A small, speedy receiver with quick feet and ball skills to match, Blakely Carlson Blakely Carlson 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR/DB Ballard | 2027 IA can serve as a slot and/or possession receiver at the next level. Able to run sharp routes, but also go up and get a 50-50 ball in traffic, Carlson will likely be the top option through the air for Ballard this fall.

A deceptively good blocker, too, Carlson doesn’t give up on the play simply because he doesn’t touch the ball — and that can be said in multiple facets of the game. In fact, there’s a clip from his junior year film where, despite an interception being thrown, Carlson chases the defensive back 25 yards down the field and pops the ball out to force a fumble and get the Bombers the ball back.

Carlson ranked third among Bombers in receptions (17) and receiving yards (18) as a junior in 2025. He caught a touchdown and returned his lone punt 29 yards. Three of his 4.0 tackles were solo stops. When watching Carlson’s 11th-grade highlight video, it’s not difficult to see a path to a breakout season this coming fall. The first clip shows him running by the defensive back and then beating him for a contested catch. He looks comfortable on his long punt return with concentration and elusiveness in space on the second clip. On the third play, he takes a short pass and powers through a would-be tackler. The rest of the tape contains Carlson delivering as a well-rounded receiver with size and speed. He’s one to watch this coming campaign.