Class of 2026: Top Wide Receivers in WNY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a list of incoming Juniors that are not just a group of the best Wide Receivers in Section VI, but are some of the top athletes. Many of these performers showcased their talents so well that it is worth giving them a look at other positions like Running Back or Defensive Back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518166"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1248172,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='518166' first='Jack' last='Eskridge'] is arguably the best athlete for the Class of '26 in Western New York. Eskridge dominated the opponents on the ground, through the air and on special teams with 874 all purpose yards and 9 touchdowns. Jack's speed is off the charts, he has excellent hands and impeccable footwork. He has great cutback ability and amazing vision. [player_tooltip player_id='518166' first='Jack' last='Eskridge'] is a Division I prospect and will be highly touted in the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1344697' first='Evan' last='Zankl']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Williamsville South","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1344697' first='Evan' last='Zankl'] is the quintessential slot receiver with his ability to break tackles and keep moving. He is excellent with his yards after catch. He is the guy you call upon to move the chains. He goes across the middle and with his amazing concentration and awareness, he is able to find the open holes in the defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1344697' first='Evan' last='Zankl'] is relatively unknown but will be a player to monitor in 2024.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1238563"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1238563' first='Cardel' last='Staples'] is one of my favorite prospects coming out of Buffalo. He is a two way stud at Wide Receiver and Defensive Back. As a receiver, he shows explosive speed averaging 38.7 yards per catch in 2023. McKinley was a run first team so his catches came at a premium but when the situation called for it, Staples showed off his excellent blocking skills. On the defensive side of the ball, Cardel displayed a high football IQ, sound tackling and a nose for the ball with 4 interceptions as a sophomore.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":1248177,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1345194' first='Blake' last='Gerstung']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Akron","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Although Gerstung missed the final two games of the season, he still was one of Akron's top receivers recording 23 receptions for 326 yards and led the team with 5 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1345194' first='Blake' last='Gerstung'] is a tough receiver that can run the over-the-middle routes and run block very well. Blake excels best on the short to intermediate routes and uses his agility to gain extra yards but he has the speed to stretch the field as well.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["807877"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='807877' first='Carson' last='Fairbank'] had a remarkable sophomore season bringing in 24 passes for 407 yards and 7 touchdowns while successfully kicking 15 extra points and 3 field goals. 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Mobley is a superb vertical threat with breakaway speed and the innate ability to find the endzone. 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He can play either Running Back or in the slot but with Williamsville South's leading ball carrier graduating this year, the door is open for Amir to be the Billies top rusher in 2024.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["747257"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='747257' first='Matt' last='Zielinski'] is a physical player that has toughness and fights for extra yards. He has soft hands and possesses a great vertical leap to go and get the ball at its highest point. He was also a major contributor on special teams making tackles and recording a blocked extra point. St. Francis' top 3 receiving targets are all off to college next season so Zielinski has the chance to put the Monsignor Martin league on notice.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661e6d7c81e6b"} /-->