Far West Texas: Top Wide Receivers For 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are the top wide receivers in Far West Texas for the 2023 season? Here are 10 wide receivers you need to know (listed in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jude Blanco, Hanks</strong>: Blanco led Hanks in receptions last season with 61 for 931 yards and 4 TD. He's also the only Knights receiver returning with more than 8 catches last season. As a result, Blanco will likely take on a larger role in Hanks' passing game as a senior in 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268448' first='Christopher' last='Davis'], Bel Air</strong>: Utilizing his explosiveness and speed (4.5 in 40), Davis established a new school record last season with 1,084 receiving yards on 57 receptions. He looks to post even better numbers in 2023. Bel Air's QB-RB-WR trio of <strong>Noah Moreno</strong>, <strong>Zach Martinez</strong> and Davis promises to rank among the best in El Paso this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonathan Estrada, Del Valle</strong>: An outstanding two-way player, Estrada has already been recognized by multiple media outlets as one of the top returning WRs in West Texas, and for good reason. He had 49 receptions for 709 yards and 5 TD, combining with <strong>Matt Lopez</strong> (see below) &nbsp;to form one of the best WR duos in Far West Texas. Estrada was also the District Defensive Newcomer of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pablo Gonzalez, El Paso</strong>: Another solid two-way player. Gonzalez had a team-high 31 receptions for 679 yards and 7 TD as a junior in 2022 while adding 23 tackles on defense. Gonzalez is the lone returning WR for the Tigers with double digits catches last season, so he'll take on a bigger role in 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcos Gutierrez, Anthony</strong>: Class 2A programs like Anthony typically rely extensively on two-way players, and Gutierrez is no exception. He had 34 receptions for 518 yards on offense while making 41 tackles on defense. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277690' first='Mateo' last='Grajeda'], Coronado</strong>: The No. 1 thing that stands out about Grajeda is his impressive size: 6-foot-4, 235 pounds. Last season as a junior he had 26 receptions for 252 yards and 3 TD. Look for him to become a larger part of Coronado's offense. He's a two-time all-district tight end. College coaches have noticed. Grajeda has visited Texas State and been invited to New Mexico State's Aug. 20 spring game. Also a standout shot putter. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matt Lopez, Del Valle</strong>: Del Valle, Part 2. Lopez joined Estrada in the 45+ receptions club last season with 47 for 733 yards and 4 TD. Could the duo combine for 100+ receptions in 2023? Probably. Lopez also averaged 8.6 yards per carry and added 59 tackles on defense in 2022. Two-way standout. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tristan Lopez, Riverside</strong>: Another player who does it all. Lopez had 34 receptions for 722 yards and 8 TD in 2022, plus 30 tackles on defense. He averaged 21.2 yards per reception, showcasing an ability to stretch defenses and make plays down the field along with an ability to gain major YAC yards. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony Miranda, Americas</strong>: Due to tiebreakers, Americas didn't qualify for the playoffs in 2022 yet Miranda enjoyed an outstanding season with 52 receptions for 825 yards and 6 TD, as well as 50 tackles on defense. Americas eyes a top four finish in a hypercompetitive district, and they'll need Miranda to help carry them. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Patrick Powers, Franklin</strong>: Powers emerged as one of the best intermediate range receivers in Far West Texas last season, averaging 11.2 yards on 42 receptions. With dynamic 2024 Cougars QB <strong>Shay Smith</strong> returning along with their top two rushers, Franklin has the pieces for a prolific offense in 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcus Torres, Pebble Hills</strong>: Torres has enjoyed a solid start to his varsity career with a combined 81 receptions (37 in 2021; 44 in 2022) as a sophomore and junior, helping Pebble Hills capture the school's first direct title in 2022. With one of the top quarterbacks (<strong>Gael Ochoa</strong>) in West Texas throwing him the football again, Torres' numbers could soar higher in 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HONORABLE MENTION</strong>: Antonio Ontiveros (Bowie), Ivan Urrutia (Fabens), Diego Uscanga (Anthony); Adrian Gomez (Burges); Savion Jordan (Chapin); Daniel Martinez (Ysleta).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ChrisDavisEptx/status/1642682645711671297?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChrisDavisEptx/status/1642682645711671297?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/thejestrada_10/status/1593760981590544384?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/thejestrada_10/status/1593760981590544384?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TKLopezRHS/status/1595181520116908038?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TKLopezRHS/status/1595181520116908038?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MateoGrajeda19/status/1626062338930475011","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MateoGrajeda19/status/1626062338930475011 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AnthonyIMiranda/status/1604538980602712071?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AnthonyIMiranda/status/1604538980602712071?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Patrick81409479/status/1594497409299714048?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Patrick81409479/status/1594497409299714048?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->