VOTE: Who is the best wide receiver in the Tampa Bay Area?

Carrollwood Day, IMG and Lakeland each have multiple candidates

TAMPA, FL – When it comes down to who is the best all around wide receiver in the Tamp Bay Area, you can look far and wide with the net of route runners that have perfected the craft of shaking defenders and getting open.

With so many Division I recruits and commitments all across the area, there’s absolutely no shortage of receivers to pick from when trying to figure out who might be the best. We took a look at the top receivers amongst the counties of Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough and Manatee counties as we picked out some of the top rated ones from the aforementioned areas.

Bryson Rodgers, Wiregrass Ranch: The now-senior had himself a stellar junior campaign for the Bulls, catching 42 passes for 645 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. The Ohio State commitment is primed for a big senior season.

Eugene Wilson III, Gaither: Where doesn’t Wilson III not excel at in the field? The all-everything projects to being a receiver on the next level and the University of Florida commit paired with sophomore quarterback Jaycee Nixon should put up big numbers.

Carnell Tate, IMG Academy: 247Sports ranks the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Tate as one of the not only the state’s best receivers, but nationally as well. The Ohio State commitment is ranked 28th nationally and third in the state.

Devin Hyatt, IMG Academy: No denying the talent that is piled up at IMG Academy amongst their national team and Hyatt paired with Tate creates for double trouble on Friday nights. Hyatt holds offers from SEC schools like Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Jarriett Buie, Jesuit: In his junior season for the Class 6A state champs, Buie hauled in 32 catches for 402 yards and five touchdowns. He should be a No. 1 target for quarterback Luke Knight, as he holds offers from Duke, Iowa, Iowa State and Bowling Green.

Tyler Williams, Lakeland: One of the most talented players out of Polk County aims to be the most dangerous target for the Dreadnaughts this fall. Williams will have his choice of schools, with Georgia, Clemson, Alabama, Texas A&M and South Carolina as his suitors.

Daidren Zipperer, Lakeland: The 3-star receiver, according to 247Sports, has impressed many this off-season and paired up with Williams creates a deadly tandem. Zipperer has the attention of many schools, with offers from Pittsburgh, UCF and BYU.

EJ Allen Jr., Zephyrhills Christian Academy: The Warriors wide receiver had himself a solid 2021 campaign with Jaycee Nixon throwing him the rock. Allen Jr. had 377 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. ZCA’s top wideout has offers from Pittsburgh, Temple, Minnesota and Washington State.

Carl Lewis, Carrollwood Day School: The Patriots have themselves one of the most talented receiving corps in all of the Tampa Bay Area, with Lewis being a 4-star rated receiver according to 247Sports. Last season, Lewis caught 40 passes for 638 yards and has offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Georgia.

Bredell Richardson, Carrollwood Day School: One of the most heavily recruited receivers of the Class of 2024 is coming off a solid 2021 campaign. Richardson caught 24 passes and amassed 565 yards and scored seven times. He also holds offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Cincinnati.

Bredell Richardson

Izaiah Williams, Carrollwood Day School: Coming via transfer from Wiregrass Ranch during the off-season, Williams arrives with his stock rising during the spring and summer. Playing with the Bulls last season, Williams had a breakout sophomore campaign and caught 34 passes for 524 yards and four touchdowns. Williams has offers from Georgia, Florida State, Cincinnati and Kansas State.

DJ Pickett, Zephyrhills: He didn’t play as much offense as a freshman but will be on offense quite a bit more his sophomore season. In 7-on-7’s with the Bulldogs, Pickett has shown great ability to play receiver along with being a defensive back.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.