By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There are many talented wide receivers and tight ends across our coverage area that features more than 60 teams. Below are some of the top receivers and tight ends to watch this season. This list is in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Some worthy players may appear on one of our other SIX 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: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Receivers/Tight Ends, Linemen, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Breakout Players.
RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS TO WATCH
Shaun Campbell & Paxton Wehner, Kickapoo
Campbell is the play-making gamebreaker and Wehner is the physical interior presence. Lindenwood came and plucked Campbell out of Springfield as the Lions prepare to transition to D1. Campbell is dynamic in the return game and had more highlight reel catches last season than most have in a career. Wehner is a two-way beast, but holds extreme value at tight end as both a blocker and pass catcher, which has earned him interest from several of the top D2s in the country. Don’t be surprised when D1s come calling.
James Dowdy, Reeds Spring
Reeds Spring has long had one of the better run games in the area, which allowed them to make big plays in the passing game in 2022. Dowdy gave opposing defenses fits last year, becoming one of the area’s top deep threats, turning just 43 receptions into 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns. He went 40-661-10 as a junior.
Whit Hafer, Joplin
Hafer has turned into one of the top tight end prospects. His career has followed an insanely similar path to former local greats Chase Allen and Travis Vokolek. Like them, he’s the son of a coach. Like them, his physical tools are off the charts. And like them, he’s a basketball standout which adds to his ability as a pass catcher, but he’s also an elite blocker. The Mizzou signee is a legit Power 5 player with a bright future at tight end.
Briggs Hughston, West Plains
Northern Iowa will likely use him at tight end, but the Ozark Conference just knows Hughston as a playmaker. It’s one thing to be big – and at 6-foot-5 there’s not many on the field his size – but Hughston also has legit speed, especially running down the seams. As a junior, he posted 36-664-5 lining up all over the field. He’s a threat to lead the league in receiving this fall.
Kellen Lair, Fair Grove
Lair is quickly emerging as one of the most versatile weapons in the Ozarks, regardless of class. As a sophomore he earned all-state honors, totaling 622 yards on the ground and another 534 yards through the air with 11 total touchdowns. Nearly 1,200 yards on 90 touches is crazy and that doesn’t even touch the return game, where he’s at his best, returning five kicks for scores.
Rylan Michel & Wyatt Vincent, Nixa
There’s not a better slot receiver in the Ozarks than Michel, and Vincent is just a freak of nature. Michel posted 39-621-4 as a junior, becoming a menace with bubble screens, jet sweeps and any other quick touch that he turned into a big gain. Vincent was solid as a sophomore, but has the physical ability to be a MONSTER this year in a larger role.
Brady Nicholson, Ash Grove
We often hear about the basketball players who make great receivers and Nicholson is the best of the bunch. The Drury Basketball commit is a 6-foot-4 mismatch on the outside, with an unrecoverable catch radius and all the physical tools to be a nightmare after the catch.
James Rexroat, Republic
The Memphis commit projects as a tight end at the next level, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a dynamic threat to stretch defenses vertically despite his 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame. His 604 yards and nine touchdowns on 25 receptions is ridiculous. There aren’t many guys walking around that averaged 24 yards per catch. There are several D1 prospects on this list and Rexroat has as much upside as anyone.
Davin Thomas, Joplin
Joplin has had no shortage of standout skill position players, but something about Thomas is a little different. He’s not as big and physical as Zach Westmoreland, but he’s a home run threat any time he gets the ball in his hands. He had 739 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 38 receptions. Expect him to see a significant uptick in touches this fall.
Jace Whatley, Ozark
If you watch him, he feels like a baby Travis Kelce. Whatley is extremely athletic and at 6-foot-5 he’s a big target. But unlike most tight ends, he’s a home run threat after the catch. Whatley – who is also one of the top basketball players in the COC – should see yet another jump as Ozark’s primary weapon.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Brock Bruner, Fair Grove Junior
Rex Deters, Glendale Senior
Kyle Eidson, Camdenton Senior
Garrett Ewing, Cassville Senior
Hagen Ginger, Seneca Senior
Gage Guerin, Marionville Senior
Ian Ngugi, Lamar Senior
Zachary Roughton, Diamond Junior
Timmy Ruble, Willard Senior
Cole Schoen, Catholic Senior
Tyler Young, Marshfield Senior
