Top 5 Wide Receivers of Southern WI
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Welcome back to another installment of our series looking at the Top 5 overall players at each position in northern and southern WI! We are a great one today as I identify the top 5 wide receivers in southern WI.…
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Continue ReadingWelcome back to another installment of our series looking at the Top 5 overall players at each position in northern and southern WI! We are a great one today as I identify the top 5 wide receivers in southern WI. This has by far been the most difficult group to narrow down to a top 5. Southern WI is home to a stacked group of receivers spread across the classes of 2023, and 2024. Every kid on this list is an athlete that will be playing at the next level, so make sure you are well acquainted with them.
1. JJ Douglas JJ Douglas 6'5" | 215 lbs | WR Janesville Parker | 2024 State WI , ’24- Janesville Parker
JJ comes in at the WR1 spot in southern WI. He is so impressive to watch. 6’5″ 210 with the athleticism to provide his QB with a massive catch radius, and stretch the field. He also possesses the ball skills to make catches in traffic, and the body control to be able to contort his body to make catches on balls outside the framework of his body. Douglas finished with 45 receptions, 810 yards, and 5 TDs, and will lead the way for one of the most talented receiver rooms in the state. When talking best receivers, it starts in Janesville.
2. Adrian Thomas Adrian Thomas 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Nicolet | 2024 State WI , ’24- Nicolet
Another big, powerful target is the 6’4″180 lbs Nicolet playmaker. Adrian is a raw prospect, but his natural gifts and traits are impossible to ignore. His play strength allows him to box out defenders at the catch point, prevent himself form being pushed around in his route, be an impactful run blocker, and pick up yards after the catch. We are poised for a big breakout performance from Adrian as Nicolet looks to find new playmakers as they look to build on one of the best seasons in school history.
3. Drew Wagner Drew Wagner 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Kettle Moraine | 2024 State WI , ’24- Kettle Moraine
Drew is one of my favorite overall athletes in the state. He broke out in a major way this past fall demonstrating elite route running that he paired with game breaking top end speed to create even more consistent separation on a play to play basis. Wagner’s ability to make difficult, acrobatic catches are all over his film as well. That skill allow shim to provide his QB with a larger than expected target area and catch radius. I’m pumped to watch him take another step this fall, and in doing so push the two receivers above him for the #1 spot. He finished 2021 with 50 catches, 1,021 yards, and 15 TDs.
4. Tripp Walsh Tripp Walsh 6'5" | 215 lbs | TE Arrowhead | 2023 State WI , ’23- Arrowhead
Coming in at #4 is our top 2023 WR Tripp Walsh Tripp Walsh 6'5" | 215 lbs | TE Arrowhead | 2023 State WI . The big man earned our top spot in the Class of 2023 for multiple reasons. First, he has the natural gifts like his massive frame, and soft hands. He also has done a very good job of understanding how to use that size to his advantage when it comes to creating separation and the catch point. He does a good job of boxing out defenders and catching the ball away from his body to make it even more difficult for defenders to break up the pass. He finished 2021 with 11 receptions, 188 yards, and 4 TDs. Look for the WR/TE to build upon those numbers this fall.
5. Reagan Hub Reagan Hub 6'5" | 170 lbs | WR Eau Claire Memorial | 2023 State WI , ’23- Eau Claire Memorial
This was the toughest decision of all the Top 5 articles I have done. It came down to Reagan and arrowhead standout Andrew Weske. Hub won the battle for a couple reasons. First off, his has the superior height/weight/speed combination at 6’4″ 170 lbs, and the speed to take the top off the defense. That ability to stretch the field is the highlight of his game. Reagan is at his best eating up cushions and burning CBs and safeties deep downfield. To go with that field stretching speed is the ability to haul in some wild receptions that highlight very soft hands. He finished 2021 with 18 receptions, 248 yards, and 2 TDs.
Honorable Mention
Andrew Weske, ’23- Arrowhead: 26 Receptions, 631 Yards, 6 TDs
Jahquan Redding Jahquan Redding 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Greenfield | 2023 State WI , ’23- Greenfield: 26 Receptions, 468 Yards, 4 TDs
Joey Flaherty Joey Flaherty 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Oak Creek | 2023 State WI , ’23- Oak Creek: 19 Receptions, 408 Yards, 4 TDs
Omar Surveyor Omar Surveyor 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Greenfield | 2023 State WI , ’23- Greenfield: 32 Receptions, 472 Yards, 2 TDs
Jacques Brooks Jacques Brooks 5'10" | 185 lbs | WR Franklin | 2024 State WI , ’24- Franklin: 27 Receptions, 501 Yards, 4 TDs