2027 WR Positional Breakdown

If 2024 was the Year of the Quarterback, then a slew of wide receivers helped make it possible.   Just take a quick glance of this past year's 12 state finalists. For every [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'], [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'], [player_tooltip player_id='1267290' first='Ethan' last='Offing'] and [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] throwing the football, there was a [player_tooltip player_id='272708' first='Chamarryus' last='Bomar'], [player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'], [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'], [player_tooltip player_id='753896' first='Jayden' last='Nichols'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1360308' first='Boykin' last='Bickley'] on the receiving end of long receptions or scores.   All of these wide receivers possessed game-breaking skills from any position on the field. For those reasons, most of the names mentioned are headed off to college.   This means having rising juniors ready to fill those roles, some with a new quarterback.   Prep Redzone South Carolina's list of top 2027 wide receivers includes such players ready to assert themselves:    BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE   1. [player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'] Ridge View   With University of South Carolina signee [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] injured, the 6-foot, 175-pound receiver became a top contributor. In 13 games, he had 49 receptions for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 4.51 speed and 34-inch vertical leap gave fellow rising junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] a reliable deep threat.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller'] Irmo   The 5-foot-11 Miller (pictured) came within 86 yards of giving the Yellow Jackets two 1,000-yard receivers. Playing alongside Murph and having a dual threat quarterback in Brand enabled Miller to capitalize on receiving less scrutiny from defenses. He finished with 55 receptions for 914 yards and eight touchdowns. Miller was also an effective rusher with 21 carries for 330 yards and three touchdowns. Whatever changes head coach Aaron Brand has planned for the offense next season should include a prominent role for Miller.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='1271241' first='Chanin' last='Harris'] Byrnes   The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder has four offers from Boston College, East Carolina, Gardner Webb and Miami (Ohio). On film, he shows blazing speed after the reception, runs quick routes, and does not shy away from impact. He and [player_tooltip player_id='1604062' first='Jacobie' last='Fuller'] hope to build upon last year's second half success.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='1036782' first='Jagger' last='Spivey'] Ashley Ridge   "He will be our next star at receiver the next two years," predicted Swamp Foxes head coach Jeff Tate. He contributed to one of South Carolina's most prolific passing offenses. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz'] threw for 3,560 yards and 33 touchdowns. On one side was [player_tooltip player_id='1181027' first='Jaiden' last='Deweese'], the Palmetto Champions Class 5A Lower State Offensive Player of the Year. Lining up on the other side was the 5-foot-11, 155-pound Spivey. Blessed with 4.5 speed and committed to the weight room, he's accounted for close to 1,000 total yards and five touchdowns. Tate also called Spivey a "football smart" player who never gets overwhelmed on the field.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='1271244' first='Josh' last='Davis'] AC Flora   At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, the rising junior possesses the physical attributes to stretch the field for the Falcons. Clocked at 4.59 speed and a 36.9 inch vertical leap, Davis can "jump out of the gym", according to head coach Ken Floyd. On film, he's shown running disciplined routes and displaying strong hands. His size and strength (410 pound deadlift) also makes him an asset as a blocker.    FIVE WIDE RECEIVERS READY TO MOVE UP   [player_tooltip player_id='1603787' first='Elijah' last='Lipsey'] Daniel   The 5-foot-10, 155-pound rising junior was a contributor at wide receiver and special teams last season. His 636 receiving yards on 38 catches and eight touchdowns only trailed senior [player_tooltip player_id='1360192' first='Jason' last='Bish'] on the Lions. He also returned kickoffs, scoring on an 89-yard touchdown in the playoff win over Richland Northeast. Head coach Jeff Fruster said Lipsey had a "high ceiling", ready to show his "explosive" speed after making a catch. As Lipsey continues to work on his blocking skills, expect his role to expand in the Lions' offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172370' first='Kanye' last='Reed'] Blythewood   The lone sophomore from a Bengals' wide receiving quartet that helped quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1418100' first='Johnny' last='Collins'] throw for 2,371 yards and 28 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound stood out with his ability to get open frequently in the secondary. He also made difficult catches even with defenders crowding him. With rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1394980' first='Chris' last='Coleman'], CJ Johnson and Benjamin Hendrix returning, expect an increased role for Reed.