Football guru DC Hendrix is back with his look at some of the top players from each position heading into the season.
The wide receiver position has become northeast Indiana’s most impressive position across the board in high school football. From a talent standpoint, every year there are several wideouts across the area being recruited to play at the next level. Several, if not all, of these 10 names will be playing on Saturdays once their respective high school careers are over.
He has tackled quarterbacks and running backs over the last few weeks. Today, he breaks down his top 10 wide receivers.
NOTE: All of these rankings will be updated weekly once the season begins, with the possibility of new names joining the list and names moving up and down.
1. Maalik Moore, North Side
As a player who could play either offense or defense at the next level, Maalik Moore has the potential this year to be one of the best deep threats in not only the area, but the entire state. Since the Legends’ offense is fairly balanced with the run and pass, Moore may not end up having the most receiving yards in the area, but he is the most talented. Performances last year against Concordia (nine receptions, 165 yards, five TDs), and Bishop Luers (8-189-4) show what his impact can be. As a senior, expect him to show out even more. This is a no-brainer at No. 1.
2. Maddox Weil, Northrop
Rising quickly on recruiting prospect rankings, Weil had an incredible sophomore season last fall. Even with the offense running primarily through Quay Guilford (rightfully so), now at Ohio State, Weil managed to finish with 986 yards and eight TDs last season. As the top target this season for the Bruins, Weil is set for a monster year and has the potential to lead the area in receiving. Going into his junior campaign, Weil has offers from Alabama, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Indiana, Ohio State and many others. Being the face of the offense, Weil will make many opposing defensive backs’ jobs miserable on Friday nights. A huge junior year is incoming for Weil.
3. Harrison Scheele, Carroll
Carroll’s passing offense was ruthless last season, with my top-ranked QB Gabe Frisinger throwing for over 3,000 yards and 27 TDs. The majority of those yards were spread between Jaidon Vanpelt (1,407 yards and 14 TDs) and Harrison Scheele (981 yards and six TDs). Much like Weil, with last season’s top target exiting the program due to graduation, Scheele becomes the main target for a quarterback we already know can sling it. As the main target of Carroll’s offense, Scheele is in for a monster year in Huntertown.
4. Jayvon Irby, South Side
Irby is one of those do-it-all kind of players for the Archers. He led the team in receiving with 729 yards and five TDs, ran for 348 yards for four rushing scores and even threw a few passes last season. He has been putting in a lot of work this offseason, in addition to playing basketball, to become an even more elite offensive threat for the Archers. As a senior leader, he will have more than enough motivation to have a huge season for South Side.
5. Wesley Summersett, South Adams
Although his commitment to Bowling Green State is to play linebacker, Summersett has been and is still going to be playing both sides of the ball for the Starfires. This means he will remain one of the most dangerous area threats at wideout. Finishing with 1,500 yards receiving to go along with 16 TDs in 2025, as the leader and primary target on offense for new quarterback Zaden Baumer, he should cap his prep campaign with similar numbers.
6. Alex Scott, East Noble
There have been rumblings he could dabble at the QB position with the loss of Rylee Biddle from last season, but the NE8 returns one of the most dynamic receivers in the area in Scott. In an offense that runs the ball arguably more than anyone else in the conference, Scott still managed to finish with 900-plus yards and 10 TDs last season. As an all-state wide receiver, Scott should be in for another huge year, and he is a darn good safety as well.
7. Donald Gage, New Haven
The Second Team All-NE8 selection from last fall is looking to not only be on the First Team this season, but with his quarterback Tre McCraney back under center, Gage could do some serious climbing on this list. Last season, he finished with 618 yards and a trio of touchdowns. With an entire offseason to work with McCraney and another season together, this combo could be tough to defend this season.
8. Keaton Robinson, Snider
Keaton came on late for the Panthers last season and became a contributor, but this season will be a primary target as he returns with the two quarterbacks from last season – Jaywin Harris and Max Johnson. With a full season to produce, Robinson will light it up on Friday nights. He has worked hard this offseason by attending camps and has gained a few college offers in doing so. In his one significant action last year, he went for 121 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions against Northrop. Coach Kurt Tippman is very high on Robinson coming into the season.
9. Tyree Eldridge, Wayne
Although the Generals weren’t able to pull out any victories last season, Tyree Eldridge was one of the biggest snubs of anyone when it came to All-SAC honors. The wide receiver position was stacked in the conference last season, and with the program’s struggles, it was easy to forget that he still finished right outside the top 10 in the league in yards with 454 yards to go with five touchdowns. Already having revenge on the agenda for the program, Tyree will be ready to show everyone why he should have gotten some conference recognition last season.
10. Jaxson Robinson, Northrop
Speaking of easy to forget, with Quay Guilford and Maddox Weil getting so many yards, touchdowns and social media hype for the Bruins last season, Robinson got lost in the noise despite his solid numbers of 444 yards and four touchdowns. With Robinson though, it’s not about stats, but rather projections and the fact that he will get more balls thrown his way now with Guilford in Columbus with the Buckeyes. After seeing the performance he put on at the Indiana Hoosiers Football Camp this summer, he is more than ready to showcase his abilities and become one of the most elite receivers in the area.
These opinions represent those of DC Hendrix and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow DC Hendrix on X at dchendrix.
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