2025 Watch List Spotlight: WRs (Pt. 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Rankings were updated to 125 total players ranked in the class back in January but many more are on the Watch List. These Watch List players will eventually enter the rankings in the future and are names we will be watching closely next season. Here are some WRs not currently in the rankings who you should keep an eye on in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1126334"],"_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":"James Monroe will need to replace some offensive firepower in 2024 after losing [player_tooltip player_id='894275' first='Cooper' last='Ridgeway'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1104849' first='Chaz' last='Boggs'] to graduation. 2025 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1126334' first='Baylee' last='Ridgeway'] will be an important piece in helping make up for some of that lost production as a senior next season. He's a lanky but long 5'11 175 wideout who is reliable over the middle of the field. Ridgway has the versatility to be able to line up out wide or in the slot where they counted on him to make some tough possession catches inside of ten yards often last season. Ridgeway is a receiver that you can consistently rely on to make those third-down catches to extend drives and is going to work the middle of the field and at the sticks. The next step in his development will be becoming more of a downfield threat and the ability to get more yards after the catch. Ridgeway also looks like he could one day grow into an H-Back type of athlete if he can put on the size needed for the position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1126343"],"_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":"The leading receiver for the Lincoln County Cougars last season was 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1126343' first='Drew' last='Banks']. Banks led the way in receptions and yards with 29 catches for 358 yards and two touchdowns. The 5'10 170 junior proved his athletic versatility as their leading rusher as well rushing for 535 yards and three scores finishing with a team-leading 893 all-purpose yards in 2023. Although he had more rushing production as a junior, I believe Banks' ceiling and upside are highest as a receiver. He flashed a quick burst at both positions last season while having breakaway speed that can take it the distance on any given touch. Banks also showed he has some twitch and can cut and change direction quickly as well. Although he doesn't have any highlights of it at this time, Banks also led the team in tackles with 72 as a DB and could potentially play there in college as well. Even with a limited sample size of highlights right now, Banks flashed enough last season to be a D2/D3 college prospect and an under-the-radar player in the new Class AAA next season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1126346"],"_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":"We touched fellow Shady Spring WR teammate and classmate [player_tooltip player_id='909083' first='Jalon' last='Bailey'] earlier this week but [player_tooltip player_id='1126346' first='Nathan' last='Easley'] should not be overlooked either in the Tigers' offense. Easley is a longer receiver at 6'1 150 who will fit in well at wideout next to Bailey in the slot. While he still needs to gain a serious amount of weight at his height, Easley showed last season that he utilizes that length well at times but also was a willing blocker even as a tall lanky receiver. His role and touches will increase next season after Shady Spring graduates a lot of offensive production from last year's team. While Easley is a long receiver, he also flashed some make-you-miss ability and is fluid for his size. The first two clips of his junior highlight tape are wow plays, and you can see the potential he has as a receiver with continued development.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1126347"],"_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 South Charleston offense greatly struggled last season but 2025 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1126347' first='Lincoln' last='McConihay'] was a bright spot at receiver for the Black Eagles. The 5'10 165 slot totaled 31 catches for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns during his junior campaign and should improve those numbers in year two with a new head coach. McConihay works the sideline well from the slot with breakaway speed to be able to produce after the catch as well. He's a really quick athlete who can turn short passes into big gains with his legs but is also versatile enough to be a deep threat as well. McConihay is explosive showing a quick release and churns his legs quickly. He was likely overshadowed by a difficult season for the program but is an underrated prospect worth monitoring in 2024 for his senior year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["907612"],"_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":"Another talented option in the loaded Spring Valley receiver group is 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='907612' first='Gabe' last='Dixon']. Similar to teammate and classmate [player_tooltip player_id='1126339' first='Bryce' last='Fuller'] who we wrote about earlier in the week, touches were limited last season due to their offensive scheme and having several other talented junior receivers in their class. The Timberwolves typically aren't a spread team but have the personnel to be able to do so in 2024. If they elect to throw the ball around more next season, Dixon will have the opportunity to greatly increase his production and allow the stats to catch up to his athletic ability. The 5'10 165 junior has a very limited sample size of receiver highlights from last season but his athleticism is apparent and an increase in role and productivity is sure to come in 2024 for his senior season. The speed and quickness are obvious with big play ability ready to be unleashed. Sometimes talented players get overshadowed by other talented players at schools like Spring Valley, but if Dixon puts in the work during camp season, I think he'll have some eyes on him heading into next season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1126348"],"_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":"Another talented athlete who may have been overshadowed due to a difficult season for the program is St. Albans WR [player_tooltip player_id='1126348' first='Ashton' last='Hamilton']. I'm sure his stats wouldn't blow you away and highlights are limited, but Hamilton flashed next-level athletic ability with the touches he did get. He's your classic quick and shifty 5'8 150 slot receiver with natural playmaking ability when he gets the ball in his hands. Hamilton's special teams ability as a returner is what really stood out on his junior highlight tape, and that's an area he can build on and be dangerous at next season. He also flashed breakaway speed which paired with his quickness and playmaking ability could make him a serious threat in their offense next season. The St. Albans program will soon welcome a change in leadership which could provide a spark in 2024 and get their program back on track and would greatly help Hamilton and his fellow teammates.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e0e1ac6d262"} /-->