To become a great quarterback, you have to find a stud at the wide receiver - or tight end - position. Somebody you can count on to make the catch in traffic or break free for six.
When it comes to the best of the best in Iowa high school football, these guys stood out in 2024 and will look to do the same in the coming year.
Here are some of the top returning wide receivers in Iowa high school football with the grade listed being from 2024:
Keenan Kilburg, Bellevue, Junior
Kilburg made history last year, becoming just the fourth Iowa player to reach 100 receptions. He finished with 100 for 1,159 yards, scoring 10 touchdowns.
Cael Witt, Tri-Center, Junior
Part of an impressive 1-2 punch, Witt had 74 receptions for 1,130 yards and 11 touchdowns as Tri-Center won a state title.
Zach Nelson, Tri-Center, Junior
The other half of the Tri-Center duo, Nelson produced 73 catches for 1,118 yards, scoring 13 times.
Callan Messerich, Easton Valley, Junior
Messerich led all players with 1,237 yards receiving, as he had 19 trips to the end zone among his 62 grabs.
Jaxson Schnell, GTRA, Junior
Schnell needed just 47 receptions to surpass 1,000 yards, averaging 22 per catch with 18 scores.
Hudson Clark, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Junior
Clark popped off to the tune of 18 yards per catch, finishing with 55 receptions for 1,005 and 14 scores.
Sam Benson, South Hardin, Junior
Benson recorded 54 receptions spanning 1,003 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Jeffrey Roberts, Ames, Junior
A future Iowa State Cyclone, Roberts will look to lead the Little Cyclones once more after catching 38 passes for 989 yards and 12 scores, which averaged out to 26 per catch.
Jase Jaspers, Mount Vernon, Junior
Nobody could contain Jaspers last year, as he caught 59 balls for 867 yards and eight TDs.
Julian Manson, Iowa City West, Junior
One of the top prospects in the state, Manson looks to build off a junior season that included 52 catches for almost 900 yards and 13 scores.
Brayden Hoben, Grand View Christian, Junior
A true deep threat, Hoben posted almost 19 yards per catch, hauling in 43 passes for 809 yards and seven TDs.
Chase Flaherty, Humboldt, Junior
Flaherty is one of several key players back for the state finalist Wildcats, as he caught 56 passes for over 800 yards and tallied nine touchdowns.
Landon Blum, Woodbine, Sophomore
Nobody could keep Blum out of the end zone, as he finished with 18 TDs to go along with his 40 receptions and 802 yards.
Evan Allie, Algona, Junior
Allie will help bring along youngster Tyler Manske at QB, as he is the top WR for the Bulldogs having recorded almost 800 yards and eight touchdowns last year.
Hayden Morrison, Bettendorf, Junior
Looking to build off a season in which he had 773 yards and seven TDs, Morrison is a big-play threat for the Bulldogs.
Travis White, Martensdale-St. Marys, Junior
White averaged over 19 per catch, finishing with 770 yards and five trips to paydirt.
Tate Wallace, Iowa City Regina, Sophomore
Wallace formed a connection with Kyle Tracy, supplying him with 51 receptions and 752 yards with eight TDs from the tight end position.
Kane Mahler-Moreno, Woodward-Granger, Junior
Mahler-Moreno averaged 22 yards per catch, racking up 749 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Leonardo Tatum, Lewis Central, Junior
Need a big play? Look for Tatum, as he put up 27.4 yards per catch, finishing with 741 yards and 11 TDs on just 27 receptions.