With a nearly identical season to his teammate Witt, Zach Nelson Zach Nelson 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR/DB Tri-Center | 2026 State IA also benefitted mightily from Tri-Center’s air raid offense with Harder under center. Nelson finished the season just behind Witt in almost every statistical category, grabbing 73 catches for 1,118 yards and beating him out in touchdowns with 13.

Three inches taller and nearly 20 pounds heavier than Witt, Nelson served as more of a true X-receiver for Tri-Center. A deep-ball threat that was a “go up and get it” wideout with strong hands, Nelson can also reach out and grab one-handed catches.

Tri-Center dropped its first game of last season and then ripped off 12 wins in a row to capture the Class A state championship. Nelson was in the middle of the action on both sides of the ball for the Trojans. He hauled in 73 balls for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns. On defense, Nelson piled up 29.5 tackles (27 solo) and intercepted four passes. Some colleges might prefer him on defense, where his length and fluid movements are a sound foundation. Nelson is more advanced as a receiver at this point, however, and his skill set at that position is tantalizing. We can see that when watching his 11th-grade highlight video. Nelson runs crisp routes and looks to have reliable hands. He can beat opponents deep and make them miss in space. Nelson is being under-recruited relative to his talent.

(@zelson_17)

Surprisingly, Tri-Center’s Zach Nelson Zach Nelson 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR/DB Tri-Center | 2026 State IA flew under the radar in our last update, but is a lock to make a nice debut after a prolific receiving season. En route to helping the Trojans capture the Class A state championship, Zach hauled in 73 receptions for 1,118 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Nelson also proved to be a force on defense with 29.5 tackles, four interceptions, and three fumble recoveries (one returned for a TD). Zach is a taller receiver at 6’3″ who does a great job extending and maximizing his lengthy frame to give his QB a big catch radius to throw to. His size allows for instant mismatches, especially on jump balls, where he can elevate and attack the ball at the highest point. Good body control when adjusting to the pass and reliable hands through the catch process. I was also impressed with Zach’s burst and ability to tack on yards after the catch, showing he can fight through contact and break away from defenses in the open field. Top tier playmaker!