The Texas 7-on-7 State Tournament in College Station is here!

It’s the summer’s main event every year. Nowhere else will you see more TXHSFB players from across the state competing on one field. And, every year, there’s an underrated player who puts the entire state on notice by going toe-to-toe with the best recruits in the state. The only thing hotter than the 110-degree heat is their stock after the weekend.

There was Jacksboro’s Cannon Valenzuela in 2024, a Colorado State commit who earned a DCTX three-star ranking after a dominant display. Or in 2025, when Austin LBJ defensive back Antione Baker entered the tournament with Texas State, Old Dominion, and Washington State leading his recruitment. He’s now signed to Vanderbilt in the SEC.

So, I’m predicting who could be this year’s Valenzuela or Baker. Here are five wide receivers who could experience the same meteoric rise in recruiting circles. The names are listed in alphabetical order.

Cortley Blackmon Jr., Van Vleck

Blackmon may be a rising sophomore, but he’s playing like a grown man on this year’s 7-on-7 circuit. The 6-foot-1, 183-pound wide receiver has developed an instant chemistry with new starting quarterback Brock Van Dyke, winning numerous 50/50 balls at the point of attack. Blackmon picked up an Oregon State offer after running a 4.4 40-yard dash at their prospect camp. New head coach Cody Carney, promoted from offensive coordinator this offseason, says Blackmon will be a big contributor for the Leopards in all three phases of the game this year.

Dallas Crescenzo, Bastrop

Dallas Crescenzo was in the midst of a breakout junior season when his year was cut short after five games due to injury. In a testament to his performance, he still earned First Team All-District honors with 660 yards and seven touchdowns. Now back to full health and paired with Arizona State quarterback commit Weston Nielson, I predict Crescenzo will pick up right where he left off. The 6-foot, 192-pound prospect recently committed to Tulane, but Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl says Crescenzo has P4 ability with NFL work habits, calling him an elite worker, route runner, and fantastic teammate. 

Malakai Iverson, Somerset

Dave Campbell’s Editor-In-Chief Greg Tepper calls Malakai Iverson one of the state’s best-kept secrets. Well, the secret could be out come Friday. As a sophomore, Iverson was an All-State selection with 51 receptions for 1,081 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect runs a 4.48 40-yard dash, posts a 39-inch vertical jump, and squats 455 pounds. Iverson reports nine offers, including TCU, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Colorado. 

Of note, Iverson’s coach, Koy Detmer, is a Texas high school football Hall of Famer who set state records at Mission High School with 8,221 yards and 82 touchdowns. That feels like a pretty good mentor for a young wide receiver. Detmer describes Iverson as a 'Yes, sir. No, sir.' type of kid and straight A student who is an explosive weapon on the football field.

Ake O'Neal, Argyle

Argyle will be without Texas Tech wide receiver commit and Under Armour All-American Julian Caldwell this week. Caldwell has a conflict with Nike’s The Opening. But Caldwell’s absence could lead to a breakout from Argyle’s other DI wide receiver: Ake O’Neal. 

The Oklahoma State commit’s measurables are just as impressive as Caldwell’s – 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, 4.59 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical jump, and 125-inch broad jump. He is also the school record holder with a 47-foot 9-and-¾ inches triple jump. O’Neal was a First Team All-District performer for his ball skills, elite route-running, and tenacious blocking, but Caldwell often gobbled up most of the receptions last fall. If O’Neal can develop chemistry with new Argyle quarterback Hayes Hackney this week, that’ll make Argyle’s passing attack even more dangerous come the fall. 

Reign Wallace, Daingerfield

This week in College Station, it’ll be difficult to tell whether the oppressive heat is coming from the summer sun or Reign Wallace’s cleats. The rising senior wide receiver ran a blazing fast 4.35 40-yard dash at an Iowa State camp last week. Daingerfield head coach Davin Nelson calls him the most explosive athlete on the field in any game. Wallace is also one of the most productive, recording 57 receptions for 1,325 yards and 24 receiving touchdowns.

“I’ve always been doubted because of my size (5-foot-9, 165 pounds),” Wallace told Dave Campbell’s. “But, in my eyes, it’s always been heart over size. I proved that by breaking school records for most receiving touchdowns in a game and most yards in a game. I plan on breaking a lot more.”