2023 Midseason Stock Risers: WRs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have now completed the first half of the 2023 season and there have been plenty of athletes that have seen their stock rise through the first five weeks of the season. Here are some receivers that have really stood out during the first half of the 2023 season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["866254"],"_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":"By far, the most impressive receiver through the first five weeks of the 2023 season has been Nitro's [player_tooltip player_id='866254' first='Malachi' last='Thompson']. The scary thing about that is he's only a sophomore and the 6'4 190 2026 prospect is way ahead of the pack in receiving yards and touchdowns right now. In five games, Thompson has hauled in 25 passes for 762 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 30.5 yards per catch and 152.4 yards per game. We have Thompson currently ranked as the #1 WR in the 2026 class and he's making us look like geniuses thus far. From watching his midseason highlights, his size and hands are what stood out the most. You can tell he's just a sophomore at times but once he continues to grow into his long frame D1 schools should be calling.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["909079"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='909079' first='Carson' last='Brinegar'] is one of many talented receivers in the high-flying Scott Skyhawks prolific passing attack this season but he's currently the leader in the clubhouse in yards and touchdowns on his team. The 5'10 180 speedster Through the first five games, Brinegar caught 32 passes for 648 yards and eight touchdowns. He's also been effective carrying the ball with 9 rushes for 196 yards and three more touchdowns in the first five games too. Scott likes to get him the ball on touch passes and sweeps with his dynamic speed and quickness and Brinegar can make a house call on any given play. He's well on his way to having a 1,000 yard receiving season which is something you don't often see in West Virginia.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["370301"],"_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":"Parkersburg's [player_tooltip player_id='370301' first='Anthony' last='Ice'] has only played in four games this season but is still one of the leading receivers in the state with one less game played. Ice has caught 19 passes for 445 yards and seven touchdowns in four games with a 23.4 yards per catch average and 111.2 yards per game average. Ice is your classic speedy and twitchy slot receiver who is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He can create separation easily with his athleticism and is a playmaker after the catch with his wiggle and speed. His release off the line is very good and Ice has a very quick burst. Ice's stock has really risen this season as the Big Reds have really improved from a season ago.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["909084"],"_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":"The most dynamic athlete in Class A through the first five weeks of the season has been Summers County junior WR/RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='909084' first='Ryan' last='Oliveros']. You can plug and play him at multiple positions but his play at receiver has been the most impressive thus far. Oliveros has brought in 29 receptions for 545 yards and 4 touchdowns in five games which is an 18.8 yards per catch average and 109 yards per game. However, Oliveros isn't done there as Summers County also likes to get him the ball in the running game. He's rushed for 309 yards on 24 carries for another five touchdowns while also being one of the better DBs in Class A too. Oliveros has 992 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns through the first five games of the season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["370357"],"_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":"Bluefield isn't known for their passing attack but senior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='370357' first='RJ' last='Hairston'] is one of the best in the state. Hairston is just a great all-around natural athlete and has some of the best catches that you'll see in his highlight video. Bluefield has played just four games so far but Hairston has caught 10 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns for an incredible 31.1 yards per catch average. Bluefield has had to use him in the backfield more than usual but when he's lined up out wide he's a matchup nightmare. The 6'4 200 senior can make acrobatic catches and has two on his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15780341/650456b5dfd84309f8a3ceceu0022u003eearly season highlightsu003c/au003e that you have to see to believe.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["880797"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"A D1 school has to offer Princeton receiver [player_tooltip player_id='880797' first='Dominick' last='Collins']. The 5'10 165 senior is just way too athletic and dynamic to not be a Division 1 prospect. Through the first five games of the season, Collins has caught 23 passes for 581 yards and nine touchdowns for a 25.2 yards per catch average. If Collins isn't the fastest high school athlete in the state I've yet to see the kid that's faster and that is very apparent on film. You can tell when watching his highlights that he's just so far ahead athletically compared to everyone else on the field and is moving at a different speed than everybody. Collins was clocked in the 4.2 range multiple times this off-season and I can't imagine that not being his legit speed.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["907233"],"_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":"Fairmont Senior junior WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='907233' first='Cannon' last='Dinger'] has been a big play threat all season for the Polar Bears. Dinger has made a big impact on offense and defense and could play on either side at the next level. Dinger was averaging over 30 yards per catch through the first few games of the season and has now caught 19 passes for 409 yards and two touchdowns through five games. Dinger also had a three-interception performance against Class AAA Preston three weeks ago and is an all-around good athlete. At 5'9 165, Dinger is your prototypical quick and shifty slot receiver but what really stood out on his midseason film was his sure hands. For a smaller receiver, he can really go up and high-point the ball and make tough contested catches. Dinger uses his hands and not his body to secure catches and he's a very consistent pass catcher on both sides of the ball.