2026 Watch List Wideouts to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While only freshman, Mississippi has several wide outs that have already come on to the recruiting scene. It is too early in these guys' careers to rank them yet, but it is never too early to get eyes on them. Today, we break down the wide receivers that made our first 2026 watch list. These guys have proven their ability on tape this past season and are bound to be some of the big time names to know by signing day of their senior years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["691272"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Totaling over 1,000 receiving yards as a freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='691272' first='O'Mari' last='Johnson'] could be one of the best 2026 wide outs in the entire nation. At 6'0u0022 170, he has good size for the position and is not even close to being done growing yet. Johnson is a rare athlete that already shows the ability to start and stop anywhere on the field and accelerate past defenders. This is the type of wide out you can move all over the formation to create favorable matchups and let him produce on both short breaking and vertical routes. Playing primarily in the slot last season, Johnson could continue to dominate in his role there, or could grow and be a college Z style receiver. With his natural hands and football ability, Johnson catches the ball well and can make some contested grabs downfield. Listing offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Penn State, it won't be long until most of the country has heard of the Wesson product. Expecting a big season in 2023 from Johnson and an incredibly bright future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f70da5e34b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["691288"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Playing in limited time last season as a freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='691288' first='Omar' last='Brand'] is due for a huge upcoming season at Southaven. The 6'0u0022 170 utility player primarily played on special teams and was mixed in at outside receiver, but will look to grow his role tremendously this year. Brand is the type of player that has unique speed at an early age, which tends to be a recipe for success as far as recruitment goes. This is the type of player that can score from anywhere on the field and can be used on jet sweeps, screens, and quick breaking routes to get the ball in his hands fast. Brand can easily make defenders miss in the open field and has a certain type of smoothness to him when he runs. He is a twitched up player that can quickly change direction and flip the field on a defense. With his upside in mind, Brand should be a future big time player in Mississippi to know at an early age.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f70da5e3cd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284030"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Already at 6'0u0022 210 pounds, Kaden u0022KDu0022 Catchings has the size for the wide out position that college coaches are looking for. A major contributor for a great Hartfield Academy team this past season, Catchings best ball is ahead of him. Catchings is moved all across the formation, taking snaps at slot, outside, and running back in order to get the ball in his hands. As big as he is, Catchings already has impressive speed and burst to him and runs in the open field like a running back. He isn't afraid of contact and can power through defenders that try to arm tackle him. The young athlete has good hands and catches the ball naturally. He is just so dangerous in the open field and looked like a veteran player as a freshman. Also playing some linebacker, it will be incredibly interesting to see how Catchings develops over his next three seasons. As the importance for finding versatile players at the next level continues to rise, Catchings ought to be a highly sought after talent in due time.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f70da5e441"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["691275"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A 6'2u0022 outside presence, [player_tooltip player_id='691275' first='Tristan' last='Keys'] played major time last year for Hattiesburg as a freshman. Keys is a prototypical X receiver and has the frame to keep growing and getting bigger. Smooth at the line of scrimmage, Keys shows the ability to create separation between himself and defenders using his quick foot fire. Downfield, Keys tracks the ball extremely well and can make some impressive grabs over defenders. His length allows him to high point the football, a skill that many young receivers just do not have at this stage in their careers. If the ball is in the air, Keys is going to come down with it. Used in the screen game some, Keys shows off his burst and acceleration in the open field. This is a really well rounded young wide out that is due for a big upcoming sophomore season with continued development in the weight room.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f70da5e4b1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["691282"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Playing in 9 games last season, Greene County's [player_tooltip player_id='691282' first='Jase' last='Mathews'] totaled 673 all purpose yards in his freshman season. Mathews stands at 6'0u0022 165 and shows plenty of room left to continue growing and filling out. Playing mostly outside receiver last season, Mathews has a great skill set to continue developing at X or Z wide out. A smooth route runner, Mathews gets in and out of his breaks well and knows how to find space at a young age. At the line of scrimmage, Mathews understands how to create separation against man to man coverage and can do so with little hesitation. He is a natural hands catcher with the ability to go up top to make some impressive grabs. Mathews rarely lets the ball hit him in the chest. Downfield, he tracks the ball well and can pull away from incoming defenders. This is a really talented wide out who ought to garner some attention as the years go on. Love his tape from last year and think he has a strong skill set to be one of Mississippi's best when it is all said and done.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f70da5e51f"} /-->