Top Pass Catching Groups in WI

We are inching our way closer to the kickoff of the 2023 season! While we wait for that clock to tick down let's begin a series looking at the best position groups. Today's article will cover the best pass catching groups. That includes receivers and tight ends. These groups are going to put up big numbers and give their QB plenty of options to target on Friday nights. Let's dive into the playmakers that will be stretching the field in 2023.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Waunakee</h2>   Waunakee rosters arguably the best WR/TE tandem in the state for the 2023 season. They have TE and UCLA commit [player_tooltip player_id='216434' first='Robert' last='Booker'] and Duluth commit WR [player_tooltip player_id='338722' first='David' last='Emerich']. The two teamed up for 71 receptions, 1,049 yards, and 12 TDs. You couldn't draw up a better pair for a new QB to come in and play with. Booker provides a massive 6'6" 220 lbs frame to target with soft hands and is a powerful runner after the catch. Emerich brings the speed to take the top off the defense and the quick twitch elusiveness to turn quick passes into big plays. The two Waunakee pass catchers are going to carve up defenses this fall. Teams are going to have to lock down every level of the field against them this fall.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Madison Memorial</h2>   Another duo that is set to give defensive backfields fit is the WR tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='405489' first='Mekai' last='Ward'] and [player_tooltip player_id='634712' first='Bradyn' last='Taylor']. Unlike the duo above, this pairing is still on the open market as far as recruitment goes. Coaching staffs need to make sure both are on their radars. Ward and Taylor should fit well together on the field. Last year, Ward compiled a 37-934-10 stat line and Taylor is in line for his breakout season following 6-108-3 junior season. Ward is one of the best uncommitted deep threats in WI. His speed eats up DB cushions and leaves then trying to catch up downfield. He tracks the ball in the air well, and has a knack for making the big play. Taylor is a big target with a wide catch radius. He will give the new QB a reliable security blanket to target in the redzone. I'm excited for this pairing.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Milwaukee Academy of Science</h2>   The deepest group of pass catchers in the state resides at Milwaukee Academy of Science. Their loaded WR/TE group will pair with one of the most productive underclassmen WI has seen at QB in [player_tooltip player_id='700017' first='Brayln' last='Albritton']. The numbers could be unbelievable this fall for him and this group overall.   A group made up of WR [player_tooltip player_id='245984' first='Cameron' last='Gray'], WR Timothy Davis, WR Brain Stewart, TE [player_tooltip player_id='685848' first='Michael' last='Harris'], WR/RB [player_tooltip player_id='245983' first='Kameron' last='Williams'], and WR [player_tooltip player_id='270790' first='Randy' last='Moore']. This group has something for every part of receiver/TE position. Stewart and Moore shine with their speed before and after the catch. Harris is a big bodied TE that imposes his will with power after the catch. Gray and Davis led the team in receptions, yards, and TDs thanks to their well rounded overall game and track speed. Defenses are going to have to figure out ways to lock down 4-5 weapons every snap. That is a nightmare at any level of competition.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Janesville Parker</h2>   Possibly the most experienced group in this article is the WR group coming out of Janesville Parker HS. They made this list last year, and the same standout athletes are back for their senior seasons. They have a dominant three headed monster in Central Michigan WR commit [player_tooltip player_id='267047' first='JJ' last='Douglas'], WR [player_tooltip player_id='331226' first='Cayden' last='Brandenburg'], and WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='268988' first='Paul' last='Kim']. Douglas led the way with 34-790-7, followed by Brandenburg's 33-448-7, and Kim's 16-284-3.   Douglas is the most physically imposing WR in the state this season. He has a big frame, runs behind his pads after the catch, and has the speed to take any catch to the house. Brandenburg brings the explosiveness out wide. Cayden is a State Qualifier in track, and he will make you miss in a phone booth. I also came away impressed with the catch radius he had when watching him live last fall. Big year coming for him. Kim is a pure athlete. He has a solid frame at 6' 180 lbs, has proven to have reliable hands, and was also an All Region DB last fall. This group also returns their QB, so the chemistry should be there. Big things are ahead of this offense.