Hayden's Hotshots: My Top 100 Receivers (25-1) Before the Season

Rounding out my series on my top 100 wideouts before next season, we finally come to the top 25, the cream of the crop. All these guys have legit Division 1 potential and are the best at what they do. I'm pumped to present the finale of the wide receivers series, 25-1! RBs to follow!   #25: [player_tooltip player_id='581105' first='Conner' last='Martens'] 6'2" 160 lbs Nicolett 2024   2022 Stats: 64 Receptions, 980 Yards, 10 TDs   Martens is a 9-man standout who has been improving rapidly. He's a slippery and elusive route runner who sneaks behind linebackers and in front of safeties for big gains. He can absorb contact while catching a pass and is a dynamic enough athlete to the point where he can play WR, RB, and QB. The slender wideout often showcases quick bursts of speed which allow him to get behind his defenders easily. Martens has great ball instincts and his fantastic production should be noted by coaches.   #24: Gabriel Swedenburg 6' 170 lbs Hillcrest 2024   2022 Stats: 67 Receptions, 944 Yards, 11 TD   Swedenburg enters his senior season looking to build on the crazy success that he saw his junior year where he finished just under the 1000 receiving yard mark. The small-town 9-man stud put on a show his junior year as he routinely put up 100+ yard games and averaged over 1 TD a night. He may not be the biggest, but he comes down with passes that he absolutely shouldn't have gotten. He flashes his hands late and isn't scared of contact when he's catching. He will rip the balls out of DB's hands if it means that he can come down with the ball. He's an elusive route runner who tracks the ball as well as anyone else in the top 25.   #23: [player_tooltip player_id='245633' first='William' last='Graunke'] 6'3" 195 lbs Rockford 2024   2022 Stats: N/A   Graunke did play and did start last season for the Rockets, his stats are just not available. Graunke is among my favorite wide receiver prospects right now, he's been tearing it up in the 7v7 circuits this offseason and he's in a great position for a big senior year. He's a three-sport athlete (Football/Wrestling/Track), who does not suffer from the plague that is concentration drops. Graunke has a massive catch radius and is extremely aggressive when the ball is in the air, his tape is full of head taps. Not only that, but he's an aggressive blocker and lays out DBs consistently. Graunke is massively underrated and needs more hype heading into his senior year.   #22: [player_tooltip player_id='551350' first='Gannon' last='Lee'] 6'1" 170 lbs Watertown Mayer 2024   2022 Stats: 41 Receptions, 708 Yards, 7 TDs   [player_tooltip player_id='551350' first='Gannon' last='Lee'] only getting All-District HM while putting up 700 yards and 7 TDs is a hall-of-fame-level snub. He's among the best deep-route runners in the state and is a massive YAC threat. He sees most of his work running go's, fade's, and seams but can run a variety of routes successfully. He can line up anywhere on the field and has a runningback-esque vision that allows him to extend short-yard routes to breakaway plays. It'd be a mistake if Gannon doesn't get a closer look from colleges.   #21: [player_tooltip player_id='743296' first='Taye' last='Manns'] 5'11" 200 lbs Duluth Denfeld 2025   2022 Stats: 19 Catches, 301 Yards   The Denfeld athlete returns for his junior year as one of the quickest athletes in the state. The speedster put up an additional 239 yards on the ground as a sophomore, further showcasing his versatility as an athlete. He earned All-District HM honors last year and has only been improving this off-season. As a receiver, he often lines up on the outside, where he's isolated against a corner he can torment. He will dust the DB with ease but has no issues coming back to get an underthrown pass or jumping over the corner. When he lines up as an RB, he's able to effectively use his speed and agility to frequently get to the second level. Manns is a kid who I expect to develop into a stud athlete over the next two years.   #20: [player_tooltip player_id='105378' first='Simon' last='Seidl'] 6' 170 lbs Hill Murray 2024   2022 Stats: 19 Receptions, 364 Yards, 5 TDs   Although primarily known for his talents on the defensive side of the ball, it should surprise no one that Seidl has found his way onto this list. Seidl is a phenomenal route runner who shows off fluid movement across the field. He's got Power-5 athleticism, he's aggressive at the point of attack and does a great job of high-pointing passes on both sides of the ball. You have to have a lot of faith in your corner if you line him up in man, as he'll most likely find himself on Seidl's senior highlight tape.   