2026 Wide Receiver Check-in: Week 5

<p>This week, I'm focused on the junior class. I've already done check-ins on the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/2026-quarterbacks-check-in-week-5/">2026 quarterbacks</a> and the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/2026-running-back-check-in-week-5/">junior running backs</a>. Here, I'm moving on to look at the 2026 wide receivers that have caught my eye early. Like I've done in those other pieces, I'll check in on the top three guys in our rankings and then scout a few more who have had strong starts to the season and who could be poised for a move up our rankings.</p>   <p>Here's my 2026 wide receiver check-in.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midseason Junior Wide Receiver Check-In</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Sellars has a great feel for finding the soft spot in zone coverage and has great balance and body control. What's really impressed me this year is his motor and willingness to do the dirty work. On a team of stars, he doesn't have an ego and many of his highlights are of him blocking 20 yards downfield for a teammate.</p>   <p>He still has the physicality and hands of a top receiver though. The little things are great, but magnified by the fact that Sellars is an incredibly gifted athlete.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Keefe has been unselfish this year as his primary job has been to draw coverage and open up space for his teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1671887' first='Chaz' last='Portis'] has been the primary beneficiary, but Keefe has still put up decent numbers early. He has 11 catches for 176 yards and a touchdown and just missed a long touchdown in the opener after he couldn't quite get his feet in bounds on a fantastic catch. He continues to high point the ball as well as anyone in the state.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Richburg does all of the things you'd expect to see from a smaller receiver, except he's also 6'4." He excels after the catch and has great nuance inboth his route running and movement after the catch. He can run by defenders, around defenders, and through defenders. Richburg also does the things you'd expect from a bigger receiver, like high point the ball and use his body to shield defenders. He's a complete receiver off to a strong junior season.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Wide Receivers Impressing Early</h2>   <p>There are a host of receivers off to strong starts, so while we don't have the space to talk about them all, we wanted to highlight a few who have impressed early.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Tate doesn't get the recognition that some of his teammates get, but he's been integral to Weddington's early success this year. His impact hasn't just been limited to the slot as Weddington has done a great job of putting him in stacks and other formations to take advantage of his abilities against man coverage. He's not the biggest guy, but he's not afraid to lower his shoulder and run over defenders near the goal line.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">I'm not sure if anyone has done more to raise his stock this year than Evans, who is off to a scorching start. After putting up just over 200 yards last season, Evans surpassed that by the fifth quarter of the season, going for over 140 yards in each of the first two games of the year. Evans has shown an ability to beat coverages deep, even at his size and he's put himself firmly on the map of Power Four schools. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Copper is off to a fantastic start to his junior year and though he's playing at a smaller school, he isn't winning primarily with athleticism (though he has plenty of that). Apparently he worked on his release package in the offseason (probably taking tips from his dad) and his release off the line might be the best in the state. He catches almost everything sent his way and he's a guy we're ready to bump in the next rankings update.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2026 Wide Receivers Off To Strong Starts</h2>   <p>Here are some more guys we've liked early. Myabe we'll break them down with full scouting reports later this season.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1455237' first='Alex' last='Voss'], Marvin Ridge</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1148569' first='Ethan' last='Driver'], Davie</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='832437' first='Gavin' last='Waddell'], Rolesville</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1671887' first='Chaz' last='Portis'], Myers </h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='705385' first='Fisher' last='Leftwich'], North Surry</h3>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='534743' first='Ryan' last='Payne'], Murphy</h3>

This week, I'm focused on the junior class. I've already done check-ins on the 2026 quarterbacks and the junior running backs. Here, I'm moving on to look at the 2026 wide receivers that have caught my eye early. Like I've done in those other pieces, I'll check in on the top three guys in our rankings and then scout a few more who have had strong starts to the season and who could be poised for a move up our rankings.