first="Brandon" last="Amaniampong"] | 6’5" 210lbs | Downers Grove South ’23</strong></em></h5> Amaniampong is still very raw in his development. Still, with his size and athleticism and him being one of the most intriguing physical specimens in the state, it’s safe to say his best football has yet to come. Does an excellent job at using his frame to box out defenders when hauling in receptions and is a matchup nightmare in the red zone. He’s an above-average blocker so it wouldn’t be a shocker to see him move over to a full-time tight end at the next level. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="267883" first="Jalen" last="Smith"] | 6’4" 180lbs | O’Fallon ’23</strong></em></h5> Smith’s versatility is what makes him such an intriguing prospect. At his size, he can play over-the-top, underneath, in the slot, or out wide. Regardless of where he’s lined up or what part of the field he’s operating in, Smith commands the attention of opposing defenses and can be considered a security blanket for his quarterback. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65877" first="Ryan" last="Sims"] | 6’3" 200lbs | Marist ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-47106" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2782-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> I’ve been raving about Sims for the past two years. Since the first time I saw him, he’s gotten exponentially better and is without a doubt primed for a breakout senior season after posting 43 receptions, 759 yards, and 10 touchdowns as a junior. He’s amazingly light on his feet for a kid his size and is an exceptional route runner who can create a ton of space at the top of his routes. Can be a threat to beat you deep and can be a handful in the intermediate passing game with his size and ability to run routes. Sims is also a natural runner of the football who can pile up the YAC. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153177" first="Shaibu" last="Mohammed"] | 6’4" 185lbs | Plainfield North ’23</strong></em></h5> Mohammed displays good body control for his size. Excels on out-breaking routes by utilizing his size to shield off defenders. As a result, he situates himself perfectly between the quarterback and the defender for easy pitch-and-catch. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="267960" first="James" last="Smith"] Jr. | 6’6" 180lbs | Richards ’23</strong></em></h5> Smith Jr. is a long strider with an explosive release that can eat up a defensive back’s cushion in an instant. He’s a physical blocker from the receiver position but I would love to see Smith Jr. featured more in the vertical passing game. His size, skills, and speed make him a mismatch by default for opposing defensive backs. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="267889" first="Braylen" last="Meredith"] | WR | Wheaton Warrenville South ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-163057" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/EA393410-ACB1-4F29-9BE1-1179B1E8DA17-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Meredith is a long 6’5" with an impressive wingspan that presents a catch radius any quarterback would appreciate. He’s got a ton of upside and has all the makings of a complete receiver. Flashes a reliable set of hands and makes tough catches in traffic. Capable of stretching the field vertically and can consistently move the chains intermediately. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="271314" first="Christian" last="Bentancur"] | 6’5" 220lbs | Marian Central ’24</strong></em></h5> You heard it here first; [player_tooltip player_id="271314" first="Christian" last="Bentancur"] will be one of the most coveted prospects in the state by the time he’s a senior—book it. His talent is already through the roof and his upside is even greater. He spends most of his time at the receiver position, but you can bet that he’ll slide over to tight end at the next level with him measuring at 6’5" 220lbs going into his junior year. He’s got the speed to beat defenders deep and the size/power to make catches while defenders are draped over him—a solid route-runner with a nice set of hands who’s a big play waiting to happen. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="271315" first="Eric" last="Karner"] | 6’4" 185lbs | IC Prep ’24</strong></em></h5> Karner is very confident in his approach and has the necessary skills to climb up the rankings as he heads into his junior year. He’s a solid route runner who displays the capabilities of a playmaking possession receiver who by the way, is a more than reliable blocker from the receiver position. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20843" first="Malik" last="Elzy"] | 6’3" 198lbs | Simeon ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57575" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Malik-Elzy-262x300.jpg" alt="" width="262" height="300" /> I remember watching Elzy as a freshman and thinking to myself, "he’s going to be pretty good in a few years." Fast forward to the present, and he’s exceeded my expectations as he’s worked himself into the conversation of one of Illinois’ top prospects in the 2023 class. He’s extremely physical, runs great routes, has good hands. If I had to compare him to anyone, I would say he reminds me a lot of Andre Johnson, both in physique and playing style. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136403" first="Kristian" last="Gavric"] | 6’3" 185lbs | Libertyville ’23</strong></em></h5> Gavric was featured in last week’s article which highlighted Lake County’s most talented pass catchers. Since not much has changed since a week ago, I’ll just reiterate that Gavric is a prospect you need to keep an eye on as we approach the 2022 Fall season. He’s got soft hands and can high point the ball with the best of them along being physical and skilled enough to defeat converge consistently. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159093" first="Deakon" last="Tonielli"] | 6’6" 220lbs | Oswego ’23</strong></em></h5> Tonielli must give opposing defensive coordinators fits with matchup problems his size and athleticism presents. Does a great job of getting open for his quarterback and has tremendous leaping ability. Possesses an overly impressive wingspan and an almost endless catch radius. Effective in the slot or out wide and can be nearly impossible to cover in the red zone. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="244145" first="Brandon" last="Woods"] | 6’4" 175lbs | Thornton Fractional South ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-243861" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/156-Brandon-Woods.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> The success rate when defensive backs attempt to press Woods is not very high. His low, quick, and powerful release allows him to consistently push past defensive backs and go get the rock—something he does very well. He’s a natural deep threat with big-play tendencies but can also consistently move the chains as a possession receiver with his ability to run efficient routes.