2026 Wide Receiver and Tight End Stock-Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're continuing through our stock-risers series for the 2026 class after highlighting the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/2026-stock-risers-quarterbacks/">quarterbacks</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/2026-running-back-stock-risers/">running backs</a>, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/2026-stock-risers-breaking-down-a-loaded-defensive-line-class/">defensive line</a> earlier this week. Now, we take a took at some of the pass-catchers who had great offseasons, boosting their stock heading into the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stock-Risers: 2026 Wide Receivers/Tight Ends</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["800901"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be1b5629c62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Sellars didn't make a huge move up in the overall rankings, he did move into the top spot at the receiver position. Already possessing great size, Sellars looks like the next great receiver to come out of Providence Day. His speed is effortless and he's decisive with the ball in his hands, rarely dancing around and preferring to get up to full speed and upfield as quickly possible. A good special teams player, he's an early contributor for a Power Four school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284093"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be1b5629d07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cleaves has a rare quick twitch that makes defenders look silly and we moved him up in our rankings more than any other player in the class of 2026, all the way up from 116 last rankings to 36 here. His film doesn't quite do his athleticism justice and his ability to make people miss is best seen live. We're expecting several FBS schools to jump on the trend Charlotte started and offer Cleaves, especially once he gets some junior film out there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423992"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be1b5629d77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Operating primarily out of the slot, Gilchrist was a safety blanket for Millbrook last year. He has an advanced feel for defenses to know he doesn't have to always run at full speed as a route-runner and he excels at finding the soft spot in coverage. His film is really good from last season and we're looking for him to put up some even bigger numbers as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["327286"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be310b3c814"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A recent transfer from Cox Mill, Barber is a standout baseball player, but if I were him, I'd take a long look at playing football at the next level. As a receiver, he hasn't been used often as a "go up and get it" guy, but Cox Mill did an excellent job of designing screens and shorter routes designed to get Barber in space. He's excellent after the catch and a load to bring down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832422"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be310b3c868"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown isn't the flashiest tight end you'll ever find, but he's excellent in Rolesville's H-Back role, where he's asked to make a ton of reach blocks and get to the second level often. As a pass catcher, he has strong, safe hands and though he's not going to be one of the leaders in receiving yards, he's a chain-mover who knows how to get open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->