5 Indiana WRs In The 2026 Class Who Could Light It Up This Fall
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We’re taking a look at 5 young Indiana receivers today that you should be adding to your watch list for this fall. These 5 all have a ton of talent and are looking to take a big step up into…
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Continue ReadingWe’re taking a look at 5 young Indiana receivers today that you should be adding to your watch list for this fall. These 5 all have a ton of talent and are looking to take a big step up into their offenses this fall and take on a big role.
Xavier Bell Xavier Bell 5'9" | 150 lbs | WR DeKalb | 2026 State IN – DeKalb – 5’9″ 155lbs
Bell is dynamic and has really helped DeKalb’s offense in spurts as he’s grown and developed with live bullets flying. He was a guy we had on the radar, but it wasn’t until this past fall we got a ping from him. He proved to be incredibly versatile and able to line up in a few different spots. There are moments where he’s twitchy and can have those flashes of exceptional change of direction, then there are other times he seems to struggle to make that transition. Simple footwork improvements, which he’s been working on this winter, should make him much more consistently explosive off the line. He’s got elite ball skills and can catch just about anything that comes his way. He’s able to lay out and make diving catches as easily as catching a timing route. That leads me to my next point, which is Bell’s timing and know-how to come out of breaks properly. He’s able to create separation and make an easy throw for the QB. As he develops in the weight room, he’ll be able to use his frame in-air to make adjustments to win contested catches. Bell is an easy bet as a guy to come out and have a huge season. He was a nice piece for them last year as a freshman on Varsity. With another year of development under his belt, it should be all green lights for Bell starting Week 1.
Twitter: @XBe11_
Micah Morris Micah Morris 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Zionsville | 2026 State IN – Zionsville – 5’10” 155lbs
Morris was absolutely fantastic for Zionsville’s JV squad last year and led the way in a lot of categories. He’s listed at 5’10”, but feels a bit longer than that. If not, then he’s got really long arms which gives him a large radius and long legs that eat up space in a hurry. He’s a good athlete with good top-end speed. He’s able to make some nice in-breaking cuts and get open. He’s got a Slant route that he runs which is dang near unguardable at moments. He’s willing to be physical at the point of attack and fight for the ball in the air. He’s able to use his frame and make the adjustments to get in position to make the play. He has a natural element to his game that just gives you a feel that he’s going to be really good down the road. I can’t really explain it, but his tape gives you a lot to look forward to. He’s a fantastic outside receiver who is just getting a feel for what he can really do on the field. Zionsville is no doubt a loaded program, but that is all the more reason to be excited about Morris when he comes out and produces for them this fall.
Twitter: @MicahMorris_17
Kasmir Hicks Kasmir Hicks 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Decatur Central | 2026 State IN – Decatur Central – 5’10” 150lbs
Hicks is an upcoming dynamic player who looks better and better every time he steps on the field. He’s quick, shifty, and has the ability to make just about anyone miss. He’s good with the ball in his hands anywhere on the field, and has the vision to find cutback lanes and pick up huge chunks of yardage. He can operate out of the slot, out wide, or be moved into the backfield if needed. He could even be an elite receiving back, if asked to do so. He’s spending his winter training hard on footwork and speed cuts to take his game to another level. He’s not the biggest, or most physical receiver, but his skillset is incredibly unique and gives him quite a bit of versatility. There’s even a chance he could return kicks in the near future. Anything to get the ball in his hands as often as possible should is what he needs. Hicks could easily come out this fall and take a hold of a job and never give it back, until he moves on to the next level.
Twitter: @KasmirJHicks2
Jaidon Vanpelt Jaidon Vanpelt 5'8" | 140 lbs | WR Carroll | 2026 State IN – Carroll – 5’8″ 140lbs
Vanpelt is good for a broken ankle to any defender who comes near him while he’s accelerating. Vanpelt isn’t just shifty, but he’s able to stop and start, cut, juke, and just has agility that others don’t. With the agility, he’s got elite speed and can absolutely fly. He’s just a dynamic and explosive player who does great things when he touches the ball. Whether it be JV or 7 on 7, he’s been the same explosive young player who can catch anything within his vicinity. Carroll has a loaded young WR core that is going to need to step up this fall, and Vanpelt is 1 guy that should make life just a little bit easier. Even using him in the screen game will help take some pressure off other receivers as they get there. He’s been putting the work in this offseason and has been at a few camps where he stood out as well. Right now, he’s doing everything he needs to be in order to be ready for the fall. Once August comes around, just don’t be surprised if the name Jaidon Vanpelt Jaidon Vanpelt 5'8" | 140 lbs | WR Carroll | 2026 State IN keeps appearing in an end-zone near you.
Twitter: @Jaidon_VP
Jerquaden Guilford Jerquaden Guilford 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Northrop | 2026 State IN – Northrop – 6’1″ 155lbs
Guilford is not just an explosive athlete, but he’s seems to be the best athlete anytime he steps on a field. He’s lengthy, has incredibly long strides, and just blows by defenders. He’s got very minimal wasted movement and get can make smooth cuts, yet break off viciously at the same time and create yards of separation. There are times it felt like he was just toying with the poor DB who lined up across from him. He’s got elite ball skills and a fantastic vertical. His natural size and length combined with his ability to run and jump quite literally checks all the generic boxes of a WR you’d build in a lab. He’s still young and growing, so he could even be a bit taller when by the time he graduates. There’s no worry about it impacting his athleticism or ability to bend, either. Some guys just have “IT,” and Guilford very well may be the next Fort Wayne WR to put his name on the map. Guilford has immediately become one of the guys I’m most excited about this fall. If he can take that next step he’s working towards, he could be a name that everyone in the country gets to know.
Twitter: @QuayGuilford