Committed To: University of Minnesota   #19: [player_tooltip player_id='528777' first='Levi' last='Pooley'] 5'10" 185 lbs Fairmont 2024   2022 Stats: 38 Receptions, 565 Yards, 10 TDs   Pooley has gathered a TON of NSIC interest recently and it's only a matter of time before the offers start flowing in for the Fairmont junior. The two-way Fairmont athlete showed off a lot of potential on both sides of the ball, and the small-town standout needs more hype. He's quick with great football instincts and plays bigger than the 5'10" he's listed at. Even when he doesn't get a ton of separation off the line of scrimmage, he makes up for it with his speed and his ability to bring down contested catches. He shines in man coverage where he's able to best showcase his abilities on the outside of the field. Pooley can expose gaps in a defense easily and looks to have a monster senior year.   #18: [player_tooltip player_id='641222' first='Duke' last='Richardson'] 6'1" 155 lbs Minnetonka 2025   2022 Stats: 36 Receptions, 496 Yards, 2 TDs   Richardson, who was the Skippers WR1 as a sophomore, returns and is looking to make a big splash his junior year. He's paired up with recently Division 1 offered Minnetonka QB [player_tooltip player_id='242401' first='Milos' last='Spasojevic'] and the two are primed to make waves in 2023. Richardson faced no shortage of competition as a sophomore, as he frequently matched up with Division 1 and Division 2 offered DBs and competed hard with them, winning many of the matchups he had. He's a consistent wideout, often getting 4-6 yards off a simple hitch. He has no trouble catching deep balls, or tight passes across the middle where he gets hit right away. I can't wait to see how he develops over the next couple of years.   #17: Sonny Villegas 5'11" 195 lbs Edina 2024   2022 Stats: 45 Receptions, 565 Yards, 5 TDs   In what was a very crowded Hornets wide receiver room last year, Villegas still managed to stand out. He led the team in yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns. I expect him to continue his dominance heading into his senior year. Villegas is a quick and versatile athlete who can be used in several creative ways. He excels at beating DBs over the top as very few can match his top-end speed or his acceleration. He's one of the state's premier deep threats and leaving him on an island is a serious risk. He fights hard through contact and gives great effort in the run game as well which I love.   #16: Jay Green 5'11" 170 lbs Academy Force 2024   2022 Stats: 48 Catches, 737 Yards, 10 TDs   Fresh off a monster junior year that saw him finish top 10 in the state in both yards and TDs, Green looks to continue his dominance in his new class (5A). He's a two-way starter who makes a big impact on both sides of the ball, but he particularly shines on offense. He's one of the most complete pass-catchers in the state, able to route run with the best of them, and has no issues getting tough-to-catch balls. By all measures, he has elite concentration and ball-tracking ability. He adjusts nicely to the ball while it's in the air and has solidified himself as the premier offensive threat for Academy Force next season.   #15: [player_tooltip player_id='242402' first='Kyan' last='Blomquist'] 6'4" 205 lbs Becker 2024   2022 Stats: 54 Receptions, 739 Yards, 7 TDs   The big-bodied Becker Bulldog's wideout is a tough two-sport athlete (Football/Basketball) who is going to have a dominant senior year. He returns as the WR1 and will be the primary target for whatever QB gets the nod next season for Becker. Blomquist is quite quick despite his size, he has no issues routing up nimble DBs at all. He's got a giant catch radius and a great vertical that makes for a massive target. He fights hard through contact within the first 5 yards and is excellent at tracking the ball while it's in the air. Blomquist adds a whole different dimension to an always-potent Becker offense.   #14: Joe Hohiesel 6'2" 200 lbs Stillwater 2024   2022 Stats: 44 Receptions, 610 Yards, 9 TDs   Our PrepRedzone Stockup Showcase MVP comes in at #14 on our list today. Hohiesel is an All-Conference WR and a basketball captain. He also boasts a 4.0 GPA. On the gridiron, Hoheisel is a quick and explosive receiver who uses clever route running and stellar body control to come down with difficult passes. He lays out for every catch and is aggressive at the catch point. Hohiesel plays with a certain swagger that's evident when he mosses DBs or lays them out on a run play. Hohiesel is a selfless athlete who is in a position to have a monster senior year, and ignoring his talents would be foolish.   #13: [player_tooltip player_id='446976' first='Trey' last='Borchers'] 6'2" 170 lbs Anoka 2025   2022 Stats: 20 Receptions, 433 Yards, 7 TDs   Borchers is a two-sport stud (Football/Basketball) who is entering his junior year as the WR1 for a lethal pass-heavy offense. Borchers is uber-athletic with phenomenal field vision and great instincts. He can turn a simple screen into an 80-yard touchdown. You need to seriously consider doubling Borchers at every opportunity, otherwise, he's going to find the hole in your defense and burn you. I expect Borchers to be a key leader in that wide receiver room next year as he takes a big leap forward following in fellow stud Anoka's wideouts footsteps Eli Paulson.   #12: [player_tooltip player_id='245769' first='Jake' last='Wills'] 6'3" 185 lbs Century 2024   2022 Stats: N/A   Wills started last season, I was unable to find his stats online. Wills is an All-District wideout and a three-sport athlete (Football/Basketball/Track). He battled through a sprained Achilles all season but is ready to put Rochester Century back on the map. Pound for pound, he's one of the most complete athletes on this entire list. Wills easily passes the eye test, as he's a true 6'3" 180 lbs and he runs like he's 30 pounds lighter. Even when injured, it's clear he's a man playing against boys. He can bully DBs at the point of attack or beat them with his route running and agility. I predict a big senior year from Wills.   Offers: UW River-Falls   #11: [player_tooltip player_id='234786' first='Khalif' last='Brown'] 6'2" 190 lbs BSM 2025   2022 Stats: 46 Receptions, 664 Yards, 4 TDs   The first half of a dangerous 2025 receiving duo, Brown made a statement last year and solidified himself as one of the top WRs in the state. He's a well-built slot receiver who can stretch the field and run a variety of routes well. He does a great job of using his speed and size to bully and take advantage of smaller corners and slower linebackers. He is extremely effective as an athlete, especially when used in the screen game. He does a great job of following his blockers before he lets out a burst of speed to get further up the field. In the open field, Brown is extremely elusive, often requiring several defenders to gang-tackle him to bring him down. BSM is going to be a dangerous team next year.   #10: [player_tooltip player_id='641137' first='Luke' last='Guggenberger'] 6'4" 190 lbs BSM 2025   2022 Stats: 57 Receptions, 817 Yards, 6 TDs   Guggenberger is the other half of a dangerous 2025 receiving duo. He put up stellar numbers as a sophomore and I don't think he's going to have to wait long for the offers to start flowing in. He saw a lot of work across the middle of the field where he consistently came down with passes despite taking on contact during the catch. He's got great ball-tracking ability and lays it out for every catch. Guggenberger is a name you are going to be seeing a lot all over recruiting boards over the next few years.   #9: [player_tooltip player_id='368538' first='Deontae' last='Flemino'] 5'11" 165 lbs East Ridge 2024   2022 Stats: 44 Receptions, 558 Yards, 3 TDs   Following a massive breakout year, Flemino is primed to take over as the WR1 on a potent passing offense quarterbacked by D1-offered QB [player_tooltip player_id='105379' first='Tanner' last='Zolnosky']. For context on how big I believe his senior year will be, East Ridge's WR1 last year put up 33 yards during his junior year. Flemino had 558. The chemistry between the two will be unmatched and I could easily see Flemino break the 1k receiving mark. Flemino is quick and shifty and he can easily exploit the weak spots of zone coverage. If you want to bet on one wideout taking a big step forward, [player_tooltip player_id='368538' first='Deontae' last='Flemino'] is pretty much a lock.   #8: [player_tooltip player_id='480730' first='Tanner' last='Schmidt'] 5'11" 175 lbs Stillwater 2024   2022 Stats: 39 Receptions, 779 Yards, 9 TDs   Playing opposite Hoheisel, Schmidt compliments him perfectly and the two are going to make a fearsome duo their senior year. Schmidt has three NSIC offers to date and I expect him to tally more during the summer camp circuit and well into his senior year. Last season he earned All-Conference honors and was a team captain. Schmidt is a serious YAC threat who averaged 20 YPR last season and has earned a reputation for gashing defenses deep and extending plays. There are times when safety help is not enough to stop him, and he'll use his athleticism and sheer determination to come down with a ball in very tight coverage. Schmidt is going to have another uber-talented QB throwing him the ball next season, so don't be surprised if he and the Ponies make another state run.   Offers: Bemidji State, University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Minnesota-Mankato   #7: [player_tooltip player_id='368599' first='Juriad' last='Hughes'] II 6'1" 180 lbs Irondale 2024   2022 Stats: 25 Receptions, 429 Yards, 4 TDs   Hughes is a wideout who has exploded onto the recruiting scene and has the potential for a monster senior year with a healthy QB in [player_tooltip player_id='105384' first='Jack' last='Wojciak']. Hughes is a two-sport star (Football/Track) and he thrives on the long side of the field where he has ample space to work. He makes ridiculous catches look easy, as he's often in double coverage but still comes down with the ball. He's a filthy route runner who can easily lose a DB or break his ankles. He's just as likely to torch you over the top as he is to break a short route for big yards. He's a crucial part of what's going to be a treacherous Irondale offense.   