Delavan-Darien Receiving Threats Lead WI's Top Returning WRs

Relying on the passing game can be a high risk high reward adventure. When things are clicking, though, it can be so difficult for a defense to contain. Across Wisconsin there are many teams leaning on their talented QBs and receiving corps to move them up and down the field. There is always a lot of turnover among the top receivers because it takes a long time for kids to establish themselves, built that connection with their QB, and earn the targets. However, today's article proves there were plenty of athletes who were able to establish all that as juniors and even as a sophomore. We start with a team that has a great chance of leading the state in passing/receiving because of the talent they return.    Stats: 73 Receptions, 1324 Yards, 12 TDs   Kaden is the leading receiving option for Delavan- Darien and that results in a ton of targets. D-D is one of the more pass heavy teams in the state, and for good reason. They have the QB and the targets out wide. Kaden finished with the lead in the state for receiving yards when all was said and done. The 2027 WR has the size to win on the outside. He excels at stretching the field thanks to that size and his outstanding ball skills. His timing and strong hands allow him to go up and attack the ball at the high point. The big man has a knack for finding open field too, especially if the play starts to break down. With all the key pieces returning in 2026 we could see some unreal numbers for D-D and Kaden.     Stats: 66 Receptions, 1100 Yards, 13 TDs   The other go to target for the D-D offense is [player_tooltip player_id='1734109' first='Braedyn' last='McKean']. It is crazy to see two 1,000 yard receivers from the same team and even more impressive to see that both still have another year ahead of them at the HS level. Braedyn is the slot receiver type with his compact built, twitchy route running, and elusive run after the catch. Braedyn does a ton of damage after the catch, turning underneath catches into huge runs after the catch. The D-D offense has the QB, outside threat, and inside/underneath threat all returning in 2026. Big things ahead for this group.     Stats: 63 Receptions, 979 Yards, 13 TDs   Keegan is a very intriguing receiver in the Class of 2027. He isn't the biggest WR, but finds so much success on the outside. The junior is able to make so many plays downfield that you would expect to see from a much bigger WR. Keegan has such good ball skills, knowing when to come back to the ball, time his jumps, and also shows very strong hands to rip it away from traffic. The dynamic weapon should once again be near the top of the charts thanks to his talents and having his QB return in 2026 with him.     Stats: 62 Receptions, 853 Yards, 9 TDs   One of the best playmakers at the WR position is [player_tooltip player_id='1620602' first='Lucas' last='Neuens'] of Lourdes Academy. Every time Lucas touches the ball there is a threat to score. He is so elusive, explosive, and lightning quick through traffic. Plus is top end speed in the open field leaps off the tape, especially compared to the small school competition he faces. Lucas is a mismatch with his speed stretching the field or with his route running underneath. If that isn't enough the super athletic WR is also a fantastic returner. 2026 is lining up to be a big year for Lucas and Lourdes Academy overall.     Stats: 53 Receptions, 951 Yards, 10 TDs   Drake is raw when it comes to the WR position, but his natural gifts give him such an advantage that he has been able to produce at a high level. The '27 has a big, powerful frame that perfectly pairs with his body positioning at the catch. Drake does a great job using his size to wall off DBs when going up for the catch. Plus his 195 lbs frame is strong enough to win through contact, get to the ball, and reel it in. The junior also has effective athleticism so that he can get vertical. I'm excited to see Drake really breakout this summer.     Stats: 47 Receptions, 910 Yards, 12 TDs   Landon is a small school standout who is proving to be a big play threat out wide. We see Landon working in the slot a ton, quickly getting open and then making big plays from those short catches. When he does stretch the field with corner routes or up the seam we get to see those natural ball tracking skills and trustworthy hands. The small school stud is able to win attacking every level of the field. This is a hidden gem that the WIAC and all other D3 programs should have on their radars.     Stats: 49 Receptions, 899 Yards, 8 TDs   The lone sophomore in today's group of receivers is Mondovi's [player_tooltip player_id='2055377' first='Beau' last='Spindler']. Beau already looks the part and ready for the next level with his big, powerful frame. The underclassman did a great job of using that size and strength to dominate defenses vertically. Even when he doesn't open up space his QB clearly has faith in him and will give him chances to go over a DB and muscle the ball in for the completion. Beau fits the mold of a big possession WR, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to grow over the next few years. It is also exciting that Beau's QB is also a 2028, so the two could put up great numbers together over the coming years.     Stats: 41 Receptions, 876 Yards, 12 TDs   Ben is a deep threat specialist. It shows on tape, it showed when I watched him live. All this kid does is get behind the defense for huge chunk plays. That culminated in 21+ yds/rec on the season. Defenses respect the speed too, giving him big cushions. The Crusaders offense counters that with Ben utilizing double moves, running from the slot on corner routes or other routes that allow him to open up space with head fakes and quick breaks instead of just having him win with speed vs that cushion. The numbers should be explosive once again in 2026. Keep an eye on Ben.     Stats: 34 Receptions, 778 Yards, 11 TDs   This is another dangerous deep threat out wide. Bennett has the long, lean frame of what you might think is more of a possession, jump ball specialist. But he is much more dynamic than that. I was able to watch him live this past season and the junior brings speed to the field along with that big catch radius. That size does come in handy deep downfield to go up in a crowd and still come down with the ball. There are examples of it all in his highlights. You need to have this kid on your radars.

Relying on the passing game can be a high risk high reward adventure. When things are clicking, though, it can be so difficult for a defense to contain. Across Wisconsin there are many teams leaning on their talented QBs and receiving corps to move them up and down the field. There is always a lot of turnover among the top receivers because it takes a long time for kids to establish themselves, built that connection with their QB, and earn the targets. However, today's article proves there were plenty of athletes who were able to establish all that as juniors and even as a sophomore. We start with a team that has a great chance of leading the state in passing/receiving because of the talent they return.