Top Wide Receivers of 2023
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Des Moines, Iowa – As we have finished the regular season there have been many impressive pass catchers throughout the state. The position is where some of the best football athletes show and is referred to as a QB’s best friend.…
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Continue ReadingDes Moines, Iowa – As we have finished the regular season there have been many impressive pass catchers throughout the state. The position is where some of the best football athletes show and is referred to as a QB’s best friend. Today’s article will present a list of the top receivers in the state from the regular season.
* List is subject to players from all classes and isn’t in any particular order
*List only includes players WHO are primarily wide receivers. Tight ends, 2-way, and ATH will have separate lists.
Courtney is a reliable play-maker for the cougars. Leading 5A in receiving yards, the Kennedy senior has been nothing but efficient and electric all year. He is more of a tempo route runner that doesn’t necessarily beat you with speed but can easily set you up to create some major separation. He is quick in and out of his cuts, precise in his timing and he knows how to high point the ball and win at the catch point. Whether playing on the outside or moving to the slot, I would label him as an explosive possession receiver, who pretty much can be your safe blanket but also the guy you want to take a shot with.
Play-style: Explosive Possession/Deep Threat
Stats: 54 receptions, 898 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns
https://www.hudl.com/profile/14924609/Cyrus-Courtney/highlights
Carson Robbins
Carson Robbins
I think Robbins needs more recognition for his game. The Rams’ senior is the second leading receiver on the team but perhaps the most agile and twitchy out the group. He understands defenders leverage then exploits them, he knows how to create major separation and is just a smooth route runner. While he consistently switches between the outside and the slot, I think Robbins will be perform exceptionally well in the slot at the next level. He just has that natural ability to find open spots in zone and be very successful in your short to intermediate pass game.
Play-style: Explosive Technical Slot
Stats: 33 receptions, 558 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns
Sam Zelenovich
Sam Zelenovich
Zelenovich is the other half of the SEP duo that torments secondaries, the junior is an explosive play-making deep threat. He has the speed to run past anyone in front of him but also plays with such a ridiculous catch radius that allows him to reach out and grab passes even when he is “covered”. He is a smooth route runner that can create separation when hitting the brakes and has slot like tendencies. He is also a big play waiting to happen as he possess the explosiveness to take screens and slants to the end-zone. Zelenovich is still young and has a full senior season to go through but expect the eyes and heat on him to pick up this off season!
Play-style: Explosive Playmaking Deep Threat
Stats: 46 receptions, 659 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns
Porter Reffer
Porter Reffer
Reffer is a guy you want in your line up. The Algona senior is a “security blanket” type receiver that is always there when you need him. He is a reliable player that consistently shows up whenever the Bulldogs need him. He shows good acceleration, has soft hands and game changing speed. He wins in the slot by being a deep threat as he burns past safeties multiple times. The Bulldogs standout wide-out needs to be talked about more as he is a tough and consistent ball player who also happens to lead 3A in receiving yards. Reffer has played a numerous of spots on offense but he will most likely be a slot at the next level just because he is so consistent and has very exceptional and quick agility.
Play-style: Explosive Playmaking Slot
Season Stats: 43 receptions, 855 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns
Evan Brase
Evan Brase
Now Brase may play TE at the next level if the right program grabs him and puts some weight on him. However on the flip side, a program may grab him and simply get him faster which may even be more dangerous. Either way, the Mount Vernon product will continue to be a problem for defenses as he grows. Brase is just an exciting receiver to watch. At 6’4 the catch radius he possess is electrifying, as he has made a highlight reel of catches over the season. He has good body control when the ball is in the air and knows how to win at the catch point. He has some of the best hands on this list and arguably is one of the best redzone targets as well.
