Which wide receivers are the game-changing, pass-catching stars to watch for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida entering the 2026 season?
As the clock ticks down toward the start of the season, here's a closer look at some of the area's best in Florida high school football. On Friday, Aug. 21, Jacksonville-area schools begin the march toward the Florida High School Athletic Association championships on deck for this December in Miami, the first season since the end of the Rural Class and the FHSAA's realignment to six classes. Last year, Raines brought home Jacksonville's first state title since 2021.
As in recent years, this position is deep in Northeast Florida, and several additional players will likely make an impact in 2026. Vote for the best
wide receiver at the link below.
Here's the Times-Union's ranking counting down the area's best WRs.
Brayden Wessinger, Episcopal
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-3, 180
Tall receiver is a prolific pass-catcher and a difficult matchup for opposing DBs, making the offense move for independent Eagles. Caught 49 passes for 887 yards as a junior with 12 touchdowns. Through two varsity seasons, he has more than 1,400 career yards.
Kiran Jackson, Raines
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 175
Caught 20 passes for 273 yards in mostly a fourth receiver role for the Vikings behind three Division I recruits last year, but looks ready to step up. Produced several clutch catches in run to Class 3A championship. A difficult athletic matchup for opponents.
Tucker Henderson, Ponte Vedra
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 185
Recorded 47 catches for 625 yards and six touchdowns as a junior for Sharks in first year after transfer from Bolles. On fire in spring, catching 12 passes for 141 yards in Sharks' game against Riverside. Listed offers include Western Kentucky.
Brennan Monaco, Beachside
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 5-10, 170
Caught 44 passes for 474 yards and has 1,118 receiving yards for his three-year Barracuda career. Also competes in baseball at Beachside. Committed to East Tennessee State in July, ahead of listed offers including Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.
Michael Hills, Sandalwood
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 5-10, 170
Transferred to Sandalwood in off-season. Earned All-Gateway Conference honors despite heavy attention from opponents as Parker's top weapon. Caught 44 passes for 815 yards and six touchdowns, and also rushed for 302 yards and passed for 31. An all-purpose weapon, he returned kicks, bringing in 1,405 all-purpose yards, and saw action on defense with an interception, a forced fumble and 13 tackles. Runs 10.6 in the 100.
Mike Conner, Oakleaf
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 5-9, 160
Entering fourth year as Knights starter. Slot receiver isn't big but produces steady yardage. Caught 28 passes for 468 yards and three TD last year, and now up to 115 receptions for 1,979 yards and 12 TD for his career. Can also return kickoffs. Listed offers include Albany State, Mercyhurst and UNC Pembroke.
King Mercer, White
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 5-10, 160
Among Gateway Conference's top breakaway threats in 2025. Caught 37 passes for 835 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 601 yards on returns and two more scores, to approach 1,500 all-purpose yards for high-scoring Commanders. Early listed offers include Florida International, Pitt and Wake Forest.
Camden Tietze, Bolles
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-0, 170
Committed in June to Marshall, selecting the Thundering Herd over more than 15 other programs including Minnesota and Wake Forest. Caught 35 passes for 689 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, his first year at Bolles after transferring from Ponte Vedra. Shows strong concentration on sideline catches. Rated as a three-star prospect for Rivals.
Kyren Caldwell, Columbia
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-1, 175
Productive downfield threat for the Tigers, catching 32 passes for 547 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore and 48 passes for 701 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. Rated as a three-star prospect and a top-75 receiver nationwide in the 2027 class. Caldwell committed to Maryland in July, selecting the Terrapins ahead of a final list of Alabama, Mississippi State, Auburn, Colorado, Georgia and South Carolina.
Brysen Wright, Mandarin
![Mandarin receiver Brysen Wright (1) looks to the sideline for a signal during a high school football game against Fletcher on Oct. 10, 2025. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/12/NFTU/86661261007-101025-mandarin-fletcher-3.JPG)
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-4, 200
A five-star recruit ranked No. 1 nationwide in the 2028 class by ESPN, No. 3 by Rivals and No. 4 by 247Sports. Displays phenomenal catching ability on high balls and explosive acceleration and agility to escape traffic. Honored as NFL Flag player of the year before the Super Bowl. Also makes an impact at safety, but projected as receiver at next level. Caught 46 passes for 983 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, plus 544 yards and five more touchdowns on returns for regional finalist. Also plays basketball for Mustangs. More than 30 offers, including Florida, Florida State, Miami, Georgia and Ohio State.
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The USA TODAY Network is kicking off the high school sports rush with an opportunity for Florida Times-Union readers to get a discount on a yearly subscription to the NFHS Network.
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How long is USA TODAY Network running this promotion?
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ranking Jacksonville area's best WRs in Florida high school football