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hamilton Sussex</h2>   Another absolutely stacked pass catcher group is the WRs/TEs playing for Hamilton Sussex this fall. Leading the way is Duluth commit [player_tooltip player_id='405555' first='Nick' last='Kihn']. He posted a 47-567-6 stat line in 2023, all of which were first or second most on the team. They also have WRs Blake Schauer and [player_tooltip player_id='270651' first='Kyle' last='LaVoy'] who combined for 47-621-6. We also could see the breakouts of WR [player_tooltip player_id='634702' first='Andrew' last='Eichmann'] and TE [player_tooltip player_id='105010' first='Adam' last='Heberer'] who combined for 37-479-4.   Kihn is the top of the group with his speed, deep ball tracking abilities, and elusiveness. Schauer could take a step forward. They got him the ball in every way last season. Short passing game, deep passing game, double moves, screens, jet sweeps. With Sussex starting a new QB he could be a reliable option. Heberer is has continued to fill out his frame this offseason and sure looks the part of a college TE. Lastly, a potential breakout is Eichmann. He has a big frame and college level speed out wide. He could become a big time mismatch this fall. Definitely a name to keep an eye on.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arrowhead</h2>   Arrowhead made this list previous to last fall, and they are back with even more names to know this time around. WR [player_tooltip player_id='268968' first='Kyle' last='Janke'] leads the way as far as production goes. He put up 28-345-3 in 2022. Fellow 2024 WR [player_tooltip player_id='405490' first='Colton' last='Herriot'] could see a big increase in his impact this fall following his 5-41-1 in 5 games last fall. A very talented up and coming WR to know is 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='533176' first='Harper' last='Hughes']. As a freshman he worked his way onto varsity, and he looks poised to push for the go to option as a sophomore. This group will also return their QB, [player_tooltip player_id='383716' first='Vance' last='Holtz'], who is the top QB recruit in the state.   Janke has proven to be a reliable target in his time on varsity. The 6'2" 180 lbs WR has solid body control allowing him to run effective routes and he has shown he can make the difficult catches in traffic. Herriot should continue to make his mark in the slot this fall. His highlights show the quickness needed tow in in the slot. He also is a willing and effective run blocker downfield. Hughes is putting himself in position to be one of the breakout stars in WI. He has been putting out impressive camp performances opening up a lot of separation from DBs. The 5'10 "170 lbs sophomore is a smooth, natural route runner who has the feet, balance, and overall body control to get in and out of his breaks quickly. He plucks the ball out of the air naturally, and he is developing speed that will make him a problem in the open field. Also keep an eye out for TE [player_tooltip player_id='405561' first='Will' last='Rader']. He has been used primarily as a blocker thus far in his career, and has made an impact in that role.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kenosha Bradford</h2>   A group that is sure to make a name for themselves this fall is the pass catchers from Kenosha Bradford. They have three WRs who are coming off solid seasons, and could be in line for even more this fall. Those WRs are [player_tooltip player_id='933368' first='Nolan' last='Shiplett'], [player_tooltip player_id='402807' first='Brandon' last='Walton'], and Tony Fisher. Shiplett leads the way as the senior of the group, while Walton and Fisher are coming off impact seasons as freshman. It looks like the trio will also be returning their QB from 2022, so they could pick up right where they left off.   Shiplett led the way with 29-482-5. He is a big target now, after filling out his 6'4" frame to 190 lbs. The big man already proved as a junior that he is a monster after the catch. He runs behind his pads, has a surprisingly low center of gravity, and will pile up the yards after contact. Walton finished his freshman season with 21-216-3, and has an intriguing 6'2" 155 lbs frame. Tony Fisher finished his first year on varsity with 12-119-2 as a freshman. Just like with Walton, Fisher looks the part of a dominant WR at 6'2" 160 lbs. Fisher already does a great job of tracking the ball downfield and high pointing it over DBs. He has soft hands and the body control to run sharp routes and also adjust to the ball at the last second. Don't let this group of dudes sneak up on you. They are need to know prospects.

We are inching our way closer to the kickoff of the 2023 season! While we wait for that clock to tick down let's begin a series looking at the best position groups. Today's article will cover the best pass catching groups. That includes receivers and tight ends. These groups are going to put up big numbers and give their QB plenty of options to target on Friday nights. Let's dive into the playmakers that will be stretching the field in 2023.