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April has arrived, meaning we’re four short months away from the 2024 high school football kicking off. That means it’s a perfect time for some preview action to prepare you for the upcoming season.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll have pieces twice a week highlighting certain position groups and the top area players in those groups to keep an eye on in the new season.
We’ve released the quarterbacks and running backs so now it’s time to highlight the area’s top pass-catchers. Here are 25 returning Nashville area wide receivers and tight ends you need to keep an eye on during the 2024 season:
TOP RETURNERS PER POSITION: QB / RB
Aaron Mattingly, Green Hill: Mattingly was a beast no matter where the Hawks lined him up finishing his junior season with 977 receiving yards and an area-high 16 touchdowns.
Aric Lopez, White House Heritage: Lopez was Xavier Murray’s top target all season catching 50 passes for 742 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Arnett Hayes, BGA: Hayes was a a guaranteed first down every time he touched the ball averaging 15.9 yards per catch finishing the season with 59 receptions for 940 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Ben Hubbard, Ravenwood: Hubbard claimed Region 6-6A Offensive Player of the Year honors last season catching 76 passes for 1,006 yards and eight touchdowns.
Brandon Goliday, Antioch: The Bears had a freshman phenom with Adams but they also found another one in his teammate and favorite receiver Goliday.
Bryson Holt, Nashville Christian: Holt was a favorite target for Jared Curtis, one of the nation’s top 2026 quarterback recruits, catching 51 passes for 680 yards and eight touchdowns.
Cam Blivens, Lipscomb Academy: Averaging close to 15 yards per catch and finishing second on the team in receiving yards last season, Blivens is primed for a huge junior season.
Carson Sneed, DCA: Sneed’s seen his recruiting stock skyrocket over the last year racking up Power Five offers from nearly every major college program. He only had 15 receptions last year but totaled 297 yards and an absurd 10 touchdowns on those receptions.
Charlie Speed, FRA: Sporting one of the best name’s in the area, Speed came up clutch several times last season for the Panthers and is their wide receiver No. 1 entering 2024.
Clayton Merrill, Brentwood: Merrill was Mr. Do-it-All for the Bruins last season accounting for 1,326 total yards and eight touchdowns. He made his biggest impact at receiver catching 68 passes for 801 yards and seven touchdowns.
Dalton Hancock, Gordonsville: Hancock became J Foster’s favorite target immediately last season catching 52 passes for 831 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Donovan Higgins, Pearl-Cohn: After playing behind D’Arious Reed last season, Higgins fills the role of wide receiver No. 1 this season for the Firebirds. He’ll fit the role well after catching 19 passes for 390 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Gavyn Hunter, Kirkwood: Hunter established himself as the Cobras’ first standout receiver hauling in a team-high 44 receptions for 739 yards and three touchdowns.
Hudson Curlee, Pope Prep: The Knights had their struggles last season but found something special in Curlee who led the team with 35 receptions for 620 yards and six touchdowns.
Jeremiah Williams, Gallatin: Williams was Jackson Stroups’ top target last season leading the Green Wave with 54 receptions for 738 yards and seven touchdowns.
Kajaun Harris, Beech: Harris contributes on both sides of the ball but makes his biggest impact on offense. Last season he led the team with 21 receptions for 554 yards and six touchdowns.
Kani Johnson, Centennial: Johnson was an easy choice for all-region selection after racking up 41 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns.
Kellen Dalton, Portland: Dalton showed signs of a bright future for the Panthers as one of their top offensive threats last season.
Kolbe Harmon, Brentwood Academy: A standout on both sides of the ball, Harmon may have a bigger impact on offense this season as wide receiver one. He was one of George MacIntyre’s top targets last season racking up 42 receptions for 682 yards and nine touchdowns.
Noah Lilly, Eagleville: Lilly should only improve upon a great junior season where he led the Eagles with 28 receptions for 531 yards and eight touchdowns.
Oliver Bender, Nolensville: Bender broke on the scene as a sophomore and established himself as a name to know going forward catching 52 passes for 1,047 yards and three touchdowns.
Owen Cabell, CPA: Schools like Georgia and Tennessee have gotten involved with Cabell early on for good reason. He was a standout on CPA’s state championship team with 24 receptions for 442 yards and six touchdowns.
Riley Jordan, Hendersonville: Jordan was the Commandos top receiving target last season and will fill that role again this year after hauling in 33 receptions for 779 yards and seven touchdowns.
Tucker Wolf, GCA: In 10 games last season, Wolf led the Lions in receiving catching 54 passes for 806 yards and nine touchdowns.
Vantrease White Jr., Stratford: White led a talented Spartans receiving corp last season catching a team-high 34 passes for 581 yards and three touchdowns.
Wes Harper, Davidson Academy: Harper is the Bears’ top-returning pass-catcher after hauling in 23 receptions for 286 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
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