Class 5A Senior WR/TE Watchlist for 2025

We round out our showcase of the upcoming batch of senior pass-catchers leading the way across high school football in Iowa by taking a look at the top receivers in the biggest division in Iowa, Class 5A. Among this group are athletes that are listed toward the very top of the Prep Redzone rankings list for the class of 2026. We take a look today at 6 WRs and 2 TEs that will stand out in 2025 playing in the toughest division in the state, Class 5A!    [player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'] is the top DB prospect in Iowa for the class of 2026, but he's also been a legitimate threat on the other side of the ball. Playing for one of the most prolific passing offenses in Iowa last season, Manson caught 52 passes for 867 yards and 13 touchdowns. Manson is one of the most unique athletes that I've watched, having fit in a variety of roles, and he was lined up last season as an outside WR and at TE for several reps. Manson is a bigger receiver with a long wingspan and shows great route-running ability, and he's a slippery player, being very difficult to tackle in the open field. Manson already has 9 D1 offers heading into next season, and his athleticism and versatility will translate very well into the next level at whichever position he chooses to compete at.     [player_tooltip player_id='1240429' first='Hayden' last='Morrison'] emerged in 2024 as an excellent No. 1 WR that produced the bulk of Bettendorf's numbers in the passing game. Morrison finished with 773 yards on 43 catches and 7 touchdowns. Morrison was one of the best WRs I watched when it came to tracking the ball and adjusting his route to get to the right position to make the catch off a deep throw. Morrison showed great footwork and is difficult to cover, winning on press matchups and getting behind the zones to beat the secondary. Bettendorf's offense will certainly remain competitive with Morrison in it, despite several starters graduating after 2024.     One of the catalysts toward Cedar Rapids Jefferson's offensive re-emergence in 2024 was thanks to the progression of their No. 1 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1234328' first='Lloydson' last='Nyenow Jr']. into becoming a star in Class 5A last season. Nyenow finished with 724 yards on 37 catches and 7 touchdowns last season. Nyenow has been involved in the starting lineup since his freshman year, and he's just gotten so much better as each year has gone along. Nyenow is an athlete with a great mix of speed, agility, and long strides that make him difficult to stop once he gets ahead of the secondary. Nyenow will look to finish off his tenure with the J-Hawks by bringing them to a playoff appearance for the first time since 2015.     [player_tooltip player_id='283945' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] is a stellar receiver who's stood out playing for a perennial contender in Valley WDM. Brown built off a solid sophomore debut to finish with 626 yards on 42 catches and 6 touchdowns. Brown utilizes his 4.6 40 yard speed to full advantage, and he always looked like the fastest player on the field on tape. Lining up in both the slot and outside, Brown excels in both roles thanks to his sharp route-running and his ability to go up and make a catch through contact. Brown will take over the No. 1 WR duties in his senior season, where he should be primed for a huge campaign in 2025.     Will Remmert took over as the No. 1 WR for the Tigers in 2024, and he proved to be a steady target for the team's modest passing game. Remmert finished with 30 catches for 566 yards, and accounted for 5 of the 11 total touchdown receptions from Cedar Falls' receivers last season. Remmert is an impressively fluid route-runner with game-breaking speed, and he seems to accelerate even faster after the catch, leaving his defenders completely burnt. His speed and quick change of direction also makes him a sneaky all-purpose threat, providing value in the return game, as well as on a 48 yard touchdown run off a reverse this season. Remmert will have a much bigger role in his senior year for the offense following the departure of star RB [player_tooltip player_id='1280019' first='Davarrion' last='Clark'], meaning the passing game should receive more emphasis in 2025.     Ankeny's passing game had a disappointing year in 2024, though [player_tooltip player_id='897474' first='Andrew' last='Brandhorst'] emerged as one of the unit's brightest spots. Brandhorst finished with 579 yards on 38 receptions and 3 touchdowns in 2024. Brandhorst has quickly caught on with Ankeny's offense, and that combination of size, strength, and great hands has made him a reliable threat for the team. Brandhorst should continue to receive a strong load of targets in 2025 despite playing for a passing offense that spreads the ball well to multiple receivers.     [player_tooltip player_id='1361747' first='David' last='Fason'] has played impressively on both sides of the ball, and as a TE, he held the mark as Cedar Rapids Prairie's leading receiver in 2024. Fason caught 35 passes for 519 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading all TEs in Class 5A in each of those receiving categories last year. Fason was a reliable goal-line threat who explodes off the snap, showing a surprising amount of speed to outpace his defenders, and he provides well as a run-blocker. Fason's ability should generate offers next season at both positions that he plays, and he has the potential to succeed at the next level in either role.     Rounding out the list of the Class 5A senior receivers is the top TE in Iowa heading into the class of 2026, [player_tooltip player_id='1221928' first='Evan' last='Jacobson']. Jacobson caught 20 passes for 198 yards and 5 touchdowns last season, which all ranked 2nd among Waukee's passing offense in 2024. Jacobson boasts the size, frame, and physicality to translate as a top TE in the collegiate level, showing great prowess as a run blocker, while showing solid route-running ability despite a limited amount of snaps in the passing game. Jacobson holds a stunning 28 D1 offers heading into his senior season and is ranked as a 4-star recruit. Hopefully, we will get to see Jacobson get more involved in the passing game in his senior season.

We round out our showcase of the upcoming batch of senior pass-catchers leading the way across high school football in Iowa by taking a look at the top receivers in the biggest division in Iowa, Class 5A. Among this group are athletes that are listed toward the very top of the Prep Redzone rankings list for the class of 2026. We take a look today at 6 WRs and 2 TEs that will stand out in 2025 playing in the toughest division in the state, Class 5A!