Deep Dive: Wake County WRs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 in previous weeks, we're jumping in to rank the Wake County wide receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Past Wake County Deep Dives</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-wake-county-qbs/">Quarterbacks</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/deep-dive-wake-county-rbs/">Running Backs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 Wide Receivers in Wake County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832437"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fc0f084741"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Though he operates primarily out of the slot, Waddell's game is more like a typical Z-receiver's, making him a tough evaluation. He has the movement skills and route tree to succeed inside, but his ball skills mimic a bigger receiver's. If he can add some weight, he can become one of the more well-rounded prospects in the state, with the ability to win in multiple different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1222913"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fc0f0847be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roberts is the rare high school outside receiver who is most comfortable operating between the numbers. He's a monster on deep, in-breaking routes and has speed to create separation. If there's a knock, I'd like to see him show a bit more variety in his route-running and releases, but the speed, and ability to create space against man coverage are elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423992"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fc0f08481f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilchrist does a ton of things really well for Millbrook in that he's not limited to one or two ways to beat defenses. He's an excellent route-runner, one of the best in the state in that regard, and has great ball skills for his size. But while he's at his best going down the field, he flashed on screens and gadget plays, racking up plenty of yards after the catch as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1663787"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fc0f08487e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm a big fan of Karras' as he's one of the more unheralded slot receivers in the state. He stems his routes well and has the short-area quickness to lose defenders in tight spaces. He's flashed excellent ball skills on deep balls and he's solid after the catch, but his biggest strength is his route-running from the slot. He's able to shake defenders in man and find space against zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1093057"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680fc0f0848d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What he lacks in size, Perry makes up for in elite speed. There may not have been another player in the state with as many yards after the catch as Perry, who frequently took screens and jet pop passes to the end zone. A standout kick returner as well, there are few in the state as dangerous with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mentions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663808' first='Malachi' last='Harris'], East Wake</strong>: A huge tight end, Harris was the most consistent pass-catcher in an impressive East Wake pass offense. He's a guy who is flying under the radar, but could break onto the recruiting scene soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402303' first='Taden' last='Martin'], Wakefield: </strong>Martin got off to an extremely promising start in the non-conference last year, averaging nearly 20 yards a catch a game and putting up promising numbers as a receiver and kick returner. However, he endured injury and a brutal schedule down the stretch to finish with just three catches in his final six games. He's ready to go this year, with a combination of college size and speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663791' first='Tracy' last='Harrington Jr.'], Holly Springs: </strong>Harrington was the No. 2 option behind a senior last year and still put up over 500 yards in a solid Holly Springs passing attack. This year, the 5'10", 160-pounder has a path to be one of the top receivers in the county.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->