Top North Texas high school football players: Meet the 20 best wide receivers

From 5-stars Bryant Wesco and Dakorien Moore to Texas-bound Parker Livingstone, these pass-catcher rise above the rest in 2023 season

As the Texas high school football season roars on, SBLive continues its look at the top players across the state by position and region.

We identified the top 20 quarterbacks in each region, starting in North Texas, then Central Texas, South Texas, East Texas, Southeast Texas and West Texas.

>> Texas high school football scoreboard (9/15/2023)

Then we moved to running backs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and the rest of North Texas, then the top 20 in Central Texas, South Texas, East Texas and the Houston area/Southeast Texas.

Now onto wide receivers. We scoured North Texas for the best pass-catcher in one of the country's most densely competitive region for high school sports. 

Here are 20 receivers to consider, spanning schools of all sizes across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, all the way up north to Wichita Falls near the Oklahoma border and as far west as Abilene.

TOP 20 WIDE RECEIVERS IN NORTH TEXAS

Midlothian's Bryant Wesco (5-star Clemson commit) evades a tackler on the sideline.  / Photo by Brian McLean

Elijah Baesa, Mesquite, 5-11, sr.

Baesa is on track to have himself a breakout season. A 3-star recruit, according to 247 Sports, Baesa competes in track and field while also proving an elite talent on the football field. Baese had a shortened junior year at Mesquite that saw him only play seven games, but in that span the wideout posted 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. Set to graduate in 2024, Baesa has already committed to Arizona State University.

Carterrious Brown, Seguin, Jr., 6-2

A 3-star recruit, according to 247 Sports, Brown put up massive numbers as a sophomore. In 10 games, Brown reeled in 37 receptions for 977 yards and nine touchdowns. Averaging 26.4 yards per reception and 97.7 yards per game, Brown was a standout for Seguin and a critical part of the offense. As a young talent, the wide receiver has offers from programs around the country including UTSA, Texas, Baylor, and Arizona State.

Jamyri Cauley, South Oak Cliff, Sr., 6-2

The 4-star has had quite a high school career. In 2021, he won Texas District 6-5A-II Sophomore of the Year, helping South Oak Cliff to a 15-1 record and a state championship. After a tremendous sophomore campaign, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound wideout racked up 938 yards and 10 touchdowns in his junior year. Averaging 26.8 yards per catch, he was South Oak Cliff’s most efficient receiver, leading the team to back-to-back Texas 5A D-II state championships. Cauley will remain in Dallas when he pursues collegiate football as a Mustang at SMU.

Dozie Ezukanma, Timber Creek, Sr., 6-2

A native of Fort Worth, Ezukanma plays his high school football in Keller. Ezukanma is yet another individual that has shown his talent on the football field as well as the track and field stage as he competes in the long jump and triple long jump. In his junior season at Timber Creek, Ezukanma finished with 333 receiving yards and six touchdowns. While a receiver, Ezukanma is also a return specialist that posted 263 yards between kickoff and punt returns. Not to mention, he also returned a kick off for a touchdown. After receiving offers from University of Kansas, University of Houston, Arkansas, and the University of Arizona, Ezukanma will pursue college football in Norman as a member of the Oklahoma Sooners.

Tre Griffiths, Keller, Sr., 6-3

Griffiths is one of the most efficient wide receivers in North Texas. He had quite the junior season where he had 32 receptions for 865 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. He averaged 27 yards per catch and 66.5 receiving yards per game. Proving his worth with the Indians, Griffiths received offers from Kansas, Jackson State, Baylor and Boston College before accepting to play college football at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Jerbrandin Henderson, Lancaster, Sr., 5-9

Henderson impressed in his junior season, hauling in 42 receptions, he posted 985 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Tigers and averaged 123.1 yards per game. He has great potential and will look to build upon a strong 2022 season.

Keonde Henry, Lake Dallas, Sr., 6-2

The 6-2 wide receiver caught for 432 yards and 5 touchdowns as a sophomore. He saw an increase in workload the following season where he had 30 receptions and churned out 626 yards and 10 touchdowns. While the wideout didn’t have a breakout year, his role in the Falcons offense will only grow. After receiving offers from North Texas, Colorado State, Boise State and Boston College, Henry committed to play college football at Purdue.

Brady Janusek, Liberty Christian, Jr., 6-3

Janusek had a breakout 2022 season for Liberty Christian. Janusek had 77 receptions for 1,218 yards and 15 touchdowns. While proving an elite receiver, he also provided a crucial piece of the offense’s running game with 280 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Janusek earned himself the District MVP of the Year and a spot on the first all-district and all-state teams as both a wide receiver and defensive back.

Jacob Jordan, Southlake Carroll, Sr., 5-8

Jordan played a critical role in the Dragons’ offense in 2022. As a junior at Southlake Carroll, Jordan hauled in 67 receptions and posted 1,225 yards and 16 touchdowns. This was a massive increase compared to his sophomore year where he only caught for 470 yards. Jordan has caught the eye of numerous programs including North Texas and Texas Tech, but recently announced his commitment to Oklahoma. 

