Wide Receivers Primed for Breakout Seasons In 2026

The 2025 Tennessee high school football season concluded last week with the East-West All-Star Game, marking the start of preparations for the upcoming season. There's a plethora of young players who got their feet wet this season, and some who took the next step.   I'm starting a new series discussing players at each position who are poised to enjoy breakout campaigns in 2026. The majority of the student-athletes on this list are underclassmen, with one being a rising senior who has shown immense potential.   Next in the series, we have wide receivers. I've selected five potential breakout stars to discuss.   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/damallen-crop-365x240-1766080663.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2085587" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Giles County WR [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen']. Photo by Giles County Athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen'] – Giles County   Giles County wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen'] is someone who caught my attention early in the 2025 season with his do-it-all ability on offense.   The rising junior can line up on the outside or in the slot, and is also effective in screens and quick plays due to his incredible athleticism and ability to make people miss.   He excels at short and medium routes, but don't sleep on his deep game. Allen has the speed to take the top off opposing defenses for chunk plays.   The 2028 prospect has good size at 6-foot-2, making him a mismatch nightmare for nearly everyone.   In 13 games this season, he caught 41 passes for 863 yards and nine touchdowns, but he should take the next step in 2026, being one of the top wideouts in Tennessee.   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-18-2025-12-00-52-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2085589" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: CPA WR Gabe Cabell. Photo from his Instagram @gabecabe25</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1586170' first='Gabriel' last='Cabell'] – Christ Presbyterian Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='1586170' first='Gabriel' last='Cabell'] at CPA is arguably the most talented wide receiver in the 2028 class.   The younger brother of Vanderbilt signee [player_tooltip player_id='824736' first='Owen' last='Cabell'] possesses great size for his age and stands out above the majority of his class in terms of traits and raw skills.   The rising junior stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds, making him one of the bigger wide receivers in the state, and he'll only continue to grow. Cabell is also a track athlete, notching a 10.75 in the 100-meter dash, which gives him great speed as an outside guy.   He totaled 158 receiving yards and a score this season while averaging 22.6 yards per reception in an offense that was lackluster in the passing game.   Cabell features crisp route running, strong hands, the ability to get separation from defensive backs and can high-point the football well.   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/zaywilliams.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1666864" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oak Ridge WR [player_tooltip player_id='1570535' first='Zayden' last='Williams']. Photo by Oak Ridge athletics.</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1570535' first='Zayden' last='Williams'] – Oak Ridge   Oak Ridge has a future star wide receiver in rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1570535' first='Zayden' last='Williams'], who impressed in limited time during the 2025 season.   Being behind three upperclassmen, including a four-star tight end, Williams caught 11 passes for 150 yards.   He possesses good size, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 181 pounds, with a long frame. The Oak Ridge athlete is a physical player, which comes from his background as a defensive back.   Williams is a violent blocker, but even when he has the ball, he fights for extra yardage and puts his head down to run through people. He's highly elusive and speedy as a do-it-all wide receiver for the Wildcats.   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-12-2025-5-25-05-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1952711" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood Academy WR Lex Baskin. Taken by tai.flicks on Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2027 Lex Baskin – Brentwood Academy   [player_tooltip player_id='1410131' first='Lexton' last='Baskin'] was underutilized this season due to Brentwood Academy having so many productive weapons on offense.   However, the rising junior is quietly one of the top players in his class and is poised for a big year in 2026.   He played in just nine games, but was a good player for the Eagles. Baskin can line up on the outside or inside and can be used on screens, as well as take the top off a defense.   The junior is well-built, standing 6-foot and weighing 170 pounds, with plenty of athleticism, elusiveness and quickness. Baskin is ranked No. 30 overall in Tennessee for the class of 2027 with immense potential at receiver.   With a final offseason before his senior year, keep an eye on this 2027 prospect.   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Hank-DeGennaro-PRZN28.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1153072" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor WR [player_tooltip player_id='424660' first='Hank' last='DeGennaro'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='424660' first='Hank' last='DeGennaro'] – Baylor School   [player_tooltip player_id='424660' first='Hank' last='DeGennaro'] had a good freshman year at Brentwood in 2024 before transferring to Baylor School this past offseason.   He didn't receive a lot of playing time with all the veteran players the Red Raiders had, but he was the first player off the bench and began to see more time as the season progressed.   The first thing that sticks out to me is his willingness to do whatever is necessary, including blocking. Not many wide receivers are willing to do that, but he does it well and with great effort, showing what character he possesses.   At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, DeGennaro has good size for his age.   He's mainly an inside receiver because of his impressive route running, crisp cuts and ability to make himself open over the middle of the field.   With multiple weapons graduating, the rising junior will likely be WR1 for the defending state champions.

The 2025 Tennessee high school football season concluded last week with the East-West All-Star Game, marking the start of preparations for the upcoming season. There's a plethora of young players who got their feet wet this season, and some who took the next step.