Under The Radar 2026 Receivers To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These sleeper 2026 wide receivers are turning heads to start the 2024 season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/sandy-springs/riverwood-raiders/athletes/zach-stair/football/stats/?careerid=2qja3bbirafaa">[player_tooltip player_id='1557970' first='Zach' last='Stair']</a> - Riverwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under-the-radar Fulton County wideout having an excellent start to his junior season, Stair is a shifty, elusive wideout who has shown the ability to run a crisp route and get open on his own. He can create separation and track the bell in the air down the field, showing soft hands when reeling in a tough pass. It's been a tough start to the season for Riverwood, but Stair has been a consistent option so far, catching 27 passes for 523 yards and five touchdowns. He's hit the 100-yard mark in three out of his first four games, recording 185 yards, 151 yards, and 127 yards in those contests. He's a 2026 receiver on the rise who could earn some college opportunities after a big junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/norcross/wesleyan-wolves/athletes/carter-hayes/football/stats/?careerid=k49mg9bf0o7ff">[player_tooltip player_id='1577356' first='Carter' last='Hayes']</a> - Wesleyan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-sport standout who shines both on the baseball diamond and on the gridiron, Hayes is a big-play weapon with natural athleticism and big-playability. He's one of the leading receivers across the state in the 2026 class, showing why he's one of the top dual-sport players in the region. He brings a level of speed, strong hands, and the ability to change directions and separate himself from opposing defensive backs. He's hauled in 22 passes through his first four games for 413 yards and five touchdowns. He's recorded at least 68 receiving yards and has scored at least one touchdown in every game so far. He's a sleeper pass-catcher to know about for the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/sylvester/worth-county-rams/athletes/jayden-farley/football/stats/?careerid=g6msem65qbmcc">Jayden Farley</a> - Worth County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big small-town tight end to know about in the 2026 class, Farley is a 6-foot-1 190-pound pass-catcher on offense who can turn around and make plays defensively as well. He runs well and plays more in the 200-pound range. He shows strong ball skills and the ability to sneak past defensive backs down the field. He's a good runner after the catch and can be tough to bring down by just one defender. A versatile weapon who can line up like a traditional tight end or split out wide, Farley has hauled in 16 passes this fall for 331 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 20 yards a catch and 83 yards per game. Look for him to continue his strong season over the next two months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283796' first='Brady' last='Marchese'] - Cartersville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A promising receiver who brings a level of explosion and big-play ability to the Cartersville offense, Marchese is a gifted wideout who is off to an outstanding start to his junior season. He's shown easy Power Four potential to start the season and could see some impressive offers come his way down the road. When he has the ball, big plays happen. He's only caught nine passes through his first four games, but he took them 305 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an eye-opening 34 yards per catch. He's fast, creative, and can really take off down the field. He's one of the fastest-rising wideouts in the area and should see more targets come his way throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Craig Dandridge - Cambridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A shifty, electric wideout with easy Power Four potential, this sleeper receiver in Fulton County is off to a really strong start to his junior season. Playing under an offensive staff that knows how to put up points, Dandridge has been a dependable, sure-handed weapon in the passing game, catching 12 passes in four games for an impressive 305 yards and six touchdowns. His biggest game came against Johns Creek where he caught three passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns. He's dynamic and elusive after the catch with above-average speed and a nose for the end zone. He's quickly becoming one of the top 2026 receivers in the area and could see his recruitment start to really pick up after the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->