The 2026 class of receivers in Texas has some of the top playmakers in the state. These ballers are gamebreakers who can change the flow of a game with one big catch or big play. They have caught the attention of college programs around the country and their recruiting profiles continue to rise. The mission and goal of The Platform is to #ExposeTheUnexposed and provide adequate coverage of athletes around the country giving them exposure. As the season rapidly approaches, we will breakdown several talented playmakers at the wide receiver position who you should get eyes on this upcoming season.
Watchlist Criteria
In-Person Evaluation
Film Evaluation
Stats/Player Impact/Upside
The Platform Class of 2026 Wide Receiver Watchlist: Texas
Christopher Stewart | Shadow Creek High School | Twitter: @C1JS_
Committed to Texas
Stewart is a big play threat. He has reliable hands that he uses to attack the football in flight and his ability to excel at yards after the catch enables him to make game breaking plays. He runs crisp routes that allow him to win and create separation from defenders at the snap. The 6-foot-180-pound junior had a breakout sophomore season, hauling 35 catches for 654 yards with 10 touchdowns. Stewart has a huge upside, and he has caught the attention of colleges around the country. Alabama, Florida and Tennessee all have extended offers, adding to the double-digit list that Stewart has racked up. But his recent commitment to Texas shows that the Longhorns are ready to invest in a future that includes Stewart in the Texas offense.
Mike Brown | Legacy School of Sports Science | Twitter: @MichaelPBrown_2
32 offers, includes Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Oregon, Washington, Ohio State
Brown has an explosive get off at the snap, he runs precise routes and his quickness in space enables him to get open early. He has strong, reliable hands, he tracks the ball well in flight and his ability to make catches in traffic are several traits that surface in his game. Brown had a breakout sophomore season, and he has seen his stock rise after performing well at multiple camps this offseason. The 6-foot-1 180 junior is a playmaker who can make the big play look routine. I expect him to continue to light up defenses this fall.
Zachery Turner | Duncanville High School | Twitter: @zachturner2026
22 offers, includes Texas, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Illinois
Turner is a hybrid player, who can line up as an inline tight end, a slot receiver or out wide and be an offensive threat. He is stout at the point of attack, he uses his exceptional strength to deliver stiff blows at engagement and this enables him to win off the line of scrimmage. Turner has strong, powerful hands that aggressively attack the ball in flight, and he has the body control to win the contested catches in heavy traffic. At 6-foot-3 215 pounds, Turner is a big target who has a large catch radius that enables him to win jump balls. He has the explosive speed to separate from defenders in the open field and make a house call for six. Turner is the total package, and he has all the tools to dominate when he steps on the field.
Kaydon Finley | Aledo High School | @KaydonFinley
29 offers, includes Texas, Auburn, Arizona State, UCLA, Louisville, Oklahoma
Finley has some of the best hands that you will find in the state of Texas. He has strong reliable hands. Kaydon has a large catch radius and his ability to attack the football allows him to make contested grabs in heavy traffic. Finley is a superb route runner. He gets in and out of his breaks smoothly and this enables him to win off the line scrimmage often. The 6-foot-2 195-pound junior standout has a complete game. Not only is he an elite receiver, but he is also a ferocious blocker who is a key contributor in the Aledo running game. Finley had a phenomenal 2023 season, catching 42 passes for 703 yards and 7 touchdowns.
London Smith | Waco University | @London_Smith1
26 offers: Alabama, Purdue, Georgia, UTEP, Texas, Baylor
Smith is a big body target with great hands, who has elite body control, and he has the speed to make a house call for six from any down or distance. He is a smooth route runner. Smith’s footwork is clean and deliberate, and this enables him to get open often. Smith is a physical player who has the speed to run away from defenders after the catch and he is a powerful runner that breaks arm tackles with ease. London had his way with defenses in 2023, hauling in 51 catches for 876 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Jaylen Pile | Parish Episcopal High School | @jaylenpile2026
23 offers, includes Oklahoma, Michigan, Auburn, UNLV, Arkansas, Illinois
Pile has a huge upside, he is a route technician, he is quick in and out of his breaks and his footwork is superb. He has excellent short area quickness and his ability to shift gears in a hurry allows him to win frequently off the line of scrimmage. Pile tracks the ball well in flight showing late hands and he has the skill set to win contested catches in tight coverage windows. He has the speed to get deep and he took advantage of defenses, averaging 25 yards a catch during the regular season. Pile was a key contributor for Parish on their run to a state title in 2023. I expect him to get plenty of targets this season, as one of top returning targets in the 2026 class in Texas.
Jordan Clay | San Antonio Madison | @Jordan_clay11
24 offers, includes Texas, Michigan State, Nebraska, Kansas, SMU, Tennessee
Clay is a big play threat who can stretch the field and he plays above the rim with the ability to win on the 50/50 jump ball. He is stout at the point of attack with the strength to beat defenders in press coverage. He is a big body target at 6-foot-4, who has a large catch radius and strong hands that enables him to make contested grabs in heavy traffic. Clay uses his length and frame well in close quarters to wall off defenders. He has the speed to separate from his opponents and this allows him to be a vertical threat. Clay has seen his recruitment take off since we saw him as a freshman on the DR7 circuit. He is now one of the top pass catchers in his class and well on his way to playing Power 4 football soon.
Brayden Robinson | Red Oak High School | @_Quick6ix
36 offers, includes Michigan, Ohio State, Boston College, Notre Dame, TCU, Texas
Robinson has earned his nickname “Quick Six”, he is a threat to make a big play with the ball in his hands and he is one of the top playmakers in his class. He is phonebooth quick, he has an explosive get off at the snap and his elite burst allows him to get open often. His route running is superb, his ability to get in and out of his breaks quickly, enables him to beat defenders off the line of scrimmage. Brayden’s reliable hands make him a featured target in the Red Oak offense. Robinson is an elite returner who is a threat to make a house call for six on special teams. He has the skill set to strike with the ball in his hands from any down or distance. Robinson had over 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2023 and was a key reason that Red Oak made a deep playoff run. Look for “Quick Six” to continue to keep defensive coordinators up at night this fall.
X’Zavier Barnett | Yoakum High School | @xzavier_barnett
5 offers includes, Florida A&M, Houston, SMU, UTSA, Mississippi State
Barnett is physically gifted at 6-foot-3 193 pounds, and he has the skill set to dominate his opponents off the line of scrimmage. He is strong and powerful at engagement, which enables him to fight off press coverage to get open often. He has an explosive first step and he has the speed to stretch the field. Barnett has excellent body control, and he uses his extended reach to make grabs in heavy traffic. He had a breakout performance at that the SQTs in College Station, where he was a man amongst boys. Barnett was a matchup nightmare and showed that he is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Barnett’s list of offers should move into the double-digit range as he heads into the fall season.
Tatum Bell Jr. | Frisco Heritage High School | @Tatumbelljr
12 offers, includes Michigan, Oklahoma State, TCU, Houston, Texas Tech, Mississippi State
Bell Jr. has a quick first step, he explodes off the line of scrimmage at the snap and he has the speed to get deep in hurry. He tracks the ball well in flight, showing late hands that enable him to make contested grabs in heavy traffic. Tatum is an elusive runner in the open field, he is phonebooth quick and he excels at yards after the catch. Bell Jr. can stop on a dime, cut and change directions without losing his speed. He had a breakout sophomore season, hauling in 45 catches for 737 yards and 9 touchdowns. Tatum is a big play waiting to explode with the football in his hands and he is one the top playmakers in his class to keep an eye on this season.
