Top Five Returning Receivers in 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at each of the top five receiving leaders in yards that return in Class 3A this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-rushing-leaders-returning-in-3a/">Top Five Rushing Leaders Returning in 3A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://top%20five%20returning%20passers%20in%203a/">Top Five Returning Passers in 3A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-receivers-in-4a/">Top Five Returning Receivers in 4A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-receivers-in-class-5a/">Top Five Returning Receivers in 5A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1841752' first='Jase' last='Jaspers']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mount Vernon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689617c119236"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A main benefactor of the top passer returning in 3A, [player_tooltip player_id='1841752' first='Jase' last='Jaspers'] returns as [player_tooltip player_id='1581168' first='Kellen' last='Haverback']'s go-to receiver from last season after posting 59 catches for 867 yards and eight scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A state champion wrestler for the first time last year, Jaspers served as a gadget player for the Mustang offense in the fall, also taking 57 carries for 250 yards and two scores. Defensively, he posted 42.5 tackles, six tackles-for-loss (TFLs), five interceptions (including a pick-six) and returned 27 punts for 431 yards and a score on special teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1649206"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689617c1192e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A vital part of the state runner-up 3A squad and the team that took down Mount Vernon in the semifinals, [player_tooltip player_id='1649206' first='Chase' last='Flaherty'] finished the 2024 season with 56 catches for 808 yards and nine scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A balanced, efficient offensive attack by Humboldt afforded Flaherty plenty of opportunities to contribute through the air, as the Wildcats ran an RPO-heavy scheme, where he and his teammates benefitted mightily from confusing defenses and forcing them to commit to the run before beating them over the top with the pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A shifty wide out that also found ways to get open when the play broke down, Flaherty's football IQ is up there with the best receivers in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1240413"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689617c11935f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top returning receiver with fewer than 40 catches in 2024, [player_tooltip player_id='1240413' first='Evan' last='Allie'] was a big play threat for Algona. With 36 catches for 786 yards (21.8 yards per catch) and eight scores, Allie took full advantage of having a Power Four quarterback under center for part of the year in Alex Manske. He did the same with backup quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1204547' first='Nathan' last='Manske'], too, cultivating some momentum for the Algona offense going into 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the go-to target for both quarterbacks, Allie showed off some eye-catching ball-skills, coming down with some wild throws for catches to advance Bulldog drives. At 5'10" and 175-pounds, he doesn't have the craziest measurables or test numbers that will blow anyone away, but his ability to come down with tough catches will find him a spot on a college football roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532898"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689617c1193f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With 54 catches for 675 yards, [player_tooltip player_id='1532898' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] led the way as a receiver for eastern Iowa powerhouse, Solon. Similar to Allie, Kelley made some bonkers catches as Ty Bell's go-to wideout last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Within the first few plays on <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20148817/673286a1917f8692743058b3">his Hudl</a>, one can easily see that Kelley was Bell's "screw it, he's down there somewhere" receiver, but also his default, "we need a chunk play" receiver in the short and intermediate passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not a <em>super </em>fluid mover in and out of cuts, Kelley uses his strength and size to breakaway from would-be tacklers and crisp route-running skills to get open against defensive backs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1217648"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689617c119479"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this rate, it sure looks like 3A just manufactures wide receivers with impressive ball-skills. [player_tooltip player_id='1217648' first='Zeke' last='Symonds'] routinely showed his ability to go up and get a pass, but also track a ball and bring it down despite tight coverage and unideal ball-placement. Getting open, he can beat man-coverage off the line and find the holes in opposing defenses to make easier catches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not even the number one receiver for his team last year despite 27 catches for 590 yards (21.9 yards per catch) and ten touchdowns for Independence, will be far-and-away the top option in the Mustangs' offense this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->