Some of the Peoria area’s most dynamic and up-and-coming athletes are receivers.
This is the third of a five-part series highlighting quarterbacks, running backs, linemen, wide receivers and defensive players to watch during the 2026 IHSA football season.
Here are 10 receivers to watch, with players listed alphabetically.
Dylan Anderson, Pekin
The 6-foot, 170-pound senior looks to bounce back from a season-ending injury. Anderson was injured while returning a kickoff in Week 2. This comes after he tallied 81 scrimmage yards, scored two touchdowns and added eight tackles in the 2025 season opener. He was a Journal Star All-Area first-team selection as a sophomore, scoring 16 touchdowns.
Brayden Cox, Metamora
The 6-foot, 175-pound junior will likely be one of the top targets for the Redbirds this season. Cox was a member of the Metamora’s Class 2A state-title winning 4×200-meter relay, while running the 100-meter dash in 10.87 seconds. Last season, he had a catch for 12 yards and returned six kicks for 177 yards for Metamora, which went 8-3 overall.
Braden Gibson, El Paso-Gridley
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior was the second-leading wide receiver for the Titans, who went 12-1 and made the program’s first-ever Class 2A state semifinals. Gibson grabbed 31 balls for 424 yards with five TDs, while averaging 13.7 yards per catch. He holds a pair of Division-I scholarship offers from Lindenwood and Northern Illinois.
Ayce Hawks, Richwoods
The 6-foot-2, 165-pound senior was a big-time target for the Knights, who went 2-7 overall in 2025. Hawks had a team-high 46 targets, securing 23 catches for 158 yards and one TD. This came after Hawks had 19 receptions for 432 yards and four TDs as a sophomore. Hawks was an all-Big 12 Conference honorable mention wide receiver.
Cha’von Maxon, El Paso-Gridley
The 5-foot-10, 150-pound junior proved to be a serious offensive threat for El Paso-Gridley, which had a 12-1 record last season. He caught 35 balls for 773 yards and 12 TDs as part of a potent offensive attack. He was an all-Heart of Illinois Conference-Large Division honorable mention and Journal Star All-Area first team.
Jayvion Maxon, El Paso-Gridley
The 5-foot-11, 178-pound senior gives the Titans a third receiver returning with 30 or more catches from last season’s Class 2A state semifinalist. He recorded 30 catches for 424 yards and eight TDs, while averaging 14.1 yards per catch. However, his junior season was cut short due to a foot injury.
Brendan Petty, Morton
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior put together an incredible 2025 campaign as a wideout. In 10 games, he caught 39 balls for 586 yards and seven TDs, averaging 15 yards a catch and a team-best 58.6 yards a game. Petty holds a scholarship offer from Western Illinois. He was named all-Mid-Illini Conference second team.
Jayson Pickles, Metamora
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound senior has the chance to emerge at the Redbirds No. 1 receiver. Metamora graduated its top two WRs — Braden Bitner (414 yards, six TDs) and Kylan McMillen (404 yards, five TDs) — leaving Pickles and Cox as the best options. Pickles caught 13 balls for 208 yards and two TDs, while averaging 16 yards per catch last season.
Antwon Walker, Galesburg
The 6-foot-3, 178-pound junior has shown flashes of being a prime target for the Silver Streaks, who went 2-7. Last season, he had 28 catches for 526 yards with four TDs. This was highlighted by a five-reception, 112-yard and two-TD performance against East Moline in Week 3. Walked was named all-Western Big Six Conference second-team offense.
Kyiron Woodard, Peoria High
The 5-foot-8, 150-pound senior is going to be the WR1 for the Lions, who went 9-3 overall and made the Class 5A quarterfinals. In 2025, he posted 22 receptions for 407 yards and six TDs as part of a receiving corps that totaled 1,980 yards and 22 TDs off 122 catches. He was named all-Big 12 Conference honorable mention offense as a receiver.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA football: 10 receivers to watch in the Peoria area in 2026
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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By Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
