By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There are many talented receivers across our coverage area that features more than 60 teams. Below are some of the top receivers to watch this season. This list is in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Some worthy players may appear on one of our other SEVEN football watch lists. In an effort to highlight as many players as possible, A PLAYER CAN ONLY APPEAR ON ONE LIST.
The football watch lists we will be releasing are: Quaterbacks, Running Backs, Receivers, Offensive Linemen, Defensive Linemen, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Breakout Players.
QUARTERBACKS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
RUNNING BACKS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
LINEBACKERS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
DEFENSIVE BACKS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
BREAKOUT PLAYERS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
JAMBOREE PHOTOS – CLICK HERE
ALL FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS – CLICK HERE
Wyatt Andrews, Glendale Senior
A former quarterback, Andrews has quickly adjusted to playing receiver. What he lacks in athleticism he makes up for with great route running and hands. His 51 receptions for 551 yards and four touchdowns are among the best in the area returning. Andrew should be a 100-1,000-10 performer this fall.
Kael Combs, Nixa Senior
The Kael Combs story might be a movie one day. He went from one of the state’s best basketball players to one of the nation’s top receivers seemingly overnight. His first varsity season saw him rack up 44 receptions for 842 yards and 11 touchdowns. That turned into FBS offers from programs like Southern Miss, Toledo and Eastern Michigan. Combs’ ascent feels very similar to another Show-Me star: Ronnie Bell, who should get drafted next spring.
Kam Durnin, Camdenton Senior
Durnin is a Wichita State commit for baseball but don’t get it twisted, he’s a beast on the gridiron too. He lined up all over the field last year, seeing reps at quarterback, running back and receiver, but he’s most productive when getting reps on the outside. He finished his junior year with 759 yards and seven touchdowns.
Terrance Gibson, Joplin Senior
As a junior Gibson – also a basketball standout – emerged as the ultimate big-play threat, turning 32 receptions into 715 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s a big, long athlete that is impossible to cover without safety help, which is part of why Joplin continues to be so effective on the ground as well. Gibson has big-time potential.
Hollen Glenn, Mountain Grove Senior
Glenn is an absolute threat anywhere on the field and Grove is great about getting him touches in space. As a junior, he totaled 1,195 yards from scrimmage (522 rush yards, 673 receiving yards) with 10 touchdowns. He’s one of the only players in the area to record a 100-yard receiving and 100-yard rushing game.
Heston Miller, West Plains Senior
His physical tools are off the charts; Miller runs a sub 11-second 100-meter dash (10.56) and 4.41-second 40-meter dash. Speed kills, which is why Miller was a headache all over the field. His 1,215 yards from scrimmage came with 751 receiving yards and 464 rushing yards with 16 total touchdowns. He averaged nearly 15 yards per touch from scrimmage. Missouri State got a big-time athlete.
Hudson Moore, Carthage Senior
Moore has battled on and off the field to remain one of the area’s top receivers over the last several years. The 6-foot-6 athlete has already seen the offers rolling in after earning All-COC and All-Area honors. He and Cooper Jadwin flashed some great chemistry in the jamboree. Both seniors should put up numbers with opponents doing everything they can to stop Carthage’s run game.
Dante Washington, Webb City Senior
Washington was a big-play waiting to happen as a junior, turning just 28 receptions into 612 yards and eight touchdowns. And that’s with him playing in just 10 games. He also collected five interceptions defensively. He’s a home run hitter on both sides of the ball and he’s at his best in big games. Expect college coaches to be roaming around Webb City to get a look at him in person.
Jace Whatley, Ozark Junior
The basketball player to receiver route has been lucrative for locals and Whatley is another guy that has excelled in the transition. The 6-foot-6 junior was a big play threat last year, with 458 receiving yards on 21 grabs. He also uses his big frame in the run game where he’s an excellent blocker.
Tyler Young, Marshfield Junior
Young played in just six games last year, but that didn’t stop him from putting up numbers. In seven games, he turned 38 catches into 644 yards and six touchdowns. He’s a thick body tight end that excels in the seams. Healthy and comfortable with Bryant Bull, this will be a big season.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Conner Ackerson, Seneca Senior
Chris Anderson, Parkview Senior
Logan Cook, Rogersville Senior
James Dowdy, Reeds Spring Senior
Isaiah Green, Neosho Senior
Cole Griesemer, Marshfield Senior
Hernan Hernandez, Cassville Senior
Jack Parnell, McDonald County Senior
Tyler Willis, Carthage Senior
