2029 Wide Receivers Who Will Take the Next Step in 2026

With there being so much young talent in the state of Tennessee, I'm starting a new series to highlight those student-athletes. This will be me breaking down five 2029 players at each position who will take the next step in 2026.   Next, we'll discuss the wide receivers. Three of the names on this list have already established themselves as starters for their respective schools. However, there are two more on the list who are talented and should see an increased role next season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-31-2025-2-41-36-PM-crop-540x355-1767213816.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2092942" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Riverdale WR [player_tooltip player_id='1538130' first='Luke' last='Tritch']. Taken by Conner Smith, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1538130' first='Luke' last='Tritch'] – Riverdale High School   Riverdale's [player_tooltip player_id='1538130' first='Luke' last='Tritch'] would be the undisputed No.1 freshman wide receiver in Tennessee if [player_tooltip player_id='1537396' first='Maddox' last='Porter'] didn't exist.   However, he remains a tremendous talent at receiver, coming off a strong season in which he caught 48 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.   Tritch is well-built for his age, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 180 pounds, with a good-looking frame. He's also been hard at work this offseason, putting on a noticeable amount of muscle.   He mainly lines up in the slot but has the athleticism and elusiveness to be a do-it-all player, and could grow into an outside receiver if he adds a few more inches of height.   Tritch is a high-motor player who moves exceptionally well, catches everything and is a top-tier competitor.   That last thing is something that you cannot teach, but he possesses. He's fiery in a good way and will do whatever it takes to put his team in the best position to win.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-31-2025-2-46-13-PM-crop-1319x867-1767214103.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2092946" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Antioch ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1617205' first='Aaden' last='Adams']. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1617205' first='Aaden' last='Adams'] – Antioch High School   Aaden “Bug” Adams went under the radar for a good portion of 2025 but had multiple big-time performances late in the season to establish himself as a name to know.   The rising sophomore finished with 25 receptions for 601 yards and three touchdowns.   He's a smaller player, but possesses elite athleticism, which allows him to compensate for his temporary lack of size. He's received praise from everybody, including his older brother, four-star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams'], who called him “different."   Andre also stated that Aaden is the best athlete in the family, which should tell you something.   The 2029 prospect is highly fluid, shifty, boasts good hands and has crisp route running.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/Lamiere-Porter.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1719609" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Powell WR Miere Porter.</figcaption></figure>   Miere Porter – Powell High School   The 6-foot-2, 175-pound freshman wide receiver saw a good amount of playing time this season and flashed immense potential.   While the 2029 class is loaded, Miere Porter has one of the highest ceilings due to his impressive size and natural athleticism.   He boasts the size to be an outside receiver and can make tough catches, but is a fluid mover who is also effective on screens and short stuff. Porter's footwork is also solid, so he's capable of doing what I stated before and routing people up.   The rising sophomore plays with a high motor and is a willing blocker, allowing him to be an every-down guy and not only used for his receiving ability. He needs to improve in certain areas, but he's an exciting player with a high ceiling.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/18-Levi-Scott-III-rotated-e1736550046968.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1598984" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: McCallie WR [player_tooltip player_id='1455068' first='Levi' last='Scott III'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1455068' first='Levi' last='Scott III'] – McCallie School   [player_tooltip player_id='1455068' first='Levi' last='Scott III'] played a significant role on a 10-3 McCallie team as a freshman, which you don't see too often. In 13 games, he recorded 764 all-purpose yards, including 491 off receptions, and five touchdowns.   He's a compact player at 5-foot-7 and 135 pounds, so he needs to grow. However, Scott III possesses the athleticism and raw skills to still be productive in arguably the toughest classification in Tennessee high school football.   The rising sophomore fits the mold of a gadget guy with his speed and ability to be used on screens and pitches, but he's much more than that.   He can take the top off opposing defenses, as well as make tough catches and take hits over the middle of the field.   Scott III can also line up anywhere. Once he grows, he's going to be a nightmare to stop because he possesses all the other necessary tools.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-31-2025-2-51-47-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2092955" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood WR [player_tooltip player_id='1662624' first='Parker' last='Cates']. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1662624' first='Parker' last='Cates'] – Brentwood High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1662624' first='Parker' last='Cates'] is a versatile athlete at Brentwood High School. He can play both wide receiver and running back, but is more of a receiving tailback when placed there, and fits the mold of a wideout.   He's a compact player, standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 165 pounds, but is well-built and should grow into a bigger guy. Even at that size, he lines up in the slot and out wide while being effective at both spots.   Cates is extremely twitchy, which is why Brentwood uses him in a plethora of ways.   He's the epitome of a gadget guy, but don't sleep on his deep route running. The rising sophomore is capable of hitting chunk plays.

With there being so much young talent in the state of Tennessee, I'm starting a new series to highlight those student-athletes. This will be me breaking down five 2029 players at each position who will take the next step in 2026.