PRZIA 2026 Rankings Update | WR Prospect Profiles (Top 7)
In this article:
With more prep programs around the state throwing the ball, Iowa is beginning to produce wide receivers for the next level at a greater rate. In the 2025 Class, West Des Moines Valley standout Xzavion Robinson Xzavion Robinson 6'2" |…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith more prep programs around the state throwing the ball, Iowa is beginning to produce wide receivers for the next level at a greater rate. In the 2025 Class, West Des Moines Valley standout Xzavion Robinson Xzavion Robinson 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR West Des Moines Valley | 2025 State IA is verbally committed to Iowa State. Loudon Grimsley from Sioux City East reports scholarship offers from Indiana, Northern Illinois, Miami (Ohio) and others.
When Prep Redzone Iowa updated its ’26 Rankings last week, another talented pass catcher topped the list at the position. WDM Valley’s Jayden Brown Jayden Brown 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Valley WDM | 2026 State IA (6-1, 170) checked in at No. 8 overall in the cycle.
Here’s a closer look at the Top 7 Iowa receivers in ’26:
Brown is a key piece in what should be a potent Valley offense in ’24. The junior-to-be is coming off a 10th-grade season that saw him catch 20 passes for 334 yards and five touchdowns on a loaded unit that reached the UNI-Dome. Brown shows during his sophomore highlight video that he’s a receiver comfortable lining up in the slot or split wide. He can get behind the defense with crisp route running and speed or step back for a screen pass and make people miss in space. Brown includes a clip of him running down as a gunner on punt coverage and making an open-field tackle. That’s what we like to see. He reported that Kansas State has invited him on campus for a visit.
It feels like Nyenow Jr. is just scratching the surface of what he can be as a receiver. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder produced 517 yards and three touchdowns on 34 catches. He also rushed 5 times for 84 yards, confirming he’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. While watching, Nyenow Jr’s sophomore highlights for the J-Hawks, we see a receiver capable of getting deep and making plays. He’s adept a winning contested balls and appears to have strong hands. Being tall and with power helps Nyenow Jr. deliver across the middle of the field and break tackles in traffic. He’s been invited to Nebraska, Iowa State, Yale and the Kent State camps.
Highlights
Alford (6-0, 180) has taken recruiting visits to Iowa State and Kansas State, and has been invited to camp with both programs this summer. UNI and Princeton also have asked him to camp with them. Alford’s production in ’23 occurred mostly on the non-varsity level but the 10th-grade highlights impress. He looks dominant in that setting with more gears than the competition. He boasts versatility with the skills to line up in the backfield, in the slot or out wide. It’s a package that could probably work on defense, too.
Highlights
Roberts (6-0, 180) proved to be a dangerous weapon for the Little Cyclones in ’23. He hauled in 29 passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore. On his Hudl page, Roberts reports solid testing numbers to go with the production. He lists his vertical leap at 35.5 inches, his bench press at 260 pounds, his squat at 365 and his deadlift at 425, his 100 meters at 11.2 seconds and 400 at 55.0. Roberts’ sophomore highlight video reveals a well-rounded receiver with the prowess to get behind the defense on the fly or take a screen pass through traffic for big gains. He can operate out of the slot or start out wide.
Schmitz (6-2, 185) also reports impressive testing numbers with a 35-inch vertical leap and a 4.58-second 40-yard dash. On a pretty loaded offense, he caught 11 balls for 232 yards and a pair of touchdowns, confirming that he’s a big-play threat. You can witness it for yourself while watching Schmitz’s sophomore highlight video. The first clip shows him blasting by the defender and taking it to the house. He illustrates that he can burn a zone by picking his way across the middle of the field and finding the soft spots. Schmitz is a sharp route runner from the slot or outside.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Brandhorst performs in a program sporting a proud history at receiver. That group includes Class of ’24 wideout Devon Akers, who signed with Northern Illinois. Akers saw a lot of targets for the Hawks, who reached the state title game. Brandhorst came through when called upon, however. He caught 10 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. The first play on his sophomore highlight video shows him running a tight route for a touchdown in the red zone. The second clip comes from the UNI-Dome, where he wins a 50-50 ball on the deep ball. Securing contested passes stands out as one of his better traits.
Highlights
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Kreykes offers attractive height and long arms at the position. They helped him accumulate 27 catches for 478 yards and five touchdowns in earning first-team all-district laurels. He also averaged 34.5 yards on a pair of kick returns. Kreykes ran on his school’s 4×800 team at the state track meet as a freshman last spring. He visited Iowa State this past weekend and has been invited to camp at Northwestern this summer. During his 10th-grade video highlights, Kreykes represents a matchup problem for the defense. Like other guys on this list, he shows a knack for winning contested passes with good leaping ability and strong hands.