2023 St. Louis Players to Watch: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we are headed into the end of April, the 2023 high school football off-season is in full swing with teams and players preparing for the upcoming season. As has been the case for quite some time now, the city of St. Louis is abundant in talent on the gridiron. With that in mind, I wanted to take a look at some of the top returning players in the city heading into the 2023 high school football season. After already covering the quarterbacks and running backs, I will now turn my attention to the top returning wide receivers and tight ends in St. Louis in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["125255"],"_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":"If you follow high school football in St. Louis or the entire state of Missouri as a whole, [player_tooltip player_id='125255' first='Ryan' last='Wingo'] should be a household name by now. Wingo is one of the best overall football players in the entire state and he continued to prove that during his junior year. He finished this past season with 41 receptions for 785 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wingo has the versatility to play on the outside or in the slot and is a very dangerous deep threat, using his speed to run right by opposing defensive backs. He is also a very skilled route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. After the catch, he uses his speed to run away from the defense and also has the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Wingo is also a very dangerous returner on special teams, returning a couple kicks for touchdowns this past season. Ryan has a long list of Power 5 offers and I expect him to thrive wherever he decides to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["181554"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another talented incoming senior wide receiver at SLUH to keep an eye on this season is [player_tooltip player_id='181554' first='Joe' last='Harris']. Harris had a solid junior season, catching 38 passes for 590 yards and six touchdowns. Harris has shown the ability to produce both in the slot and on the outside, showing very impressive route running ability. He has quick breaks in his routes without breaking stride, which allows him to create separation from opposing defensive backs very easily. Harris also has the speed to pose as a dangerous deep threat. I also like Harris' ability to track the ball over his shoulder, never losing concentration on the football regardless of how tight the coverage is around him. Harris currently holds offers from Ball State, Air Force, Marshall, and Northern Iowa, and I expect that list to continue to grow as he is a Division I caliber receiver.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["126237"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='126237' first='Jeremiah' last='McClellan'] is another elite incoming senior wide receiver in  St. Louis. McClellan played a huge role in CBC's Class 6 State Championship run this past season, catching 61 passes for 1,103 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has blazing speed on the outside, showing the ability to run right by opposing defensive backs to create separation in the deep passing game. McClellan also is a very gifted route runner, showing a quick release and smooth breaks in his routes. Jeremiah is electric after the catch, showing the ability to use his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes and screens into big plays. He also has proven to be a threat as a ball carrier, running the ball 29 times for 330 yards and four touchdowns last season. Jeremiah holds a long list of Power 5 offers but recently narrowed it down to his top 12 which included Ohio State, LSU, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Florida, and Notre Dame.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["179185"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"McClellan is joined in the talented CBC receiving core by incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='179185' first='Corey' last='Simms']. Simms is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he finished with 32 receptions for 446 yards and four touchdowns. He has great versatility as he has shown the ability to play both in the slot and on the outside. Simms is a very skilled route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation from opposing defensive backs. When the ball is thrown his way, Simms has shown the ability to use his athleticism to go up and catch the ball at its highest point. He is also a very reliable blocker, doing a great job of getting into the open field and picking up blocks, and showing the physicality to drive his man out of the play. CBC uses Simms as a lead blocker very often on screen passes. Corey currently holds offers from Arkansas, Marshall, and Missouri, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber wide receiver.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["294795"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another wide receiver from the 2025 class that has grabbed my attention is [player_tooltip player_id='294795' first='Keith' last='Bass'] from Lutheran North. Bass had a solid sophomore year, finishing with 13 receptions with 215 yards and two touchdowns. The first thing that stands out when watching Bass is his speed. He uses this to his advantage in the deep passing game, simply running right by opposing defensive backs to create separation. This also makes him dangerous after the catch on screen passes, showing the ability to turn up the field and run away from the defense. He has also shown the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. Bass is also an impressive blocker, showing the ability to drive his man down the field to create an opening for the ball carrier. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Bass should be a name for college coaches to keep an eye on as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Keenan Thomas","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"DuBourg","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The final wide receiver on this list is Keenan Thomas from DuBourg. Thomas is coming off a very impressive junior season in which he caught 52 passes for 1,039 yards and eight touchdowns. Keenan stood out the most in his ability to make plays after the catch. Once he hits the open field, Thomas has shown the strength to run straight through defenders to break tackles and the elusiveness to make them miss. When the ball is thrown his way, he has the ability to go up and catch it at its highest point, even when tightly contested. Thomas is also a very physical blocker, showing the ability to pick up blocks in open space and drive his man down the field. Keenan doesn't currently hold any offers but should pick some up going into his senior year as he has the talent to be a very productive receiver in college.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["233162"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Moving over to the tight ends, SLUH has who I believe to be the best in the entire state in [player_tooltip player_id='233162' first='Landon' last='Pace']. Pace had a solid sophomore year, finishing with 11 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He lines up mainly as a big slot receiver and has the speed to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Pace also has a high catch radius, making him a huge jump ball threat. He also has the ability to make plays after the catch, showing the strength to break tackles and speed to get up the field to pick up extra yards. I also like Pace a lot as a blocker as he does a great job of picking up blocks in open space and driving them out of the picture. Pace currently holds offers from Marshall, Wisconsin, Louisville, Ohio State, Missouri, Boston College, West Virginia, and Connecticut, and I expect that list to grow as he is a true Power 5 caliber tight end.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["233164"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Another incoming junior tight end to watch in St. Louis is [player_tooltip player_id='233164' first='Jackson' last='Kohl'] from CBC. Kohl is a big body tight end that is truly the complete package at the position. I like what I have seen from him a lot as a blocker. As an in-line blocker, he explodes out of his stance and drives his man down the field to create a running lane for the ball carrier. He also does a great job of getting into the open field and picking up blocks in space. Kohl is also a threat in the passing game, showing the ability to stretch the field vertically down the seam. Jackson recently picked up his first offer from Missouri State and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber tight end prospect.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Mason Skornia","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"De Smet","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Mason Skornia is an incoming senior tight end that I believe deserves more attention. He had a strong junior year, catching 14 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Skornia is a dangerous threat in the passing game, showing the speed to stretch the field vertically and also the reliability to be a key target in the middle of the field. When the ball is thrown his way, he does a great job of looking the ball in and catching it with his hands, even through contact. Skornia is also very impressive as a blocker, showing the ability to pick up blocks in open space and drive his man down the field. Mason recently picked up his first offer from Lindenwood and I expect more to come his way soon as he has the talent to be a very productive tight end at the next level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["374501"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"De Smet has quite the luxury at the tight end position as they have another very talented player coming up right behind Skornia. [player_tooltip player_id='374501' first='Liam' last='Russo'] showed some great flashes as a sophomore, finishing the year with six catches for 60 yards. Russo runs routes like a receiver, using smooth breaks to create separation from opposing defenders. He also has a high catch radius which helps him win in jump ball situations over smaller defenders. Russo is also dangerous after the catch, using his speed to turn up the field to pick up extra yards. Liam has yet to receive an official offer but he has received some college interest and is definitely a player to watch heading into his junior year.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6449bbfa66db2"} /-->