’27 Rankings Update | New WR Names to Watch

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   In case you missed it, the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/">Class of 2027 Rankings Update</a> dropped on New Year's Eve. I wrote an <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/27-update-closer-look-at-how-rankings-came-together/">overarching piece</a> on the update. Then we turned our attention towards writing about student-athletes grouped by position.   At this stage of the game, we've written quite a few words on members of this graduating class. Many of the seniors-to-be in these rankings have become known names along the prospecting trail.   While we'll continue to write about that group, we wanted to dive into guys being highlighted in our positional breakdowns that have received less attention or are being introduced to the data base for the first time. It just kept with our goal of writing about as many student-athletes as possible.   Today, we take a closer look at guys playing receiver:    Central DeWitt's passing attack was potent in 2025. The Sabers amassed 2,593 yards and 28 touchdowns through the air. As you'd imagine, there were a lot of talented receivers to feed, which is why Hansen got lost in the shuffle a bit when it came to garnering a lot of attention. The junior did secure 29 catches for 290 yards and two touchdowns, all of which ranked third on the team. He also rushed for 317 yards (6.9 YPC) and a pair of scores. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19685922/Keaton-Hansen/highlights">Hudl page</a> does not house a highlight video, but we can watch clips from individual games while visiting it. Hansen might be a receiver in college. He could end up as a running back. The goal would be getting the ball to him in space and watching him make defenders miss.     I caught McCarty in action during the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome in November. The junior was contributing in all three of the game's phases while the Lions were putting together their championship run. He posted 59 yards and a touchdown on four carries, and hauled in 10 passes for 199 yards and a pair of scores. On defense, he recorded 12.0 tackles, eight of which were solo and one of them resulting in lost yardage. He averaged 25.0 yards on four kick returns. His lone punt return went for 20 yards. In the end, he earned second-team all-district laurels. You can witness how McCarty gets the job done while viewing his 11th-grade highlight video. He's fast and athletic with a frame capable of adding strength, giving him some upside from here.     Moulds is a multi-sport standout and seems to prefer basketball based on his social media feed and game highlights posted on-line. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16742991/Landen-Moulds/highlights">Hudl page</a> features clips of him playing hoops, but there isn't any football film. If you watch the highlights from the hardwood, there's athleticism and explosion. Those things transfer over well to his performance on the gridiron. Moulds stood out to me when I watched Wapsie Valley during the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome in November. The junior is a long-limbed receiver with a frame capable of adding good weight and strength, meaning there's room to go before he reaches his potential. Moulds finished his 11th-grade campaign with 23 receptions for 439 yards and seven touchdowns, leading his team in all of those statistical categories.     Nakihinga is an interesting prospect in that he's raw from a football standpoint but with athleticism creating a sizable ceiling for the long-limbed wideout. It's not just ordinary athleticism, either. The then-sophomore finished fourth in the high jump (6-4) at Drake Relays and was sixth in the event at the Class 4A state track meet. He's also a hurdler. Still ironing out his game on the football field, Nakihinga developed on the Liberty junior varsity in 2025. It's tough to crack a deep group of receivers in the program, but he set himself up for a chance to do that, as we can see when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19517868/68d0518102358d548bb14be5">junior highlight video</a>. He's gifted with leaping ability, balance and speed. He even punts.     The Dutchmen leaned heavily on their rushing attack in 2025, which suppressed the numbers for some of the wideouts. VanZee did manage 12 receptions for 171 yards. He also delivered 12.5 tackles, 12 of which were of the solo variety. VanZee registered a tackle for loss, an interception and three passes defended. He averaged 14.6 yards on nine kick returns as well. A three-phase contributor at the prep level, VanZee's versatility should be attractive to college coaches. He could be developed at multiple positions. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19855039/6917ce0b1e12c59908cc7546">11th-grade highlight video</a>, we see VanZee flash a well-rounded skill set at receiver, running sharp routes and displaying reliable hands.     After watching him in 2025, a case can be made that Buesing fits best in the secondary if he were to play in college. This season, the junior recorded 30.5 tackles, 25 of which were solo stops. He posted a tackle for loss and intercepted a pass. He averaged 11.0 yards on five punt returns, too. He did catch five balls for 63 yards and has potential as a pass catcher. At 6-foot-4, 175 pounds, Buesing's projectable frame can comfortably add good weight and strength. With his speed, agility and athleticism, his ceiling is fairly high. Buesing would benefit from hitting the college camp circuit this spring and summer. He's the type of prospect with potential to pop in that setting.

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