Break Out Candidates of the 2024 Class: WR
In this article:
I’ll be honest, it’s hard to throw the football in high school. I have been to many games, and it is evident that a lot of these QB’s are primarily their teams’ best passer. He’ll makes for an exciting weapon,…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingI’ll be honest, it’s hard to throw the football in high school. I have been to many games, and it is evident that a lot of these QB’s are primarily their teams’ best passer. He’ll makes for an exciting weapon, but it is hard for some receivers to thrive. Some players had to wait their turn, others were not the 2nd or 2rd option on their team as a junior. There are some studs in this upcoming senior class, and I expect them to make some noise next season! Here are the Break Out Candidates of the 2024 Class:
Zion Kearney
Zion Kearney
Let’s start this list with a bang! Kearney is already a ranked prospects, so why would he be on my list? Well dear reader, I feel like Kearney has the ability to end his senior year as the best receiver in his class. Kearney has great size, standing at 6’3″ and nearing 200 pounds. He is a long strider with deceptively fast speed. He’s a big body with vertical threat capabilities. Kearney is a great talent, I just feel like he has not taken over a game yet. With his size, speed, and hands. I would like to see him dominate on a consistent basis. He has all the potential in the world. I want to see him out muscle DBs, out jump them, block until the whistle blows, etc. With QB Joseph Stewart Jr. stepping into his junior year, and the reception leader Khaleb Davis graduating, Kearney is naturally the choice to see the bulk of the targets. I believe Kearney can end his high school career with his first 1,000 yard season!
Christopher Barnes
Christopher Barnes
North Shore relied heavily on the running game this past season. They’re starting QB, Kaleb Bailey Kaleb Bailey 6’2″ | 195 lbs | QB North Shore | 2025 State TX , went down with a knee injury about midway through the season. Though backup QB David Amador David Amador 6’0″ | 175 lbs | WR North Shore | 2023 State TX (formerly a WR) did an admirable job rushing and passing, North Shore receivers were not able to fully get loose in the passing game. Barnes is a big play waiting to happen! He is electric with the ball in his hands, whether that be catching, reverses, screens, kick and punt return. He is dangerously fast, but he can be a complete receiver. He is able to run all the routes, and could score from anywhere on the field. He does not have ideal size, but he is tough as nails. If I were a betting man, I would say North Shore tweak the way they run their QB, and allow him to throw even more. D’Andre Hardeman Jr. is primed to take over the RB1 role, and he will command extra bodies in the box. This should open the door for Barnes to feast in his senior season!
Tracy James Jr.
Tracy James Jr.
James is a really nice YAC receiver. He seems to try to score every chance he gets, no matter the lead. He has nice size and very good hands. He can play inside or out, and be effective at either. Giving him a free release is not a smart decision. Very shifty in and out of breaks, James can get open in a phonebooth. Primarily working the slot, James has the ability to play on the outside as well. His QB, Blake Baker Blake Baker 6’5″ | 195 lbs | QB Cypress Ranch | 2023 State TX , may be one of the best pure throwers of the football in his district, and he hit James early and often this season. On screens, he is a willing blocker as well. I like his game and I think he has all the tools to make a leap this upcoming season.
JD Crisp
JD Crisp
The one and only private school receiver on the list! Crisp describes his route running pretty well. He was crisps routes and has amazing hands. I would argue JD might have the best hands out of this entire list. That Second Baptist offense runs through him. Any ‘gotta have it plays‘ went to Crisp, and everyone knew it. He has very good body control, making acrobatic catches look easy. I do think his competitive nature can lose his focus once his team gets down or he gets slowed down, but I think they can be fixed with maturity. When he is locked in, Crisp is a serious threat to defenses. 50/50 balls are very much 80/20, and he isn’t even a big receiver (a slender 6’0″). Very good speed, excellent hands and solid routes, I believe Crisp has a chance to have a very strong senior season.
Nick Brown
Nick Brown
For his first season on varsity, Brown had a quietly decent debut. As the season progressed he got more and more playing time and made the most of his opportunity, becoming a starter by seasons’ end. Brown has have good hands and can take the top off of the defense. Never the primary target, Brown got open a ton, and helped his QB out during the scramble drill. Slot and outside flexibility, he has taken snaps in multiple spots, and even returned punts. I would like to see a but more urgency in his routes. He’s fast, and you can tell when he’s accelerating, there’s a noticeable difference. Heights top two WR will graduate this year, leaving the door wide open for Brown to make some plays. I expect a jump in production for Brown and the entire Heights offense!