2025 Receivers Flying Under the Radar

The 2025 class is deep when it comes to receivers, including an eye-popping array of speed burner wideouts, dynamic slot guys and dominating hybrid tight ends. I recently reported on some of these returning standouts who are carrying the torch for their positions.   Guys like lightening-in-a-bottle [player_tooltip player_id='442624' first='Bryson' last='Hayes'], Maize, who has committed to Nebraska; TD-Machine [player_tooltip player_id='442660' first='Carter' last='Pabst'], Eisenhower, coming off a 19-touchdown explosion a year ago; and, of course, the two top-ranked players in the class, elite hybrid tight ends [player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='DaSaahn' last='Brame'], Derby and [player_tooltip player_id='733209' first='Linkon' last='Cure'], Goodland, who are being closely tracked by every blue-blood school in the country.   And, while these guys have earned their stripes and along with others like them are garnering most of the attention, there is a small group of standout receivers in the Wichita area who have not received much of the spot light yet for a variety of reasons but have positioned themselves to make some noise this fall. Whether it is playing in the shadow of other elite players, playing in smaller classification schools, or coming off injuries and other prior-season impacts; these are guys ready to be stars themselves and grab some of the spotlight.   Listed below are the "Mid-Week Five" - five receivers getting ready to challenge the front-runners for some gridiron glory this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228443' first='Brandt' last='Stupka'], 6'2, 180, WR, Andover Central. He is coming off an excellent junior season, catching 46 passes for 823 yards and five TD's and helping his team to a state runner-up finish. He also set the school record in the high jump this spring. He is usually split wide in the creative Andover Central spread offense, where he runs a variety of different routes to get him the ball. He runs good routes underneath and is fearless on crossing routes and making difficult sideline catches, but where he stands out is when he uses his quick burst and acceleration to burn teams on the deep ball. He makes things happen with the ball in his hands and is difficult to bring down after the catch. He is particularly dangerous in the endzone, using his standout reach and secure hands to bring down the tough catch. He's poised and ready for his time in spotlight this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228440' first='Jase' last='Robertson'], 6'2, 175, WR, Cheney. Using the 13-0 Cheney state championship season a year ago as a springboard, he will be one of the key components in a talented offense looking to run the table again this fall. He is a long, athletic wide receiver with an impressive catch radius, soft, reliable hands and has good instincts finding soft spots in zone coverage. He is effective going over the middle on crossing routes and posts and can be counted on to come down with the contested reception in heavy traffic. He runs excellent possession receiver routes coming off motion or split wide, but has the speed to burn up the seams and track down the long ball down sideline. He is an excellent all-around wideout who is positioned in a high-octane offense to really come into his own this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='571098' first='Cooper' last='Williams'], 6'2, 180, WR, Clearwater. He is coming off an injury-shortened season a year ago when he was only able to play five games. However, with those five games and including his sophomore season, in his last 13 games he has piled up 67 catches for 1,121 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added 20 returns for 455 yards and two more TD's for good measure. He is a smooth, athletic playmaker who is a dangerous threat anytime he touches the football. He runs good short routes, quickly gaining separation, and uses his good hands and body control to make tough catches. He is a major threat after the catch, shredding arm tackles and extending plays. He has good speed and acceleration and is the kind of deep-ball threat that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night. Get your popcorn out for this kid, he is going to make some noise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1215347' first='Cleve' last='Sutherland'], 6'1, 180, WR, Sunrise Christian Academy. He is coming off an excellent junior season when he established himself as not only a rising star wide receiver but an electric return man who can take a punt or a kickoff to the house at any moment. He is a versatile receiver who runs a variety of routes split wide, in the slot, or coming off motion to jump start the play. He is very smooth and athletic with great hips and quick lateral agility and route movement. Yards after the catch are one of his specialty's and when he gets the ball is a slippery, elusive target who uses the entire field to weave his way through the defense. Playing at the 8-man level he is a man among boys most Fridays and is getting ready to take his impressive game to the next level this fall.   Matthew Weltzin, 5'11, 165, WR, Newton. He is coming off a solid junior season, showing significant potential getting established in the Newton offense. He has been hard at it in off season training and has been busy working through the camp and clinic circuit perfecting his craft. He is an excellent all-around receiver who can split wide, operate out of the slot or in motion and runs good precision routes. He has good hands, with good speed and agility coming off the cut and makes the contested catch over the middle. He is also an effective stalk blocker and works well tracking and cutting off defenders in space. He has been hard at it doing whatever it takes getting ready to bust out in 2024. Get out and see him while you still can.   In conclusion, these guys may be flying under the radar now but they are going to be in the spotlight this fall. Get out and see some rising stars in action while you still can. And, as always, if you know of others flying low or have comments or questions, feel free to contact me via DM on X.

The 2025 class is deep when it comes to receivers, including an eye-popping array of speed burner wideouts, dynamic slot guys and dominating hybrid tight ends. I recently reported on some of these returning standouts who are carrying the torch for their positions.