The further you get away from the ball, the easier it gets to understand the game. When that ball is in the air did you catch it or not, and after you get caught it, what you do with it? Just like every position, there's a bunch of details in how you play the spot, but what everyone cares about it is did you get it done?
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| https://youtu.be/x7oJxfTNAVg |
Tahj Washington's speed made him an incredible target for the Mavericks during his tenure. Due to the talent of his QBs, his numbers don't seem like much, but Washington was a player. As a sophomore, playing with Cam Haller as the QB, Washington caught 24 passes for 275 yards and 4 touchdowns. As a junior, Washington saw modest production again with 31 catches for 478 yards and 6 touchdowns. His biggest year came as a senior with the talented QB JJ Green. That year Washington had 45 catches for 868 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also toting for 9 touchdowns during his career as well.
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If you played for Whitehouse from 07-13 you wanted to play wide receiver. The Wildcats were the Texas Tech Red Raiders of East Texas, slinging the ball all over the place and one of the biggest beneficiaries was Jonathan Aldridge. As a junior he had 81 catches for 1,416 yards (both 3rd all time for a total season) for 17 touchdowns (4th all time for a season). His Senior year he split time with Dylan Cantrell; his catches went down to 70 (8th all time for a season) for 1,256 yards (6th all time for a season) for 18 touchdowns (3rd all time for a season.) For a career Aldridge caught 151 passes (3rd all time) for 2,672 yards (3rd all time) for 35 touchdowns (3rd All-Time).
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Octavius Evans was a 4 year varsity player for the Center Roughriders who amassed over 3,200 yards and 26 touchdowns during that time period. Evans' best years were his latter, going for over a rack in back to back years. As a junior he had 76 grabs for 1,016 yards and 9 touchdowns. As a senior, he caught 78 passes for 1,046 yards and 7 touchdowns. At 6'1 195, Evans played big and was a great target down the field. He went on to Boise State, where he played 5 years there.
The numbers aren't there, but the plays and memories reign supreme when thinking of Juice. As a junior, Carey had 28 catches for 628 yards and 9 touchdowns, averaging 22.6 yards per catch. As a senior, Fortson saw that production grow to 43 catches for 801 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 18.6 yards per catch. Fortson was a deep threat, but also get loose on short screens. His numbers suffer because of the system, but Fortson is one of the best.
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This Canadian League receiver would be way higher on the list with another year of production. With his one season, Collins caught 44 passes for 1,053 yards and 13 touchdowns. With as many transfers and bumps in the road Collins has endured, his tenure in the Canadian League should show you his true talent.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiYk24-J4rU |
Fluellen was a standout for 3 years for Gilmer during his tenure. AHe had 33 tackles, 9 pass break ups and 6 interceptions. On offense he had 67 catches, 965 yards and 7 touchdowns. As a junior, Fluellen maxed out his production at receiver. Fluellen was 5th in 4a in catches with 88 for 1,420 yards and 11 touchdowns. While not a burner, his route running and glue-like hands made him an incredible target for Brandon Tennison. As a senior, the Gilmer offense took steps backwards with a Sophomore Quarterback. Fluellen only caught 32 passes for 471 yards and 5 touchdowns, finishing the year out at Quarterback. For a career, Rohan caught 186 passes for 2,856 yards and 23 touchdowns.
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At 6'7 TJ Tiller was an absolute mismatch in the redzone. As a junior he caught 32 passes for 690 yards and 7 touchdowns. As a senior, those numbers multiplied. Tiller finished 2003 with 58 catches 1,307 yards and 21 touchdowns. For a career he finished with 90 catches for 1,997 yards and 28 touchdowns, a ridiculous amount of production during a time period where the ball was thrown as frequently as it is now.
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A 3 year career producer, Montrel Hatten's legacy places him amongst the top 5 players at Carthage at receiver. As a sophomore, HAtten helped lead Carthage to a state title after going for 702 yards on 35 catches and 8 touchdowns. As a junior, Hatten doubled back with a 61 catch 1,054 yard and 14 touchdowns in 12 games. For a grand finale Hatten caught 56 passes for 960 yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 of Carthage's 16 games. For a career, Hatten caught 152 passes for 2,716 yards and 36 touchdowns.
