Top 5 WRs in Johnston/Harnett County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy Monday, and welcome back to our county deep dives series. After looking at the&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/johnston-harnett-county-qb-deep-dive/">quarterbacks</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-rbs-in-johnston-harnett-county/">running backs</a>&nbsp;last week, I'm turning my attention to the wide receivers in Johnston and Harnett Counties. There are plenty of productive departing seniors, so this group should have ample opportunity to step up in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 WRs in Johnston/Harnett County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: The ranked wide receivers are listed in order from first to fifth. Rankings reflect predicted 2026 impact.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1853146"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aee47d78923"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson is one of the most explosive athletes in the state, and that showed with two kickoff return touchdowns and a pick six in 2025. Here, he's ranked as the top returning receiver in Johnston/Harnett County. He averaged over 17 yards per touch from scrimmage, and he's the only returning receiver out of one of the best trios in the state. That means he could have an even bigger senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2147404"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aee47d789cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caldwell wasn't really on our radar last season, but he emerged late as the top target for the Cleveland offense, catching 40 passes for nearly 550 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished the year strong as the receiver rotation shifted due to health, catching eight passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns in a season-ending loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607055"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aee47d78a4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The entire Overhills passing attack took a step back in 2025 after losing one of the best quarterbacks in school history. So, Coley's junior numbers didn't approach what he did as a sophomore. However, he's still the same player who can make people miss and do damage after the catch. He caught 13 touchdowns in 2024, but only two last season. We expect a number closer to the former than the latter in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1702934"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aee47d78acb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hurst is a leaner, faster athlete who plays several different positions, but he cracks the list here at the receiver position. Hurst had around 350 receiving yards last season on an offense that at times struggled to put up points. He has plenty of talent, and we're excited to see what he and the Smithfield-Selma offense can do with most of its key contributors returning next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2147418"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69aee47d78b40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Odle has excellent size, and he's strong and explosive, which helps at the catch point. He's able to high point the ball and snag it while using his body to shield himself from defenders. Odle is a two-way athlete with good instincts as a linebacker, which certainly helps with his route-running and feel for zone coverage as a receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you.&nbsp;Our 7-Day free trial offer runs from March 5-9.&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/?coupon=march26freetrial&amp;utm_medium=scout&amp;utm_source=braze&amp;utm_campaign=free-trial-email&amp;utm_term=free-trial&amp;utm_content=free-trial-offer">Share Prep Redzone with a friend!</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->