Q1 Stock-Risers: Wide Receivers on the Move

With the season concluded, we've updated our rankings. The 2026 class is on the clock as most colleges have completed their 2025 classes and moved onto the rising seniors. Here, we'll break down several 2026 wide receivers who impressed us enough this season to move up in our Quarter 1 rankings update.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Stock-Risers: Wide Receivers</h2>    Evans had a huge year for Hough, and then became one of the most recent Power Four commits in the state. Evans has excellent size, speed, and production. He wasn't necessarily the go-to guy for Hough, but he was the big-play guy. He averaged over 27 yards a catch on just 36 receptions in 13 games. That said, 14 went for touchdowns and he was unstoppable in several games.     Though his raw numbers are similar, Waddell improved several aspects of his game in 2024. He was better at the catch point, cut down on drops, and added more nuance to his route-running. He's been hot on the recruiting trail as well, picking up several offers from Group of Five and a few Power Four schools. As he continues to progress, he's a guy to watch.     Catoe can -- and did -- take the top off of defenses. He was impressive all season, but he really caught our attention when he torched Weddington's elite defense for seven catches, 188 yards, three touchdowns, something I haven't seen happen in half a decade. Catoe isn't just a speedster, he's nuanced in his releases and route-running, two things that allow him to get behind defenses.     Driver is one of the best pure route-runners in the state. Normally, we say that about smaller guys with below average speed, but Driver is neither of those things, as he has D1 size and speed. He has the frame to add weight and if he improves his play strength a bit, I'll be ready to put an FBS grade on him, as he's on the cusp at the moment. If the ball is close, he'll catch it and he's fearless over the middle, two traits that should play well at the next level.     Size, speed, and an NFL pedigree. If Copper was from a different area of the state, he'd be on the radar of colleges everywhere. As it is, recruiters take longer to find guys tucked down on the eastern side of the state. Copper is one of my favorite receivers in the state and I'm already regretting not moving him further up the rankings. Copper's technique is as refined as you'll see from a small-school product, as his release is advanced and he's catches the ball away from his body as well as anyone his age. Yeah, I'm a fan.     Morin has size and speed to take defenses deep, something he showcased in 2024... often. His junior highlight tape is full of him beating defenses in different ways: Before the catch, after the catch, at the catch, you name it. He shows a strong release package and I was impressed with his ability to high-point the ball. I don't think he's hit his ceiling and he's a guy we could see taking another step forward.     Brooks is an excellent route-runner who really improved as a junior with the ball in the air. While his usage stayed about the same from his sophomore to junior year, he became a dangerous touchdown threat this season, scoring 12 times after finding the end zone just five times in his first two years. Brooks stems his routes well and that allows him to have an advantage out of his breaks.

With the season concluded, we've updated our rankings. The 2026 class is on the clock as most colleges have completed their 2025 classes and moved onto the rising seniors. Here, we'll break down several 2026 wide receivers who impressed us enough this season to move up in our Quarter 1 rankings update.