The Grant Pacers’ Koby Shabazz takes a screen pass for a touchdown in the first half against the Cordova Lancers on Thursday, Oct. 30, in Rancho Cordova.
JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS
jvillegas@sacbee.com
Of all the skill positions in Sacramento-area high school football this fall, it is the receiver and tight end spots that have generated the most recruiting interest. That has led to the scores of commitments to compete for NCAA Division I college programs.
The Grant Pacers have two receivers who have give verbal pledges to play at the next level, to Cal and Sacramento State in Zo Edwards and Koby Shabazz, respectively.
The Folsom Bulldogs have a big target in Rob Larson headed to UCLA.
The small-school powerhouse Sutter Huskies feature a national recruit tight end who doubles as a defensive lineman terror, and he’s headed to Cal.
Here’s a closer look at 25 top returning regional pass catchers, including tight ends who can block and catch.
Dylan Amos, Twelve Bridges Raging Rhinos
The 6-2, 180-pound senior will again balance the offense for the run-heavy offense, having caught 32 passes for 705 yards and eight touchdowns.
He’ll do so for a team that went 11-1 last year and seeks its fourth consecutive 10-0 regular season.
Gus Bailey, Rosemont Wolverines
The 6-4, 230-pound senior bruiser played a paramount role in the Sacramento City Unified School District program’s bounce-back season, from one win to six and a playoff berth. He had 54 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns, and he will again pair nicely with teammate Kylan English, who as a junior last season 610 yards receiving and six scores.
Troy Bowens, Sutter Huskies
The 6-4, 250-pound senior might be the most heavily sought-after college prospect in the history of the school.
Bowens will play defensive line at Cal and will play tight end again for the defending section Division V champions.
Sutter Huskies defensive end Troy Bowens (0) is congratulated by defensive end Richard Creer (28) after he sacked Casa Roble Rams quarterback Aidan Lopez in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento on Friday, Nov. 28. NATHANIEL LEVINE nlevine@sacbee.com Caden Bowers, Franklin Wildcats
The speedy 5-8, 150-pound senior had 45 catches for 686 yards and seven scores.
He’s also a capable runner, averaging 16.7 yards on seven carries for the Elk Grove Unified School District program.
Karter Coss, Casa Roble Rams
The 6-2, 200-pound senior team captain will help lead the charge for the powerhouse Rams of Orangevale, who seek their third successive trip to a section final.
Coss had 574 yards receiving and five touchdowns last fall.
Jayden Deliska, Pioneer Patriots
The 6-4, 190-pound senior had 566 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.
The Patriots of Woodland seek another playoff run in Deliska’s third varsity year.
Darius Dismukes, Del Oro Golden Eagles
Dismukes can catch, run and block for the perennial playoff program.
The 6-4, 215-pound senior is a Washington State commit.
Cohen Dwyer, Woodland Wolves
The 5-11, 175-pound junior burst onto the varsity scene last season and in nine games made 71 receptions for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns.
He is a three-sport performer for the Yolo County school.
Zo Edwards, Grant Pacers
The 6-6, 210-pound senior committed to the Cal Bears is a third-year varsity player, having starred in the playoffs as a sophomore for a CIF state-championship team.
Edwards averaged 27.6 yards per catch last season and aims to have his best season yet.
Jovan Harper, Franklin Wildcats
The 5-11, 175-pound senior can pass the ball and run it, but he’s especially dangerous catching it.
Harper made 38 receptions for 839 yards and 10 scores last season for a playoff team, including a 90-yarder.
Oliver Holleman, Woodland Christian Cardinals
The 6-foot, 205-pound senior is the top offensive piece returning for the small-school powerhouse.
He had 68 catches for 765 yards and six scores last season, and over his three-year varsity career, he has rushed for 13 touchdowns and caught 11 TD passes.
Zealand Jenks, Ponderosa Bruins
The 6-2, 195-pound senior is as versatile as they come, including catching 36 passes for 602 yards and nine touchdowns.
He also rushed for 237 yards and scored four times on the ground for the Shingle Springs school that seeks another playoff berth.
Keion Kado, Mira Loma Matadors
The quick, 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore is on his way to becoming a four-year varsity starter for the San Juan Unified School District program.
He averaged 36.1 yards per reception last season with a long of 95 yards, and 13 touchdowns for a 12-0 team that won the section’s first 8-man championship.