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["907235"],"_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":"We've written about Wheeling Central Catholic junior athlete [player_tooltip player_id='907235' first='Braden' last='McWreath'] every week this season and although he currently has more rushing yards than receiving yards we feel strongly that he'll be a receiver at the next level. Through five games, McWreath has rushed for an impressive 634 yards and five touchdowns on a 9.8 yards per carry average. He's one of the top rushing and receiving leaders in the state which is a feat you don't often see. McWreath has been the Maroon Knights' go-to playmaker all season and you can see why. He's also caught 21 passes for 380 yards and six more touchdowns on an 18.1 yards per catch average. At the halfway point of the season, McWreath has 1,114 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns. He's added 23 tackles and two interceptions as well and is proving to be one of Class A's best overall athletes with still one more year to go.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["907236"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Another quick and shifty slot receiver who has impressed through the first five weeks of the season is University junior WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='907236' first='Ethan' last='Jackson']. Jackson has caught 26 passes for 486 yards and five touchdowns in the first five games of the season. He's averaging 110 yards per game and 18.6 yards per catch while also starting on defense. Jackson is very good at stretching the field from his slot position and does a great job on seam and post/corner routes. He can also be dynamic on screens and touch passes that allow him to use his speed and twitch after the catch. Jackson flashed some sure hands as well on his early season highlights and that part of his game should not be overlooked either.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1017814"],"_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":"An under-the-radar 2024 receiver who is having a great start to his season in West Virginia's small school classification is Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='1017814' first='Dallas' last='Preat']. Preat has made our weekly standouts this season and has put up some impressive numbers in a class that isn't typically known for its passing attack. He's brought in 23 catches for 532 yards and six touchdowns this season in five games. That's an impressive 23.1 yards per catch and Preat is averaging 116.3 receiving yards per game. He's a big target at 6'2 and a standout basketball player as well.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["370425"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Clay County's [player_tooltip player_id='370425' first='BJ' last='Williams'] just set the school record for receiving yards with 2,048 career yards breaking Joey Myers' record. Clay County has played just four games this season but Williams is still one of the leading receivers in the state through the first five weeks. He's caught 23 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns in four games and averaging 16 yards per catch. Williams has made an impact on defense as well with 18 tackles and 3 TFLs. For only being 5'7 160, Williams does a nice job absorbing contact and showed some really good hands in his three-game highlight video. He often finds himself wide open from his slot position which is a credit to his athletic abilities and his coaches scheming him open and allowing him to do the rest.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["883592"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"The Grafton Bearcats have had a tough start to their season but junior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='883592' first='Dillan' last='America'] has been a bright spot for them. America has caught 31 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns in just four games. He was the size you're looking for in a wideout at 6'2 and runs the 40 in the 4.6 range. His combination of size and speed is a tough matchup for any high school defensive back and America has the hands to go with it. From watching his first four games highlights, America also has the ability to break tackles and make plays after the catch as well. He does a nice job catching and securing the ball with his hands and not his body which aids him after the catch. Although he may be under the radar with his team struggling, America is one to watch for with still one more season to go after this one.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["907234"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Another Scott Skyhawk who has impressed in their high-flying spread offense is junior [player_tooltip player_id='907234' first='Brayden' last='Clark']. Clark is their big-bodied receiver in a very talented group of pass catchers and he's currently second on the team in receiving yards. In five games, Clark has 16 catches for an impressive 415 yards and three touchdowns for a 25.9 yards per catch average. The 6'3 170 junior has games of 30.8, 42, and 83 yards per catch averages and is clearly their big play receiver over the top. Clark is a go-ball specialist and although you'd like to see a more diverse route tree in his midseason highlights, he's been excellent at creating separation and catching the ball in stride. I'm sure he's plenty capable of doing so and that's how his coaches want to use him with their smaller receivers doing the underneath and intermediate work.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["877169"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"The North Marion Huskies' leading receiver through the first four games of the season is junior [player_tooltip player_id='877169' first='Brock' last='Martin']. The 6'0 175 2025 prospect has hauled in 16 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns in four games this season. That's a 19.6 yards per catch average and Martin has already surpassed his receiving totals from a year ago in just the first four games of his junior season. He can play inside or outside and is a tough matchup in the slot as a bigger-bodied slot receiver. Martin has been productive on defense as well with 12 tackles, 4 PBUs, and a TFL. He has the athletic ability to play on either side of the ball at the next level but I like him the most as an offensive playmaker.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_player":["880799"],"_player_evaluations_14_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"The Wheeling Park Patriots have played just four games but senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='880799' first='Mykel' last='Davis'] has impressed early on. He only had two catches in each of the first two games of the season but is starting to show his high-level potential in the past two games against quality opponents. Davis has caught 14 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns in four games with a very impressive 5 catches for 124 yards and two touchdown performance in week four against University which earned him a spot on our weekly standouts. Davis had another five catches in their loss to a very talented Steubenville (OH) team and is starting to get in a rhythm with a new QB1 this season. Davis is a freak athlete who jumped 6'6 during his junior track u0026amp; field season and dunks the ball often during basketball season. Look for him to continue to build on his first four games success the rest of the season.","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":15,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65146f2a830fe"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->