Top Pass Catcher Groups Heading into 2022

We continue our highlighting of the top position groups across Wisconsin with a look at the top pass catching groups. This includes receivers and tight ends. Below are 6 duos and trios that I expect to have strong seasons and have key roles on their teams, and a direct impact on their team’s weekly outcomes. Each one of these are ranked athletes that we here at Prep Redzone WI believe can play at some level in the college ranks. Make sure to check these dudes out coaches. Let’s get it started! <h3>Oak Creek</h3> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104411" first="Joey" last="Flaherty"], 2023 WR- 6’3" 180 lbs</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104489" first="Steven" last="Piontek"], 2023 WR- 6’ 165 lbs</strong></li> </ul> I have high expectations for the Oak Creek passing game this fall. They return QB [player_tooltip player_id="104992" first="Cade" last="Palkowski"], and his top two receiving targets in Joey and Steven. Steven led the way with 26-304-3, while Joey put up 19-408-4. The familiarity between passer and receiver should allow Oak Creek’s passing game to pick up where it let off, and take the next step forward. Steven’s route running is the top strength of his game. His body control allows him to cut, fake, or stop on a dime in his route. This leads to a large amount of separation for his QB. Even if he doesn’t get separation, Steven has proven he can go and get it in traffic with strong hands. Flaherty is the big body option who can take the top off the defense. His ability to go up and over DBs gives his QB the confidence to go to him even when the coverage is tight. I’m excited for what these two will do as seniors. <h3>Greenfield</h3> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104483" first="Jahquan" last="Redding"], 2023 WR- 5’11" 175 lbs</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104510" first="Omar" last="Surveyor"], 2023 WR- 6’1" 170 lbs</strong></li> </ul> Arguably the top duo of this article goes to the Greenfield receivers. Jahquan finished 2021 with 28-507-7, and Omar contributed 32-501-2. This is an exciting senior duo. Both check in among the top 10 at their position after our rankings update. This is a nice luxury to have as Greenfield looks for their next signal caller after the graduation of senior [player_tooltip player_id="31326" first="Jackson" last="Compton"]. Jahquan has a well balanced skill set for the position. He has the athleticism to stretch the field with speed or pickup yards after the catch thanks to his short area agility as he makes defenders miss. The long, lean Omar is a bit more raw at this point, but his reliable hands give his QB confidence and he does a good job of finding the open areas in coverage. I’m looking forward to how the two perform as a new QB takes over the helm. <h3>Janesville Parker</h3> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="267047" first="JJ" last="Douglas"], 2024 WR- 6’4" 210 lbs</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="268988" first="Paul" last="Kim"], 2024 WR- 6’ 190 lbs</strong></li> <li><strong>Cayden Bradenburg, 2024 WR- 5’10" 160 lbs</strong></li> </ul> The top soon to be junior trio, and maybe the top trio overall, resides at Janesville Parker. Parker returns a standout QB, and his top three receiving options. This has me excited for big numbers from Douglas, Bradenburg, and Kim. As sophomores, Douglas put up 445-810-5, Kim put up 18-201-2, and Cayden had  31-309-5. Douglas is poised to make a run at the title for best receiver in WI. His huge frame, big catch radius, play speed, and strength after the catch are next level. I expect him to be a highly sought after recruit. Kim is an exciting slot receiver who’s quickness allows him to create separation as he is able to maintain speed through his breaks. Cayden is another slot receiver. H  controls his compact frame with ease allowing him to weave through the defense and make defenders miss in the open filed. This could be a breakout year for Parker as they field one of the top collections of passing game talent. <h3>Nicolet</h3> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="231117" first="Kentel" last="Williams"], 2023 WR- 5’11" 175 lbs</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104981" first="Adrian" last="Thomas"], 2024 WR- 6’4" 180 lbs</strong></li> </ul> Nicolet is going to field a due that is poised for a breakout year. They return QB Ben Ott, an done of the top 2024 WRs in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="104981" first="Adrian" last="Thomas"]. His long, lean frame is stronger than you would expect, and it has me excited for his future as he continues to fill out and add more muscle. Kentel will look to take over as the field stretching, speed option. His small sample size tells me that he can do just that as he finished the season averaging 26 yards per reception. Thomas put up 4-63-0 in 4 games, while Kentel had 7-182-3 in 5 games. With the graduation of the top RB and WR from 2021 look for these two to have breakout years. <h3>Arrowhead</h3> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="304377" first="Tripp" last="Walsh"], 2023 WR- 6’5" 195 lbs</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="268968" first="Kyle" last="Janke"], 2024 WR- 6’1" 170 lbs</strong></li> </ul> This is a passing attack that will be completely new. Arrowhead will start a new QB and be looking fo  new leading receivers. Tripp is bound to take over the #1 spot. He is our #1 WR for the Class of 2023. His massive frame allows him to have a huge catch radius and box out defenders at the catch point making it very hard to cover him one on one. The big man finished 2021 with 11-188-4. I expect those numbers to make a solid jump as he becomes to go to safety blanket for a new QB. Kyle finished 2021 with 1-8-0 meaning he is basically a new option on the varsity field. He has the solid length for the position, but where he really shines is with his speed. He stood out form the crow at the JV level telling me he is ready to make the jump to varsity this fall. I’m pumped to see how this plays out. <h3>West De Pere</h3> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104984" first="Langdon" last="Nordgaard"], 2024 WR- 6’4" 195 lbs</strong></li> <li><strong>Paul Kersten, 2023 TE- 6’5" 225 lbs</strong></li> </ul> If you are looking for special, next level frames then West De Pere is where you need to start. They have two options who are perfect for jump ball or redzone situations. Their starting WR and TE both possess textbook size for their positions. Langdon is a field stretching option who has very soft hands. He is a monster after the catch, and he can high point the ball with the best in the state. His QB just needs to get it close thanks to that combo of length and soft hands. Paul is a mismatch in the middle of the field. He can stretch the field up the seam or find the soft spots in zones in the middle of the field. These two are going to be big time safety blankets for West De Pere, and mismatches on a weekly basis. In 2021, Langdon put up 35-607-5 while Kersten had 7-87-0. Expect a bump for both.