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

From McAllen's Max Albarez to Texas A&M commit Ernest Campbell, South Texas is loaded wit pass-catchers

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.

>> Top 25 Texas high school football rankings (9/18/2023)

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. After scouring North Texas for the 20 best pass-catchers, we're moving to South Texas. 

Here are 20 receivers to consider, spanning schools of all sizes across the entire region of South Texas — from Laredo, Brownsville, to Corpus Christi and everything in between.

TOP 20 WIDE RECEIVERS IN SOUTH TEXAS

Max Alvarez, McAllen, sr.

Measurables: 6-foot-2, 192 pounds

The dual-threat playmaker is back to help lead the Bulldogs back to the playoffs after McAllen’s third round playoff appearance. Either lining up in the backfield or out wide, Alvarez is a top playmaker to watch in the Rio Grande Valley. He totaled 900 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, and his versatility will provide a spark as the Bulldogs aim to claim the District-15, 5A championship. 

Ernest Campbell, Refugio, jr.

Measurables: 5-foot-8, 150 pounds

The speedy slot receiver and future Texas A&M Aggie is looking for another strong final campaign as a Bobcat. Last year,Campbell posted 700 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns while helping Refugio make it to the state final. Now, with one of the top ranked wideouts returning in Campbell, quarterback Kelan Brown and a strong offensive line, Campbell and the Bobcats will be looking to cap off 2023 with a state championship ring. 

Cameran Dickson, Flour Bluff, jr.

Measurables: 6-foot-2, 175 pounds

The junior Hornet wide receiver burst onto the scene as a sophomore and became one of quarterback Jayden Paluseo’s favorite targets. He hauled in 48 catches for nearly 900 yards and nine touchdowns, and should continue to produce numbers for Flour Bluff over the next two years as the Hornets aim to defend their district title and have another deep playoff run in TX-5A, Division II. 

Leo Espinoza, Mission-Pioneer, sr.

Measurables: 6-foot-0, 175 pounds

The senior wide out for Pioneer has had a productive two seasons for the Diamondbacks and is looking for a standout final year for Pioneer. Last year, Espinoza nearly doubled his receiving yards from his sophomore year, and boosted his yards per catch as well. He finished with 38 receptions, 738 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. The established connection between Espinoza and senior quarterback Julian Valdez will be the catalysts of the Pioneer offense as they hope to improve upon last year’s 7-3 squad.

Jaden Faz, Somerset, jr.

Measurables: 5-foot-10, 155 pounds

The junior speedster had his breakout moment in 2022 as a sophomore as he showed off his versatility in the run game and the ability to be a deep-threat for Bulldog head coach Koy Detmer. Faz was named to the 1st Team All-District-14 offense as a sophomore and will look to build upon his stellar sophomore year this year with the Bulldogs competing for the District-14, 4A title.

Jose Hernandez, Eagle Pass, jr.

Measurables: 5-foot-11, 165 pounds

The wide receiver position for Eagle Pass is well balanced as they are returning three of their leading pass catchers from 2022, led by the junior Eagle Hernandez, who hauled in 28 receptions for 595 yards, and four touchdowns. The reigning District-30, 6A champions will look to use their passing game to win their fourth district title since 2017, and to make a deep run in Region IV of the TX-6A playoffs.

Jacoby James, Sinton, jr.

 Measurables: 6-foot-3, 180 pounds

One of the top wide receivers in South Texas had a breakout sophomore season. James became a legitimate deep threat for the Pirate offense, and James’ numbers should boost this year with quarterback Triston Handson along and other offensive weapons for the Pirates. As a sophomore, he hauled in 45 catches for 701 yards, and six touchdowns. 

Derek Lancaster, Three Rivers, sr.

Measurables: 6-foot, 165 pounds

In two years, Lancaster has solidified himself as one of the best wideouts in South Texas as he has hauled in 87 catches for 1,787 yards receiving and 30 touchdowns. The senior wide receiver has racked in three 1st Team All-District honors, and was 1st Team All-State last year as a junior. With Lancaster returning, along with senior quarterback Caden Soliz the Bulldogs have one of the most prolific offenses in South Texas this season. 

Miguel Ortiz, Los Fresnos, sr.

Measurables: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds

The Falcon senior captain is back for his final year in Los Fresnos as Ortiz, the dual-athlete will look to help lead the offense, along with sophomore quarterback Robert Pineda and Gael Palestina, the Falcons will focus on a ton of experience they gained from last season. In only four games, Ortiz had 12 catches, 101 yards while averaging 25 yards per catch.

Ivan Pina, Laredo-Alexander, jr.

Measurables: 5-foot-11, 165 pounds 

The wide receiver had a breakout sophomore season, 35 for 491-yards, and five touchdowns and will use that experience from 2022 to help provide a spark and offensive weapon for the Alexander offense. Pina was named second team, All-District 30 last year, and the Bulldogs were bi-district playoff finalists.

Enrique Rodriguez, Taft, sr.

Measurables: 6-foot-1, 175 pounds

Rodriguez returns for his final year in a Greyhound uniform and is a two-way offensive and defensive star for Taft. The two-time unanimous all-district wide receiver is back with fellow all-state quarterback J.J. Acosta as the two Greyhounds are looking to continue to light up the box score and scoreboards in TX-3A, Division II this year as they will continue to receive Division 1 offers to play at the next level. 

Christian Sabsook, Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, sr.

Measurables: 6-foot, 170 pounds

The Eagles leading returning receiver is back for another year and will help lead Veterans Memorial back to their third straight state semifinal appearance. With the return of Sabsook and multiple two-way athletes, head coach Ben Bitner is hoping to use that experience to win another district title and a state championship. Sabsook had 49-catches, 776 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. Rather it be as an offensive playmaker for new Eagle QB Noah Endres or as a stout cornerback on the defensive end, Sabsoook demands attention and respect on both sides of the ball.

Caleb Salas, Pharr San Juan-Alamo, jr.

Measurables: 6-foot, 175 pounds

Salas is looking to have another strong season after a breakout sophomore season totaling 47 receptions for 913 yards, and 11 touchdowns. The junior wideout and senior quarterback Jaime Lopez were able to build chemistry last year for PSJA and will look to build upon what they started last year as they look to battle for one of the top 4 playoff spots in District-31, 6A. 

Christian Saldana, Laredo-United, sr.

Measurables: 6-foot-1, 176 pounds

In eight games last year, Saldana showed out as one of the best wide receivers in District 30, 6A as he averaged nearly 120 receiving yards a game for the Longhorns. Overall, the senior offensive playmaker had nearly 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns and will certainly look to boost those numbers as the Longhorns will battle for a top 4 playoff spot and a deep postseason run. 

Colten Schmid, La Vernia, sr.

Measurables: 5-foot-8, 150 pounds

The 2022 District 15-4A Offensive MVP is returning for his senior season for the Bears and posted 1,500 all-purpose yards and will be the leading offensive playmaker for La Vernia. Schmid had 1,033 yards receiving plus 200 yards rushing with 11 total touchdowns. After helping the Bears to a district title, Schmid will be an offensive weapon to watch in TX-4A this season. 

Rustin Schuchart, Jourdanton, jr.

Measurables: 6-foot-2, 173 pounds

The Indian junior wide receiver is set for a breakout 2023 season for Jourdanton as they look to repeat as District 14-3A champions. Schuchart is set to be senior quarterback Matthew Hicks main target as he totaled 678 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. The junior athlete, and two-way star is primed to shine in 2023 to help Jourdanton head coach Darrell Andrus win another district title and a playoff run.

Carlos Segovia, Laredo United South, sr.

Measurables: 5-foot-9, 180 pounds

Segovia had a stellar junior season for the Panthers hauling in 37 passes for 429 yards, and eight touchdowns. The leading returning receiver on United is looking for an even bigger senior season helping the Panthers get back into the playoffs in District 30-6A. 

Jaydon Smith, Ingleside, sr.

Measurables: 6-foot, 155 pounds

The two-way player, and North Texas commit will be looking to build upon his incredible junior season for the Mustangs. Smith captured 50 receptions, 1,056 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns. He averaged 122 yards per game, and 20 yards per reception, and is an all-around threat for Ingleside. The explosive senior playmaker is set to have a stout final campaign as a Mustang with quarterback Aidan Jakobsohn.

Eathan Vela, Corpus Christi Miller, jr.

Measurables: 5-foot-6, 150 pounds

After a breakout sophomore season, Vela is back for his second varsity season and ready to help lead the Buccaneers strong passing game. The speedy slot receiver had 44 catches, 520 yards in the aerial attack with four scores. It was a stout sophomore season for the Buccaneers for 2022, and with Vela returning with a lot of offensive weapons, that district title that eluded them a year ago will certainly be within reach this season. 

Ryan Wilson, Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, sr.

Measurables: 6-foot-1, 170 pounds

Wilson is one of many two-way playmakers for the Eagles, and Wilson is ready to take the next step as a breakout star on offense for CCVM. The senior Eagle receiver had 39 catches, 550 yards, and four touchdowns and will certainly look to boost those numbers this year with junior quarterback Noah Endres taking snaps under center for the reigning District-14 champions.

Next 5 up:

Rudy Cepeda, Lytle, 5’7, 175

Sebastian Diaz, Eagle Pass, 6’1, 160

Wilfredo Frausto, Eagle Pass, 6’0, 170 

Dmare Lister, Corpus Christi Miller, 6’2, 170, sr.

Ryan Vallejo, Pharr San Juan-Alamo, 5’10, 165, jr.

Lead photo by Blake Purcell