Top-ranking wide receivers in New York's high schools: Introducing the elite Section V WRs
As the 2025 high school football season approaches, several standout players in Section V are gearing up for another exciting year on the field. Here are some of the top players to keep an eye on:
Wide Receivers
Messiah Hampton, a senior at Monroe, is one of the best wide receivers in the country. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Hampton enters his senior season ranked among the best in the nation. After a stellar 2024 season where he amassed over 1,300 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns, Hampton was named first team All-State and is considered the top overall class of 2026 recruit in New York. He committed to Oregon in June.
Trey Porpora, a senior at Palmyra-Macedon, is another player to watch at the wide receiver position. Porpora, who stands at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, was the second-leading receiver in Section V last season behind Hampton. With QB Camron Quick back, Porpora is poised for a big senior season, looking to improve on his impressive 2024 numbers: 36 catches, 841 yards, eight touchdowns.
Noah Collins-Howard, a junior at Aquinas Institute, is a versatile receiver who is also one of the fastest players in the state. Collins-Howard, who is 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, had 25 catches for 528 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore. He has already received an offer from Syracuse.
Jon Roessel, a senior at Fairport, is a two-way player who excels both as a wide receiver and a defensive back. Roessel was a first team Class AA All-Star and second team All-Greater Rochester selection as a junior.
Paris Brooken, a senior at University Prep, is another long receiver at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. Brooken had 18 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns last season and earned second team Class AA All-Star honors. He is also a multi-sport athlete and the reigning Section V champion in the long jump and high jump.
Raymond Garcia, a junior at Monroe, and Luis Falu, a senior at Monroe, are two more receivers to watch. Garcia, who had 22 catches for 338 yards and seven touchdowns last season, will likely see even more targets this year with teammate Messiah Hampton seeing constant double teams. Falu, who stands at 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, is one of QB Pooty Cunningham's favourite targets and can take the top off the defense with his speed.
Josh Barr, a junior at Irondequoit, and Thomas Levans III, a junior at University Prep, are also players to watch at the wide receiver position. Barr, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, had 15 receptions for 312 yards and four touchdowns last season. Levans III, who transferred from Aquinas Institute to University Prep in the offseason, is a 5-foot-9 wide receiver and defensive back who caught 25 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore.
Xavier Cox, a senior at McQuaid Jesuit, is another receiver to watch, although specific statistics for his 2024 season were not provided.
AJ Amico, a senior at Webster Schroeder, is a second team Class A All-Star receiver who had 18 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns last season. Amico is also a multi-sport athlete and one of the top BMX riders in the country, competing for Team USA in the 2024 UCI BMX World Championships.
Defensive Linemen
While specific Section V-only rankings were not found, several highly regarded defensive linemen from various New York teams have been recognised as top defensive linemen in the state. Notable names include:
- Micah Baker (Bishop Ludden, senior)
- Jaden Innocent (Tottenville, senior)
- Cal Rogers (Spartans, junior; all-state nod, 35 tackles, 5 for loss, 4 sacks)
- Beeman (Wolverines; 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections in 2024)
- Diaby (6'2", edge rusher for the Cougars; 30 tackles, 18 for loss, 8 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries)
- Hyacinth (6'4", Wolfpack)
- Mercer (Rams; all-league, all-section, all-state; 25 tackles, 5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, 15 QB pressures)
- Meyers (Redmen; all-state and all-county defensive end)
- Murphy (Blue Devils; all-state lineman both sides)
- Omebe (Red Jackets; all-state, 68 tackles, 7 for loss, 21.5 sacks)
These players have been recognised with all-state honours and impressive statistics during the 2024 season, marking them as top defensive linemen candidates heading into 2025 in New York high school football. For more precise Section V rankings, local high school sports coverage or regional ranking resources would be recommended.
Drake Sapp, a junior at Greece Arcadia, is a "smooth, fast, electric" athlete who brings game-breaking speed to Greece Arcadia's offense and is expected to be a key playmaker in both the passing game and as a defensive back.
Liam Campbell, a junior at York/Pavilion, is an outstanding two-way player at wide receiver and linebacker. He caught 30 passes for 468 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore and earned first team Class D All-Star honors. He stands at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds.
As the 2025 season approaches, these players and many others will look to make their mark on the field and lead their teams to success. Keep an eye out for these standout players in Section V high school football this year.
Football is a sport that these talented players in Section V excel in. Besides Messiah Hampton, Trey Porpora, and Noah Collins-Howard who are standouts at the wide receiver position, Drake Sapp, a junior at Greece Arcadia, also showcases game-breaking speed on both offense and defense. On the other hand, Liam Campbell, a junior at York/Pavilion, is an outstanding player, excelling both as a wide receiver and linebacker.