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Quan Hampton is one of the most electric players from Texas High. At 5'8 160 pounds he was a human joystick with the ball in his hands. He had a huge senior season, racking up 71 catches (1st all-time for a season) for 1,224 yards (1st all-time for a season) and 10 touchdowns in 11 games, all while sharing with Tevailance Hunt.
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Cellars spent time at quarterback, receiver and punter during his time at T-High, but it was his huge senior year that plants him on this 5 spot ahead of players like Cobi Hamilton and Kobi Webster. Cellars had 1,113 receiving yards for 15 touchdowns in 2020. Cellars is as explosive as they come and is a monster after the catch and he's one of the more exciting players to come from Texas High since Hampton.
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One of the more unlikely names to be known on the list, this Willdcat was very productive with Tyrik Rollison at Sulphur Springs. Jackson caught 105 passes for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns his senior year as Sulphur Springs won state. Throughout his high school career, Jackson totaled 150 receptions for 2,270 yards and 25 TDs.
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Luca Kozev had one huge senior season with Jackson Rainey for Van in 2021. That year Kozev caught 64 passes for 1,087 yards and 21 touchdowns for the 13-1 Van Vandals. Luca had a knack for the spectacular catch bringing impressive one handers throughout the season. At 6'5 he was a rezone mismatch, noting his 21 touchdowns throughout the year.
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For the first two years of Keyarris Garrett's career his numbers were pretty pedestrian. Garrett only produced 10 touchdowns on 2 state championship teams. He was the second receiver to Chris Jones who went to Texas in 09. As a senior though, Keyarris was the main target. Garrett's senior year he caught 68 passes for 1,380 yards and 25 touchdowns, and owns Daingerfield's career touchdown receptions with 35, including the game winning State Championship touchdown on a deep post and run with seconds remaining.
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Carthage has had tons of players leave marks on their program, but Tee Goree left there statistically the best. As a sophomore he caught 5 passes for 23 yards, but his junior year was remarkable, catching 66 passes for 1,261 yards and 16 touchdowns. Goree's senior year he stepped his game up another notch, catching 89 passes for 1,744 yards and 28 touchdowns, all records when he left Carthage. For a career, Goree caught 160 passess for 3,078 yards and 44 touchdowns.
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As a sophomore Brown burst onto the scene as a starting corner on the 2004 state championship team, but too contributed on offense having 16 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown and 15 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown. His offensive involvement grew as a junior bringing in District MVP catching 63 passes for 974 yards and 10 touchdowns, while recording 47 carries for 750 yards and eight touchdowns. 2006 was a big disappointment for Brown and the Buckeyes, but Curtis still got his numbers. Through 11 games Brown made 40 receptions for 970 yards and 14 touchdowns while recording 16 carries for 168 yards and a touchdown. For his career, Brown had 119 receptions for 2,183 yards and 25 touchdowns and ran for another 1,022 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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As a senior, Blake Lynch exploded for the Gilmer Buckeyes, being the main catalyst for an offense that boosted Gilmer to a state championship. Lynch had 1,043 receiving yards on 47 catches for 16 touchdowns. Lining up as the quarterback, Lynch rushed 72 times for 888 yards and 19 touchdowns, and went 13/17 for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns passing. Defensively, Lynch added 40 tackles, 3 interceptions, one fumble recovery and 2 defensive touchdowns. That 2 way production was one of the main reasons Gilmer was able to hoist the trophy in 2014.
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Mount Vernon's offense in 2021 was one of the more special units to play across East Texas History. One of the biggest reasons why was their star receiver Caydon Coffman. In 2021, Coffman exploded on the scene with one of the biggest single productive receiving years. Coffman caught 79 passes for 1,638 yards and 24 touchdowns. With numbers that big, Coffman got it done in everyway. Deep balls, big tops in the endzone, and plenty of yac yards. Mount Vernon went 14-1 in 2021, mainly because of Coffman.
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Younger brother to Keontay Ingram, Dixon brings great electricity to the receiver position. Dixon started out making plays as a sophomore before losing the year to an injury. In his first full action at receiver, Dixon exploded for 84 catches, 1,288 yards and 17 touchdowns. As a senior, Dixon returned to elite status with 74 catches, 1,240 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 232 yards and 3 scores as well. For a career, Dixon finished with 159 catches (3rd All-Time) 2,528 yards. (3rd All-Time).