Mira Loma Matadors wide receiver Keion Kado (5) makes a touchdown catch against Foresthill Wildfires cornerback David Silveria (12) as time expires in the first half of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division VIII championship at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento on Saturday, Nov. 29. NATHANIEL LEVINE nlevine@sacbee.com Ethan Keim, Woodcreek Timberwolves
The 6-2, 175-pound senior was a key figure for the Roseville school’s finest football team in its 32-year history.
He caught 50 passes for 900 yards and eight touchdowns.
Woodcreek Timberwolves cornerback Ethan Keim (14) out jumps the Rio Americano Raiders’ Arnez Campbell (2) for an interception in the second quarter of they CIF Sac-Joaquin Division III semifinal playoff game in Roseville on Friday, Nov. 21. NATHANIEL LEVINE nlevine@sacbee.com Logan Kruse, El Dorado Cougars
The 5-11, 175-pound senior had 41 receptions for 755 yards and six touchdowns.
He pairs with teammate Heath Morris, who had four touchdown grabs in 2025, with the aim to get the small-school program from Placerville back into the postseason.
Rob Larson, Folsom Bulldogs
In the storied receiver history of the program, including players who reached the NFL, the 6-3, 200-pound Larson is as good as the school has ever produced.
The UCLA-bound Larson had 82 catches for 1,146 yards and 18 touchdowns for a 14-1 team that won a CIF State championship.
The Folsom Bulldogs’ Rob Larson catches a touchdown pass in the first half of the CIF Division 1–AA State Championship football game against the Cathedral Catholic Dons at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, Dec. 12. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com Gunnar Marsh, Christian Brothers Falcons
The 5-11, 175-pound senior is the top statistical receiver returner in the section, having caught 72 passes for 1,259 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Marsh is determined to drive his team back to the playoffs.
Trace Murchison, Woodcreek Timberwolves
The 6-0, 185-pound senior and third-year varsity player had his fingerprints all over his team’s first section championship team last fall.
Murchison caught 66 passes for 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Woodcreek Timberwolves’ Trace Murchison looks to evade the Inderkum Tigers’ Jayden Corry as he picks up first down yardage on a reception in the fourth quarter on Friday, Oct. 17, in Roseville. NATHANIEL LEVINE nlevine@sacbee.com Ocean Munoz, Oakmont Vikings
The 6-1, 180-pound senior is a team captain and will again be a primary target.
He made 59 receptions for 1,004 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Roseville school.
Landen Parry, Del Oro Golden Eagles
The powerfully built 6-2, 245-pound senior team captain and fourth-year varsity performer for the storied Golden Eagles of Loomis is a bruising blocker at tight end with good hands.
He had 36 receptions for 425 yards and four scores in 2025.
Landen Parry, of Del Oro High School, runs a drill during the Sacramento State Football Rising Stars MEGA Camps on Wednesday, June 10. Parry is the son of former NFL player Josh Parry. HECTOR AMEZCUA hamezcua@sacbee.com Isaac Pierce, Oak Ridge Trojans
The 5-11, 180-pound senior is ready for a big bounce-back season, having missed the bulk of last season due to injury after averaging 21.7 yards a catch.
He’s also a fine defensive player for the El Dorado Hills powerhouse, and he has a teammate to help stretch the field in the speedy Braxton Miller.
Koby Shabazz, Grant Pacers
The 5-9. 170-pound fourth-year starting senior headed to Sacramento State puts the pizazz in the sport, and his nickname is “Cheese.”
It can also be “Playmaker.” He had seven receiving touchdowns last season and will be a focal point for the section Division I contenders.
Brady Stowers, Colfax Falcons
The 5-8, 160-pound senior provides the receiver element to compliment the run game for the longtime playoff regular in Placer County.
He had 56 catches for 1,013 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025.
Christian Taylor, Bella Vista Broncos
The 6-4, 210-pound junior tight end had 32 receptions and four touchdowns.
Taylor also plays linebacker for the Fair Oaks program on the rise.
Mason Volzer, Lincoln Zebras
The 6-1,185-pound junior sparkled last season in nine games.
He recorded 37 receptions for 645 yards and scored 14 touchdowns for a playoff team.
Did we miss anyone? Email insight to jdavidson@sacbee.com
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Joe Davidson has covered sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1989: preps, colleges, Kings and features. He was in early 2024 named the National Sports Media Association Sports Writer of the Year for California and he was in the fall of 2024 inducted into the California High School Football Hall of Fame. He is a 14-time award winner from the California Prep Sports Writer Association. In 2021, he was honored with the CIF Distinguished Service award. He is a member of the California Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Davidson participated in football and track in Oregon.