Arizona’s top high school football players: Meet the state’s best receivers
We’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Arizona high school football. This list focuses on the receivers.
There are hundreds of standout football players in Arizona and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Let us know about any other receivers you think should be added.
Note: All statistics and information through Oct. 4
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Mason Arhin, sr., Basha
Arhin is one of many dangerous receiving threats for Basha, which captured the Class 6A state title a season ago. Arhin is a three-star prospect with offers from Arizona and Arizona State, among others.
Khalil Bender, so., McClintock
A rising sophomore, Bender has proven to be a big-play threat for Class 5A McClintock. He torched Maricopa for 256 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the season opener and has 763 yards and eight TDs this season.
Legend Bernard, sr., Hamilton
Bernard is averaging nearly 100 yards receiving per game this season with six touchdown catches. The three-star prospect also competes in basketball and track for Hamilton.
Jaxon Branch, sr., Chandler
At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Branch has an impressive catch radius. The three-star prospect’s offers include Arizona, Arizona State and Washington State.
Bryson Dedmon, sr., Saguaro
The 5-foot-9, 155-pound Dedmon is an undersized playmaker who sat out the first five games after transferring to Saguaro from Basha. Dedmon is a three-star prospect who holds offers from Arizona and Kansas, among others.
Kezion Dia-Johnson, sr., Desert Edge
Dia-Johnson is an electric athlete who excels as a receiver, defensive back and kick returner. The three-star Massachusetts commit has six receiving touchdowns this season.
James Diaz, sr., Cienega
A career .372 hitter in baseball for Cienega, Diaz is also a weapon on the football field at wide receiver. Diaz is rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and has 423 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a senior.
Jack Freeburg, sr., Desert Mountain
Freeburg, a Fordham commit, has 188 career catches, the most in Class 5A history. He was among the best receivers in the state as a junior, recording 87 receptions for 1,278 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Plas Johnson, sr., Chaparral
Johnson, a three-star recruit, committed to his hometown Arizona State Sun Devils over the summer. The speedster also runs track for Chaparral. He has 14 career receiving touchdowns.
Cassidee Miles, jr., Central
A transfer from Poston Butte, Miles is a red zone threat at 6-foot-5 and 187 pounds. The three-star recruit is also a standout basketball player as a combo guard.
Jermaine Patterson, sr., Canyon View
Patterson has burst onto the scene as a senior, catching 35 passes for 680 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He has also been a factor as a runner, carrying it 11 times for 84 yards and another score.
Gunnar Penzkover, sr., Northwest Christian
A Grand Canyon baseball commit, Penzkover is also a home run threat on the football field. The speed demon is averaging nearly 30 yards per reception this season, catching 24 passes for 702 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Cooper Perry, jr., Notre Dame Prep
A four-star junior, Perry has ideal size as an outside receiver at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds. He had 1,100 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore and has already caught seven TDs this season.
Brandon Phelps, sr., American Leadership Academy Gilbert North
Phelps is a big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. The three-star Arizona commit caught 28 touchdowns during his junior season and has seven more as a senior.
Mac Richards, sr., Pinnacle
Richards is the No. 1 target for star quarterback Wyatt Horton. The senior is averaging nearly 75 yards receiving this season.
David Simmons, sr., Blue Ridge
Simmons, who is also a standout baseball player for Blue Ridge, is averaging more than 100 yards receiving per game this season. The senior has 36 catches for 614 yards and nine touchdowns.
Justice Spann, sr., Chandler
Chandler has one of the state’s best offenses, and Spann’s presence alongside Jaxon Branch, Carter Ochoa, Kaden Anderson and others is a big reason. The three-star prospect has nine career receiving touchdowns for the Wolves.
Isaiah Thomas, sr., Paradise Honors
Thomas is an offensive weapon for Paradise Honors who has done most of his damage this season as a receiver. The senior has 46 catches for 891 yards and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 127 yards and a score.
Raiden Vines-Bright, jr., Corona del Sol
One of the most productive receivers in Class 6A, Vines-Bright has 31 catches for 679 yards and five touchdowns through six games this season. He is a three-star prospect with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan and Washington, among others.
Jayden Williams, sr., American Leadership Academy Queen Creek
Williams has blossomed into one of the state’s best receivers under the tutelage of head coach Ty Detmer, a former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner at BYU. Williams has 34 catches for 710 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.
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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports