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Hampton has been that man since he stepped on the field for the Daingerfield Tigers. He's one of the biggest recruits in the '24 class, and his game matches all of the noise off the field. As a sophomore Hampton dominated at both corner and receiver. He caught 44 passes for 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a junior he doubled down and caught 55 passes for 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns. Now where he plays his senior year, idk, hell come to Longview, but wherever he lines up at he'll be ready to dominate on both sides of the ball.
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Not too many times do you see athletes excel in 5A/6A football on both sides of the ball. Miller was a standout safety for the Lions as well as a dominant receiver during his varsity stint. As a sophomore Miller totaled 26 catches for 614 yards and 8 touchdowns. His junior and senior seasons were almost identical as he went for 41 catches both years, and 912 his junior and 922 yards his senior year. He had 9 touchdowns his junior season, while 8 his senior. For a career, the CUJO star caught 108 passes for 2,448 yards and 25 touchdowns.
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Tulminello's name had a little controversy while he was in high school. It seemed Gilmer was going to pull off the grand heist with both G.J. Kinne and Houston Tulminello in 2006, but Tulminello was ruled ineligible and went to Colleyville Covenant in 2006. Nonetheless, the numbers speak for themselves. As a sophomore Tulminello was first Team All East Texas after going for over a 1,000 yards and scoring at least 15 touchdowns in 2005 with G.J. Kinne. In 06, he caught for over 2000 yards and 20 touchdowns. 2007 with Gilmer, Tuminello was a first team all state leading Gilmer to the state final.
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Deuce dominated competition 3 years in a row at Chapel Hill. As a sophomore, McGregor got the ball early and often. He caught 56 passes for 1,266 yards and 10 touchdowns with Cameron Ford in a special 2020 season for the Bulldogs. In '21 and '22 Chapel Hill made it to the 5th round and McGregor was a key reason with his timely plays. As a junior, Deuce caught 53 passes for 1,003 yards and 9 touchdowns, and as a senior he put up his best stat line. With 52 catches for 1,154 yards and 15 touchdowns McGregor concluded his career. In 3 years that's 161 catches for 2,423 yards and 34 touchdowns.
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One of many miniature receivers to make a huge impact for the Cartage Bulldogs over the course of the year. Dee Bowens, 5'7 150 lbs. was impossible to cover racking up 120 catches over his career with 2,301 yards and 34 touchdowns. The bulk of those yards and touchdowns came his senior year as Bowens caught 62 passes for 1,444 yards and 23 touchdowns. Those 1,444 yards stand 4th in school history for yards in a season, while those 23 touchdowns stand 2nd for most touchdowns in a season.
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Plays over stats, McCoy is one of the most gifted receiver on this list. His career 1200 yards and 12 touchdowns don't scream worthy of this position, but after you watch his highlight tape you can see the talent. He's one of the best jump ball catchers I've seen, and he's hell with the ball in his hands. He was an electric punt returner, as well as starting on both sides of the ball. Injuries took time away from his junior year, and he shared the ball with Decarlton Wilson his senior year. The Oregon State signee won Gold in both the long and triple jump in 2023.
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As electric as any slot receiver to come through Carthage, Noah Paddie lit defenses up in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, Paddie had a warm up year with just 29 catches for 409 yards and 8 touchdowns. Paddie was also an electric returner as well. In 2022, Noah put on a show. He went for 1,354 yards on 65 catches for 19 touchdowns, at 21 ypc. He made play after play on Carthage's epic state title run, as well as 3 touchdowns in the state game.
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Manuel Johnson quarterbacked Gilmer to perfection in 2004, but in 2002 he caught 4 touchdown passes in his first varsity action. In 2003, he went off. At 6-3 190, Johnson, caught 79 passes for 1,401 yards (1st All Time) and his 13 touchdowns was a school record at the time. A monster after the catch, Johnson's RAC ability made him impossible to stop.
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Devin McCuin may not have had the most talented team around him, but he was a standout receiver and safety for Jacksonville from 2020-22. As a sophomore, McCuin had 47 catches for 871 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a junior, McCuin had 63 catches for 890 yards and 9 touchdowns. As a senior, McCuin produced 67 catches for 976 yards and 8 touchdowns. For a career, McCuin produced 177 catches for 2,737 yards and 23 touchdowns.
