Best of the State Finals: WRs/TEs
In this article:
Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription! We talked about the best QBs of the State Championship Games on Monday. Today, we flip to the dudes hauling in those passes. It was a strong group of wide receivers…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingUse code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription!
We talked about the best QBs of the State Championship Games on Monday. Today, we flip to the dudes hauling in those passes. It was a strong group of wide receivers and tight ends that showed they will be able to be mismatches at the next level. The talent was off the charts. From FBS commits to D3 prospects to get to know. Let’s dive into the best of the best!
Stats: 5 Receptions, 119 Yards, 2 TDsrnDavid put on an absolute show while helping Waunakee battle for the D2 State Championship. The Duluth commit is an exciting mismatch at WR. He is quick, twitchy, has a great burst out of his breaks. David opened up plenty of separation with his routes and athleticism. He went up and made difficult catches. The senior’s run after catch gave us some very memorable plays making DBs miss, setting up blocks, and outrunning the field. Big things ahead for the future Bulldog.
Highlights
Stats: 4 Receptions, 67 Yards, 2 TDsrnComing into the season, I tabbed Waunakee as the top pass catching duo in the state. They proved it during the D2 Championship Game. UCLA is getting a legitimate receiving threat in TE commit Rob Booker. He is a long athlete with a huge catch radius, soft hands, and the athleticism to pick up big chunks after the catch as well as run away from LBs to open up separation before the catch. Robert is a smooth athlete that has the potential to develop into a mismatch target at the FBS level.
Highlights
Gavin Sargeant
Gavin Sargeant
Stats: 6 Receptions, 74 Yards, 1 TDrnGavin was one of my big surprises from the State Finals. He fits the role of a redzone threat, jump ball specialist, and just an ovearll big target. Gavin demonstrated solid body control along the sideline to make catches and keep his feet in bounds. He gave his QB a big target area with his soft hands and long arms. Gavin did a good job of attacking the all in the air, and tracking it downfield on deep passes. This is a senior to get to know more. Hidden gem.
Trace Schoenebeck
Trace Schoenebeck
Stats: 8 Receptions, 76 YardsrnTrace put together an impressive State Championship performance. What stood out most was how physical and strong he was. Trace completed routes through contact, went up and made catches in traffic, and would run hard after the catch. Along with being a physical athlete, Trace shows that finer traits, like body control down the sideline. We saw Trace haul in some impressive catches with very little room to work. Don’t sleep on the senior WR. He is a reliable weapon.
Stats: 2 Receptions, 77 Yards, 1 TD, 9 Carries, 74 yards, 1 TDrnConnor had a very exciting, explosive State Championship performance. He actually played both ways, but stood out most with his play at WR/wing. Connor won with speed, taking the top off the defense. He has natural hands and easily ran underneath the long TD pass. Connor also was used on the ground, and his speed allowed him to attack the edges and stretch the field horizontally until he found lanes to cut through or blocks to utilize. Connor seemed to always be involved when Rice Lake needed a big play. Get him on your radars now.
Stats: 8 Receptions, 100 YardsrnOne of the best WRs in the Class of 2024 from his freshman year to his senior year ended his career with a strong performance. His team didn’t get the gold ball like they hoped, but Brooks did what he could. The senior WR is a nuanced route runner with good speed out of his breaks. His hands are some of the best in the state, and have been fora long time. The speed is there to get downfield, and he can also win with quickness in the short passing game. He stepped up on the biggest stage, and I can’t wait to see him at the next level.
Highlights
Stats: 3 Receptions, 64 Yards, 1 TDrnOne of the breakout players from this season is Milwaukee Marquette’s WR Cam Russell Cam Russell 6’3″ | 200 lbs | WR Milwaukee Marquette | 2024 State WI . Cam turned his limited targets into big impact plays. The TD came off a double move that sent the CB biting hard downhill as Cam ran by him. The big WR made impressive catches in traffic with his strong hands, and showed that he could twist and contort his body to be ale to bring in the pass. Russell is a deceptive athlete with his long strides, but the senior has shown he can pull away from DBs. The senior needs more attention and offers to go along with his PWO from the Badgers. Check him out.
Stats: 6 Receptions, 57 Yards, 1 TDrnA senior who fits the role of a possession receiver is Franklin’s Andrew Human Andrew Human 6’2″ | 190 lbs | WR Franklin | 2024 State WI . Andrew has good size at 6’2″ 190 lbs, and was a reliable target all over the field. On his TD we saw him in the middle of the field, and take a pair of big hits on the way into the endzone. Andrew found his groove attacking with underneath routes where he could catch and secure the ball, and then get up field and use his tough running to gain yards. He’s a hidden gem for the D2/D3 levels.