Deep Dive: Johnston/Harnett County WRs

We're in the middle of our Deep Dives series, where we're ranking players in the 2026-2028 classes in each RDU county by position. These rankings are based on a combination of film, stats, overall impact, and most importantly, college potential. After covering the quarterbacks and running backs over the last couple of weeks, we're jumping in to rank the Johnston/Harnett County receivers.   Past Johnston/Harnett County Deep Dives   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-qbs/">Quarterbacks</a></li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-johnston-harnett-county-rbs/">Running Backs</a></li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 Wide Receivers in Johnston/Harnett County</h2>    Cleveland has had the most stability at the quarterback position of any school in the state over the last decade and a half, but will have to reload at that position for the first time in four years. That will make Ruffin's role that much more key as one of the established returning receivers. He caught 55 passes for nearly 1,000 yards a year ago, a mark he'll look to pass in 2025.     Brown can jump out of the stadium, meaning he's one of the best contested catch receivers in the area, even with his slender frame. He has excellent body control and the ability to get down the field. Both his quarterback and coaching staff feel comfortable getting him the ball often down the field as he can stretch the defense.     Coley isn't the biggest receiver in the area, but he's one of the most dangerous. He's able to plant and get upfield in a hurry, and defenders frequently take poor angles or struggle to stop him out of his breaks and once he gets the ball in his hands. A lot of his yards come after the catch, often on screens or other shorter throws. Overhills does a lot to get him the ball and for good reason, because he's electric in the open field.     Clayton surprised teams early last season with an uncharacteristically high rushing rate, hurting Campbell's overall numbers, especially with several seniors on the roster at the receiver position. This year, he's the outside threat for the Comets and should have a huge year. He's a red zone threat and as he becomes a more consistent catcher of the football, he's a candidate for a huge senior season.     Everybody eats in Cleveland's offense, especially at the receiver position, but Clark's skill set is unique among his teammates. Clark operates mostly underneath out of the slot, a threat to go the distance no matter where he catches the ball. He was an enormous threat on slot option plays and can make people miss in tight spaces.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mentions</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1665468' first='Landon' last='Culbreth'], Harnett Central: Culbreth might be small, but he's incredibly difficult to tackle in the open field. He's explosive and athletic, playing four sports for Harnett Central. When he gets the ball, he's a homerun threat, averaging over 16 yards a catch and 10 yards a rush last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1665473' first='Carter' last='Lawson'], Corinth Holders: With the loss of several key pass-catchers on the Corinth Holders team, look for Lawson to be a breakout player in 2025. He's a reliable target with good hands and could be in for an expanded role this fall.

We're in the middle of our Deep Dives series, where we're ranking players in the 2026-2028 classes in each RDU county by position. These rankings are based on a combination of film, stats, overall impact, and most importantly, college potential. After covering the quarterbacks and running backs over the last couple of weeks, we're jumping in to rank the Johnston/Harnett County receivers.