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603854' first='Eric' last='Richardson'] Lugoff-Elgin   Head coach Leon Boulware's arrival and focus on "slinging the football around" opened a window of opportunity for Richardson. The 6-foot, 165-pound rising junior made an immediate impact. He led the Demons with 33 receptions for 589 yards and nine touchdowns. He and quarterback Aiden Fitzgerald should continue strengthening their chemistry together. "Elusiveness" is the first word that comes to mind watching Richardson's film. His fluid movement and speed after catching the football at wide receiver and on special teams makes him a difficult cover for cornerbacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1078102' first='Darius' last='Carter'] Ridge View   Like sophomore teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'], the 5-foot-11, 150-pounder contributed to the Blazers' passing offense in Gidron's absence. His 36 receptions for 549 yards and three touchdowns were second only to Jackson. Head coach Derek Howard had already called Carter one of the best route runners he's ever coached. Look for Carter to continue working diligently with fellow rising junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] to improve Ridge View's offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] Gray Collegiate   Fully adjusted to the War Eagles' offense after transfer from Blythewood, Williamson looks to become the team's next lead receiver. The son of former University of South Carolina and NFL wide receiver Troy Williamson, he possesses the height, speed and elusiveness to make him effective at the varsity level. Gray Collegiate could also find other ways to utilize Williams' abilities.    FIVE WIDE RECEIVER DARK HORSES   [player_tooltip player_id='1036774' first='Amare' last='Patterson'] Beaufort   The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Patterson has a "tremendous upside", according to Eagles' head coach Bryce Lybrand. They see a player with strong pass-catching skills and top end speed. The off-season is where Patterson is expected to continue his physical development in the weight room. Patterson will look to develop chemistry with a different quarterback next season while simultaneously returning from an injury that sidelined him for all but one full game of the 2024 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod'] South Aiken   Another team with a talented receiver in a transitioning offense. The graduation of record-setting running back [player_tooltip player_id='272702' first='Jevon' last='Edwards'] will be the Thoroughbreds' biggest adjustment. [player_tooltip player_id='1454173' first='Tucker' last='Bryan'], with whom McLeod had a team-high 40 receptions for 523 yards and seven touchdowns, also graduates. At 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds, McLeod was utilized as a deep threat. He often outleaped or out-physicaled his defenders for the football. Look for him to have a more sizable role in the new-look South Aiken offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604037' first='Micah' last='McClintock'] Landrum   At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, McClintock is an imposing figure to Class 2A defensive backs. He caught a team-high 45 passes for 622 yards and eight touchdowns. When not overpowering defenders with his size, McClintock often outran them after making the catch. He and the Cardinals will be motivated to erase the memory of last year's four-game season-ending skid.   [player_tooltip player_id='1149041' first='Beckham' last='Diimmler'] Chapin   For the first time in four years, the Eagles will have a new starting quarterback. Along with [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'], they graduated a senior-laden receiving corps. Looking to help maintain the production at receiver is the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Diimmler. He's shown good hands in his limited play at wide receiver. Chapin head coach Ryan Cole also said Diimmler will have an even bigger impact on special teams as a placekicker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603911' first='Isaiah' last='Small'] Richland Northeast   Like Chapin, the Cavaliers are also moving on from a record-breaking starting quarterback. In the case of the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Small, he's brimming with confidence after a productive sophomore season. He capitalized off the mobility of senior [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'] to find openings in team defenses. He was also a dangerous receiver after the catch. Should Small improve upon his numbers (62 receptions, 778 yards) with a new quarterback, look for even more college offers.

If 2024 was the Year of the Quarterback, then a slew of wide receivers helped make it possible.