Play-style: Playmaking Flex-Y/Big Receiver
Season Stats: 43 receptions, 821 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns
Rodman is a receiver who just knows how to get open and make plays. He posses some good releases that allow him to get separation early from defenders and has the tempo to attack levrage. The Norwalk senior plays with a gritty and tough attitude that allows him to outplay the man in front of him. His awareness is perhaps some of the best as he is very good in scramble drill when recognizing the pocket collapsing and finds room to make a play. If Rodman can get faster then there is a possibility he can continue to on the outside, however he probably best fits in the slot just because he already fits the profile.
Play-style: Possessive – Deep Threat
Season Stats: 57 receptions, 966 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns
Maverick Inman
Maverick Inman
If people didn’t know about Inman, I think it’s time they start taking notice. The junior receiver is perhaps one of the best deep threats in the state. He has the speed to run by defenders and seems to always win at the catch point which creates a deep ball mismatch. He plays with more finesse as you can see he uses his physical and athletic gifts. Inman can elongate his catch radius at times and also has some long striding speed which helps when he runs routes underneath or towards the sideline. With another full year ahead, Inman will only get better.
Play-style: Playmaking Deep Threat
Season Stats: 35 receptions, 715 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns
Devon Akers
Devon Akers
The 6’6 senior is just a tower among players out there and has the athleticism to create even more of an advantage. The Ankeny product is another prospect who just can make circus catches all day due to his ball skills and catch radius. He also has some long striding speed that allows him to work downfield and be an efficient deep threat. Where he shines is being productive with contested catches. His length and physical traits allow him to be very effective in this aspect of the game. I think Akers will excel at receiver at the next level once he just adds some weight and gets adjusted to the speed of play.
Play-Style: Match-up Nightmare/Deep Threat
Season Stats: 36 receptions, 744 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns
Richard Stewart
Richard Stewart
Stewart is another play-making deep threat on this list. While he does have the speed to run pass defenders, his game is more exciting when he works underneath. Stewart is more dangerous with the ball in his hands, after the catch he can make defenders miss and is very slippery through tackles. He gains a lot of yards when running screens, slants and drags which shows his acceleration and explosiveness. As stated before though, he creates a lot of damage in the deep game and will continue so at the next level.
Play-style: Playmaking Deep Threat
Season Stats: 53 receptions, 810 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns
Cameron Boyd
Cameron Boyd
The Storm Lake product is a play-maker . The sophomore is perhaps one of the more shifty athletes on this list. He has quick twitch off the line and in his routes but more importantly he can make guys miss after the catch. Boyd has explosiveness as well, as he has taken screens and outs and turned them into touchdowns. In fact, about 4 of his touchdowns are explosive short yardage plays. I think Boyd is an exciting player who can be featured in many different ways within an offense if given the chance. He will only get better as he gets older.
Play-style: Explosive Playmaker
Season Stats: 59 receptions, 814 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns
Apollo Payne
Apollo Payne
Payne is one of the more physical receivers on this list. Not only is he good at high pointing the ball but he is a willing blocker that will latch on and drive his defenders back. The senior is a big, quick and athletic target that can stretch the field due to his speed. He can also create some yards after contact and even has some elusiveness to make guys miss in open space. For how big he is, he moves exceptionally well and can be a match up nightmare. Payne should project to be a true outside receiver who will be used in many different ways and be valuable in the redzone.
Play-style: Physical Playmaking Receiver
Season Stats: 42 receptions 803 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns
Dallas Miller Dallas Miller 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Liberty | 2025 IA
Dallas Miller Dallas Miller 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Liberty | 2025 IA
Miller is as reliable as they come. The senior is one of the more polished route runners within this class. He understands how to attack defenders in man coverage but can purely run past them due to how fast he is. Miller is a guy that you throw to on 3rd down because you know he comes up big. He possess good hands, quick cuts and outstanding play-making ability. The Liberty product can consistently get open and is perhaps one of the best on the list that can catch in traffic, which just shows his game is tough. He only has time to develop his skill set and Miller could perhaps be a name that’ll start popping up on radars.
