Class 1A Senior WR/TE Watchlist for 2025

As we continue our showcase toward the top playmakers in the passing game in Iowa, we take a look at the upcoming recruits for the class of 2026 in Iowa that have already made a splash within Class 1A in 2024 and will look to once again prove their potential toward breaking into the next level. Today, we take a look at 4 WRs and 3 TEs that will dominate Class 1A Iowa heading into their senior campaigns!    Sam Benson built off a strong sophomore debut, expanding into an explosive playmaker that dominated for the Tigers last season. Benson finished with 1003 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 54 receptions. Benson utilizes his size and frame to win 1-on-1 matchups on the outside with ease, showing quick footwork and sly movements on his routes to stretch the field, and he is not afraid to go up for a spectacular catch, which has made him such a dangerous deep-threat last season. Benson will look to cap his high school career by helping South Hardin make a push for the state title.     [player_tooltip player_id='1370695' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] is a strong, lengthy, and athletic prospect that has been almost unguardable as the No. 1 target for the Thunder. Hoben finished with 43 receptions for 809 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. I was impressed with how well Hoben was able to deceive defenders with his route running ability, utilizing stutter-steps and even spin moves to catch defenders off guard. Hoben's length makes him a reliable redzone threat, and he's able to get open through all three levels of the secondary. Hoben is a great outside WR, though his status as a TE could increase greatly if he can build some mass this offseason.     [player_tooltip player_id='1370717' first='Kane' last='Mahler-Moreno'] is another top TE prospect that has been explosive as a big-bodied outside WR. Mahler-Moreno finished with 749 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on just 34 catches, averaging 22 yards per reception. Mahler-Moreno is a dangerous deep threat that succeeded often by getting behind the secondary and catching the ball in stride, and while he may not seem quick running the ball, he boasts game speed that is able to burn defenders once he reaches the open field. Mahler-Moreno should continue to serve as a consistent threat toward opposing secondaries for one more season.     Though he's listed as a TE, Cole Graham has looked far more successful playing as an outside WR who reliably moved the chains, proving to be a bright spot for Shenandoah last season. Graham caught 41 passes for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Graham is deceptively quick, showing quick feet and vision to find lanes after the catch to break through, and he's hard to catch in the open field. Graham isn't afraid to lower the shoulder to take a hit, and he also provides solid support in the run game. Graham will look to elevate Shenandoah's offense further in 2025 and help the team finish with their first winning season since 2015.     Moving back to WRs, [player_tooltip player_id='1084825' first='Logan' last='Roff'] is a viable deep-threat that has helped really open up the offense for Pleasantville last season. Roff caught 24 passes for 456 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. Playing mainly in the slot, Roff is at his best when being sent on a vertical go-route, and he got behind the secondary often last season. Roff can play both in the slot and outside, and he works well being sent in motion, particularly on jet touch passes which allows him to use his agility and speed to maneuver around defenders. Roff will battle for targets next season along with younger receivers on the team including Brayden Kennedy and JJ Phillips, who both made a strong impact in the passing game last season. However, Roff's versatility and flexibility within the offensive lineup is prevalent, and he should continue to see a strong workload as a senior.     Durant's offense was retooled last season with a freshman QB taking charge, and through this adjustment, Colby Gast helped ease their new QB into the lineup as Gast himself broke out last season. Gast finished with 34 receptions for 522 yards and 4 touchdowns. Gast finished with 194 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 8 catches over the last 2 games of the regular season, both being wins for Durant. Despite his size, Gast excelled playing as a lone outside WR, using his speed to win on his route releases, as well as being able to burst around defenders to accumulate big yards after the catch. Gast's presence will be necessary for Durant's offense as they continue to develop through the 2025 season.     Jude Mieska might appear lanky for his size, but he's held his ground well in 1-on-1 matchups which has allowed him to emerge as Treynor's No. 1 target. Mieska finished with 495 yards on 29 catches and 5 touchdowns in 2024. Mieska does a great job winning his matchups by utilizing leverage and hip agility that helped him win on his inside releases, and with the ball in his hands, Mieska proved to be a slippery player who's difficult to tackle after the catch. Mieska will have to adjust in his senior season working with a new QB, but he should remain at the forefront of Treynor's passing game in 2025.

As we continue our showcase toward the top playmakers in the passing game in Iowa, we take a look at the upcoming recruits for the class of 2026 in Iowa that have already made a splash within Class 1A in 2024 and will look to once again prove their potential toward breaking into the next level. Today, we take a look at 4 WRs and 3 TEs that will dominate Class 1A Iowa heading into their senior campaigns!