2027 Rankings: The Midlands Top Receivers

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If you're <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone</a>, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout.   The Midlands has long been the home to top-notch receivers and the 2027 Class offers some more of the same. On top of a couple players who are receiving serious P4 consideration, there is quality depth up and down the rankings at the position.   We've seen guys on this list put up decent numbers over the last one or two years, but they could explode in production in their final prep season to make their stock even more impressive to college recruiters. These guys are going to find a home to play on Saturdays.   We breakdown what these guys do well and how they can improve on their stock for the 2026 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'] WR, Ridge View   It might be an understatement that even though the Blazers finished with an 8-4 record, the passing game ended up underwhelming. First off, QB [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] was injured in the second game of the season and missed the rest of the year. Ridge View then played two quarterbacks the rest of the way. Jackson himself was limited to just six games due to injury, but he was still good enough to be the second leading receiver with 28 receptions for 355 yards and three touchdowns. We left Jackson in the top 10 due to his speed, quickness and explosiveness when he is healthy. He's a great route runner, displays above average hands and he can make the difficult play look easy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller'] ATH, Irmo   The Yellow Jackets offense dazzled again in 2025, carrying them to the state championship game for a second year in a row. Miller was a huge part of that with 55 receptions for 911 yards and he rushed for nearly 300 yards as well. Miller is a polished route-runner that can turn almost any pass into six points. He excelled in making defenders miss and turning a short gain into a big play. He shines on defense and special teams as well. His off-season at camps will be key as he should turn into another great Irmo wideout that goes on to play high level college football.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172370' first='Kanye' last='Reed'] WR, Hammond   Reed is another player that we remain high on even though he didn't have the numbers we expected this season. Hammond used two quarterbacks – [player_tooltip player_id='1647349' first='Cade' last='Amell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823078' first='Ben' last='Muela Kiser'] – and neither had much success in the passing game. Reed was the top passer catcher with 30 receptions for 342 yards but just one touchdown. Reed looks the part at a solid 6-foot-1, 170 pounds and he can flat go get the ball. We expect a huge rebound season from Reed regardless of who is under center. He's going to have to be involved heavily and often next season. We easily could see him at least doubling the numbers he posted this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824148' first='Josh' last='Davis'] ATH, AC Flora   Davis might look around the Falcons locker room during spring football and wonder where everyone went. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] graduated as did receivers [player_tooltip player_id='591391' first='Blake' last='Betette'], [player_tooltip player_id='1165081' first='Kendall' last='Byrd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592441' first='Charlie' last='Scott'] (over 110 catches and 1,800 yards from that trio). That leaves Davis and he's someone that could blossom even more with all the departures around him. Whoever the new quarterback is going to be is going to be crucial, but we don't see any reason Davis can't improve on his 45 catches for 604 yards and nine touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder is strong and tough as nails and can produce yards after the catch. He will see time at defensive back as well, but he must have the ball in his hands on offense.      [player_tooltip player_id='1078102' first='Darius' last='Carter'] WR, River Bluff   Carter is not going to “wow” anyone with his size but turn on the tape and the play-making ability jumps out at you. Carter is not going to be denied going to get the ball. We saw Carter twice this past season and he went for 11 catches for 305 yards and four touchdowns in those two games. He is relentless and plays his best against high caliber competition. He's going to make some college coach look extremely smart by offering and signing him. He ended the year with just over 900 yards and 11 touchdowns, and we easily could see him flirting with the 1,200-yard season next year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603854' first='Eric' last='Richardson'] ATH, Lugoff-Elgin   Richardson did a little bit of everything for the Demons. He ran for 573 yards and caught 48 passes for 810 yards on offense. He accounted for 13 total touchdowns and was a terror on special teams and defense. He's versatile and will probably continue to be used in several different ways. The development of QB [player_tooltip player_id='1823858' first='Zach' last='Williams'] is only going to continue to get better and that will give Richardson more opportunities to excel. He can change direction quickly, make defenders miss and find ways to get open against man or zone coverage. He's going to be fun to watch in an offense that could be much improved in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1647592' first='Corey' last='Gleaton'] WR and [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] WR, Gray Collegiate   When you look at the War Eagles returning on offense, it's going to be scary for opposing team's next season. Freshman QB [player_tooltip player_id='1623307' first='Xavier' last='Wright'] threw for 22 total touchdowns and is only going to get better with more experience. The return