Parker Livingstone, Lovejoy, Sr., 6-3

The 6-3 prospect from Lucas, Texas has shined in his high school football career. While pursuing football, Livingstone also competes in baseball and track and field. Finishing his sophomore season with 966 yards and 16 touchdowns, Livingstone was named the Texas District 7-5A D-II Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2021. To build upon what was a tremendous sophomore season, Livingstone racked up 908 yards and 12 touchdowns, helping Lovejoy reach a Texas 5A-D-II second-round playoff appearance. The rising senior committed to the Texas Longhorns .

Kaliq Lockett, Sachse, Jr., 6-2

Lockett is one of North Texas’ premier athletes. With 15 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns in his freshman year, he improved and had himself a solid sophomore season. In 2022, he finished with 29 catches for 492 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 16.9 yards per reception. The 4-star recruit and rising junior has numerous offers on the table from North Texas, Nebraska, Michigan, Louisville and Arizona State. 

Josiah Martin, Guyer, Sr., 5-11

The 6-0, 165-pound 3-star receiver prospect (247 Sports) had a tremendous 2022-23 season where hauled in 61 receptions for 886 yards and eight touchdowns. Over 15 games, the senior averaged 59.1 yards per game and was critical to the success of the Wildcats offense. Despite receiving offers from Baylor, Arkansas, Arizona State, and Alabama, Martin committed to Boston College.

Dakorien Moore, Duncanville,Jr., 5-11

Moore has caught the eye of numerous scouts following his sophomore season. The receiver, who also runs track, uses his blistering speed on the field to carve through defenses. In 2022, Moore totaled 44 receptions for 764 yards and 6 touchdowns. The rising junior committed to LSU last month.

William Nettles, Dallas Christian, Sr., 6-0

Nettles expects to yield big numbers after an impressive junior season in 2022. In 13 games, the wide receiver caught 58 passes for 1455 yards. Averaging 25.1 yards per receptions and 111.9 yards per game, Nettles found the endzone 20 times last season. While a standout wide receiver at Dallas Christian, Nettles is being recruited as a cornerback. Last season, he racked up six interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The 3-star recruit earned offers from Boston College, Baylor, SMU and Nebraska before ultimately committing to Purdue.

Mitchell Nuziard, Ponder, Sr., 5-8

Nuziard pieced together a phenomenal 2022 campaign. In just eight games, he had 63 catches for 1185 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 18.8 yards per catch and 148.1 yards per game. He's had several strong showings in 2023, including a 127-receiving yard, three-touchdown night against Quinland Ford.

Case Peacock, Ponder, Sr., 6-1

Peacock is looking to finish off what has been a historic high school career. He hauled in 1136 yards and 11 touchdowns in his sophomore season before miraculously one-upping himself the next, reeling in 104 receptions for 1,559 yards and 17 touchdowns. The wideout averaged 15 yards per reception and 155.9 yards per game for the Ponder Lions. Keep your eyes on Peacock who is looking to have a tremendous senior season.

Carter Scott, Collinsville, Sr., 6-3

Scott and the Pirates were a match made in heaven in 2022. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver exploded for 1,178 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 17.3 yards per catch and 84.1 yards per game. Scott played an integral role in the team’s offensive arsenal. After a tantalizing junior year, Scott has one final season with the Pirates to round out his impressive high school career.

Joshua Smith, Crandall, Sr., 6-4

Smith is quite the star in the making. The wide receiver uses all of his 6-foot-4 frame to his advantage to haul in the football. In two seasons, Smith racked up 75 receptions for 1,157 yards. With four touchdowns in his sophomore year, Smith doubled that tally in the 2022-23 season with eight scores. Smith has received offers from numerous schools including Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech, University of Tulsa, and Texas Tech. The highly-touted recruit will be crucial to the Pirates’ offense and is expected to have a breakout year in 2023.

Taz Williams Jr., Red Oak, Jr., 5-11

Williams Jr. is one of the premier talents in North Texas. Attending Red Oak High School, Williams posted solid numbers for his sophomore season in 2022. In 11 games, Williams racked up 582 yards for 5 touchdowns. As a result of his talent on the field, he has received offers from Louisville, San Diego State, Stanford, Oregon State, Baylor, Auburn, Arizona State, the University of Arizona, and Alabama. He shined in a thrilling ESPN-televised win over Lake Belton on Sept. 14 as a scoring threat any time he touched the ball.

Bryant Wesco, Midlothian, Sr., 6-2

Wesco is one of the nations top talents at the wide receiver position, ranking ninth according to 247 Sports. The 5-star recruit from Midlothian, Texas saw a tremendous increase in workload in his junior year with the Panthers. In 12 games, Wesco had 56 receptions for 1,072 yards and 12 touchdowns. Averaging 19.1 yards per receptions and 89.3 yards per game, Wesco is projected to have a massive senior year at Midlothian. Not to mention, the class of 2024 recruit has already committed to play at Clemson University.

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Featured photo by Brian McLean