Best 10 wide receivers/tight ends in Cincinnati high school football in 2024

With another high school football season approaching, The Enquirer is choosing the city's best players by position in Southwest Ohio , Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.

Greater Cincinnati has a lot of explosive offenses and high-powered passing attacks for football fans to enjoy watching this season. The area has no shortage of top receiving talent who can put up big numbers this season.

Here are the best 10 receivers or tight ends in Greater Cincinnati, listed alphabetically. Be sure to vote on your favorite at the bottom of the story.

Austin Alexander, Cooper

The senior is a high-impact player on both sides of the ball for the Jaguars, who will look to make another run at the 5A state title after finishing as runner-up last year. He has committed to play football for North Carolina as the 27 ^th -best defensive line recruit in the country, according to 247Sports.

As a tight end, he ranked third in Class 5A and 10th in the state with 1,138 receiving yards. At 243 pounds, his size and speed make him a bulldozer with the ball in his hands and coming off the line of scrimmage.

Luke Erdman, Beechwood

The senior led a dynamic passing attack that lifted the Tigers to a 12-2 record and the Kentucky 2A state semifinals. He caught 50 passes for 1,133 yards and 16 touchdowns. He will be one of the fastest players on a football field this fall, having won the Class 1A state championship in the 100 meters and 200 meters.

Luka Gilbert, Lakota West

The 6-foot-8, 251-pound tight end is one of the top athletes in Ohio and has committed to the University of Miami (Florida). He helped the Firebirds to an 11-3 record and the Division I, Region 4 final. He had only 15 catches and two touchdowns in the Firebirds’ run-oriented offense behind new starting quarterback Sam Wiles, but is the top returning receiver and will be a key target along with Trey Barnette.

Trace Jallick, Anderson

The 6-3 senior was one of the state’s leading receivers for the Raptors, with 120 catches for 1,267 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the top target in Anderson’s high-powered offense which averaged 40 points per game and returns senior quarterback Justice Burnam. Anderson reached the Division II state semifinals for the first time since 2008. Jallick has at least six Division I offers, counting Ivy League schools Brown and Dartmouth, plus Akron, Miami (Ohio), Kent State and Eastern Kentucky.

Isaiah Johnson, Cooper

The 6-1, 173-pound senior was a key to the Jaguars’ high-powered passing attack that led them to the 5A state championship game. He had 76 catches for 1,372 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has recent offers from Eastern Kentucky and Indiana State and has spent the summer competing in camps at elite programs.

Landon Lorms, Ryle

The senior set the Northern Kentucky single-season record with 91 receptions last year, posting 1,013 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 91 catches are ranked 10 ^th in state history. Lorms and the Raiders finished 8-5 last season and reached a 6A regional final.

Nate Lyman, Kings

The 6-2, 190-pound senior has committed to Eastern Michigan University after a dominant junior season in 2023. He had 58 catches for 1,314 yards and 19 touchdowns, the longest from 79 yards. He had 95 career catches for over 2,100 yards and 26 TDs in his career.

Aaron McFarland, Taylor

The 5-10, 165-pound junior was second-team all-state last season after collecting 43 catches for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns. He led the Cincinnati Hills League in receiving despite being double-covered in most games. He is a two-time first-team all-district pick who has set several school records and is getting Division I offers.

Caden Piening, Anderson

The 6-4, 235-pound tight end had 35 catches for 624 yards and five touchdowns for the Raptors’ high-powered offense that averaged over 40 points per game on their way to the Division II state semifinals. The all-district performer has committed to the University of Central Florida.

Quintin Simmons, Withrow

The 6-1, 170-pound senior has committed to Kentucky as a wide receiver. He had 31 catches for 533 yards and eight touchdowns as a secondary option to top Division I prospect Chris Henry Jr. Simmons led the Tigers to the Division II regional final and a school-record 12 wins.

On the radar

Ty Austin , Walnut Hills; Caden Bailey , Milford; Trey Barnette , Lakota West; D.J. Blair , Norwood; Tyler Fryman, Beechwood; George Georgostathis , Mariemont; Grayson Harris , Simon Kenton; Troy Harris , Bethel-Tate; Marcus Hughbanks , Batavia; Hezekiah Kelley , Northwest; Max Mehlman , Batavia; Ethan Melgard , Milford; Landon Murphy , Roger Bacon; Zion Neal, Lakota East; Lucas Powell , Western Brown; Jaimier Scott , Mt. Healthy; Jayden Seay, Lakota East; Chander Shields , Middletown; Bryce Snell , Cincinnati Country Day; Adam Surrey , Highlands; Max Welter , La Salle.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Best 10 wide receivers/tight ends in Cincinnati high school football in 2024