QB-WR Combos – Wichita Area/Large School
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This is the follow-up report to the QB-WR Combinations in the Wichita area overview published recently, with a focus on the larger schools to get started. The “smaller school” elite combos will be released in the next day or so.…
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Continue ReadingThis is the follow-up report to the QB-WR Combinations in the Wichita area overview published recently, with a focus on the larger schools to get started. The “smaller school” elite combos will be released in the next day or so. These guys are the first of what will be a longer list of standout QB-WR connections as we get closer to the all-important senior year. Less than six months until practices begin. Time to put the finishing touches on a connection years in the making.
Developing an exceptional quarterback-wide receiver connection doesn’t happen overnight. Some of these connections below have been working at it since middle school and even elementary. Some have not had that luxury but are accelerating the process by working at it non-stop following junior-season success. All know the stakes are high and there is only one last chance to take it all to another level.
This fall, after years of development, coaching, and working to understand each other’s every move, these college-ready connections will be hard-wired to deliver their best seasons to date. They are locked in and synched up to wreck destruction through the air.
So, how does this connection thing work? Beyond the obvious things like athleticism, it is all the little things, the intangibles, that they have fine tuned together that enables them to react in synch no matter what occurs. It’s about knowing that when the huddle breaks it isn’t just the QB conducting a pre-snap read. His stud wideout is doing the same. They know how each other thinks and what each is keying on. They are both reading, watching, processing the tidbits of information the defense reveals as they settle into position. As the QB calls the signals the defense sinks into place and starts to show their true intent. The dynamic duo instantly know what each is going to do.
The QB and receiver process what the defense is throwing at them as one mind. If the corner rolls up at the last second to try and stuff and disrupt, the QB knows how his WR is going to read and react to get where he needs to be on the play. If they show a deep shell cover 2 look, slide into man under, play a loose zone concept, whatever the other team tries, these guys will counter like a well-oiled machine. If the play breaks down, there is no panic, they have played together so much they have developed an uncanny sense for knowing how to make the connection even when it looks like things are blowing up.
And, as expected, there is a lot of reciprocity in their play. The QB knows where to place the ball so the WR doesn’t have to break stride, where only he can catch it, where the quick strike needs to be in traffic. It’s all about doing whatever it takes to optimize the receivers chance to make the best play possible. The receiver returns the favor by often making the QB look great on mediocre throws, but also by making impossible, clutch catches, going to the apex-point of the pass above the defenders to make the grab, snagging passes in heavy traffic, producing yards after the catch and, most importantly, scoring touchdowns.
Below are three Wichita Area 2025 Elite QB-WR Connections who are in lock-step and coming down the home stretch to what appears to be a very promising 2024 season.
Larger Schools:
The Eisenhower Connection: coming off a standout junior campaign, this quick-strike duo hooked up on an incredible 19 touchdown passes last year. These guys have been playing together since the early days of middle school and have developed an uncanny sense for connecting on the long TD throw. Lining up as a slot or creating mismatches isolated on the weak side, these two connect on an entire arsenal of short, timing passes, mid-level fades and crossing route progressions to burning up the seams for the long ball. They are particularly adept at connecting on difficult back shoulder throws as well as quick strikes along the vertical seams. They are most definitely one of the most dangerous QB-WR connections in the state.
Derek Morgan Derek Morgan 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Eisenhower | 2025 State KS , 6’2, 195, QB, ranked #23, is coming off a standout junior season when he threw for 1,980 yards and ran for another 302 yards. He also completed over 60 percent of his throws and threw 30 touchdown passes for the year. An excellent all-around dual-threat QB, he throws an accurate, catchable ball, whether it is a long soft pass over the shoulder, or firing bullets over the middle. He has excellent feet and his upper-body mechanics in the pocket are spot on. He has a tight shoulder rotation and quick release. A good all-around athlete, he is comfortable throwing on the run, and making things happen when the play breaks down. He is getting ready to light it up in 2024..
Carter Pabst Carter Pabst 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Eisenhower | 2025 State KS , 6’1, 185, WR, ranked #17, is coming off a sensational season when he caught 51 passes for just under 900 yards, and averaged over 17 yards a catch. He also added an eye-popping 19 touchdowns. A gifted receiver with good length and athleticism, he works a lot out of the slot where he runs short and mid range routes to perfection. He is also split out wide and isolated to create mismatches and burn teams long. He works the seams well and catches the ball exceptionally well in traffic. He is also an excellent runner after the catch, even hurdling defenders as needed. Definitely a receiver you can count on to go up on contested passes and be the one that ends up with the football. Expect some big numbers in 2024.
