Wheeling University Skills Showcase: The WRs
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Over 60 prospects made their way to Wheeling University for their combined Junior Day/Skills Showcase camp on a very hot Sunday afternoon. There was a plethora of talent in attendance with many of the prospects receiving offers from the host…
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Continue ReadingOver 60 prospects made their way to Wheeling University for their combined Junior Day/Skills Showcase camp on a very hot Sunday afternoon. There was a plethora of talent in attendance with many of the prospects receiving offers from the host Cardinals after the event. Here were the receivers who competed at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase.
![Joey Jackson](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/themes/prep-network-content/public/images/generic-male.png)
Joey Jackson
Joey Jackson
2025 West Branch (OH) WR Joey Jackson was my top-performing receiver at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase and he went home with an offer from the host Cardinals. The 5’9 165 receiver had strong testing numbers with a 4.7 40 and a 3.5-yard broad jump that translated to winning reps in 1-on-1s and looking fluid during individual drills. I had him winning the highest amount of 1-on-1 reps during the portion that I was able to catch and his skillset fit perfectly in a camp setting. Jackson had a very productive junior season for West Branch totaling over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns along with 4 interceptions and two pick-sixes on defense as a DB. He’s a natural playmaker with the ball in his hands and does a great job finding open field to run to. Jackson is a tough tackle in the open field who can consistently make defenders miss for more YAC yardage. He’s also very good in the screen and short pass game and can turn a quick pass into a big gain. Jackson’s defensive film at corner was also impressive and showed off his athletic versatility and ability to play the ball on both sides.
He was an easy prospect to offer for the Cardinals and will develop into a quality slot receiver at the next level.
![Marcus Crum](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/themes/prep-network-content/public/images/generic-male.png)
Marcus Crum
Marcus Crum
Warren G. Harding (OH) 2025 WR Marcus Crum flashed during Wheeling U’s Skills Showcase on Sunday and stood out as one of the top receivers in attendance. He’s a slighter-built athlete at 5’10 140 but has some juice in his athleticism. Crum ripped off one of the best 40 times of the day with a 4.69 along with a strong 4.42 pro shuttle and a 3.5-yard broad jump. Crum has a great burst with a quick release off the line and is a high accelerator. He has quick feet and fluid hips to change direction on a dime with explosiveness to make plays after the catch. You could tell he’s a twitchy athlete who can make defenders miss in the open field and can be a very good YAC receiver.
Crum is still raw as a route runner but excels in the vertical and screen game when he’s focused on getting upfield as quickly as possible.
![Gavin Partridge](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/themes/prep-network-content/public/images/generic-male.png)
Gavin Partridge
Gavin Partridge
I couldn’t find any recent film or a Twitter account for 2025 Ellwood City (PA) receiver Gavin Partridge, but he had a solid performance at the Skills Showcase. Partridge had strong testing numbers with a 4.72 40, 4.65 pro shuttle, and a 3-yard broad jump with slot receiver size at 5’9 160. I saw him win numerous reps during 1-on-1s as expected with testing numbers like those in a camp environment.
Partridge seems like an under-the-radar prospect who is worth knowing in Pennsylvania and should receive some attention once he gets his name out there more.
A rare new name to my radar from West Virginia that showed up at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase was 2025 Linsly WR Atte Peltola Atte Peltola 6’1″ | 165 lbs | WR Linsly | 2025 WV . it appears he’s a fresh name to the Cadets’ program out of Finland where they’ve had great success in bringing in foreign imports. Peltola is a long receiver at 6’1 165 with plenty of room to continue adding mass to his frame. I thought he tested very well for his size with a 4.85 40, 4.35 pro shuttle, and a big 3.5-yard broad jump showing a great athletic base. Peltola won multiple 1-on-1s during the portion that I was able to see and is a tough cover for DBs with his size and athleticism combination.
Linsly enjoys spreading the ball around to their receivers so Peltola should see his fair share of touches this fall and could emerge as a notable WR to know in the WV 2025 class.
Highlights
2026 John Marshall WR Xavier Wells Xavier Wells 6’1″ | 170 lbs | WR John Marshall | 2026 WV is primed for a breakout junior season in 2024 after playing sparingly last season as a sophomore as a special teams ace. His role as a receiver should greatly increase this season with the length and athleticism combo he showed at the showcase. His 4.81 40, 4.7 pro shuttle, and 3-yard broad jump are all strong numbers for his age that can be improved over the next two years. I like the straight-line speed that he has at this point in his development and will develop more lateral quickness as his body matures further. Wells has the frame to hold significantly more weight which should increase his ceiling further as a prospect. He battled against some very talented and older defensive backs at the camp and was able to win some reps during 1-on-1s that I was able to watch.
The best of Xavier Wells Xavier Wells 6’1″ | 170 lbs | WR John Marshall | 2026 WV has yet to come, but the potential and upside he displayed at the camp and on the field last season gives you some excitement about his future.
![Jack Gautsch](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/themes/prep-network-content/public/images/generic-male.png)
Jack Gautsch
Jack Gautsch
An under-the-radar 2025 receiver out of Pennsylvania that I liked at the camp was Bermudian Springs WR Jack Gautsch. I thought his game speed was much faster than the 40 time he posted at the camp and his 4.25 pro shuttle and 3-yard broad jump also suggest that to be true. His release looks quick off the line and gets himself up to full speed quickly with a strong burst. Gautsch is light on his feet with the ability to make defenders miss in the open field and can create extra yards after the catch consistently. He has good ball skills with trustworthy hands who will make the tough catches and absorb contact. His quick release makes him a dangerous go-ball receiver who can create separation from his defender to get a step on him. Gautsch’s route running is also a strong suit of his game who will develop into a quality slot receiver in college with wideout experience in high school.
He’s an underrated receiver prospect out of PA who deserves more attention heading into his senior year.