Pickerington Central High School receiver Lorenzo Styles highlights
Watch the Notre Dame recruit in action during the OHSAA Division I state final last year.
Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Marvin Harrison, Andre Reed, Andre Rison and Antonio Gates. The Great Lakes states have produced several notable receivers and tight ends. Below is the latest batch. Too early to tell if there are any Hall of Famers here, but the talent is undeniable.
Heading into the 2020 high school football season, these are 12 of the top receivers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. All player rankings referenced are according to 247sports.com.
Who is the best? You tell us. Vote in the poll below to support your WR/TE. Voting closes at noon (EST) on June 9. You may vote as many times as you like.
This is the final release in our "Difference Makers" series. The pieces are a precursor to the Great Lakes Preseason Football Teams, which will be unveiled mid-June.
Massillon Washington senior and Ohio State recruit Jayden Ballard caught 18 touchdowns last season.
Photo by David Stewart
GREAT LAKES REGION RECEIVERS 2020
Jayden Ballard, Washington (Massillon, Ohio), 6-2, 175, 2021Ohio’s No. 2 overall prospect and the country’s No. 12 receiver prospect. Committed to Ohio State over Notre Dame, Michigan State, Penn State, Pitt and Washington State. Caught 68 passes for 1,202 yards and 18 touchdowns last season for OHSAA D-II state runner-up. First team OPSWA D-II All-Ohio.
St. Rita's Kaleb Brown is considered Illinois No. 1 overall 2022 prospect.
Photo by Tom Tarner
Illinois No. 1 overall prospect for 2022 and 35th nationally. His 11 offers include Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Nebraska.
St. Xavier senior and Penn State recruit led the GCL South Division in receiving last year with 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Photo by Tim Ashcraft
Penn State commit is a Top 25 overall prospect in Ohio and Top 50 receiver prospect nationally. OPSWA D-I All-Ohio. Caught 77 passes for a Great Catholic League South Division-best 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns. Picked Penn State over Michigan, Michigan State, Pitt, Tennessee, Duke, Kentucky, Cincinnati and Toledo.
Mehki Flowers, Steelton-Highspire (Steelton, Pa.), 6-1, 187, 2022Pennsylvania’s No. 3 overall 2022 prospect and the nation’s No. 11 receiver prospect. Owns 13 offers including Penn State, Pitt, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 2A All-State.
Antonio Gates Jr., Fordson (Dearborn, Mich.), 6-3, 185, 2022Michigan’s No. 4 overall 2022 prospect and a Top 25 receiver prospect nationally. Holds 10 offers including Michigan State, Nebraska, Cincinnati, Mississippi, Kentucky and Memphis.
St. Joseph's Prep senior and Ohio State commit Marvin Harrison Jr. is Pennsylvania’s No. 5 overall prospect and the country’s eighth ranked receiver prospect.
Photo by John Jones
Ohio State commit is Pennsylvania’s No. 5 overall prospect and the country’s eighth ranked receiver prospect. His 19 offers include LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Florida, Pitt and Michigan State. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 6A All-State. First team selection on both the MaxPreps Sophomore and Junior All-American teams the past two seasons.
Manheim Township junior Anthony Ivey is considered Pennsylvania's No. 5 overall 2022 prospect and the nation’s 12th ranked receiver prospect.
Photo by Fred Maurer
Pennsylvania’s No. 5 overall 2022 prospect and the nation’s 12th ranked receiver prospect. Holds eight offers, including Penn State, Michigan State, Pitt, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.
East St. Louis senior Dominic Lovett had 1,541 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns last year for the undefeated IHSA Class 6A state champions.
Photo by Chris Johns
The No. 5 overall prospect in Illinois owns 14 offers, including Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, Illinois, Purdue and Auburn. Caught 73 passes for 1,541 yards and scored 18 touchdowns and eight two-point conversions last season for the undefeated IHSA Class 6A state champions.
Nazareth Academy junior is considered Illinois No. 2 overall 2022 prospect.
Photo by Dwane Lindsey
Illinois No. 2 overall 2022 prospect and one of the country’s Top 10 receiver prospects. Holds 17 offers, including Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Jack Pugh, Hilliard Bradley (Hilliard, Ohio), 6-5, 235, 2021Ohio’s 10th ranked overall prospect and the No. 12 tight end prospect nationally. Wisconsin commit holds 20 offers, including Minnesota, Northwestern, Pitt and West Virginia.
Christian Rapley, Belleville (Mich.), 6-0, 185, 2022Michigan’s No. 3 overall 2022 prospect and a Top 20 receiver prospect nationally. Holds eight offers including Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota, Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky.
Pickerington Central senior and Notre Dame recruit Lorenzo Styles Jr. is a Top 20 receiver prospect nationally.
Photo by Jeff Harwell
Notre Dame recruit is Ohio’s No. 6 overall prospect and the country’s No. 19 receiver prospect. Holds 18 offers. Picked the Fighting Irish over Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Auburn, Florida and Pitt. First team OPSWA D-I All-Ohio.
