From Preston Bowman to Jackson Wiley, The Dispatch has ranked the best wide receivers and tight ends for the 2024 Ohio high school football season in the Columbus area.
With the start of the 2024 high school football season in Ohio drawing closer by the day, The Dispatch is marking the occasion by announcing the best players at every position in Central Ohio.
Wide receivers like Olentangy’s Jackson Wiley and Pickerington North’s Preston Bowman often make the most eye-catching plays on offense in a game that has become more pass-oriented in recent years. Tight ends like Westerville South’s Tyler Kielmeyer walk the line between blocking as an extra member of the offensive line and exploiting imbalances on the edge to become an extra receiver.
Here are the top 10 wide receivers and tight ends in Central Ohio, according to The Dispatch, in alphabetical order:
Preston Bowman, Pickerington North
Vital signs: 1.83 m, 86 kg, sr.
College Involvement: Kentucky
Bowman is one of Central Ohio’s greatest big-play players, averaging 16.6 yards per catch (43 for 713 yards, 9 touchdowns), and earned honorable mention at the state level when he helped the Panthers to the Division I, Region 3 semifinals last fall.
Tai Fence Burns, Gahanna Lincoln
Vital signs: 6-0, 175, sr.
The college offers: Akron, Alabama-Birmingham, Bowling Green, Campbell, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State, Kentucky, Marshall, Toledo
Burns should be an immediate contributor after transferring from East, considering he has amassed 4,329 all-purpose yards and 61 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He played running back and receiver at East before switching to quarterback last year, when he was named to the All-State second team in Division IV.
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Tyler Kielmeyer, Westerville South
Vital signs: 6-7, 235, sr.
College Involvement: Northwest
The tight end should add an extra dimension to the Wildcats’ offense in his first year under head coach Eric Calland. The Division II All-District player caught 18 passes for 383 yards and two touchdowns last fall.
Jovon McBride, Hamilton Township
Vital signs: 6-2, 175, jr.
The college offers: Bowling Green, Kent State, Ohio University, Toledo
McBride had a standout season as a sophomore, catching 63 passes for 1,239 yards and 18 touchdowns and helping the Rangers to a 9-0 start. He was named to the Division III first team All-District and All-State.
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Jaeden Ricketts, Watkins Memorial
Vital signs: 6-0, 196, jr.
The college offers: Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Illinois, Kent State, Miami University, Ohio State, Ohio University, Toledo
Ricketts begins the second half of his high school career as a three-star recruit after hauling in 54 catches for 650 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall and was named to the All-District second team in Division II.
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Khalil Samuel, Beechcroft
Vital signs: 5-10, 155, sr.
The college offers: Capital city
New Cougars coach Steven Ayers is banking on Samuel’s dynamic nature and hopes he can build on his junior year, in which he caught 60 passes for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns and was named to the state’s second team in Division III.
Jake Uhlenhake, Watterson
Vital signs: 6-1, 198, sr.
The college offers: Ohio Dominicans
Uhlenhake posted 69 catches and 1,263 all-purpose yards in 2023, becoming the Eagles’ leading receiver on their way to the Division III state finals. He was selected to the first team all-district and third team all-state.
Amari Valerio-Hudson, Dublin Coffman
Vital signs: 5-11, 160, sr.
College Involvement: army
One of several talented receivers for the Shamrocks, Valerio-Hudson was an honorable All-District selection last fall, catching 78 passes for 836 yards as Coffman reached the Division I, Region 2 finals.
Sherone White Jr., Pickerington Central
Vital signs: 5-8, 160, sr.
College Involvement: Marshall
White, a versatile three-star recruit, recorded 41 catches for 545 yards and three scores, 11 kick returns for 299 yards and three touchdowns and amassed 995 all-purpose yards for the Tigers, the Division I, Region 3 quarterfinalists.
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Jackson Wiley, Olentangy
Vital signs: 6-0, 181, sr.
The college offers: Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Miami University, Middle Tennessee State, Ohio University, Toledo
Wiley was selected to the first team All-District and All-State at Division I and had 75 catches for 1,152 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. He is the son of former Ohio State and NFL running back Michael Wiley.
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