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Fort Worth-area high school football: 15 returning wide receivers to keep an eye on

The Texas high school football season starts on Aug. 29, and star receivers are striving to build on productive seasons.

Which wide receivers are the best in the greater Fort Worth-area? Here are 15 pass catchers to watch. Also, check out 15 quarterbacks to watch.

1. Dakorien Moore, Duncanville

Dakorien Moore isn’t just the top receiver to watch in Texas, but he’s arguably the top receiver to watch in the United States. Moore, an Oregon commit, is the No. 1 ranked receiver nationwide by 247Sports.

With the Class 6A D1 State Champions, Moore tallied 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns. He is expected to put on a show again this season with Duncanville, the title favorites.

2. Kaydon Finley, Aledo

Kaydon Finley had a standout sophomore season with Aledo, and major college programs took notice. He has offers from Texas A&M, Texas, TCU, SMU, Oklahoma, North Texas, Georgia, Baylor and many more.

Finley totaled 616 yards and six touchdowns, and he is 247Sports’ No. 14 junior in Texas. He has already accomplished more than most as an underclassman; the sky is the limit for Finley’s career, and he’ll be a key player for the defending Class 5A D1 champions.

Aledo wide receiver Kaydon Finley (18) runs the ball upfield for a touchdown in the second quarter of the 5A Division I Football State Championship game against the Comal Smithson Valley Rangers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
Aledo wide receiver Kaydon Finley (18) runs the ball upfield for a touchdown in the second quarter of the 5A Division I Football State Championship game against the Comal Smithson Valley Rangers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.

3. Daylon Singleton, DeSoto

Daylon Singleton was a enormous threat with DeSoto football, tallying 1,225 yards and 17 touchdowns. The SMU commit is poised for a strong year alongside some absurdly talented teammates.

The big question: Will he catch passes from All-Saints transfer Kelden Ryan or Bishop Lynch transfer Legend Howell?

DeSoto wide receiver Daylon Singleton even outruns the officials to the end zone during the first half of the UIL Conference 6A Division 2 state championship football game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
DeSoto wide receiver Daylon Singleton even outruns the officials to the end zone during the first half of the UIL Conference 6A Division 2 state championship football game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

4. Xavier Johnson, Richland

Xavier Johnson, a Memphis commit, caught seven touchdowns in 2023 and could build on a strong season. He is a well respected recruit as 247Sports’ No. 57 player in Texas.

Star power is one of Richland’s strengths, and Johnson will be featured in an offense with Michael Turner, who is arguably the best running back in Dallas-Fort Worth.

5. Braden Blueitt, Colleyville Heritage

Braden Blueitt’s junior season at Colleyville Heritage was certainly dramatic. He gained 1,146 yards and 20 touchdowns, one of which was a game winner in the playoffs against Argyle, a rival.

Blueitt, a Northwestern commit, will have to build chemistry with quarterback Bodey Weaver, but he is in a good spot to succeed with Heritage, a top team in District 3-5A D2.

Braden Blueitt secures the game winning touchdown for the Colleyville Heritage Panthers.
Braden Blueitt secures the game winning touchdown for the Colleyville Heritage Panthers.

6. Carterrious Brown, Arlington Seguin

It’s been an eventful week for Carterrious Brown, who recently commit to SMU. The Seguin receiver caught six touchdowns last season and is rated as 247Sports No. 67 recruit in Texas. The Cougars are in a tough district and need to build offensive chemistry, but look out for Brown to shine.

7. Isaiah Robertson, Arlington

Arlington’s offense is strong, and one of the focal points is Isaiah Roberton, who caught five touchdowns last season. Robertson, a three-star recruit, is committed to SMU and had offers from Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Kansas and more.

8. Lorenzo Hill, Denton Ryan

Lorenzo Hill, a UTEP commit, had offers from Baylor, Texas State, North Texas and more. He was solid for the Raiders last season with 753 yards and seven touchdowns.

Ryan is expected to be a title contender in Class 5A D1 and is in the same district as Aledo. Look out for Hill to showcase his talents under a bright spotlight.

9. Dilon Tallie, Arlington Bowie

Dilon Tallie, a Bowling Green commit, returns to Bowie following a 559, three touchdown junior season. The Volunteers are looking to build offensively with quarterback Larry Nichols also returning.

Tallie has a 6-foot-2, 225 pound frame and is rated as 247Sports’ No. 221 player in Texas.

10. Quinton Brown, Argyle Liberty Christian

Quinton Brown is one of the top receivers in the private schools ranks, and he’ll be alongside elite talent with head coach Jason Witten and Liberty Christian, a top ranked private school in Texas. Brown is a Boise State commit, and he finished the 2023 season with 745 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Liberty Christian wide receiver Quinton Brown (24) catches a pass during a scrimmage for football practice at Warrior Stadium at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.
Liberty Christian wide receiver Quinton Brown (24) catches a pass during a scrimmage for football practice at Warrior Stadium at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.

11. Tristan Gentry, Stephenville

Tristan Gentry, a four-star Texas Tech commit, is arguably the best receiver in Class 4A. He tallied 1,528 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Yellowjackets. Quarterback Ryan Gafford is returning, so the duo will start the season with elite chemistry and a proven track record.

12. Ayson Theus, Duncanville

Duncanville’s receiving room is so spectacular that Ayson Theus isn’t the undisputed top target. On almost any other team, he would be. The star junior receiver is uncommitted with offers from Baylor, Utah, Auburn and more.

He has elite speed, and was a member of Duncanville’s historic 4 x 100 meter relay team alongside current LSU running back Caden Durham.

13. Leo Almanza, Trophy Club Byron Nelson

Leo Almanza, a Baylor commit, is a two-way powerhouse for the Bobcats. He hauled in nine touchdowns last season with 504 yards. On defense, he posted 31 tackles and four interceptions.

Byron Nelson lost a fair amount of talent after the 2023 season, but Almanza will be a guiding force as one of Class 6A’s rare two-way superstars.

Wide receiver Leo Almanza makes an incredible leaping catch at Northwest ISD Stadium on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Leo Almanza makes an incredible leaping catch at Northwest ISD Stadium on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

14. Brock Boyd, Southlake Carroll

Brock Boyd is one of Southlake Carroll’s young stars. The Dragons have a young team, but look out for Boyd to grow as the offense reaches its potential. He posted 825 receiving yards, a significant sum for an underclassman on a stacked roster.

Brock Boyd’s brother is Brady Boyd, a Texas Tech wide receiver. The Big 12 connection in the family is strong, as Brock Boyd commit to TCU on July 29.

15. Derrick Tasby, Crowley

Derrick Tasby was an elite target in one of District 3-6A’s best offenses, recording 13 touchdowns. He was a scoring machine, and he is in a prime position to succeed once again alongside quarterback Caleb Williams; the experience and chemistry with Williams makes the connection even more promising.