Back 2 Ballin: WR/TE Standouts, Part I

CEDAR FALLS-- Next stop from Back 2 Ballin at the UNI Dome is the wide receiver group. As you can imagine with WRs being one of the focus points positionally in 7v7 that this list will be a stacked one over the coming days. We start off with Part I with four states and two countries represented in which every single prospect in my eyes are ones you will see playing on Saturdays.   [player_tooltip player_id='402517' first='Dveyoun' last='Bonwell-Witte'], WR, Sioux Falls Sharks/Sioux Falls Washington, SD 2026 <a href="https://twitter.com/Dveyoun11">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/dveyoun-rotated-crop-456x300-1655874082.jpg?w=455" alt="" class="wp-image-367399" style="width:321px;height:auto" /></figure>   Our WR1 in South Dakota's 2026 class showed off why he is not only the best WR in SD, but in the Dakotas overall in the 2026 class. Dveyoun was excellent at Back 2 Ballin with finishing his receptions strongly in highly-contested areas, and that was something that showed out all weekend long especially along the edges of the field as the balanced awareness was there for him too. I also have seen growth this Spring with the instinct he has with his route-running and growing body control he has with his 6'2 190 pound frame. I certainly by the end of camp circuit this summer, Dveyoun getting his first offer.   Christian Peris, WR, Potenza Sports/Shakopee, MN 2026 <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisperis_">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/IMG_0502-rotated-crop-385x253-1714415818.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1261320" style="width:322px;height:auto" /></figure>   The biggest bright spot for Potenza's offense in my eyes came from Shakopee 2026 wide receiver Christian Peris. I loved watching Christian's first step off the snap in action, as he shows off the twitch I want to see early in a route. His sudden burst and agility made him a consistent weapon and with those two skillsets he impressed me with his body control with both and showed off bigger hands than you would expect with his 5'9 175 pound frame. Christian constantly finished with his hands thru highly-contested areas and you can tell certainly has a very high football IQ that is impressive for just a sophomore. He will be one to watch in 6A over the coming years for sure.   Aiden Elinsky, WR, Wisconsin Bombers/West De Pere, WI 2026 <a href="https://twitter.com/aidenelinsky1">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/IMG_0541-rotated-crop-385x253-1714415871.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1261322" style="width:332px;height:auto" /></figure>   There are only a couple of prospects that were named standouts back to back years at Back 2 Ballin, as Aiden Elinsky of West De Pere is the only one I recall in the wide receiver group from last year. Talk about a wide receiver that plays way above his measurables (6'1 195) you would think by how physical he is thru contact that he was 6'3-6'4 and I felt that his physicality turned up some notches at this year's Back 2 Ballin. He also won some reps going up against a Division I graded corner I have graded in the Midwest, which was impressive to see them battle it out. The length of Aiden's catch radius stretches out extremely long. I will be excited to watch the Patrick Greisen to Aiden Elinsky QB to WR duo over the next couple of years coming out of the 920, as it is going to be a great one.   Brandon Kubay, TE, Recruit Ready/ St. Thomas More 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/brandon_kubay">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/IMG_0522-rotated-crop-385x253-1714415935.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1261325" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure>   The highest graded Division I prospect at Back 2 Ballin was Canadian 2025 tight end Brandon Kubay, who is headed to St. Thomas More in Connecticut next year. I have been a huge buyer of stock on Brandon for a while now, as he was my TE1 in Canada during our last 2025 rankings update. At nearly 6'4 225 pounds, Brandon has fluidity with his route-running that at that size that makes it almost unfair to try and cover him as his wingspan stretches out to a whopping 6'7. Brandon's instincts flew thru the roof of the UNI Dome in my eyes his play recognition, gave off plenty of inside leverage and was a constant finisher thru contact with his glue hands he brought to Cedar Falls. A Power Four offer is coming soon very soon for this young man who also has great character.   Layton Smith, WR, Lennox, SD 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/Layt_ls">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/IMG_0517-rotated-crop-385x253-1714416004.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1261327" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure>   One of my favorite South Dakota hidden gems of the weekend at Back 2 Ballin was Lennox 2025 wide receiver Layton Smith. At 6'4 205 pounds, Layton impressed me with the agile movement that his first step showed off the snap. Layton also has length for days, as I would love to see where his wingspan would pop out at if he got measured as he put it on display for the bulk of the weekend for Orioles offense. Layton is light on his junior tape, but I could certainly see him being a South Dakota 2025 making a splash during camp season this summer. I am very intrigued with Layton's high upside, with plenty of growth being seen from his junior tape to this Spring season with his ability to finish thru high-traffic areas with his sizable hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='722336' first='Kobe' last='Allen'], WR/ATH, Lincoln Northstar/Panthers, NE 2027 <a href="https://twitter.com/KobeJallen">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/IMG_0515_e7a34f-rotated-crop-385x253-1714416070.jpg?w=384" alt="" class="wp-image-1261329" style="width:347px;height:auto" /></figure>   Kobe was a 2027 wide receiver from the Panthers that was one of my standout selections from Back 2 Ballin. He was not the biggest wide receiver (5'11 155) at Back 2 Ballin, but he stretched out his catch radius for receptions much longer than I expected for his size. I also was impressive with his pure athleticism that showed off with his hands. No question that Kobe has a growing football IQ that trended with well-versed skill offensively this weekend despite showing mostly cornerback tape from his freshmen season. A 2027 to know out of Nebraska's capitol.

CEDAR FALLS-- Next stop from Back 2 Ballin at the UNI Dome is the wide receiver group. As you can imagine with WRs being one of the focus points positionally in 7v7 that this list will be a stacked one over the coming days. We start off with Part I with four states and two countries represented in which every single prospect in my eyes are ones you will see playing on Saturdays.