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Read more Orange County football preview: Top running backs to watch in 2026
Ranking the county’s top wide receivers and tight ends for the 2026 high school football season.
TOP 10 WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS
1. Jack Junker, Mission Viejo, Sr.: The Diablos want to get the ball to the returning first-team All-County selection. Junker, who is committed to San Jose State, has excellent hands and can rack up yards after the catch. Last season, Junker (5-10, 188) had 58 receptions for 1,147 yards (19.8 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns. This season, he will also play some running back, Diablos coach Chad Johnson said.
2. Jaxson Rex, San Clemente, Sr.: The Tritons’ fan base doesn’t have to pick which side of the ball it wants Rex to play. The BYU commit is a playmaker on offense and defense. In 2025, he led the Tritons with 63 receptions for 856 yards and 10 TDs en route to first-team All-County honors as an all-purpose selection.
3. Hayden Koo, Tustin, Jr.: Koo (6-1, 180) emerged as one of Orange County’s hottest recruits during the offseason. With his combination of shifty route running and ability to make difficult catches, he earned offers from USC and Ohio State among others. Last season, Koo had 53 catches for 796 yards and seven touchdowns. Look for him surpass those numbers this fall.
4. Brady Stringham, Laguna Beach, Sr.: Just call him Brady Stretch-am. That’s because Stringham knows how to stretch the field as well as any wide receiver in the county. Last season, the Air Force commit averaged an impressive 19.3 yards on a team-high 55 catches. He finished with 1,063 yards and 17 TDs.
5. Nico Bland, Orange Lutheran, Sr.: The Arizona State commit signaled at the Battle at the Beach summer passing tournament that he remains one of the county’s most dangerous wideouts. Bland (6-1, 195) showed his breakaway speed and reliable hands in the Lancers’ run to the semifinals. He led Orange Lutheran’s wide receivers last season with 57 receptions for 832 yards and seven TDs.
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6. Ty Johnson, Crean Lutheran, Sr.: Johnson (6-3, 201) blends size and speed with the ability to make catches in traffic. In seven games last season, the Arizona commit had 25 receptions for 436 yards (17.4 yards per catch) and nine TDs. Johnson also is an effective blocker.
7. Luke Frith, San Juan Hills, Sr.: The Texas State commit is an explosive wideout who averaged 19.4 yards for his 54 receptions last season. Frith (6-0, 185) evaded plenty of defensive backs in tallying 1,048 yards and 13 TDs. He also plays safety.
8. Clark Cokley, JSerra, Sr.: Cokley (5-11, 180) is a multi-sport athlete with a well-rounded skill set. He made third-team All-County and first-team All-Trinity League last season after hauling in 51 catches for almost 700 yards and eight TDs in 10 games.
9. Luke Gazzaniga, Santa Margarita, Sr.: Who is the best tight end in Orange County? Gazzaniga (6-4, 240) made his case last season despite being slowed by injury. He averaged 16.6 yards for his 20 receptions and had four TDs. He committed to the University of Kansas in May and later impressed at the Battle at the Beach.
10T. JJ Haley, Corona del Mar, Jr.: Haley (6-3, 200) emerged during summer passing competitions as one of the county’s fastest rising wideouts. He uses his size well to shield defenders and has the burst to beat them deep. Look for him to exceed his totals of 35 catches for 653 yards (18.7 yards per catch) from 2025.
10T. KJ Woodbury, Orange, Jr.: A transfer from Mission Viejo, Woodbury (6-0, 175) joins a strong cast of receivers that quarterback Star Thomas III can target. Woodbury averaged 19.3 yards on his 41 receptions last season. He finished with 793 yards and had 100-yard games against Edison and San Clemente.
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MORE PREVIEW STORIES
Orange County football preview: Top running backs to watch in 2026
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