Offers: Kent State, Colorado State, UNI   #6: [player_tooltip player_id='234833' first='Meyer' last='Swinney'] 6'4" 210 lbs Edina 2025   2022 Stats: 34 Receptions, 355 Yards, 1 TD   Swinney is a sophomore whose recruiting stock has skyrocketed over the past couple of months. He describes himself as hyper-physical, a take I agree with after watching his tape of him pancaking DBs repeatedly. The big man seems to welcome contact on his routes and can power through multiple defenders with ease. Before watching his film I didn't think there was a 15-year-old whose this big and this explosive off the line of scrimmage, but Swinney proved me wrong. He's an agile and powerful route runner, who can just as easily make a crack block to pancake an LB or DE. Expect a breakout junior year that sees him earn some stars.   Offers: Montana State, Cal, Iowa State, Northern Arizona   #5: [player_tooltip player_id='368532' first='Jalen' last='Smith'] 6'1" 180 lbs Mankato West 2024   2022 Stats: 49 Receptions, 729 Yards, 8 TDs   I got to see Smith in action last season and I was extremely impressed. He pairs well with standout QB [player_tooltip player_id='246028' first='Bart' last='McAninch'] and the duo causes nightmares for opposing secondaries. Smith has a quick release and paired with his standout speed he creates tons of space from opposing DBs. He easily breaks press or man coverage wide open all while being a talented and fluid route runner. Smith is a dangerous athlete in open space and once the ball hits his hands it is challenging to stop him. Leaving a defender on an island against him is a massive mistake. The Gophers got a stud and I'm pumped he's staying home. #RTB   Committed To: University of Minnesota   #4: [player_tooltip player_id='348735' first='Danny' last='King'] 6'4" 230 lbs Jefferson 2024   2022 Stats: 16 Receptions, 420 Yards, 3 TDs   Two questions I don't have an answer to. Is water wet, and why has no one offered [player_tooltip player_id='348735' first='Danny' last='King'] yet? King is a true 6'4" 230 lbs who has dominated all of the 1v1 reps I have seen of him this summer. He takes over the WR1 role for what is sure to be a potent Jefferson offense and all he needs is one chance to shine. Not only is he a giant, but he has some legit 4.7 speed and a quick release which is evident in his film. He can bring down difficult balls in traffic with ease with his massive catch radius and great ball tracking/concentration. He moves very well for a wideout with a tight-end build and I think he has Power-5 potential. King is the ultimate F-it he's down there somewhere receiver.   #3: [player_tooltip player_id='242432' first='Tyler' last='Nystrom'] 6'2" 180 lbs Mounds View 2024   2022 Stats: 70 Receptions, 693 Yards, 6 TDs   My colleague Nate Whal and I are both incredibly high on Nystrom. The well-built route runner is a 2x All-Conference wideout and has a ton of D1 interest. He's a quick wideout who can stretch the field and is incredibly difficult to cover in man. He's got a variety of filthy releases and can separate from defenders with ease. Despite his bigger frame, Nystrom is super slippery and can weave and break tackles consistently. Nystrom is a crisp route runner who moves very well on the field. Nystrom is a long dangerous wideout who I see earning All-Metro or All-State honors his senior year.   #2: [player_tooltip player_id='105365' first='Carter' last='Holcomb'] 5'9" 165 lbs Mayo 2024   2022 Stats: 72 Receptions, 1257 Yards, 18 TDs   [player_tooltip player_id='105365' first='Carter' last='Holcomb'] is tragically slept on. On a team whose passing yards only accounted for 56% of total team yards, Holcomb managed to put up Power-5 level numbers. He's been a varsity football player since 8TH GRADE, he's earned All-State football honors, as well as 2x All-State track honors. He was his district's OPOY and led the state in receiving TDs last season. Holcomb is not only a phenomenal receiver with great speed and vision, and he's also an elite kick returner who never stops moving his feet. Defenses are forced to scheme entire game plans around him, and the fact that he doesn't have a D1 offer is a crime.   Offers: Winona State   #1: [player_tooltip player_id='438689' first='KhiJohnn' last='Cummings-Coleman'] 6' 185 lbs Coon Rapids 2024   2022 Stats: 57 Receptions, 962 Yards, 11 TDs   KCC being #1 should surprise no one. I've been on his hype train since I saw him in week 1 of last season, and he's only improved. There is nothing he can't do as a wideout. He is the most explosive receiver in the state and he compliments that with fantastic speed. His highlight tape is 10 minutes, yes 10, of crazy highlights. With great body control, great ball-tracking, and great route running, he can do absolutely everything. KCC is on my shortlist for Mr. Football candidates heading into next year. I predict he ends his senior year as a 4-Star or better.   Offers: South Dakota, Army, Central Michigan, NIU, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Iowa State

Rounding out my series on my top 100 wideouts before next season, we finally come to the top 25, the cream of the crop. All these guys have legit Division 1 potential and are the best at what they do. I'm pumped to present the finale of the wide receivers series, 25-1! RBs to follow!