Only a week remains until high school football gets underway in Indiana.
Continuing a series of lists highlighting some of the top returning players in the Lafayette area, we’ll be moving to the offensive skilled positions. This will include running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.
Of course, this is wide variety of players, so this is only a select number of the potential top scoring threats in the area this season. This list mostly compiles players that produced at a proven level in 2025, but there are other potential breakout candidates and underclassmen that could impress beyond this group of 25.
Kojo Steffey, West Lafayette, RB, Senior
Steffey put up a dominant season on the ground for the Red Devils last year, finishing with 904 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns with an average per carry of 5.3. Also caught 24 passes for 246 yards and notched one receiving touchdown.
Bryce Vanostran, Lafayette Jefferson, WR, Senior
Vanostran led all Indiana receivers with 1,591 receiving yards on 94 receptions and 13 touchdowns last season. Was voted 2025 Journal & Courier Offensive Player of the Year. With another year of development alongside quarterback Trysten Barrett, the duo could be even deadlier this go around.
Dakota Glasson, North Montgomery, RB, Senior
Glasson had a very productive 2025, rushing for 1,121 yards with a 7.8 average per carry and 14 touchdowns. On the receiving end, he caught 31 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
Ayden Batchelor, Fountain Central, WR, Senior
Caught 27 passes for 638 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. Boasted an average of 23.6 yards per catch for the Mustangs.
Zion Clopton, Harrison, RB, Senior
In just his sophomore year, Clopton led the Raiders with 516 rushing yards on 70 carries and found the end zone three times. If progression is linear, his junior year should be even better.
Wyatt Williams, Central Catholic, WR, Senior
The incoming senior caught 57 passes for 630 yards and three touchdowns last season as the Knights’ leading receiver.
Tyler Brigham, McCutcheon, RB, Senior
Brigham rushed for 589 yards with seven touchdowns, averaged 5.7 yards per carry and caught 12 passes for 108 yards in his junior campaign.
Sully Stadler, Covington, RB, Senior
Stadler had a heavy workload last season, taking 124 snaps out of the backfield and rushing for 962 yards and 11 touchdowns. Added 100 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Ledger Shaffer, Twin Lakes, WR, Senior
Recorded 747 receiving yards on 49 receptions and caught 10 touchdowns. Took 14 snaps in the backfield for 95 yards.
Fielder Molchi, West Lafayette, WR, Senior
Finished his junior year with 60 catches for 625 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a strong target down the field.
Landen Musch, Rensselaer, WB, Senior
On exactly 100 snaps, Musch recorded 767 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as a wingback. Also caught 13 passes for 183 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Maddox Ronco, Crawfordsville, RB, Senior
In five games, Ronco took 62 carries for 432 yards and scored six touchdowns. Caught an additional six passes for 102 yards.
Carter Applegate, North White, RB, Junior
Applegate ran for 552 yards on 117 carries and reached the end zone six times. Added seven catches in the air for 129 yards and a touchdown.
Kiel Martin, North Newton, WR, Junior
As a sophomore, Martin recorded 543 receiving yards on 37 receptions and four touchdowns. Also scored one touchdown on the ground.
Clayton Brown, North Montgomery, WR, Junior
Recorded 421 receiving yards and 29 receptions to lead the North Montgomery offense. Reached the end zone on five occasions.
Mason Brummett, Twin Lakes, WR, Senior
Brummett was a reliable option at receiver for Twin Lakes last season, tallying 506 yards on 41 catches and scoring five touchdowns.
Xaine Tessier, Delphi, RB, Senior
Tessier took 98 snaps in five games for 497 yards and four touchdowns. Set to continue leading the Oracles in the backfield.
Lucas Griffis, Attica, RB, Sophomore
Accumulated 406 rushing yards on 72 carries and three touchdowns for the Red Ramblers as a freshman.
Sullivan Garrett, Harrison, WR, Senior
Caught 51 passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns for the Raiders last season. With a large crop of newcomers to the receiving corps, Garrett will likely increase his numbers this year.
Clayton Brown, North Montgomery, WR, Sophomore
Brown received 29 passes for 421 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore for the Chargin’ Chargers in 2025.
Cason Trader, McCutcheon, WR, Senior
Finished the 2025 season with a team-leading 27 receptions, along with 304 yards and two touchdowns.
Jamell Thomas, Lafayette Jefferson, TE, Junior
While he only caught seven passes last season, it amounted to 144 yards and a touchdown. With a larger pass-catching role in 2026, he could take a jump in the Lafayette Jeff offense.
Chase Winkler, Frontier, WR, Senior
In just five games, Winkler caught 11 passes for 292 yards — an average of 26.5 yards per reception. Also added six touchdowns.
Trenden Kaser, Clinton Prairie, WR, Senior
Caught 21 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns last year for the Gophers.
Parker Campbell, Central Catholic, RB, Sophomore
Showed flashes in his freshman season. Although he is listed as a running back, Campbell found most of his success on the receiving end with 282 yards on 22 receptions and a touchdown.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: These 25 Lafayette area offensive skill players will be impactful in 2026
Reporting by Chase Gemes, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chase Gemes, Lafayette Journal & Courier | USA TODAY Network
