Film Review: 5 Class of ’26 WRs

Texas high school football keeps reloading year after year, and the Class of ’26 wideouts are proving the cycle won’t stop any time soon. Across the state, sophomores are flashing speed, size, and polish that most players don’t show until later in their careers. These five receivers have already started to separate themselves, pulling in offers and showing on film that they’ve got the traits to become household names.

Dacorian Johnson | 2026 | WR | 5-11, 170 | Timpson

Johnson has the burst that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. At 5-11, 170, he’s compact but electric, with legit acceleration that jumps off the screen. His release is sudden, forcing corners into recovery mode right away, and once he stacks a defender, his top-end speed does the rest. Johnson tracks the football well and flashes strong hands at the catch point, showing he’s more than just a straight-line sprinter. With offers already from North Texas and UTSA, his recruiting is only scratching the surface. He’s the type of player who can stretch the field vertically or take a short throw and house it. Johnson projects as a dangerous slot or Z-receiver who will keep defensive backs on skates.

Preston Cloud | 2026 | WR | 6-1, 180 | Grand Oaks

Cloud’s frame jumps out immediately—6-1 and still adding good weight, he carries the kind of length coaches covet. He fires off the line of scrimmage with urgency, eating cushion quickly and forcing DBs to open their hips. His stride is smooth, and his catch radius pairs well with his size, giving quarterbacks margin for error. What makes Cloud intriguing is his ceiling: with offers already in from Arizona State, Sacramento State, and Montana State, the Power Five attention has only started. His flashes on film suggest he can evolve into an alpha outside receiver—one who not only beats coverage vertically but also develops into a reliable third-down target. If the polish continues to catch up with his physical gifts, Cloud could be special.

Jaylen Moore | 2026 | WR | 5-11, 150 | South Oak Cliff

Moore fits the mold of the twitchy, sudden playmaker that South Oak Cliff has become known for producing. At 5-11, 150, he doesn’t win with size—he wins with twitch. His short-area burst is evident in how quickly he creates separation on underneath routes, and he shows natural fluidity when changing direction. What pops on film is his ability to stop-start without losing balance, which makes him tough to mirror in space. With offers from Arizona State, Sacramento State, and UIW, colleges already see the upside once he fills out physically. Moore projects as a slot weapon who can terrorize defenses on option routes and quick game concepts. His ceiling will rise as his frame develops, but the skill foundation is already strong.

Dajon Patterson | 2026 | WR | 6-1, 165 | Alief Elsik

Patterson has the look of a receiver still coming into his own but with real tools to work with. Standing 6-1, 165, he has the length to win outside and enough initial quickness to stress corners early in routes. His stride length allows him to cover ground efficiently, and he flashes the ability to climb the ladder for contested grabs. Patterson isn’t a finished product—his frame has room for more muscle, and his route-running refinement is still developing—but that’s part of the intrigue. Texas State has already pulled the trigger, and as his body and polish catch up, his recruitment could gain traction. Patterson is the type of WR who could turn the corner late in high school and become a serious college contributor.

Javarlyn Smith | 2026 | WR | 5-9, 150 | LBJ

Smith is undersized at 5-9, 150, but he makes up for it with slipperiness and natural playmaking instincts. He’s the kind of receiver who finds creases, slipping through traffic with body control and balance. His quick feet give him separation ability, and he shows toughness finishing plays despite not having prototypical size. With offers from Jacksonville State and McPherson, his recruiting is in the early stages, but he has traits that could translate well in the right system. Smith is a potential spark-plug weapon in space—jet sweeps, screens, and quick-game touches are where he shines. If he adds strength and continues to sharpen his route detail, he could carve out a role as a change-of-pace, big-play threat at the next level.

The Class of ’26 receivers are already putting their names on the map, and these five are prime examples of why Texas continues to set the bar nationally. From burners like Dacorian Johnson to long, projectable frames like Preston Cloud, the variety of skillsets is impressive. Some, like Moore and Smith, thrive on suddenness and space; others, like Patterson, project as late risers with tools still being molded. Together, they represent the depth and ceiling of this class—and by the time their senior seasons arrive, this group could be stacked with high-level recruits. Keep an eye on their development this season, because their best football is still ahead.