2026 Rankings Update: Top Wide Receivers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest edition of the Prep Redzone Illinois Class of 2026 has been unveiled.&nbsp; Here we dive into the top players at each position.&nbsp; Today we look at <strong>2026 Rankings Update: Top Wide Receivers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212322' first='Zachary' last='Washington'] (Wheaton St. Francis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington is one of the truly elite pass catchers in this class.&nbsp; He is a major vertical threat that is absolute money on the deep post route as he caught TD after TD in that fashion. Easy acceleration, natural hands, fluid routes, and adjusts to deep ball.&nbsp; Works well to find space and has crisp cuts on short and intermediate routes.&nbsp; He also might be the best kick returner in the state as he has tremendous feel for taking it to the house.&nbsp; Will definitely be doing this at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1404803' first='Devyon' last='Hill-Lomax'] (Edwardsville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill-Lomax is a long and lanky wide out with a large catch radius at 6'4" 180 pounds.&nbsp; He is at his best when getting downfield on vertical routes and making plays on the ball adjusting in the air.&nbsp; Go route and let him run under it.&nbsp; Smooth getting off the line and snatches the ball out of the air on short routes on slants.&nbsp; Positions well against defenders getting leverage on slants and comeback routes. Overall he is a smooth route runner with long strides and is a solid shot blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399944' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a two sport star that is also one of the best hoops prospects in 2026.&nbsp; He stands at 6'6" 200 pounds.&nbsp; Smooth route runner that is good on out cuts and uses leverage on shorter routes.&nbsp; Effective on bubble screen and quick comebacks.&nbsp; He runs with power once the ball is in his hands.&nbsp; Fluid pass catcher that shows some downfield ability tracking it in the air and covering ground with his long strides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1669549' first='Kortez' last='Rupert'] (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rupert is a 6'1" 155 pound absolute speedster!&nbsp; He is an explosive downfield threat that stretches the defense with his speed blowing past defenders with ease.&nbsp; Gets off press coverage.&nbsp; His ability to adjust to the ball in the air and make circus catches are a strength of his.&nbsp; Explosive cuts on shorter routes. Game changing speed!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283926' first='Kai' last='Owens'] (Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owens is a 6'2" 170 pound pass catcher that missed part of the season with an injury.&nbsp; What he did put on tape showcases why he is among the best wide receivers in the class.&nbsp; Smooth downfield threat gliding past defensive backs for big plays.&nbsp; Tracks the ball well in the air.&nbsp; Like how he gets leverage against his opponents on slant routes and quick outs.&nbsp; Snatches the ball with his hands and goes from catch to run smoothly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401609' first='Jamari' last='Brown'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a 5'11" 160 pound playmaker that moved into Mt. Carmel for his senior year after playing at Bishop Noll last season in Indiana.&nbsp; Super slick and slippery with everything that he does.&nbsp; Explosive speed with the ball in his hands being able to take short passes for long gains.&nbsp; Makes contested catches downfield with his burning speed.&nbsp; Very elusive in the open field which includes his work in the return game.&nbsp; Capable player to run gadget plays with!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718741' first='Cornell' last='Conely'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conely is one of the top receivers out of Chicago in the 2026 class.&nbsp; The Simeon junior is a smaller guy at 5'9" and 170 pounds with elite speed!&nbsp; Absolutely dynamic as a vertical threat on go routes.&nbsp; Blows past corner in press or off coverage while making catches over his shoulders downfield.&nbsp; Explosive route runner that tracks it well.&nbsp; Takes short catches and gets YAC as he is slippery in the open field.&nbsp; Brings a big time punch in the return game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283928' first='Myles' last='Ellis'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellis is a 5'10" 155 pound wide out from HF that racked up 39 catches for 806 yards and 9 touchdowns as a junior.&nbsp; The ELITE speed jumps off the tape on almost every play.&nbsp; He has big time speed.&nbsp; Works well out of the slot and has shake at the top of his routes.&nbsp; Blows past defensive backs on the deep ball where he catches it over his shoulder very naturally.&nbsp; Gets in and out of cuts well on short routes and is electric in the open field.&nbsp; Big time deep threat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537214' first='Blaise' last='Lavista'] (Libertyville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really impressive tape from Lavista.&nbsp; The 6'3" 185 pound pass catcher from Libertyville has good size and athleticism.&nbsp; What jumps off the tape is his ability to rack up yards after the catch.&nbsp; Runs with a combination of power, strength, and speed.&nbsp; Crisp route runner that wins off the line vs press.&nbsp; Downfield he tracks well and consistently makes acrobatic catches in the air.&nbsp; Makes catches in traffic over the middle and gets involved on gadget plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212314' first='Jacob' last='Harvey'] (Mt. Zion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harvey is a 6'1" 175 pound wide receiver that had a big junior season.&nbsp; Went for 57 catches, 1,116 yards, and 13 touchdowns.&nbsp; We saw him in person twice and he always brought the juice!&nbsp; What I like about him is he can be a possession guy and a vertical threat.&nbsp; Has deep speed being able to make game changing plays downfield adjusting to the ball in the air.&nbsp; He has a crispness to his route running getting open with good hands.&nbsp; Snatches the ball out of the air on short passes that he makes things happen garnering YAC.&nbsp; One of the more complete wide outs I saw last season that also brings value as a kick returner.&nbsp; Pretty solid defensive back as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->