Prep Redzone WI Showcase: Best of the WRs/TEs

The WR/TE positions looked as strong as ever at the PRZ WI Showcase series. The athletes from the Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 came to play with fantastic combines and some really effective and impressive route running. The ball skills were also on full display with some wild catches through contact and we even saw a sick one handed grabbed by one of the best of the day. This group came to play and left no doubt that there is talent at the positions to recruit. If you haven't read about the day of MVP [player_tooltip player_id='1336932' first='Sam' last='Aparicio'] you can do that <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prep-redzone-wi-spring-showcase-mvps/">HERE</a> in our MVP article. For the rest of the group, continue reading. let's get into it!    Things couldn't have started better for freshman WR [player_tooltip player_id='1570873' first='Eli' last='Paul'] of Greendale. The 2028 crushed every single combine drill to start the day. The 5'10" 151 lbs WR ran 4.69 in the 40, 4.31 in the shuttle, 7.00 in the L-Drill and also jumped 7'11" in the broad. The balance, burst, and change of direction was on full display in the 1 on 1 battles. It is clear that Eli is laying the foundation to become an explosive athlete out wide. One that can get out of breaks with power to quickly get back to top speed. Having these strong early numbers is great for the 2028. One to keep an eye on for sure.     We were able to get our first live look at [player_tooltip player_id='1336912' first='Dylan' last='Brinkmann'] out of Lake Mills on Sunday. An athlete who has been a varsity impact player as a two way athlete at WR and DB. Dylan checked off the athleticism marks with his combine performance including a 4.81 40, 4.38 shuttle, 6.75 L-Drill, and a pair of 9'5" broad jumps. But what I wanted to see was Dylan running routes vs DBs. As impressive as the numbers are, Dylan looked better in live action. Swift route runner and really good at playing the ball in the air. The kid has that instinct for understanding how to find a way to get to the football and, if he can get a hand on it, find a way to corral it into his body.     One of the top 2026s of the event was Appleton North WR [player_tooltip player_id='1186177' first='Keegan' last='Muchow']. Keegan is building towards a senior season that should be his best performance. The junior ran a 4.69 40, jumped 10' twice, and posted a blazing 7.07 L-Drill. If he can continue to post numbers like this as we head into the summer there is going to be a lot of eyes on him, and we should also see multiple offers by the time season rolls around. Keegan also had a good day beyond the combine. His route running consistently created space and he showed off some savvy fakes that got DBs to put themselves out of position. Good day for the 2026.     This was a fun athlete to watch. [player_tooltip player_id='1395902' first='Nicholas' last='Payne Jr']. is only an 8th grader, but you wouldn't guess that if you just showed up and watched him perform. The 5'10" 155 lbs athlete has a 6'2" wingspan. As a young kid you expect them to be slow or at least unbalanced leading to inefficient movements. That wasn't the case here. Nicholas already was putting up 4.66 in the 40, 4.47 in the shuttle, 9'2" in the broad, and an unreal 6.87 in the L-Drill. The body control and ability to drop his hips and explode in a different direction looks special. It wasn't clear how special it was until we got to 1 on 1s, though. That is where he really showed off his talents vs high school kids. Payne was explosive off the line and was in and out of breaks so suddenly without losing speed. Nicholas is working and building is way towards being one of the premier talents in his Class.     Leaving the event, this might have been my favorite athlete performance of the day. Learn the name now, because big things are about to happen this fall for Dejon on the Verona varsity. The 5'11" 155 lbs sophomore is a very talented WR. 4.6 40 speed to get deep and pull away from DBs. 4.13 shuttle time and 7.03 L-Drill times show off his elite change of direction, foot speed, and balance. The sophomore is so explosive. Off the line he erases cushions and he is so quick in and out of breaks that you almost have to guess to stay with him through those breaks. The ball skills are excellent as well. Dejon had the catch of the day reeling in a one handed catch while falling to the ground after taking contact. The '27 is building himself into a matchup nightmare for CBs.     This is not the first time that Kaden has come out to an event and caught our eyes with his performance. He was our MVP of the WR position back in December and put up another strong showing Sunday. Kaden ran 4.69 in the 40, 4.15 in the shuttle, 8'11" broad, and 6.72 in the L-Drill. The junior WR is one of the top northern WI juniors and also one of the best small-school players in the state. He checks a lot of playmaking boxes too. Speed to get deep. Quick feet to get open in the short passing game. The junior also possesses strong hands to go attack the ball and secure it at the edges of his catch radius.     A sophomore WR that I have high hopes for is the 6'1" 188 lbs athlete out of West Bend West. The sophomore has a 6'3" wingspan and over 9' hands. So the size and catch radius are there. The bigger athlete also proved he can get out and move with a 4.79 40, 4.37 shuttle, 8'11" broads, and a 7.22 L-Drill. I love these bigger WRs that put up excellent agility numbers. It helps prove a well rounded game. They aren't just a jump ball or redzone threat. Xander is also a smooth athlete that can win in the short and intermediate levels with his ability to create space with how quick his feet are and how well he can change direction. Collier can win in a lot of ways. Make sure he is on your radars.     An underclassman that caught my eyes a few times with his route running and short area quickness was Arrowhead WR [player_tooltip player_id='1617750' first='Logan' last='Crowley']. I was impressed with his ability to consistently get quick releases off the line with his footwork and short area burst. That burst is highlighted by his 4.28 shuttles and 7.00 L-Drill. Being able to create space and get off the line is key for the position and Crowley is proving that those are strengths of his. You can also add 4.81 40 speed to his skillset. Logan is trending upwards.     The top TE of the showcase was Pewaukee's [player_tooltip player_id='1620342' first='Christian' last='Ott']. The 6'3" 210 lbs athlete is building a great frame for the position that is loading up with power and athleticism to be an impact in the run game as much as the pass game. That power was useful while working on releases during drill work. Ott was able to get DBs off balance and out of position to open up a lane for him to use to get past and downfield. Even at his size, Christian showed some smooth route running. Route running that didn't cost him all his speed to get through breaks. The sophomore also used his size well to protect the football. I'm excited to watch him continue to develop and continue make plays on both sides of the ball this fall.

The WR/TE positions looked as strong as ever at the PRZ WI Showcase series. The athletes from the Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 came to play with fantastic combines and some really effective and impressive route running. The ball skills were also on full display with some wild catches through contact and we even saw a sick one handed grabbed by one of the best of the day. This group came to play and left no doubt that there is talent at the positions to recruit. If you haven't read about the day of MVP Sam Aparicio Sam Aparicio 5'7" | 152 lbs | WR/ATH Madison Memorial | 2027 State WI you can do that HERE in our MVP article. For the rest of the group, continue reading. let's get into it!