The Maize South Connection: In the high-powered Maize South offense these guys hit the jet stream last year as a dangerous connection, combining for a dozen touchdowns and plenty of high-light reel play. They started playing catch in the second grade and it is obvious by their almost seamless connection on the field. Lulling the defense to sleep with an array of quick surgical-strike slants, outs and exposing loose zones, the ball is out in a hurry and they move the sticks. But, just as the defense adjusts, they ratchet things up and start scorching the seams and backside deep alleys. When the play breaks down they have a way of finding each other and turning it into something big. They are also devastatingly effective in the red zone. These guys are definitely a dynamic duo who are going to be giving rival defensive coordinators headaches all next season.
Tate McNew Tate McNew 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Maize South | 2025 State KS , 6’1, 190, QB, is ranked #13; is the highest ranked quarterback in the class of 2025, and coming off a jaw-dropping junior season when he completed 202 out of 321 passes for 2,876 yards, for a 63% completion percentage, a 124.0 quarterback rating and 31 passing touchdowns. He also added 450 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns to give him an incredible 45 total TD’s for the year. He has excellent passing mechanics, with a compact shoulder rotation and quick release. He has a live arm that is capable of making all the throws, from short-to-medium darts, deep crossing routes and outs, off-platform and difficult launch angles, as well as putting touch on vertical seams. He doesn’t eyeball receivers and is effective at looking off defenders and quickly working through progressions. He is poised and ready for another stellar year in 2024.
Landon Gatto, 6’5, 205, ATH, is ranked #37. is coming off a strong junior campaign when he caught 53 passes for 735 yards and 12 touchdowns. A long, rangy, athletic receiver who can work out of the slot, split out wide or wherever they need him. His physical skills enable him to be an exceptional playmaker, but he also runs precise routes and demonstrates excellent receiver mechanics coming off the ball. He is a force going up for the heavily-guarded contested catch and is fearless going over the middle. On the long ball, he tracks well, slicing up zone gaps and burning up seams and is deceptively fast. He is a strong runner after the catch and in stretching the play. Word is getting out that this kid can play – get out and see him in 2024
The Andover Central Connection: compared to the dynamic duos above, these guys are closer to the new comer’s on the block. Newcomers, that is, who are going to kick the door down and start lighting things up in a hurry this year. Since mid-last season when they started clicking, these guys have been accelerating the improvement curve ever since. Whether it is short passing game creativity in getting the ball in your best athlete’s hands, or connecting deep down the sideline these two are in the groove. Both ends of this connection are instinctive playmakers at heart so they can turn routine plays into scores. This QB-WR connection won’t be taking a backseat to any of the others – get ready for a show in ’24.
Jace Jefferson, 6’0, 175, QB, is unranked and someone who somehow fell through the cracks. He is coming off an outstanding junior season when he completed 165 out of 295 passes for 2,214 and a 56% completion percentage. He also fired 24 touchdown passes for the year. He throws a very accurate ball, whether it is on quick strike short-to-medium bullets in the flats or layering the ball over the middle. He doesn’t posses a shotgun for an arm but it is very much strong enough to throw a great, easy-to-catch long ball. He also throws well on the run, particularly squaring his shoulders going to the left. He won’t be unranked for long folks, he’s poised and ready for a breakout year in 2024.
Jace Adler Jace Adler 6'3" | 175 lbs | DB Andover Central | 2025 State KS , 6’3, 180, ATH, is ranked #149, which is one of the clear misses in the ranking process, as he is arguably one of the best athletes in the state. He is coming off an incredible junior year when he was all state on offense, defense and as a return man. On offense he caught 61 passes for 837 yards and 12 touchdowns and was a highlight reel every time he touched the ball. A long, athletic elite playmaker, he lines up all over the field but is particularly deadly split out wide and creating mismatches in the secondary. He has an excellent catch radius and great hands and goes up to the highest point to bring down contested passes. They don’t get much better than this kid, make sure you get out and see him in action.
In conclusion, these guys are getting ready to make some Friday Night Lights history in 2024 – get out and see them play. Up next – QB-WR Connection – Smaller Schools. As always, any suggestions/feedback on players and ballers flying under the radar, feel free to DM me on X.