Class 4A WR/TE Watchlist for 2025

Moving up this week to Class 4A, we continue our search of the top pass-catchers that will have big roles for their offense in 2025, which includes a variety of names that are somewhat overlooked among this upcoming receiving group despite putting up some impressive numbers last season. Today, we reveal 7 names that should remain as down-the-field threats across Class 4A Minnesota next season!    One of the most exciting players to come out of St. Paul Johnson over the last few years, [player_tooltip player_id='551376' first='Justice' last='Moody'] was voted in a Sports Illustrated Poll as the best high school WR in Minnesota last season! Johnson finished with 523 yards on just 19 receptions and 8 touchdowns, averaging 27.5 yards per reception. Moody also added 105 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground (9.5 yards per carry), as well as a kick return touchdown. Moody is dangerous whenever the ball is in his hands, with searing speed and acceleration, dynamic athletic ability, and clear multi-purpose value as a slot receiver, taking reverse handoffs, serving as a kick returner, and providing help as a run blocker. Don't let Moody's size fool you, he is the ultimate package.     [player_tooltip player_id='348723' first='John' last='Jeanetta']'s ranking seems low, but he not only led Class 4A in every receiving category last year, but he was one of the most productive WRs across all of Minnesota in 2024, finishing 4th in the state in total receiving yards (1228), and T-3rd in the state in receptions (70). Playing in an empty 5-WR set offense , Jeanetta lined up as the WR furthest inside and closest to the O-line. Jeanetta does an excellent job at getting open over the middle, going up in the air to bring down a high-ball, and shows great precision with his ball-tracking and hand placement. Jeanetta proved to run a pretty diverse route-tree from his position, adjusting his route to where his QB is going, and is capable of making some acrobatic one-handed catches. Jeanetta is quite a talented receiver who's very much overlooked, and his production and talent speaks for itself.     Orono has regained its footing over the last 2 seasons as a contender, and over the last year, they found another talented playmaker who should help sustain this team's success in [player_tooltip player_id='1120570' first='Parker' last='Burckhardt']. Burckhardt emerged as a breakout in 2024, finishing 3rd in the conference in receiving yards (656) and scoring 7 touchdowns, while averaging 19.9 yards per reception. A talented outside WR who has multiple ways of winning 1-on-1 coverage, whether by burning defenders on go-routes, sharp cuts on his routes, and with his impressive body-control and ball-tracking skills that allowed him to make some stunning catches last year. A multi-faceted player on the offense, Burckhardt also proved valuable as a jet-sweep runner and as a tough blocker in the run-game. Burckhardt has the traits to develop into becoming a great WR at the next level, and his presence on Orono's offense will be vital toward maintaining their strong performances over the last few years.     Simley's passing attack proved to be hit-and-miss at times last season, but when they hit, they were quite explosive, and the strongest factor to that explosiveness was sophomore breakout [player_tooltip player_id='1581372' first='Justin' last='Runge']. Runge recorded 28 receptions for 574 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 20.5 yards per reception. Runge's speed on the gridiron is unmatched, being able to turn on the jets on a dime, and he shows great footwork to make sharp angles and quick double-moves on his routes to increase his ability to get open deep. Runge accelerates quickly after the catch, and even through a small crease of open-field, that's all he needs to break into the open. Runge will be an exciting playmaker to watch on Simley's offense going forward, and if he builds a bit of muscle over the offseason, he could project his ranking toward the #1 WR spot by the end of his junior year.     Grant Johnson's athleticism and size fits more as a WR than as a TE, but he was a big factor for Hermantown's passing game last season. Johnson finished with 466 yards on 21 receptions and 5 touchdowns, averaging 22.2 yards per reception. Johnson has a great combination of speed and strength, evidently present from his testing times, posting a 4.7 40 yard dash, a 255 lb bench, and a 370 lb max squat. Playing as a natural TE lined up next to the line, Johnson also proved capable of burning defenders deep on 1-on-1 situations, being utilized as a short checkdown option who can gain a ton of yardage after-the-catch, and as a player that could stretch the ball down the field with solid route-running. A mismatch against outside CBs and proving to be too quick and strong for LBs, Johnson is the perfect "tweener" prospect who given the right opportunity could make a big impact at the next level.     Alongside Johnson in Hermantown's passing game is [player_tooltip player_id='1328726' first='Landon' last='Burg'], who has also been a reliable target that could stretch the ball down the field. Burg caught 24 passes for 456 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. Burg has good size and speed, clocking in at a 4.67 40 yard time, Burg is quite difficult to press on, utilizing a quick burst and great handwork to break off man coverage, and once he gets past the CB, there's no stopping him. Burg's route-running and double moves are impressive, and Burg shows great ball-skills going up in the air to make the catch. Those ball-skills translated on the secondary as well, as he picked off 5 passes last year. On top of it all, Burg is a physical blocker who can be a difference-maker in the run-game. With this strong receiving corps returning in 2025, Hermantown has a good chance of making the push to the state title game next season after coming just short last year.     [player_tooltip player_id='1256246' first='Jack' last='Midas'] continued to progress as a viable WR, remaining to be one of the few bright spots on a struggling Big Lake team. Midas finished with 431 yards on 32 catches and 2 touchdowns. Midas continues to show plenty flashes of big-play potential and his ability to win on the outside, showing a strong target range and solid speed to burn CBs on the outside, while also proving not afraid of catching through contact and fighting for extra yardage. Midas is a great short-pass option, working well on hitch, screen, and sit-down routes and shifting around the defense after the catch, and Midas also provides decent returner value, totaling 407 kick and punt return yards combined last season. Midas should continue to garner attention as a standout from a weaker school in this conference.

Moving up this week to Class 4A, we continue our search of the top pass-catchers that will have big roles for their offense in 2025, which includes a variety of names that are somewhat overlooked among this upcoming receiving group despite putting up some impressive numbers last season. Today, we reveal 7 names that should remain as down-the-field threats across Class 4A Minnesota next season!