As the high school football season approaches, the spotlight shines on some of the area’s most dynamic pass catchers. Whether they’re stretching the field, moving the chains, or creating mismatches in the red zone, these wide receivers and tight ends have the talent, work ethic, and playmaking ability to be difference-makers this fall. From rising stars to returning standouts, here are some of the athletes to keep your eye on this season.
WIDE RECEIVERS
TAISJON ALLEN – GODWIN HEIGHTS, 2026
Quick off the line and dangerous with the ball in his hands.
CORDE ANDERSON – WHITEHALL, 2026
6’4” frame paired with smart route-running gives him big-play potential.
ANDREW ANDRLIK – HOLLAND, 2027
A young playmaker with big speed and visible breakout potential.
ISAIAH BOONSTRA – ZEELAND EAST, 2027
A consistent chain-mover, key for third-down reliability.
DYLAN BUCK – EAST GRAND RAPIDS, 2026
A shifty route runner with quick separation skills and reliable hands in clutch situations.
OWEN BURGESS – SOUTH CHRISTIAN, 2026
A polished route runner who provides steady chain-moving production.
AARON COLLINS – CALEDONIA, 2027
A crisp route-runner with reliable hands who thrives in pressure moments.
JACE CUMMINGS – COMSTOCK PARK, 2027
A technical route runner with strong acceleration off the line.
ETHAN DIAZ-LAWTON – FOREST HILLS NORTHERN, 2026
Few can match his work ethic, character, and love for the game. Diaz-Lawton is a true example of what it means to show up and play hard every day.
CHASE DUTTON – OAKRIDGE, 2027
Dutton is 6’3″ with long arms and explosive growth potential. With his added size and speed, he could become a reliable weapon downfield for the Eagles this fall.
MITEY EDMONDS – EAST KENTWOOD, 2026
A speedy, precise route runner who makes contested catches look routine.
JAX EICHBAUER – ROCKFORD, 2026
Smooth, precise routes and a dependable weapon in clutch moments.
WILL FUSSMAN – KENOWA HILLS, 2027
Has the speed to stretch the field and make big plays after the catch.
FINN GALLOWAY- HOLLAND, 2028
Strong hands and natural ball tracking; excels on contested throws.
SIMON GROTENHUIS – HOLLAND CHRISTIAN, 2026
Brings size and physicality to the position, making him a tough cover in the red zone.
BRENNAN GUSTINIS – KENOWA HILLS, 2026
A tough, dependable target who consistently moves the chains.
BROOKS HADDEN – COOPERSVILLE, 2026
A top returning target with explosive quickness and YAC ability.
AJ JOHNSON – NORTHVIEW, 2026
A smooth route runner with great field awareness and consistent production.
TANNER KINGERY – HOLLAND, 2026
A big target in the seam who excels in contested catch situations.
TRAVANTI KNOX – HOLLAND, 2027
Knox possesses elite separation speed and explosive playmaking ability along the perimeter.
KV KORENSTRA – GRAND HAVEN, 2027
Top-end speed and acceleration mixed with elite separation skills make him hard to guard one-on-one.
OWEN MANTHEI – COOPERSVILLE, 2026
Physical wideout who wins contested catches and finishes runs after the catch.
CONNOR MCMANUS – REETHS-PUFFER, 2027
Makes contested catches look easy and always seems to find open space.
BRAYLON MILLER – HUDSONVILLE, 2026
A crafty receiver who knows how to get behind defenses and capitalize.
COBY MILLER – ZEELAND EAST, 2027
A reliable go-to option who steps up in big moments.
COLLIN MUNFORD – GRAND HAVEN, 2026
Explosive off the line and dangerous in the open field with the ball in his hands.
OWEN VAN DER VEEN – EAST KENTWOOD, 2026
A dynamic athlete who creates yards after catch with power and vision.
LANDON O’DONNELL – SPRING LAKE, 2026
A smooth-route runner with excellent hands who consistently finds space in man or zone coverage.
CONNOR OLSZEWSKI – WEST CATHOLIC, 2026
Reliable hands, can play all over the field, great awareness against many types of defense.
ARQUEZ PETTY – MUSKEGON, 2026
Possesses game‑breaking speed and vertical threat ability.
DOMINIC PIGGUE – MONA SHORES, 2026
Brings dynamic athleticism and can score from anywhere on the field.
ADAM PIOTROWSKI – FOREST HILLS CENTRAL, 2026
Fluid movement and reliable hands make him a matchup nightmare.
DEMETRIUS RAINEY-BROWN – MUSKEGON, 2026
A polished receiver with great timing and chemistry in the passing game.
AARON RICORD – WEST CATHOLIC, 2026
A powerful route runner with strong hands and a nose for separation.
LINCOLN SENTI – CALEDONIA, 2027
Master of open-field angles and breakaway speed.
CHASE SWARTZ – BYRON CENTER, 2026
Has strong hands and excellent body control to haul in tough grabs.
OWEN TIETEMA – GR CATHOLIC CENTRAL, 2026
A smooth WR with explosive speed and fluid change-of-direction cuts.
JAYDEN TIMMONS – COOPERSVILLE, 2027
Reliable, consistent, and fearless over the middle.
JAYCE VANDENHOUT – ROCKFORD, 2026
A speedy deep threat who can break a game open in a single play.
WARNER KORYTKOWSKI – ROCKFORD 2026
A smooth route-runner with the instincts to find soft spots in any coverage.
TIGHT ENDS
BRANDT ALLES – GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN, 2026
A dynamic tight end who pairs impressive athleticism with strong hands, creating mismatches over the middle and in the seam.
TATE BAINBRIDGE – BYRON CENTER, 2026
A physical mismatch in the passing game, with the toughness to dominate as a blocker.
ZACH CASWELL – EAST GRAND RAPIDS, 2026
Plays a lot of H-back for the Pioneers with a red-zone presence and hands to match.
JOE COLES – BELDING, 2026
A versatile athlete with soft hands and the grit to contribute on both sides of the ball.
CALEB CLAERBAUT – ZEELAND EAST, 2026
A versatile TE balanced in both blocking packages and passing schemes.
TROY DUNNEBACK – COOPERSVILLE, 2026
A smart blocker with surprising speed and open-field catching ability.
WILL GRANT – HOLLAND CHRISTIAN, 2026
A dynamic TE who provides flexibility both as a receiver and blocker.
BRADY HUBBS – JENISON, 2026
Fluid mover and match-up nightmare in tight-window scenarios.
MARSHALL JOHNSON – ZEELAND WEST, 2026
A tough, aggressive TE who blocks well and provides dependable hands.
RECARDER KITCHEN – MUSKEGON, 2027
A tall, athletic TE capable of dominating as a blocker and a pass catcher.
NATHAN LARSON – GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN, 2026
Athletic and gritty, Larson stretches the field from multiple alignments.
GRADY PATRICK – ZEELAND WEST, 2027
Physical and athletic, Patrick can create mismatches for opposing defenses.
JADEN PLAXTON – FOREST HILLS NORTHERN
Strong blocking chops and a growing ability to carve out space in the middle of the field.
NATHEN RAISON – LOWELL, 2026
A versatile weapon who can line up at H-back, TE, WR, RB and make plays.
CALVIN ROSSMAN – COOPERSVILLE, 2028
At 6′2″ and 235 lbs, Rossman is a high-upside tight end who offers a rare blend of size, strength, and agility.
MATTHEW SEXTON – FOREST HILLS CENTRAL, 2026
The Central Michigan commit will be counted on to make plays on both sides of the ball this season for the Rangers.
LEVI SILVERNALE – FOREST HILLS NORTHERN
With varsity experience on both sides of the ball, Levi brings physicality and intelligence to the tight end position, making him a matchup nightmare for defenders.
BRADY SMITH – LOWELL, 2026
A reliable red-zone target who brings size, strength, and steady production to Lowell’s offense.
JACK VANPROOYEN – NORTHVIEW, 2026
Long-limbed and physical, a standout in both the run and pass game.
MAX WILDMAN – WEST CATHOLIC, 2026
An H-back for the Falcons who plays with a motor and physicality beyond his size— he’s a fearless blocker and reliable chain‑mover in the passing game.
FINAL WORD
This group of receivers and tight ends is loaded with size, speed, hands, and heart—and they’ll all play key roles for their teams this year. Whether they’re future college prospects or the go-to option on Friday nights, each of them has earned their spot on this list through effort, consistency, and performance. Expect big plays, breakout games, and plenty of highlights from these athletes this fall.
Stay tuned—Offensive and Defensive Linemen to Watch is coming next.
GET STARTED AT POWERSTRENGTH
4th-12th grade athletes of all sports and abilities can start a specialized training program at PowerStrength at any time while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and Holland.
Visit https://powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your free assessment and get started.