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Rafael Thomas is easily one of the best players in Lufkin history. But with no stats to be found, you had to be there to know it. Thomas was a 2 way monster in high school, starring at both corner and the receiver position. He started as a sophomore at receiver, and his senior year he was dominate at both. Lightening fast, (won state in the 100m Dash) great hands, (one of the top baseball prospects in the nation) and a mean streak to finish and punish receivers. With all sports and abilities into account, RT may possibly the school's best athlete of all time.
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Maybe not the Lufkin receiver you remember, but JaBryce Taylor is definitely one of the Pack's best. As a junior, Taylor introduced his self to the world with 40 catches for 494 yards and 4 touchdowns. That modest season turned into a monster season as JaBryce caught 87 passes (1st All-Time) for 1,628 yards (1st All-Time) and 16 touchdowns (2nd All-Time) . For a career, Taylor finished with 127 (3rd All-Time) receptions for 2,122 yards (5th All-Time) and 20 touchdowns.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moHhAn6-ZWE |
Playing with one of the best QBs in the NFL in high school is remarkable luck and Cantrell took full advantage of his buddy Pat Mahomes. As a junior Cantrell caught 87 passes (2nd all time for a season) for 1,414 yards (4th all time for a season) and 21 touchdowns (2nd all time for a season). His senior year was just as stout, catching 66 passes for 1,396 yards (5th all time for a season) and 15 touchdowns (5th all time for a season). For a career Cantrell finished with 153 catches (2nd all time) for 2,810 yards (2nd all time) and 36 touchdowns (2nd all time.)
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Coutee was an animal for the Lufkin Panthers, the same way he was for the Raiders at Texas Tech and the Houston Texans and now Indianapolis COlts. Through his 3 year stint, Coutee was a baller each year. As a sophomore, Coutee caught 60 passes for 864 yards and 5 scores. As a junior, Coutee caught 69 passes for 995 yards and 8 touchdowns. As a senior he continued his great play catching 56 passes for 841 yards and 12 touchdowns. For his career, Coutee caught 185 passes (1st All-Time) for 2,700 yards (2nd All-Time) and 25 touchdowns (2nd All-Time). Coutee went on to become 2nd all time in receiving yards at Texas Tech and is the slot for the Houston Texans.
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John Tyler's best teams of this century were led by 3 rockstar players from the same class: Greg Ward Jr. Tyus Bowser, and Fred Ross. All 3 had stints in the NFL, and Ross is the first member of the Top5 for great reason. As a sophomore Ross caught 23 passes for 313 yards and 5 touchdowns. Those modest numbers catapulted him to a huge junior year, catching 99 passes for 1,335 yards and 15 touchdowns. His senior year, the catches went down, but the yards went up. Ross caught the ball 86 times for 1,594 yards and 21 touchdowns. For a career, Ross caught 208 passes for 3,242 yards and 39 touchdowns.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRkqPKDF88c |
The most physically imposing receiver to come through Longview, Malcolm Kelly. Before leaving us with the freestyle heard around the world, Kelly left his mark as a 3 year letterman at Longview. His numbers are modest, just the career record of 17 Lobo Touchdowns, the 6'4 just calmly and smoothly ran post and jump ball fades at LHS. After leaving Longview he continued his dominance at OU, starting as a freshman, wearing #2 making an one handed catch at Oregon. He returned to number 4 and continued dominance for another 2 years at OU before being drafted in the 2nd round by Washington. His career was damned by hamstring and quad issues, but his legacy in Longview forever remains.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y682yKha81U |
In Hunt was an absolute baller in his 2 seasons as a receiver for the Tigers. In 2016, Hunt had 31 catches for 701 yards and 10 touchdowns. That was merely a warm up for 2017. As a senior, Hunt went off for 69 catches (2nd all-time for a season) for 1,157 yards (3rd all-time for a season) and 18 touchdowns. For a career, Hunt had 100 catches for 2,858 yards (1st All-Time) and 28 Touchdowns (1st All-Time.)
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Through the first 17 games of Kamden Perry's career it seemed he wouldn't sniff this list. But as the playoffs came approaching, Perry's game was starting to rise. As a sophomore, Perry caught 8 passes for 118 yards and 1 touchdown. Those numbers/fame/clout rose his junior year. He caught 42 passes for 600 yards and 4 touchdowns, including the best catch in program history in the 4th round versus rival Lufkin. His senior season is as good as they come on this list. Perry caught 87 passes for 1,896 yards, 18 touchdowns as well as becoming Texas All time leader in receiving yards in the state game with 218. For a career he caught 137 passes for 2,614 yards and 23 touchdowns. Kamden is the career leader in receptions and yards for a career.
