Explosive 2026 Wide Receivers to Watch For

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 2024 season quickly approaches, it's time to highlight some impactful high school prospects that should continue to be gamechangers this upcoming year. After breaking down some stockrising 2025s, here's my list of some explosive 2026 wide receivers in Kentucky to watch for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["314345"],"_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-66c38eca79e48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the first place spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='314345' first='Ethan' last='Kirkwood'], a wide receiver at Bowling Green High School. What impresses me about Kirkwood is his outstanding breakaway speed down the stretch as well as his ability to elevate off the ground to haul in the touchdown pass. I also like how Kirkwood can stay in front of the defense and get wide open for the short pass in crucial moments. Kirkwood also showcased excellent versatility and toughness from along the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15345365/657736f3dfd8d50ab47cec00">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176964"],"_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-66c38eca79eaa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='1176964' first='Parker' last='Ison'], a wide receiver at Raceland High School. What makes Ison so explosive is his ability to quickly turn around for the short pass and punch into enemy territory from along the edge. I also like how Ison can put his team on the scoreboard with his ability to lock down the defense in coverage and attack the ball in the air. Ison also showcased his ability to break tackles on his way to the house.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Pkp3S">Tape</a><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13162612/657216e58cd43c0ff42a9e9c">:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971547"],"_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-66c38eca79eea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Claiming the number three spot on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='971547' first='Tyler' last='King'], a wide receiver at Lexington Christian Academy. King stands out with his ability to read his quarterback from the backfield and quickly cut across the field to haul in the deep pass despite heavy pressure from the defense. I also like how King can elevate off the ground to reach the ball, proving his versatile edge down the stretch. King also proved himself as a reliable passing target from along the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2MLjzh">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176965"],"_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-66c38eca79f24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another skilled prospect to watch for is [player_tooltip player_id='1176965' first='Gabriel' last='Noyola'], a wide receiver at Campbellsville High School. Noyola makes a considerable difference down the stretch with his breakaway speed, showing off his ability to confuse the defense with his swift movement and get wide open for the touchdown pass. I also like how Noyola can shake tackles after the catch, proving he can stay on his feet in crucial moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15879195/65685eb9a680d60a5cefcb5a">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1175828"],"_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-66c38eca79f5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming in at number five on my list is [player_tooltip player_id='1175828' first='Martin' last='Hines'], a wide receiver at Marion C. Moore High School. What impresses me the most about Hines is his excellent height and wingspan, showcasing his ability to juke out the defense off the snap and quickly elevate off the ground to haul in the short pass. I also like how Hines can quickly box out defenders and get in prime position for the deep pass from along the edge .</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/18074372/654ac2a132e77e0718d31d73">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->