Prospect Watch: Wide Receivers of Texas

[caption id="attachment_315604" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-315604" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/RecruitingSpotlight-crop-658x432-1648855136-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Photo: Prep Redzone[/caption] With football heading into a pass first, ask questions later kind of game, wide receivers are beginning to be the difference makers than can change the game in 1 play! 7 on 7 events have really benefited these young skill position players nowadays, getting them more reps with more competition after the season. This allows them to really shape their craft. With that being said, I have gone through the film and found 6 playmaking wide receivers that change the game in their own ways! Rett Anderson - 5’11" 175lbs Alamo Heights 2023 - 1st team All-State 2021 stats: 1185 yards 21 touchdowns Anderson is a deceptive route runner, getting cornerbacks mixed up on double moves, creating separation and throwing his arm up for his quarterback, making sure he is seen. With magnets for hands, Anderson routinely makes contested circus catches anywhere on the field (especially in the redzone) showcasing amazing ball skills and being about to play above the rim! Anderson also shows he has return ability, he takes long strides when running and with his blazing speed and vision, he makes 1 cut and he is gone, outrunning everyone to the endzone! Alex Tavarez - 6’ 175lbs Johnson San Antonio 2023 - first team all-district 2021 stats: 62 receptions 981 yards 12 touchdowns Tavarez is a pretty well-rounded receiver that is capable of scoring in many different ways. He shows he can be a jump ball guy that plays above the rim with a good catch radius, just throw it really high, either he is coming down with the ball or nobody is. Tavarez also showed that is a RAC monster and can make plays after the catch as well! This is a prospect that breaks through arm tackles and gets up field, he is so hard to bring down and will make the defense pay if they dont wrap up! Joaquin Trevino - 5’9" 165lbs La Feria 2024 2021 stats: 27 receptions 494 yards 4 touchdowns Trevino is a deep threat receiver that can get behind a defense with ease, creating separation using smooth routes down the field and separating speed. Trevino has amazing balance that keeps him up right while breaking tackles after the catch, it takes more than 1 guy to bring him down! Trevino is actually a very willing blocker, blowing up corners on more than 1 occasion. Trevino works primarily in the slot but can move to the outside and be just as effective, especially with go routes or deep come backs. But really his route tree stems beyond that, showing that he is not limited and can run multiple routes. Joaquin Trevino can do whatever you want in an offense, that should be very valuable to teams looking for a reliable talent. . Gunnar Williams - 5’11" 175lbs Porter 2023 2021 stats: 53 receptions 601 receiving yards 7 touchdowns 2021 utility player of the year 5A D2 Williams is a guy that will take a screen pass to the house with an exceptional ability to break tackles and impressive top speed. This is an athlete that can score all kinds of ways! I’m listing him at WR because that’s where he spent most of his time, picking up 601 yards and 7 touchdowns. But their is a reason he was voted the 2021 5A D2 utility player of the year! I’ve seen him take snaps at Wildcat quarterback that make him effective on the ground as well, picking up 453 yards and 3 touchdowns. Heading into his senior year I expect Gunnar Williams to be a name on every schools recruiting list! Gregor Jones - 6’5" 180lbs George Ranch 2023 Jones has great size and is a big target for quarterbacks looking to throw it deep! Every single catch he has is 20+ yards down the field, with the same intent from the quarterback, just throw it high and Jones will get it! A Jump ball reciever, Jones can go up and take it away from anyone and is a problem if left in single coverage, especially on fades or go’s! DO NOT leave Jones 1 on 1 , he will make you pay! [player_tooltip player_id="321388" first="Nathan" last="Salz"] - 6’1" 165lbs Jordan 2023 Salz is a track star off the field and uses that speed well on it. Not just a straight line runner though, Salz has great field vision with the ball in his hands. This allows Salz to excel at jet sweeps, finding open space and getting there quickly. Also using those abilities at kick returner, picking up yards in a hurry and stays up right during contact! Salz can also go long, he has a good catch radius on deep routes inside or outside the numbers! His hands are as reliable as it gets, makes contested catches look effortless! With his 2021 season ending early due to injury, Salz is fully healed and currently competing in events during the offseason, he is completely prepared and ready to go for 2022!