Play-style: Speedy Playmaking Slot
Season Stats: 60 receptions, 804 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns
Madlock is a burner. The kid is a big play waiting to happen. Along with exceptional speed, the senior has some serious explosiveness to him. When he gets going, he uses his strides which allow him to easily eat up cushion. He releases off the line very fluently and precisely which shows he knows how to create separation. Madlock also has the ability to start and stop out of his routes quickly and effectively. He is a receiver that can flip between playing in and outside at the next level with his ability. He can be extremely versatile.
Play-style: Explosive Playmaking Deep Threat
Season Stats: 28 receptions, 662 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns
Max Snyder
Max Snyder
For a run heavy offense, there is no denying the fact that Snyder still made plays when his number was called. He is a tough physical receiver due to his willingness to block and run routes across the middle. Snyder plays bigger than he looks and brings that edge with him. He shows the capability of being a precise route runner with having some routes look better than others. Make no mistake though, he has some nice speed that allows him to get behind defenses and he has some good catching ability. He’s also shown some run after the catch ability when receiving screens and short routes. Snyder can be a productive on the outside at the next level, it would be nice to see what he can do in more of a pass heavy or multiple scheme.
Play-style: Possessive Playmaker
Season Stats: 32 receptions, 464 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
Explosive, three-level play-maker and vital piece in one of the most efficient offensives in the state. Horras has speed and separation quickness to beat defenders in a scheme that can be looked at as run heavy. He is one of the better route runners in the state and his ball skills and explosiveness with the ball in his hand allow him into explosive opportunities. The senior has the potential to play any of the three receiver positions at the next level. He will benefit from a pass heavy scheme that allows more opportunities.
Play-style: Three-Level Playmaker
Season Stats: 31 receptions, 377 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
Highlights
Evan Irlmeier
Evan Irlmeier
The Hawks’ junior is an efficient and capable playmaker. He is precise with his routes and knows how to use good tempo to set defenders up. He works well out of the slot against man and knows how to find the holes in zones. He is also a sure handed player who shows consistent catching ability. Irlmeier is a slippery athlete who just knows how to create separation and catch in traffic. He is also the safe blanket of the Hawks offense, as he is their top target when they need a first down. Still young, Irlmeier will only get better by next year and could possibly be primed for WR1 next year.
Play-style: Possessive Playmaking Slot
Season Stats: 41 receptions, 571 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns
Payton Longmeyer
Payton Longmeyer
Longmeyer is a smooth athlete with exceptional speed who uses playmaking talent along with precise route running. He’s electric with the ball in his hands so getting it to him quickly is a must. He also has the ability to be efficient on jet sweeps and reverses. His acceleration and explosiveness are what help him win 1-0n-1 situations and he is patient when working against zone. I expect him to be a gadget type player at the next level who can be moved around within an offense but he may also work in the slot full time.
Play-style: Gadget Slot
Season Stats: 54 receptions, 644 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns
Hank Brown
Hank Brown
A free-flowing athlete with dynamic footwork and an instinctive feel for how to elude opponents. Brown has been an efficient part of the Maroons offensive success. His confidence in routes and playmaking ability stands out when you watch him. He also has proven himself to be better at catching through contact than you might expect. While his route running is effective and fun to watch, his quickness is perhaps the best part about him. He is sudden in and out of breaks and create some major separation. Brown will perhaps be a slot at the next level just because he fits the type and can possibly be very effective with his skillset.
Play-style: Explosive Playmaking Slot
Season Stats: 31 receptions, 302 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
Robbins is another young name on this list and like the others he is a valuable player in the making. Robbins is a solid young deep threat who possess a lot of natural athleticism. He is a versatile player that can be used in many different places within an offense. A gadget player who can work in the wildcat or take jet sweeps, Robbins can pretty much do it all. However, he is an inside/outside wideout with the speed and agility to work confidently on all three levels of the field, but is still young so the ceiling is very high.
Play-style: Playmaking Gadget/Deep Threat
Season Stats: 52 receptions, 796 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns