Leading up to the 2025 season, AL.com is highlighting the top high school football players in Alabama.

Our first statewide list focused on the best running backs in 6A, and our second list focused on the best defensive linemen in 6A. Our third list focuses on the best wide receivers in 6A.

We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team. These lists were compiled primarily based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.

If you are an Alabama high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email [email protected] or [email protected]. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.

BEST WIDE RECEIVERS, ALABAMA 6A

Marcus Arnold, jr., Pelham

Arnold is a standout on the basketball court as a point guard and in the classroom with a 4.08 GPA. On the football field? “Marcus is a smooth receiver,” Panthers senior linebacker Joe Hampton said. “Great hands and speed. Really shifty and can take the top off your defense.” Pelham coach Ross Newton expects Arnold to have a true breakthrough season in 2025. “Marcus has the size and speed required to be a guy who cannot be single covered by a defense,” Newton said.

Corey Barber, sr., Clay-Chalkville

Barber was an Alabama Sports Writers Association first-team all-state selection as a junior, when he caught 74 passes for 1,429 yards and 17 touchdowns for Spain Park. He’s headed to Clay-Chalkville for his senior year and then to the University of Mississippi. The state’s No. 14 class of 2026 recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings chose the Rebels over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Oregon. “Corey is a playmaker, to say the least,” Cougars senior quarterback Aaron Frye said. “Really fast, twitchy route-runner, and he’s smart. He knows football. He’s good at identifying man/zone and finding the holes in defenses.” And about that Ole Miss commitment? “He never brags about it or puts anybody down,” Frye said. “He’s just a chill, funny person, and that helps the team chemistry a lot.”

BJ Bedgood, sr., Benjamin Russell

The Wildcats already had 5-star Alabama commit Cederian Morgan; Bedgood’s transfer from 5A Montgomery Catholic gives the team two superstar receivers. “BJ is as explosive as they come,” Benjamin Russell coach Kirk Johnson said. “He is a big play waiting to happen.” As a junior, Bedgood had 57 catches for 1,020 yards and 13 touchdowns (plus two special-teams scores) and received first-team all-state honors from the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He has more than 15 college offers, including from Auburn, Arkansas and Purdue. He’s coming off a state-title season with the Knights, and Wildcats quarterback Kingston Preyear is hoping that championship pedigree will rub off on his new teammates. “He knows what it takes to win,” Preyear said.

Jamari Burnett, sr., Russell County

Warriors coach Dillon Griggs said Burnett has been the team’s most consistent pass-catcher the past couple years. Burnett’s senior season likely will be his best. “He always finds a way to make clutch catches when our offense needs it,” Griggs said. “He has had a great offseason thus far and is ready to truly shine in his senior year.” Burnett has offers from Austin Peay and Kennesaw State, among others.

Keyshawn Curry, sr., Gadsden City

Entering his third season as a starter, Curry is likely to be the No. 1 option in the Titans’ passing attack. “Keyshawn is going to be the top target this year,” Gadsden City senior quarterback Kai Franklin said. “He’s very quick, shifty; he can make something out of nothing.”

Lejames Daniels, sr., Baldwin County

Daniels entered the starting lineup as a sophomore and has steadily improved. “Lejames is the most explosive player on our team,” Tigers coach Andrew Davis said. “He will be our go-to receiver this year.” Daniels had 750 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns last season. “One of Lejames’ greatest skills is his contested catch ability,” Baldwin County senior quarterback Hayden Coley said. “If I see him 1-on-1, I don’t second guess where the ball is going.”

Tristan Darden, jr., Pelham

Darden earned plenty of playing time as a sophomore, and Panthers coach Ross Newton expects him to take a step forward this year. “He has a big frame and has speed to separate from defenses,” Newton said. Darden also earned the respect of his older teammates. “I love Tristen’s toughness,” Pelham senior linebacker Joe Hampton said. “Great hands and will go across the middle to make the catch. He brings a lot of passion and energy to the wide receiver room.”

Mayson Dates, sr., Pell City

Panthers junior quarterback Brody Gossett predicts a big season for Dates — and for some college offers to come his way. “Mayson is a pure athletic kid that runs very smooth routes, has very sticky hands and leads his wide receivers,” Gossett said. “He is a big factor in our offense.” He’s also a 4.0 student.

Carter Davis, jr., Gulf Shores

Davis is a versatile and fast-rising prospect in the state’s class of 2027. He plays offense and defense and in the past two weeks has received offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU and West Virginia. As a sophomore, he caught 10 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 108 yards. “He made a lot of big plays for us last year,” Dolphins coach Mark Hudspeth said. “We need to get him the ball more this year. He’s a big-play guy.” Davis received honorable mention on the Press-Register’s all-Coastal team.

Kentrell Davis, sr., Parker

Davis finished his junior season with 39 catches for 536 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Thundering Herd win their first state championship. He committed to Georgia Tech last month. “Kentrell is a gym rat who has been my teammate since we were 5,” Parker senior running back Chancellor Sparks said. “In addition to having great ball skills, he is and always has been a great blocker.” Sparks pointed out that the team has several other strong receivers besides Davis, including seniors Kejuan Gregg, Nickolas Johnson, Lazayveon Lowe, Charles McCloud and Jacoby Quates Jr. “We have a loaded receiver room that we like to call 7-Eleven because we feel like they’re always open,” Sparks said.

Dontae Deas, so., Russell County

The Warriors are deep and experienced at receiver, but Deas still is managing to make his mark. “Dontae constantly finds a way to stand out in the group,” Russell County coach Dillon Griggs said. “He has had a great offseason.” Deas received an offer from Jacksonville State last month.

Hakim Dunnigan, sr., Columbia

Dunnigan is a two-way star who received honorable mention all-region from the Huntsville Times after his junior season. “On offense, I like touching the ball to make something happen then and there,” he said. The Eagles give him plenty of opportunities in the running game and the passing game. Dunnigan said he’s put on some bulk and has been working to improve his speed, flexibility, footwork and stretch during the offseason. That should help him in all his sports — he also plays basketball and competes in track and field. “I like football the best, though,” he said.

Carter Feagin, jr., McAdory

Feagin, an honorable mention all-state pick by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after his sophomore season, is one of the best class of 2027 receivers in the state — and likely one of the smartest. “I would say one of my biggest strengths is my mind,” he said. “I always feel like I’m the smartest player on the field at all times because I understand coverages and everything that’s going on around me.” He takes pride in catching every 50-50 ball that’s in the air — making them more like 100-0 balls if they’re anywhere close to his hands. He’s spent the offseason working on improving his routes. “Just wanting to perfect the route tree and not be a one-trick pony,” he said. “I want to be at the point where no matter the route or how close the DB is playing me, I’ll get open regardless.” He topped 1,000 yards receiving for the Yellowjackets last year and holds several offers, including from Maryland, Memphis, Mississippi State, Southern Mississippi, Troy and UAB.

Tomon Felton, sr., Homewood

The Patriots need to replace the production of the graduated Kylen Newell, a second-team all-state pick by the Alabama Sports Writers Association who racked up 1,352 all-purpose yards in 2024. That means more opportunities for Felton, a 6-foot-2 track and field star who “can stretch the field vertically,” Homewood coach Ben Berguson said. Felton finished his junior season with 18 catches for 354 yards and five touchdowns. He won a long jump state title in February.

Ezra Fowler, sr., Muscle Shoals

Fowler’s play often leaves his quarterback speechless. “I don’t even have the words,” Trojans senior quarterback Kade Clemmons said. “He can do it all.” Fowler made 30 catches for 442 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. “Whether it’s running deep routes, blocking players twice his size or giving 100 percent effort on every snap, he shows no hesitation,” Clemmons said. “He’s one of the hardest hitters on the team, no question. And his hands are outstanding — he can catch anything thrown his way.”

Jacob Gibbs, jr., Pelham

A third Panther on the list? “You have to pick your poison with our receiving corps,” said Pelham senior linebacker Joe Hampton, who describes Gibbs as one of the most “shifty” and “elusive” players in the state. “He can turn a 5-yard catch into an 80-yard TD,” Hampton said.

Quaylen Hampton, jr., Decatur

The Red Raiders could be a much-improved team the next two seasons with two standout junior running backs in Isaiah Allen and Devin Haley and another junior at wideout in Hampton. “He adds a deep threat to our offense on the edge,” Decatur coach John Ritter said. Hampton also plays defensive back, where as a sophomore he earned honorable mention all-region from the Huntsville Times.

Anthony Howard, jr., Theodore

Bobcats junior running back Kendrick Able Jr. calls “Antman” a “one-of-a-kind” receiver. “Has excellent speed — will fly past any DB. Has a focused mind — even when fatigued,” Able said. “He has great ball skills. Has a lot of moves in his arsenal. A weapon.” Able said the team is incredibly deep at the position. Sophomore Christopher Cunningham? “He’s about to have a breakout year,” Able said. “His routes are so smooth. He does well even in big moments and under pressure.” Senior Crishawn Sharp? “Shifty receiver with great ball skills. He is truly the captain of the receiver room, making sure everything is perfect in practice so that we have no issues in games.” Senior Raheem Vasser? “He runs his routes and will make you miss and look at the back of his jersey.”

Aidan Lovell, jr., Athens

Lovell is a college prospect on the basketball court. On the football field, he’s an intelligent player and a versatile weapon who gives Golden Eagles coach Cody Gross numerous options. “He understands the game and our offense,” Gross said. “Can play inside or outside as well as H-back. Physical blocker in the box and has great ball skills. Competes at a high level.”

Mason McClure, jr., Spain Park

Alabama Sports Writers Association first-team all-state honoree and Mississippi commit Corey Barber transferred to Clay-Chalkville, creating a major opportunity for McClure in the Jaguars offense. He played a good bit as a sophomore but will take on a much larger role as a junior — and he’ll do a variety of things. “He will touch the ball in different ways,” Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes said. The coach also mentioned sophomore Barrett Price as an up-and-comer in the receivers group. “Barrett has a chance to be very productive as a young guy,” Vakakes said.

Cederian Morgan, sr., Benjamin Russell

“Generational type player,” Wildcats coach Kirk Johnson summarized. What more needs to be said? Morgan is the consensus top-ranked player in the state’s class of 2026 and the No. 2 wide receiver in the country according to 247Sports. He had his pick of big-time college football programs and settled on Alabama last week. “His 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame makes him almost unstoppable for defenders,” Johnson said. Morgan finished his junior season with 70 catches for 1,162 yards and 14 touchdowns. Benjamin Russell quarterback Kingston Preyear loves how Morgan “catches everything that comes his way.” What does Preyear appreciate even more about Morgan? “He’s a great teammate and an even better person off the field,” Preyear said.

Christian Pritchard, jr., Muscle Shoals

Pritchard does a little of everything for the Trojans. “Most versatile player I have ever coached,” said Muscle Shoals coach Scott Basden, who has been at the helm for 18 years. On offense, Pritchard teams with Ezra Fowler to provide another standout receiver for senior quarterback Kade Clemmons. “He runs smooth routes and knows how to find open space to make himself an easy target,” Clemmons said. “His football IQ and athleticism make him a critical part of our team.”

Kena Rego, sr., Spain Park

The Jaguars lost Alabama Sports Writers Association first-team all-state pick and Mississippi commit Corey Barber to Clay-Chalkville, but it’s nearly a wash as they added another all-state receiver in Rego, a first-team honoree for 2A Tuscaloosa Academy. “He has a chance to be very productive with (quarterback) Brock (Bradley, a Clemson commit),” Spain Park coach Tim Vakakes said. Rego is committed to Arkansas State.

Keilan Smith, sr., Gadsden City

Keyshawn Curry and Smith are 1A and 1B in the Titans’ dynamic aerial attack. Senior quarterback Kai Franklin expects plenty of his touchdown passes to be caught by Smith. “He’s a big, physical receiver,” Franklin said. “Goal line, once we get down there, going to him will be very key for us. He’s a big target; wide catch radius. He’s going to be very good for us.”

DeShawn Spencer, sr., Saraland

Spencer celebrated Independence Day by committing to play for Duke. He’s a former running back who moved to receiver and helped the Spartans reach the 6A state championship game in 2024. “DeShawn is tough, explosive and extremely competitive,” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said. “He has the ability to take over a game in a dominant fashion. He can beat you catching and running it.” The coach added that Spencer also is a great teammate and leader.

Jaylin Taylor, sr., Oxford

Taylor was named a first-team all-state receiver by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after a junior season in which he caught 81 passes for 1,441 yards and 14 touchdowns and helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the 6A semifinals. “A real playmaker,” Oxford coach Sam Adams said. “We feel like he is one of the best wide receivers in the state.” Taylor is committed to Marshall.

Caaleb Thomas, fr., Chelsea

Remember this name. “Might be the fastest player on the team,” Hornets coach Todd Cassity said. “He has a chance to be very special.” He’ll get his opportunity immediately as Chelsea looks to replace CJ Durbin, who received honorable mention all-region by the Birmingham News.

Christian Thomas, sr., Pinson Valley

What they say about Thomas at Pinson Valley: “If the ball is in his area code, he’s coming down with it.” Thomas received honorable mention all-region from the Birmingham News in 2024. He said he’s been working on increasing his strength and explosiveness this offseason and has set some lofty goals for his final high school campaign: 1,000 yards, 15 touchdowns, multiple Power Four offers. “I would say my biggest strengths are my releases, ball skills and route-running,” Thomas said. “I would say I’m a deep threat as well as a red-zone threat.”

Endymion Tyus, sr., Athens

The Golden Eagles have several versatile players, and Tyus is one of them. He started at wide receiver and safety last season. He’ll play receiver and cornerback this year. “Fierce competitor that has a high football IQ,” Athens coach Cody Gross said. Tyus also stars for the school’s boys basketball team.

Jaxon Unger, sr., Athens

As a junior, Unger was a state champion in wrestling and helped lead the Golden Eagles to the team title. He’ll do a little of everything on the football field this season, including start at safety and play some quarterback as well as return kicks and punts. “As versatile as they come,” Athens coach Cody Gross said. “Dynamic player that is a fierce competitor.”

Dj Wade, fr., Pell City

Here’s another name to file for the future. Wade is expected to make an immediate impact in the Panthers’ receiving corps and defensive backfield. “He is smooth, has very good hands and is hungry for the ball,” Pell City junior quarterback Brody Gossett said.

Dominic White, sr., Minor

White is ranked by 247Sports as a top 50 recruit in a loaded Alabama class of 2026. He had offers from more than 10 colleges before settling on South Alabama in April.

Chenyis Wilson-Fuller, so., Bessemer City

Wilson-Fuller started for the Tigers as a freshman and gained some attention from college scouts. “He’s a young kid, but he plays older and bigger than what he is,” Bessemer City coach Antonio Nelson said. Nelson used Wilson-Fuller at different positions last season, including running back. Asked to describe Wilson-Fuller’s strengths, the coach kept it simple: “His biggest strength is he’s a playmaker. He’s a true playmaker.”

Dejay Jackson, so., and Eric Young, jr., Benjamin Russell

Here are two more talented receivers in the Wildcats’ explosive offense — they’re the team’s future at the position after senior superstars BJ Bedgood and Cederian Morgan graduate. Benjamin Russell quarterback Kingston Preyear on Jackson: “He’s a small guy with the best feet on the field. Despite his size, he plays with grit and toughness. His route-running and ability to get open is off the charts.” Preyear on Young: “He’s an explosive wide receiver with great speed and even better route-running. Eric will surprise a lot of people this year.”

Revelation Clark, so., and Aiden McGee, jr., Brookwood

Panthers coach Chris Foster expects both receivers to break through in 2025. Clark earned some varsity snaps as a freshman and will be an every-down player this season. McGee also will be “a big part of the offense,” Foster said.

Elijah Bates, sr., and Jaylon Moore, jr., Calera

The Eagles boast two dynamic receivers in Bates and Moore. The former is a track star who is “quick with a great overall skill set,” Calera coach Scott Rials said. The latter is “fast with great hands” and is a weapon as a punt returner.

Kaleb Amerson, so., and Jacari “Red” Johnson, sr., Clay-Chalkville

Corey Barber is the headliner, but the Mississippi commit is far from the only explosive player in the Cougars’ passing attack. Amerson will be the team’s starting X receiver. “Lengthy guy with really strong hands,” Clay-Chalkville senior quarterback Aaron Frye said. The quarterback has been playing with Johnson since they were 6 years old. “Red is a route-runner who also knows how to find the hole in defenses,” Frye said.

Jayden Jackson and Ryker Shankles, srs., Fort Payne

Here are two players who will help replace the production of the graduated Brannon Oliver, who received honorable mention all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after helping the Wildcats reach the 6A quarterfinals last season. Shankles (40 catches in 2024) is moving from the slot to the outside. Jackson is making a much more unusual move … from left tackle to slot receiver! There’s no doubt he can run — he’s a star outfielder for the Fort Payne baseball team.

Elias Holtzclaw, jr.; Gavin Rivers, sr.; Omari Smith, sr., Pike Road

The Patriots reached the 6A semifinals last season and return a deep and versatile receiving corps in 2025. Smith has multiple college offers; Holtzclaw recently picked up an offer from Georgia State. Pike Road coach Granger Shook mentioned Rivers as one of the team’s best leaders.

Mason Edwards, jr., and Damien Tate, sr., Spanish Fort

Edwards and Tate are returning starters, and Toros coach Chase Smith said they both have “great potential” for the 2025 season. Justin Bonner, who played receiver as a junior but is moving to running back this year, is expecting big things from both players. “Mason is an athlete; one of the best route-runners I know,” Bonner said. As for Tate? “He knows what is expected of him, and he will do exactly what Coach asks him to do,” Bonner said, and he would know — Bonner and Tate are cousins.

For complete coverage of Alabama high school football, including schedules, scores, recruiting news and additional player spotlights, visit AL.com’s high school sports section throughout the season.