’26 Rankings Update: The Wide Receiver Film Room, Part I

Film is one of the best tools to self-scout, evaluate, and improve. As is the case with any rankings update, we want to celebrate and highlight select prospects who had some really nice film and talk about their game. That said kill the lights, close the blinds, and turn the projector on and join me, as we prepare to enter the film room to discuss what I saw on film.   Additionally, <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1492/register/combine-series-new-yorknew-jersey">Prep Redzone New Jersey's High School Combine</a> is returning to Jackson, NJ on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 9am to 12pm. Take this opportunity to <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1492/colleges">perform live in front of college coaches</a> and be evaluated by our Prep Redzone scouts. Use the following promo code to receive a discount at checkout: MankariousCombine25   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    The legacy of quality receivers out of Delbarton appears to continue with [player_tooltip player_id='1537924' first='Girard' last='Yoo']. The first thing I caught on film was that Yoo is unabashed to make a catch in a narrowing window when running skinny posts. At moments on film, Yoo showed flashes of his 4.58 40-yard dash speed, but not yet all the time. He does a great job of snapping his hips from his route's stem on return and horizontal-breaking routes. Yoo catches the ball with his hands nearly 100% of the time and is a willing-and-able blocker in the now game, selflessly working to give his teammates opportunity. Related to his hand usage, I was really impressed that Yoo extends his arms to receive the ball - something I encourage, but yet do not see too often on tape; similarly, he actually comes back and attacks the ball on returning routes, which is another rarity.      If you are looking for a really raw, athletic, high-upside prospect who is excited to play the game, plays the game the right way, and does a number of things well, [player_tooltip player_id='1561995' first='Jack' last='Kovacs'] is a name you ought to remember. To me, Kovacs appears faster than he is quick, as evidenced by the first he gets off the line in his release and his strides in the open field as his routes progress. The raw speed he possesses allows him to create outright separation where he can track the ball nicely over his shoulder. Additionally, there are moments where Kovacs looks extremely savvy. During one clip, we see him fake a stalk block, bait the defender up to defend the flat in run support, only to blow past him for an easy score. I know he is listed as a receiver, but Kovacs hustle on defense deserves the highest commendation, as he is always busting it and thus always around the ball. Athletically as a member in the secondary he gets his hips around to bail well. In the open field he runs extremely well in all directions.      Middletown North's [player_tooltip player_id='1524381' first='Jack' last='Viola'] is another prospect with some solid game tape. Viola executes nice double moves that make defenders bite, only to track the big-play deep ball over his shoulder well down field. Viola really breaking down quickly, allowing him to sink his hips, come back to the ball, and change direction in a hurry. Likely, quicker than he is fast, he re receives the ball with his hands. Lastly, Viola take take a shot and stay upright. My guess is that Viola would make an excellent collegiate slot receiver, despite not showing many of those type of routes on his film.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2026 Rankings Update Coverage</h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-ii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part II</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part III</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-linebacker-film-room-part-i">Linebacker Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-quarterback-film-room-part-i">Quarterback Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-wide-receiver-film-room-part-i">Wide Receiver Film Room, Part I</a>

Film is one of the best tools to self-scout, evaluate, and improve. As is the case with any rankings update, we want to celebrate and highlight select prospects who had some really nice film and talk about their game. That said kill the lights, close the blinds, and turn the projector on and join me, as we prepare to enter the film room to discuss what I saw on film.