Arkansas' top high school football players: Meet the state's best wide receivers

Who are the top receivers in Arkansas this season?

By Steve Andrews | Photo by Jimmy Jones

We're taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Arkansas high school football. This list focuses on the wide receivers.

There are hundreds of standout football players in Arkansas and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Use the comments section to discuss the other wide receivers worthy of fans’ attention in 2021. 

Isaiah Sategna, Sr. Fayetteville, 5-11, 170 

The Arkansas football and track commit has 84 catches and leads the state with 1,595 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has added 3 more TDs on jet-sweep runs. He was an All-Conference receiver as a sophomore and All-State as a junior. The speedster runs a 10.5-second 100 meters. As a sophomore, Sategna won three state track titles (110 high hurdles. 60m high hurdles, and the long jump), setting a state record in the 60m high hurdles. “Isaiah has the elite intangibles that only a few receivers have,” said Fayetteville Coach and former Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Casey Dick. “He has elite speed, ball skills, and a burning desire to compete at everything.”

Quincey McAdoo, Sr., 6-2, 175, Clarendon

The Arkansas commit lines up all over Calrendon’s offense but is a receiver by trade.

 “Quincey does some things I can’t coach and some things they can’t coach at (Arkansas),” Clarendon coach Mark Courtney. “Just God-given talents that when you do this for 25 years, and you see a kid do this, it is amazing. I have seen a lot of high school football and a lot of athletes. Quincey is a different kind of guy.”

Chas Nimrod, Sr., 6-3, 181, Bentonville 

The Tennessee commit has hauled in 46 passes for 919 yards and 11 TDs. “Chas is one of the most talented players in the state of Arkansas,” Tigers coach Jody Grant said. “He has it all, size, speed, great hands and overall great play-making abilities.”

Malachi Henry, Jr., 6-1, 175, Van Buren

He was a huge bright spot for the Pointers, hauling in 60 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs.

Conner Stacy, Sr. 6-0, 165, Alma

He was a go-to target for the Airedales, hauling in 86 passes for 1,313 yards and 7 TDs.

Peyton McKee, Sr., 6-0, 175, Springdale Har-Ber 

McKee finished the season with 90 catches for 1,125 yards and 8 touchdowns.

“Peyton had an outstanding season and it started in the off-season with his work and commitment to being the best receiver he could be,” said Wildcat coach Chris Wood. “He is a physical receiver that does a great job with route running and catching the ball with his hands.”

Carter McElhaney, Jr., 5-8, 150, Greenbrier

The speedster turned heads at the University of Arkansas camp last summer with a 4.41 40-yard-dash clocking. This fall, he snagged 32 passes for 786 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also returned six kickoffs for 227 yards and a score. 

Jackson Fox, Sr., 5-9, 155, Harding Academy

He has 47 catches for a team-high 835 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averages 17.8 yards per catch. “Jackson is a phenomenal route runner that shines when the lights are brightest,” Wildcats coach Neil Evans.

Braden Jay, Sr., 5-9, 175, Cabot 

He was a mainstay on the Panthers offense, hauling in 66 passes for 1,297 yards and 13 TDs. He had a long reception of 94 yards and is averaged 20.6 yards per catch.

Brandon Copeland, Sr., 5-8, 170, Camden Fairview

Copeland caught 66 passes for 1,169 yards and 14 TDs. “Brandon is a dynamic kid, and you better know where he’s at on the field every play,” Cardinal coach Jake Monden said. “Teams try to get creative on how they try to defend him, and he just keeps finding a way to keep getting open.”

T.J. Brogdon, So., 5-11, 170, Hot Springs

He caught 23 passes for 531 Yards and 6 TDs, averaging 23.1 yards per catch 76 yards per game. “TJ is a great kid who loves the game of football,” Hot Springs coach Darrell Burnett said. “He will definitely have a chance to play at the next level. He is a big-play receiver, who is a threat at any time.”

Jackie Washington, Sr., 5-9, 174, El Dorado

A three-year starter for the Wildcats, he has caught 49 passes for 1,113 yards and 15 TDs, while adding 120 rushing yards and 82 on kick returns – averaging 109 total yards per game. He was an All-Conference performer as a junior. “He has become one of the most elusive playmakers in the state,” El Dorado coach Steven Jones said. “He is someone that defensive coordinators really have to pay attention to. He is going to play on Saturdays, there is no doubt about it.”

Jaylin McKinney, Jr., 6-1, 175, Pulaski Academy

He has caught 68 passes for 1,221 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 131 yards per game and 18.8 yards per reception. “Jaylin is a very talented and skilled player,” said Bruins coach, and former Arkansas Razorback receiving great, Anthony Lucas. “He's one of our best route runners and has pretty good hands. He understands the game and is very passionate about it. I like when we get man to man coverage with him because he's really good against it.”

Kannon Bartlett, Sr., 6-0 175, Vilonia

He is the leader of a talented receiving corps for the Eagles, amassing 1,190 yards on 57 catches, with 16 touchdowns, through 10 games.

Isaiah Jones, Sr., 5-9, 181, Nashville

Jones caught 65 passes for 866 yards, averaging 84.6 per game, while hauling in 5 touchdowns. "He’s a guy that could play on the outside or in the slot on offense,” Scrapper coach Mike Volarvich said. “He’s a guy with really good body control. He catches the ball extremely well. (He's good at) settling in zones and understands space real good.”

Chase Cross, Sr., 5-10, 176, Hot Springs Lakeside 

Cross caught 42 passes for 1,032 yards and 9 TDs. “Chase is a very good football player and teammate,” said Lakeside coach Jared McBride. “He works hard to be the best he can be for his team. He can make a play from anywhere on the field.”

Devin Roberts, Sr., 6-5, 175, Atkins

His first year playing football since 9th grade, he caught 73 passes for 1,046 yards and 13 TDs. “He is an unreal gifted athlete, who is 6-foot-5 with great hands and the ability to really jump,” Red Devils coach Matt Porter said. “Devin starts both ways for us and rarely comes out of a game at all.”

Kavon Pointer, Sr., 6-3, 185, Jonesboro

He had 75 catches for 1,202 yards and 17 TDs, including 5 catches for 113 yards and 2 TDs in a win over Searcy on Oct. 22. “Kavon is a phenomenal young man -- the definition of student-athlete with a 3.8 GPA,” Jonesboro coach Randy Coleman said. “He is beloved by his coaches and teammates.”

Desmond Lopez-Fulbright, Sr., 5-9, 155, Fort Smith Southside

He had 62 receptions for 698 yds and 5 TDs. “He operates mostly in the middle of the field and is instrumental in the RPO packages,” said Mavericks coach Kim Dameron, a former receiver for the Arkansas Razorbacks. 

Luke Wyatt, Sr., 5-11, 170, Fort Smith Southside

He had 56 receptions for 670 yds and 6 TDs. “Luke has good speed and running ability,” said Southside coach Kim Dameron, a former Arkansas Razorbacks receiver. “He’s one of the top kickoff returners in the state. He plays outside and in the slot.”

Kent Carlisle, Sr., 6-4, 180, Fort Smith Southside

He had 33 receptions for 633 and 7 TDs. “Kent is a tall outside receiver with long speed,” said Mavericks coach, and former Arkansas Razorbacks receiver, Kim Dameron. “This is his first year to play football since 9th grade and he averages 20.27 yds per reception.”

Peyton Hester, Sr., 5-11, 185, Hackett

Hester caught 65 passes for 1,227 yards and 21 TDs. He has also rushed for a touchdown and completed a 57-yard pass for a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, he has collected 101 total tackles, including 74 solos, and has 2 sacks and 1 interception. He is in the Top 3 in the state, in both, receiving and tackles. “Peyton is an incredible leader and person,” said Hackett coach Michael Hester. “He is the type of guy that makes sure the locker room is clean before he leaves. And he plays so hard on every snap.”

Michael Rainer, So., 5-7, 160, Rivercrest

He has 60 receptions for 811 yards with 10 TDs, in addition to 16 carries for 44 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also has three kickoff returns for 98 yards and a return for a touchdown. “Michael is a dynamic playmaker, so It is almost impossible to guard him one on one,” Colts coach Johnny Fleming said. “He has really stepped up and been an outstanding player for us.”

Reid Miles, Sr., 5-11, 174, Searcy

Miles caught 46 passes for 1,031 yards and 13 TDs, averaging 21.6 yards per catch and 107.9 yards per game. “Reid is a versatile receiver that can go over the middle and make tough catches in traffic, as well as beat people over the top and run after the catch,” said Searcy coach and former Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Zac Clark. “He's a very explosive player.”

Dylan Block, Sr., 5-10, 150, Harrison

He hauled in 47 passes this season for 818 yards and 12 TDs. He is also a returning All-State safety on the defensive side, tallying 30 tackles and 2 interceptions. “Dylan has been there every week,” said Harrison coach Joel Wells. “He shows up and makes plays. He has played threw some injuries and still been very productive on both sides of the ball.”

Eli Cooper, Sr., 5-10, 160, Little Rock Christian Academy

Cooper has 51 receptions for 1,023 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had to play quarterback one game and completed 14-of-19 passes for 107 yards and 2 TDs. “Eli is a natural play-maker,” Warriors coach Eric Cohu said. “He's an elusive and smooth route runner with excellent hands. Eli is a confident competitor who has made plays for us all year.”

Caleb Peters, Sr., 5-10, 150, Mena

He caught 46 passes for 570 yards and 5 touchdowns. He set the school record with 16 receptions against Dardanelle on Oct. 22. “Caleb is a playmaker, great hands with a habit of making big catches,” said Mena coach Craig Bentley. “He has deceptive speed and is a great playmaker.”

Cam Harris, Sr., 6-3, 185, Benton

The lengthy wideout with a 6-foot-6 wingspan, who is a Division football and basketball recruit, caught 60 passes for 1,285 yards and 15 touchdowns through eight games. Also has a 25-yard rushing touchdown. “He’s a big, athletic receiver -- a very physical guy,” Panthers coach Brad Harris said. “Great kid, and one of the best wide receivers in the state, regardless of classification. He is also one of our best leaders on the team.”

Aiden Kennon, Jr., 6-1, 210, Greenwood

Kennon has caught 48 passes for 825 yards and 6 touchdowns. He's a three-sport star, who also starts for the varsity basketball and baseball teams. “Aiden has been an outstanding receiver for us this season, with great hands, and has been outstanding after the catch,” Bulldog coach Chris Young said. “He has also been one of our best players without the ball in his hands. A selfless player who has all the tools to dominate a game. He has been our most consistent player on offense this year and we only expect him to get better. Aiden Kennon will be a name you hear a lot the next two years in Arkansas High School sports.”