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As a sophomore DJ Allen made noise on the district level, but was still relatively unknown across Texas. As a junior though, he let his self be known. Allen had 59 catches for 1,316 yards and 17 touchdowns as well as being a menace in the return game as well. DJ is the ultimate burner and is an absolute problem with the rock in his hands. As a senior, he slid over to play quarterback. He still had 12 catches for 288 yards and a touchdown, as well as adding over a 1,000 yards on the ground and over 700 as the QB.
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A very productive wide receiver for Carthage during his tenure, Claiborne was a 3 year letterman, winning District Newcomer of the year after a 23 catch 420 yards and 3 touchdown season as a sophomore. His junior and senior seasons saw that production multiply as he had 58 catches for 1,066 13 touchdowns and 104 catches for 1,571 yards and 18 touchdowns. For a career, Claiborne had 185 receptions 2,657 yards and 34 touchdowns.
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Doing these type of lists over the last 5 years you find guys you didn't know. Quentin Holman is the OG of great Lufkin receivers. If it weren't for Dez Bryant he'd be the number 1 receiver in Lufkin, and there's some who will whisper Holman was even better than Bryant. Holman was the main target for a State Championship and State Semi-Finalist team. He finished his career with 117 catches for 2,394 yards (4th All-Time) and 20 touchdowns. In 2002, Holman went off with Parks for 12 touchdowns. Imagine Holman in a 2020 style offense. OP.
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KD Cannon lands on the Mt. Rushmore of Receivers after an incredible career at MP. KD Cannon rewrote the record books and was truly a once and a lifetime player for Mount Pleasant. As a sophomore, KD made like his name and cannoned on the scene with 61 receptions for 1,004 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers continued to climb posting 104 catches for 1,597 yards and 25 touchdowns. His finale was impressive as well, posting 1,252 yards and 16 TDs on 80 receptions. For a career, Cannon had 245 receptions for 3,853 yards and 51 touchdowns. He went on to Baylor and did great things while having a brief stint with the Cowboys.
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When Trey Metoyer left Whitehouse he was considered the best player from Texas, and 3rd best receiver in the nation behind Sammy Watkins and Jarvis Landry. Metoyer was a god in high school but just couldn't live up to those standards in college. As a sophomore, Metoyer finished the season with 74 catches, 1,105 yardsa and 14 touchdowns. Somehow the next year he improved to 75 catches for 1,185 yards and 14 touchdowns. His senior year was the biggest year, catching 108 passes for 1,540 yards and 23 touchdowns. For a career, Metoyer amounted 257 receptions for 4,265 yards and 51 touchdowns, all school records.
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First freshman ever to ever start the year off on varsity. His 7 catches and 3 touchdowns may seem pretty modest, but for him to touch the field and play in meaningful snaps as a freshman should show you the talent. As a sophomore, he did almost everything except eclipse the GOAT. 39 catches for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, but he did it every way possible. Screens, deep balls, short catches and runs.
Junior Year: There's no doubt. As a junior, Hale saved his best performances for the playoffs. IN the playoffs Hale put up 17 catches for 395 yards and 5 TDS. Talk about a damn near perfect conclusion for Hale as a senior. Hale, who arguably was still underused, caught 50 passes for 1,154 yards and 14 touchdowns in 15 games. He put up monster performances in the 2nd round going over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns against Jesuit, 3rd Round over 150 yards and 2 touchdowns versus Port Arthur Memorial, and 5th round against Aledo he provided the only points in a heartbreaking 17-14 loss.
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Dez Bryant was a 4 star recruit and got his first varsity action in the playoffs as a sophomore. In those games Bryant had 103 receiving yards for 4 touchdowns in 2 playoff games. His 2 full varsity years at Lufkin he put up great numbers. His junior season Dez caught 48 passes for 1,025 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those numbers improved his senior year when he caught 53 passes for 1,207 yards and 21 touchdowns (1st All-Time). For a career Bryant finished with 121 catches (3rd All-Time), 2,398 yards (3rd All-Time) for 41 touchdowns (1st All-Time)
I swear y’all are biased against San Augustine in rbs and wrs, just period.
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