Marvin Mims, the Lone Star (Frisco, Texas) standout, shows just how far the wide receiver position has evolved in high school football over the past 60 seasons. In 2019, his 2,629 yards set a record that nearly tripled the leading total from 1960.
Once considered an extra body at the end of the line to block for the running game, receivers have now become vital parts of a team's offensive arsenal. National leading receivers barely had over 1,000 yards receiving in the 1960s. However, since 1994 the national leader has gained over 2,000 yards 21 out of 25 seasons, topped by Mims' record total last season.
Research for this story led to the discovery of a "lost" national record. It has long been thought that John McKay of Bishop Amat (La Puente) broke the national record for receiving yardage in a season during the 1970 season when he gained a national best 1,714 yards. Turns out he was over 100 yards off the record.
Mike Kemp of tiny Tallulah Falls (Ga.) led the nation in 1968 with 1,843 yards. A Class C All-State player, his receiving total had not previously been included in the Georgia state record book. His mark broke the record of 1,260 yards, set the year before by Jon Harrison of Cooper (Abilene). Kemp's mark lasted until Steve Martinez of Wilson (Los Angeles) broke it with 1,846 yards in 1977.
Resources for the list included Doug Huff's National High School Football Record Book (2001), the Cal-Hi Sports Record Book and Almanac by Mark Tennis and Nelson Tennis, the Georgia High School Football Historians Association website, Joe Lee Smith's Texas High School Football History website, Buddy Collings' Florida Prep Football records, state association websites and various newspapers accessed via newspapers.com.
2019 — Marvin Mims,
Lone Star (Frisco, Texas), 2,629 yards
2018 — Puka Nacua,
Orem (Utah), 2,336
2017 — Jaivon Heiligh,
Venice (Fla.), 2,159
2016 — Judah Bell,
Bishop Gorman (Tyler, Texas), 2,352
2015 — JP Shohfi,
San Marino (San Marino, Calif.), 2,464
2014 — Tren'Davian Dickson,
Navasota (Texas), 2,163
2013 — Justin Sawmiller,
Kenton (Ohio), 2,342
2012 — Trey Quinn,
Barbe (Lake Charles, La.), 2,141
2011 — Zach Grant,
Rochester (Ill.), 2,310
2010 — Max Morrison, Kenton (Ohio), 2,033
2009 — Bryce McGovern,
Monte Vista (Danville, Calif.), 2063
2008 — Kirby Moore,
Prosser (Wash.), 2,126
2007 — Jamarielle Brown,
Lone Oak (Paducah, Ky.), 2,021
2006 — Houston Tuminello,
Covenant Christian (Colleyville, Texas), 2,068
2005 — Nakeem Nicks,
Independence (Charlotte, N.C.), 1,819
2004 — Mohamed Massaquoi, Independence (Charlotte, NC), 1,834
2003 — Philip Beck,
Crosby (Texas), 2,202
2002 — Tommy Petitt, Kenton (Ohio), 1,899
2001 — Patrick Mallory,
Evansville Mater Dei (Evansville, Ind.), 1,795
2000 — Pete Lepley,
Bellevue (Ohio), 2,135
1999 — Geoff McArthur,
Palisades (Pacific Palisades, Calif.), 1,779
1998 — Cody Cardwell,
Stephenville (Texas), 2,427
1997 — Elgin Hicks,
Charlotte (Punta Gorda, Fla.), 2,183
1996 — Greg Washington,
Nashville (Ark.), 2,321
1995 — Darrell Jackson,
Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.), 2,087
1994 — Matthew Breeden,
Coalfield (Tenn.), 2,286
1993 — Chris Brazzell,
Alice (Texas), 1,931
1992 — Maurice Staley,
West Charlotte (Charlotte, N.C.), 1,384
1991 — David Saraf,
Beverly Hills (Calif.), 1,731
1990 — Greg Siwek,
Monta Vista (Cupertino, Calif.), 1,580
1989 — Lloyd Hill,
Permian (Odessa, Texas), 1,519
1988 — Matt Frier,
Suwannee (Live Oak, Fla.), 1,716
1987 — Adrian Hackney,
Alto (Texas), 1,787
1986 — Matt Barrett,
Valley (Turkey, Texas), 1,592
1985 — Travis Watkins,
Claremont (Calif.), 1,703
1984 — Nelson Joseph,
Washington-Marion (Lake Charles, La.), 1,648
1983 — Steve Ybarra,
Rosemead (Calif.), 1,540
1982 — Bob Westerkamp,
Montini Catholic (Lombard, Ill.), 1,372
1981 — Doug Stis,
Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.), 1,665
1980 — Brent Duhon, Thomas Jefferson (Port Arthur, Texas), 1,298
1979 — Ray McNeil,
El Monte (El Monte, Calif.), 1,530
1978 — Cole Egan,
Westminster (Atlanta), 1,339
1977 — Steve Martinez,
Wilson (Los Angeles), 1,846
1976 — Hosea Fortune,
Beverly Hills (Calif.), 1,231
1975 — Kurt Unglaub,
Leon (Tallahassee, Fla.), 1,602
1974 — Jay Passmore,
Colonial (Orlando, Fla.), 1,064
1973 — John Washington,
Roosevelt (Dallas), 1,332
1972 — Bob Thomas,
Upper Merion Area (King of Prussia, Pa.), 1,432
1971 — Stan Rome,
Valdosta (Ga.), 1,573
1970 — John McKay,
Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.), 1,714
1969 — John McKay, Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.), 1,572
1968 — MIke Kemp, Tallulah Falls (Ga.), 1,843
1967 — Jon Harrison,
Cooper (Abilene, Texas), 1,280
1966 — Noe Chavez,
Sonora (Texas), 1,124
1965 — Jerry Roberts,
Groom (Texas), 1,214
1964 — Mike Shivers,
Hamlin (Texas), 1,039
1963 — Charles Carr,
Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, Va.), 1,190
1962 — Tom Mestell,
Ladysmith (Wis.), 881
1961 — Charles Carr, Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, Va.), 952
1960 — Darrell Mott,
Taylor (Texas), 1,260
