Video: Five wide receivers to watch in 2015
See highlights of the best stat-producing receivers coming back for 2015.The name of the game is football, but lately — OK, more than a decade — the actual object appears who can amass the most passing yards.
Every season, it seems, passing and receiving yardage records have been obliterated.
Here are the top five returning receivers at the other end of those passing marks. This quintet piled up the most receiving yards based on statistics supplied to MaxPreps, combining for 10,110 yards and an astounding 146 touchdown catches.
1. Tren'Davian Dickson, Navasota (Texas)It makes sense that the nation's No. 3 passer last year —
Shelton Eppler — had the country's top receiver in the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder who committed to Texas on July 14. He previously committed to Baylor. Dickson had 90 catches for 2,163 yards and a national-record 39 touchdowns, shattering the mark of 34. He finished off his dream junior season with 12 catches for 175 yards and four scores in a 42-35 win over Argyle in the state 4A-1 title game.
2. Jason Pirtle, Locust Grove (Okla.)The 6-1, 191-pound receiver amassed 2,096 receiving yards — second in the nation — last season as a junior on 99 catches with 29 touchdowns. He averaged 21.2 yards per catch for the 13-1 Pirates, who lost in the state 3A semifinals to eventual champion Heritage Hall.
3. Javon McKinley, Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Javon McKinley, Centennial
Photo by Louis Lopez
The four-star, 6-2, 203-pound incoming senior is one of the biggest threats in California as he proved his junior season when he hauled in 97 passes for 2,059 yards and 22 touchdowns. That ranked him third nationally. In the state title game – a wild 63-42 loss to De La Salle – he had six catches for 153 yards and two scores, one an 87-yarder. He also added a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. McKinley has 23 college offers and plans to make his announcement at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
4. Allie Freeman IV, Episcopal (Little Rock, Ark.)The 5-9, 160-pound incoming senior caught 94 passes for 1,971 yards and 31 touchdowns for the 12-2 Wildcats, who lost in the state 3A semifinals. A three-sport athlete, Freeman also rushed for five touchdowns
.
5. J.P. Shohfi, San Marino (Calif.)The 6-foot, 185-pound senior caught 81 passes for 1,821 yards last season, making him the fifth-leading returning receiver in the country. Shohfi caught 25 touchdowns last season, including four each against Monrovia and Temple City. Also a defensive back, Shohfi had three interceptions and 30 tackles last season for the 9-3 Titans.
