Class of 2025: Top Wide Receivers/Tight Ends in WNY
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Senior Year is when the spotlight is on all players. But with Wide Receivers and Tight Ends, their senior season is a culmination of all four years of learning the route tree, how to block and getting in rhythm with…
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Continue ReadingSenior Year is when the spotlight is on all players. But with Wide Receivers and Tight Ends, their senior season is a culmination of all four years of learning the route tree, how to block and getting in rhythm with their Quarterback. These are the top incoming seniors that are looking to improve on their impressive Junior campaigns.
Gerald Mcloud is a three year varsity starter and is entering his senior season with 71 career catches for 1,158 yards and 9 touchdowns. He is fast and has a great cut when running he routes. He also possesses great versatility mixing in as a runner with 215 rushing yards and 3 TDs. McCloud has excellent vision, fantastic hands and he can track the ball down in the air just as good as anyone. Gerald McCloud Gerald McCloud ATH Bishop Timon-St. Jude | 2025 State NY is a 3 time first team All Catholic honoree and should get acknowledgement from the All State and All Western New York teams in 2024.
Possibly the best overall athlete on this list is Jack Ciano Jack Ciano 6’1″ | 170 lbs | ATH Orchard Park | 2025 NY . In 2023, he was awarded 1st team All League and All State Honorable mention. He also was named 2nd team All Western New York as a Defensive Back. Ciano has excellent concentration and is explosive in his get off. He is a fantastic route runner and possesses great football awareness . After his first year on varsity, he has received several Junior day invites but his senior year should bring about many collegiate offers.
Highlights
Next to Quarterback, Tight End maybe the most challenging position in football. They are asked to block like a lineman and catch/run routes like a Wide Receiver. Few excel at both attributes like William Hanson William Hanson 5’11” | 225 lbs | TE St. Francis | 2025 State NY , who is ranked #3 in the state for his position. Hanson is a great run blocker that has incredible strength and bullies his opponents downfield. He was a big part of St. Francis dominate running attack. Will is also a good route runner with soft hands. His big body makes for a nice safety valve and is a good target when the QB needs a quick gain. A multi-faceted player, Will Hanson won player of the game twice in 2023 due to his contribution on Special teams. This is a player to monitor this coming up season as many big name schools in need of a Tight End will be calling.
Patrick Wind Patrick Wind WR Clarence | 2025 NY
Patrick Wind Patrick Wind WR Clarence | 2025 NY
One of the top Wide Receiver prospects in Western New York, Patrick Wind Patrick Wind WR Clarence | 2025 NY has excellent footwork and is a phenomenal route runner. His soft hands and superb body control is what led to his record setting Junior year as he caught 51 reception (3rd in all of Section VI), 701 yards (Single Season School record) and 4 touchdowns. The great season Wind had garnered him much deserved accolades; 1st team All-League, 2nd team All Western New York and All State Honorable mention. 2023 was just the beginning for Patrick Wind Patrick Wind WR Clarence | 2025 NY . In his senior season, he will continue to showcase his remarkable skills.
Ranked #5 in the state, Carson Panebianco Carson Panebianco 6’1″ | 195 lbs | WR Jamestown | 2025 State NY has extraordinary hands, can block and has a high football IQ. In 2 seasons, Carson has accumulated 74 catches for 1,147 yards and 13 touchdowns. His best season though was in 2022 with all state QB Trey Drake. That year, Panebianco caught 45 passes for 741 yds and 7 TDs but had a stat line of 30-458-3 in the last half of the season on their way to a Section VI title. Carson has a great amount of yards after catch and blessed with insane quickness. He can run all the routes from the “X” position or from the slot. Carson Panebianco Carson Panebianco 6’1″ | 195 lbs | WR Jamestown | 2025 State NY is a 2 time All Western New York and 1 time All State honoree. I expect big things from this special player in 2024.
Highlights
Eric Abernathy
Eric Abernathy
Eric Abernathy is my kind of receiver; tough, goes over the middle and is always looking to help out the running game with his excellent blocking skills. But even with those attributes he possesses the speed to go on the deep routes, averaging 36.2 yards per catch. Abernathy also made a name for himself as a returner with 526 yards off kicks and punts. A 1st team All-League selection in 2023, Abernathy has the size (6’3 200 lbs.) and the skill set to be a true #1 receiver.
Le’Sean Braxton Jr
Le’Sean Braxton Jr
A 1st year varsity player, Le’Sean Braxton played somewhat under the radar in a run dominated offense. With 16 catches for 252 yards and a team leading 4 touchdowns, Braxton shows great awareness and a vertical leap that no cornerback could defend. His amazing speed makes him a dominate deep threat and his long arms mixed with his physical nature allows him to excel against press coverage. 2024 will prove that Le’Sean Braxton is not a one year wonder and big name colleges should come calling.