Houston Names to Know: 2027 Wide Receivers

The turf is hot, and Friday night lights are nearing ever closer in HTX as rising 2027 athletes are anticipating their year to make a splash. With plenty of trench work and run game consistently coming out of Space City, don't sleep on the burners and route runners that will play at the next level as well. Time to check out some of the upcoming junior wideouts that are sure to elevate from Houston to the national spotlight.    After an injury-ridden sophomore year, Starling has transferred to the powerhouse Shadow Creek, where he will look to burst onto the scene in 2025. He has been taking all the necessary steps as well, putting in all the work throughout spring ball, camps, 7v7, and everything else that goes unseen. Starling possesses a great, long frame and strong hands, which are used to make extended catches. He also displays a great release off the line of scrimmage and extremely collected but sudden footwork. The Sharks should be excited to have a full season of Starling in 2025, where he will be expected to help lead the offense and continue his rise to national prominence. The star wideout has already received big-time offers from schools including Texas, Georgia, and Ole Miss.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/StarlingAden/status/1929707556781301858 </div></figure>     A true blazer out of the slot, Brown has elite (4.31) speed and combines it with a quick first step to be a deep ball menace. The dynamic wideout is also used as a gadget-type player within the offense, producing in screen and end-around packages as well. Though not the largest of frames, Tre is extremely physical in contested catch opportunities and even in the run block game, showcasing several pancakes on film. After a first team all-district sophomore campaign that saw him amass 1,000 total yards and 8 touchdowns, expect an even larger breakout from Brown in 2025. The lightning in a bottle athlete has stacked up an offer list that already includes schools such as Texas Tech, Arizona, and Baylor.      While Samuels may not be the tallest wide receiver in HTX, he is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic. With 10.4 speed, Samuels also runs with a lot of power in and out of cuts and through contact. His largest sample of production as a sophomore came in the return game. Samuels already has displayed college-level special teams' abilities once he grows into his frame. Additionally, the gadget speedster out of Pearland displays strong hands that will only continue to improve. After being a return game priority last season, expect the Oilers to find every way to get the ball into Kaleb's hands in 2025 and let his elite potential show. Samuels has already received offers from Memphis, Texas State, and Miami (OH).      With a long frame and great straight-line speed, Jackson dominates over the top of the defense and down the sideline. The dynamic wideout consistently gave opposing teams headaches on go routes. With a solid release and elite acceleration, Jackson possesses the ability to beat DBs off the line of scrimmage. He also demonstrates strong hands, loose hips, and the willingness to block in the run game. Flexed all around the field, Darnell was able to contribute over 400 total yards and 4 touchdowns to the Grizzly offense as a sophomore. In 2025, expect Jackson to refine his already solid traits, expand his route tree, and thus increase his touches and production. His exciting potential has already helped him receive offers from schools such as Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas.      The second half of an electric Summer Creek WR duo, Easter possesses a strong frame paired with great footwork and contested catch ability. The versatile pass catcher provides value in all aspects of the air game, boasting deep ball ability, a solid route tree, and excellent elusiveness after the catch. Easter was awarded first team all-district honors, compiling nearly 1,000 yards and 12 total touchdowns as a sophomore. Benny should continue to flourish in the Bulldogs' offense in 2025 and build upon his offer list, which already includes Kansas, Colorado State, and UTEP.

The turf is hot, and Friday night lights are nearing ever closer in HTX as rising 2027 athletes are anticipating their year to make a splash. With plenty of trench work and run game consistently coming out of Space City, don't sleep on the burners and route runners that will play at the next level as well. Time to check out some of the upcoming junior wideouts that are sure to elevate from Houston to the national spotlight.