PRZ Next Midwest Middle School Camp: Wide Receiver Standouts

I was actually amazed at how much talent was on display at our PrepRedzone Next Middle School Camp this past weekend in Barrington, IL. All of the prospects who attended the camp are still early in their development, which makes sense with them all still being in middle school. But with that being said, I could see how immensely talented some of these prospects are at an early age, and barring any catastrophic collapses, some of these kids are on pace to be really special in the next few years. So without further ado, let’s get to know some of the standout wide receivers from our 2022 PrepRedzone Next Midwest Middle School Camp... <hr /> <h5><em><strong>Jamari Brown | 2026 | Illinois</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344796" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8676-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Carmel Catholic will be a force to reckon with over the next few years. And with Brown set to play his high school ball at Carmel, he does nothing but add to the long list of talented prospects they have in their stable. Brown was by far one of the more polished receivers at the camp. Flashed exceptional route-running ability and stop-start quickness, and for a player his age, he does a great job of disguising his route progressions. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="283929" first="Oliver" last="Thulin"] | 2026 | Illinois</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344803" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8677-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> I got a chance to speak with Thulin before the camp, and he mentioned to me that he excelled in creating separation and finding the holes in the zone to get open for his quarterback. His performance proved that to be true by the precision of his routes and the separation I saw him create during 1-on-1s. <h5><em><strong>Luke Brewer | 2027 | Illinois</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344808" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8688-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Brewer is a legit  6’3" as a 7th grader, so you can only imagine the physical mismatches he’s going to create when he’s on the field. We didn’t measure hand size at the camp, but if I had to guess, Brewers’ mittens are pretty big with the way he engulfs the ball when it’s thrown to him. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="292900" first="Jeremiah" last="Jenkins"] | 2026 | Illinois</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344817" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8689-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Jenkin’s ability to outmaneuver the defenders caught my eye during the camp. Ran crisp and precise routes and was able to create separation during 1-on-1s consistently. <h5><em><strong>Darrion Clinton | 2026 | Illinois</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344822" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8697-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Clinton had a very productive camp as a receiver. Flashed good transitions in and out of his beaks while also showing some good body control and the ability to track the ball well on deep routes. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="283926" first="Kai" last="Owens"] | 2026 | Illinois</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344828" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8651-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Owens has all the makings of a playmaking possession receiver. At this age, he runs routes well enough to get open in the intermediate passing attack. His length, range, and speed are definitely going to put him in a position to be a more-than-reliable deep threat moving forward. <h5><em><strong>Devin Hamilton | 2026 | Illinois</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344832" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8652-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> There was a moment during 1-on-1s when Hamilton extended out to grab the ball, and I immediately thought to myself, "this kid has an insane catch radius." He will be a quarterback’s best friend with his size and range. He’s the type of receiver where you can literally just throw it up and he’ll come down with it. Has the potential to be a dominant red zone threat. <h5><em><strong>Jovan Green | 2026 | Illinois</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344840" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8649-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Green has impressive size for a receiver his age and already understands how to use that size to win his matchups. If I had to project him, I would say that he’s going to be a physical receiver that won’t shy away from contact, will have a high success rate when it comes to jump balls, tough to bring down and can pile up the YAC, and last but not least, he’ll be a dynamic deep-threat who’ll be no stranger to the end zone. <h5><em><strong>Josiah Smith | 2027 | Iowa</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-344855" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-8647-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Smith has an effortless stride and was definitely one of the more speedy receivers during camp. What stood out to me is that he has an innate ability to control that speed. He gets in and out of his breaks with ease, creates separation at the top of his routes, and not to mention, has a pretty nice pair of hands. I would for sure consider him your prototypical slot receiver.