of [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] to go along with Gleaton and [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] gives Gray Collegiate its top QB, RB and top two receivers back with a year of experience playing with each other. Gleaton (pictured) and [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] combined to catch 94 passes for 1,978 yards and 20 touchdowns between them. If that wasn't enough, they had a combined 14 interceptions between the two. They're nearly identical in size and interchangeable on the field. Gray Collegiate will enter 2026 as one of the most explosive offenses in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='1302875' first='Will' last='Haunert'] WR, Camden   Anytime a wide receiver can turn 23 receptions into eight touchdowns, that's a sign of being a big play target. That's exactly what Haunert did in 2025 playing alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1165092' first='Tylin' last='Drakeford'], a 1,000-yard receiver for the Bulldogs. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1354590' first='Greyson' last='Rimpf'] will be back as will fellow junior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1734538' first='Isaiah' last='Smith'] to give Camden a rather potent 1-2 punch to replace Drakeford. Haunert has good size at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds so he can play tight end or out wide. He's going to come down with his share of jump balls but he's also a good route runner that uses his body as a shield very well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603911' first='Isaiah' last='Small'] WR, Richland Northeast   Small is another receiver that had some quarterback issues in 2025 but he's still a dominant threat and can be dynamic with the ball in his hands. Small is slippery and has been a contributor on the varsity level for two seasons already. If he can find consistent QB play and improve on a couple of small details, Small potentially could reach the 2,000 all purpose yards after reaching 1,779 this season and 15 total touchdowns. He's going to be the main focus of the passing game and that will great plenty of opportunities.    [player_tooltip player_id='1664508' first='Jordan' last='Wilson'] WR and [player_tooltip player_id='1664646' first='Deion' last='Hollis'] WR, Keenan   The Raiders have two wide receivers they can build around to go along with bruising running back [player_tooltip player_id='1822187' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] in 2026. O'Neal is a 1,200-yard rusher and proved he can carry a lot of the rushing load, but Wilson and Hollis are going to give whoever plays quarterback two viable options. They're both slippery, can find open spaces and make something happen once they get the ball into their hands. Wilson ended up being the leading receiver last season with 35 grabs for 421 yards. Hollis was limited to five games due to injury and even played quarterback for part of those five games, but his future is defending at receiver. The Raiders could be in line for a bounce back from a disappointing 3-8 record.   [player_tooltip player_id='1809066' first='Chandler' last='Guthrie'] WR, Gilbert   The Indians were a senior-dominated team, but Guthrie is someone they can build the offense around. He's a taller receiver at 6-foot-1 and he uses that size to his advantage. He's an above average route runner and can get open in several different ways. Guthrie has great hands and attacks the ball at its high point, adjusting as needed. He has an opportunity to be the main focus in the passing game and that could create an opportunity for over 50 catches in a balanced offensive attack.     [player_tooltip player_id='1720918' first='Keon' last='Mckinley'] ATH, Heathwood Hall   The Highlanders were possibly the surprise team in SCISA this past season, finishing runner-up in Class 4A. McKinley, the son of former South Carolina standout Kenny McKinley, dazzled on both sides of the ball and on special teams. He has great instincts and turned those into 56 receptions for 701 yards and three touchdowns. Heathwood Hall QB [player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk'] was able to spread the ball around and he graduated so it's not beyond reason that McKinley will slide into the quarterback role. That's still to be determined but the Highlanders will need the ball in his hands as much as possible if they're able to repeat the success of 2025.     [player_tooltip player_id='1360306' first='Bennett' last='Plane'] WR/DB, Brookland-Cayce   Plane rarely comes off the field, playing offense, defense and special teams. But the Bearcats found a reliable QB in [player_tooltip player_id='1816457' first='Andrew' last='Frick'] and Plane blossomed in the passing game. Fellow receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1816471' first='Mekhi' last='Pringle'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1816469' first='Avery' last='King'] are also returning so Brookland-Cayce will come into 2026 with an offense that could be explosive. Plane caught 30 passes for 473 yards and should see those numbers increase greatly. He's tough, never quits on a play and feels like he's the best player in a one-on-one situation. That could translate into increased production on both sides of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816291' first='Trace' last='Selfridge'] ATH, Swansea   The Tigers used Selfridge in several ways, lining him up in the slot and as an H-Back that could also help in the running game. He gets open in tight situations and has the ability to take it the distance once he gets into the open field. His speed is one of his biggest assets and he uses that in the open field. Selfridge also plays defensive back, and he can blanket a receiver in coverage as well as come up and offer run support. He should see his role expand in 2026 and he could become the go-to receiver in the Swansea attack.

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout.