Top 10 Texas WRs/TEs for 2022 HS football season
AUSTIN, Texas (BVM) – Texas pass catchers like Jaylen Waddle and Garrett Wilson have taken over football headlines in previous seasons, showcasing their skill sets on the highest of stages. After churning out another crop of talented high school athletes, players around the state are hoping they can find that same success. With some of the top players around the country, high school football fans will be in good hands come Friday nights this fall.
Here are the top 10 University Interscholastic League (UIL) wide receivers and tight ends going into the 2022 season:
10. Braylon James, Sr., Stony Point
James has racked up over 1,000 yards in his two seasons at Del Valle, snagging 47 catches last season for 568 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot-2 wide receiver has been able to use his basketball background at the position, proving to be one of the state’s more physical presences on the outside. As James makes his return to Stony Point for his final season, the Notre Dame commit is ready to help the Tigers rebound from a 5-5 campaign in 2022. The senior receiver has high hopes of competing in the tough 6A class.
Highlights from Del Valle vs Austin High 11/5/21#dvyouknow @DVCardinalsFB @DVISD_DVHS @dvisd_athletics
4Q 3:22 – Braylon James 21yd TD Reception pic.twitter.com/hlIiKfeGCD
— Cardinal Sports Network (@sports_cardinal) November 12, 2021
9. Drelon Miller, Jr., Silsbee
One of the top wideouts in the Class of 2024, Miller has shown flashes on both the basketball court and football field during his time with the Silsbee program. The 6-foot-2 wide receiver enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in his first full season on varsity, racking up 41 catches for 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns. After a 5-5 season in 2021, Miller is hoping he can once again be the spark to the Tigers offense as they look to improve in 2022. With another year to build on his wide receiver pedigree, Miller could be one of the biggest risers following his junior season.
@MaseBriz to @DrelonMiller again!
Silsbee 19
Nederland 7
9:01 remains in 3Q#txhsfb #maxpreps pic.twitter.com/WrLD6Gcvlz— MommaB🐝 (@MRSBRISBANE) September 11, 2021
8. Jaden Platt, Sr., Eaton (TE)
The top–ranked tight end in the state had over 600 yards and five touchdowns in his first season on varsity, making the switch from playing quarterback at the JV level in 2020. With 31 catches, Platt showcased his 6-foot-4 frame as a pass catcher, helping the Eagles to an 8-3 record before bowing out of the 6A Division II playoffs. With another season to show his progression at the tight end position, look for the Stanford commit to top his junior statistics as Eaton prepares for a longer playoff run in 2022.
3-0 , Big time win… Onto the next!#bct @BrandonMac29 @SkysTheLimitWR pic.twitter.com/yre0mMyMrP
— jaden platt (@JadenPlatt_ATH) September 11, 2021
7. Jaden Greathouse, Sr., Westlake
Sticking out on an impressive Westlake offense has been a hard task to do over the years. For Greathouse, the senior wide receiver has done just that, becoming a focal point for the Chaparrals in their 16-0 2021 campaign. Behind his 66 catches, 1,274 yards, and 20 touchdowns, the Westlake offense powered by 6A competition en route to its third straight state championship trophy. Greathouse’s breakout campaign comes on the heels of an impressive sophomore season that saw the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Notre Dame commit rack up 69 catches for 1,145 yards and 13 touchdowns. With another season to add his name to the record books, look for the Chaparrals star to churn out eye-popping results once again.
New 2023 Notre Dame four-star WR commit Jaden Greathouse will lead Westlake's (Texas) pursuit of a fourth consecutive State Title this fall. pic.twitter.com/R6yKwQUj31
— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) July 15, 2022
6. Jamyri Cauley, Jr., South Oak Cliff
Cauley enjoyed a near perfect season in 2021 finding both individual and team success on the football field. The Texas District 6-5A Division II Sophomore of the Year racked up 35 catches for 938 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, helping the Bears to a 15-1 record and the 5A Division II state championship. Showing an impressive ability as one of the state’s top deep threats, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound wide receiver will have another major opportunity to shine in 2022 as South Oak Cliff looks to repeat this upcoming season. With likely more opportunity at the position this year as a junior, Cauley seems primed to keep his momentum moving forward as he prepares to take his game up a notch.
It’s my time to shine 💪🏾🔥 @SOCGoldenBearFB pic.twitter.com/WmDc4ZMN4p
— Jamyri Cauley (@wildman_soc) August 23, 2021
5. Jalen Hale, Sr., Longview
The three-sport Longview athlete locked down 5A Division I first-team all-district honors in his junior season after exploding onto the scene with 50 catches, 1,154 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound wideout racked up over 600 yards and nine touchdowns for the Lobos. With a proven ability to out-jump opposing defenders, Hale has become one of the better contested catch wide receivers in the state. As he prepares to show out in his final season, look for Hale and the Longview offense to reach another gear in 2022 after ending the second half of the 2021 season strong.
9:24 4Q: Jalen Hale’s touchdown catch makes it 39-20 Longview against Tyler Legacy. #BEastTexas #txhsfb #ETX pic.twitter.com/afhVfnBeKj
— Thomas Bingham (@Texan8thGen) September 11, 2021
4. Micah Hudson, Jr., Lake Belton
Hudson is one of the top players in the Class of 2024, proving his ability on the football field since his freshman year at Lake Belton. After catching 22 passes for 466 yards and six touchdowns in his first campaign, the 6-foot, 186-pound wide receiver would enjoy a breakout sophomore season racking up 45 catches for 851 yards and nine touchdowns. With Lake Belton entering its first season as a non-independent school, Hudson and the Broncos are hoping they can compete for the state crown in 5A Division I as the junior wideout looks to head the team’s growing offense.
Even the opponent had to give him props.
Lake Belton Micah Hudson catches this ball ON TOP of the defender for a score.#txhsfb | @LBBroncoFB | @iammike1x pic.twitter.com/wJblm10LMg
— Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@dctf) September 25, 2021
3. Ryan Niblett, Sr., Aldine Eisenhower
After playing his sophomore season at the quarterback position, Eisenhower coaches were ready to get Niblett back at receiver for his junior campaign. With the transition away from being the team’s signal caller, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound wideout got the chance to showcase his track speed in the 2021 season. A lethal playmaker with the ball in his hands, Niblett proved his elite speed running a 10.41 second 100-meter dash and a 21.25 in the 200-meter dash on the track. The senior is part of a talented upcoming Texas class, adding to the offensive threats Steve Sarkisian is adding with the Longhorns.
Easy throw and let @ryan_niblett work 🖤💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/4TfQfbounM
— Zacchaeus Henry (@ZacchaeusHenry) November 5, 2021
2. Jaquaize Pettaway, Sr., Langham Creek
After 55 catches, 1,004 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns as a sophomore, the Langham Creek star was able to produce at a high level once again, during his junior campaign, as defenses did all they could to stop the elite playmaker. Behind 50 catches, 794 yards, and seven touchdowns, Pettaway came away with another impressive campaign in 2021 earning a unanimous Texas District 16-6A first-team selection. With his track background, the Lobos’ senior has shown his game-breaking speed on short, intermediate, and deep routes. Primed for another great opportunity in 2022, the Oklahoma commit should shine once again before heading to the next level.
Here's a look at what Oklahoma is getting in 4⃣⭐️ WR commit Jaquaize Pettaway.
Pettaway is currently rated as the 47th-best prospect in the nation by the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Full Video ➡️ https://t.co/JZxCw9j8Br#OUDNA | #CHO23N pic.twitter.com/BEpbFrRRK1
— 𝕆𝕂𝕃𝔸ℍ𝕆𝕄𝔸-𝕍𝕊-𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕎𝕆ℝ𝕃𝔻 (@soonergridiron) July 7, 2022
1. Johntay Cook II, Sr., DeSoto
Cook’s ability to take the top off the defense came to the forefront during his junior campaign as the 6-foot, 175-pound DeSoto wideout caught 38 passes for 806 yards and a whopping 19 touchdowns. Enjoying a breakout year as a sophomore, Cook was able to catch more balls with 43, but didn’t quite reach the same highs in yards and touchdowns as he did in 2021. After an 11-3 season, the now-senior wide receiver and the Eagles are ready to return to the 6A playoffs after a semifinals loss this past season where Cook topped the 100-yard receiving mark and secured a touchdown. With his final year kicking off, one of the top-rated recruits in the nation will stay in-state and head to Texas.
25-yard TD pass from Samari Collier to Johntay Cook gives DeSoto 30-27 lead over Rockwall with 8:13 left.#txhsfb @FootballDesoto @ihss_dfw @dctf @SportsDayHS @RISDAthletics pic.twitter.com/2keGrA6yZR
— Greg Riddle (@DMNGregRiddle) December 19, 2020
