Class 5A WR/TE Watchlist for 2025

Staying in Class 5A this week, we take a look at the some of the returning receiving threats within the conference that will look to put up big numbers over the air this upcoming season. This list boasts a variety of big names that have ranked among the best WRs in their upcoming classes that may finish this year among the very top of the receiving categories across the conference, as well as the state as a whole. We take a look today at 8 receivers to keep watch for through Class 5A Minnesota for the 2025 season!    Starting the list today is the top WR prospect in Minnesota for the Class of 2027, [player_tooltip player_id='1629849' first='David' last='Mack']. Mack had a huge sophomore campaign, finishing 3rd in the conference in receiving yards (930), and 2nd in receptions (69), and his 18 touchdowns ranked 3rd most by any WR in Minnesota last season. Mack was lined up both on the outside and slot role for the offense, and he showed a phenomenal amount of talent on the offense. Displaying an effortless amount of speed, twitch, and body control, Mack boasted the shiftiness and fluidity to change directions on a dime, while showing a great amount of ball-carrier vision, allowing him to burn defenders, whether with his route-running or after the catch. It seemed that every time the ball was thrown his way, Mack was going to make something big happen. With Mack in the lineup, Moorhead will look to maintain a heavy passing attack that should dominate the conference going forward.     One of the most explosive WRs in Minnesota last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1528749' first='James' last='Kopfmann'] proved to be quite the X-factor for Chanhassen's passing game last season. Kopfmann finished 4th in the conference in receiving yards (827) and 8 touchdowns on only 32 receptions, with his 25.8 yards per reception ranking as the highest average in the state for a receiver with 30+ receptions last year. Kopfmann boasts blistering speed to easily get behind the secondary, but what really impressed me was his eye-precision and his ability to adjust to the ball to make a spectacular catch through coverage. Kopfmann has the natural twitch and hip movement to cut and make double-moves on the defender, and his breakaway speed is dangerously effective. With Kopfmann in the lineup, Chanhassen's offense should once again be explosive, which could parlay toward a return to the state championship game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1255129' first='Q' last='Barnslater']'s stat-line was modest last season, catching 41 passes for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns last season, but his level of talent is so impressive that he's already committed to North Dakota State going forward. His numbers were impressive considering he missed the first 4 games of the season due to an injury, and his presence was sorely missed, as Apple Valley went 1-3 during that span, and with him in the lineup, they reached the sectional championship game. Showcasing sharp agility, great acceleration, and the ability to win on 50-50 go-balls, Barnslater was a reliable target breaking through all 3 levels of the secondary, and he even threw for a touchdown pass last season, showing strong power on his throw. Barnslater is a clear difference-maker for Apple Valley's offense, and I'm excited to see how he performs at full health for his senior campaign.     [player_tooltip player_id='1359226' first='Braylon' last='Kelly-Taylor'] only had 13 receptions last season, but he put up a ridiculous stat-line on such a short amount of touches, finishing with 419 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 32.2 yards per reception. Kelly-Taylor was one of the most difficult receivers in the conference to guard against in man coverage, and his combination of length, speed, agility, and understated strength made him a dangerous deep-threat for Bloomington Jefferson. Kelly-Taylor boasts an impressive 4.56 40 yard time and a 315 lb max squat, showcasing some potential D1-level athleticism. It's hard to ignore Kelly-Taylor's big-play potential, and he could be a potential diamond in the rough for prospecting teams currently looking at him.     [player_tooltip player_id='1256220' first='Semaj' last='Young'] is a smaller receiver who had a big presence on Robbinsdale Cooper's offense last season. Young recorded 625 yards on 39 receptions and 9 touchdowns last season, averaging 16 yards per reception. Despite playing largely in the slot, Young also saw a good chunk of reps playing as an outside receiver, finding equal success in both roles. Young showed quick speed and acceleration to gain separation on his routes easily while being slippery to tackle after the catch, allowing Young to succeed whether as a screen-option, or for sending deep on a go-route, while also showing great body-control and the ability to go up and catch in traffic. Young's size should not make him an afterthought, he's a scary threat for the Hawks' offense.     [player_tooltip player_id='1120548' first='Johnny' last='Laugerman'] adds his name to the list as another WR prospect with big-play potential in a conference full of them. Laugerman finished with 636 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns on just 26 catches, averaging 21.9 yards per reception. Having seen playing time on the varsity offense since his freshman season, Laugerman has developed at a great pace over the last 3 years. A track athlete who's posted a 4.6 40 yard time, Laugerman's speed is evident on the gridiron, as he was able to get behind the secondary easily and burn defenders after the catch, making him an excellent deep threat for Two Rivers' offense. With fluid hip movement and showing burst on the break of his routes, Laugerman has solid route-running skills, and his speed translates well as a return specialist as well as for WR-reverse runs. Laugerman is a certified deep-threat with dangerous speed and dynamic playmaking ability that certainly warrants attention heading into this upcoming recruiting class.     [player_tooltip player_id='551354' first='Hayden' last='Tischler'] had quite an impressive year in 2024, finishing with 624 yards on 36 catches and 12 touchdowns, and he's been generating buzz over the offseason with his performance as a standout in several football camps, including MVP honors at our combine series' event in April, leading many to predict a monstrous senior campaign for Tischler in 2025. Showcasing outstanding agility and ball precision, Tischler is one of the most agile receivers among this group, while showcasing a great level of awareness of how he spaces his routes, while getting open at all three levels of the secondary. His testing numbers also show Tischler's impressive athleticism, posting a 4.67 40 yard time, a 34" vertical, a 405 lb max squat, and a 225 lb max bench. Tischler is a stud for Mankato East's offense that clearly warrants the hype he's built this offseason.     The most undervalued prospect on this list, [player_tooltip player_id='1670065' first='Julian' last='Vazquez'] is a receiver gleaming with potential in the passing game. Vazquez caught 33 passes for 462 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. Vazquez's route-running showed an impressive level of fluidity, particularly with his sharp plants, quick cuts, and ability to come back to the ball on underthrown balls, making him a viable deep threat. Vazquez's athleticism is stunning, with a 4.5 40 yard time, a 34" vertical jump, a 405 lb max squat, and a 270 lb max bench, all of which scream D1 potential. Vazquez certainly needs to be on the radar across Class 5A next season toward being one of the leading receivers at the end of the year.

Staying in Class 5A this week, we take a look at the some of the returning receiving threats within the conference that will look to put up big numbers over the air this upcoming season. This list boasts a variety of big names that have ranked among the best WRs in their upcoming classes that may finish this year among the very top of the receiving categories across the conference, as well as the state as a whole. We take a look today at 8 receivers to keep watch for through Class 5A Minnesota for the 2025 season!