LONG BEACH — If you have two five-star recruits at defensive skill positions, you have the makings of an elite program. When those two players are willing to line up on offense and be paired with a four-star recruit and a three-star recruit, you arguably have the best receiving corps in the nation.
That’s the situation heading into the 2026 season for the Long Beach Poly football program.
On paper, the Jackrabbits are led by five-star Miami senior cornerback commit Donte Wright, California’s top recruit, according to 247Sports.
However, they also have five-star UCLA senior cornerback commit JuJu Johnson, a Top 50 national recruit, and four-star junior Zion Anderson, who plays receiver and defensive back and holds offers from schools like Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Oregon, UCLA and USC. The group’s unsung player is three-star senior recruit Jayden Coley, who led the team with 44 receptions for 698 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
“We have four electric receivers that can take the top off at any moment, so it’s going to be a fun year with us four,” Wright said. “Then we’ve got some young guys. We’re trying to get our connections right with our quarterback.”
Poly first-year coach Travon Patterson said his current group of receivers has the potential to be amongst the program’s all-time greats.
“I compare this team to the Kareem Kellys, the Samie Parkers, the Andre Cyrus’, the DeSean Jacksons, to Derrick Jones, Terrence Austin, to even the Travon Patterson’s like myself,” Patterson said. “I really compare this group of receivers to those groups as well. That lets you know exactly what type of caliber players we have on the outside.”
Patterson, a 2006 alum and former USC receiver, knows firsthand what it’s like to be a speedy playmaker and what it means to be a part of the Jackrabbits’ family.
“That’s the main reason why I came back,” Patterson said. “Poly is more like a family than a regular high school. The whole goal was to make sure the community stays home, and that’s exactly what you’ve seen.”
“I think it’s good for sure,” Johnson added. “(Coach Patterson) for sure gives us tips from his perspective from a receiver point and a coach perspective. It’s good to have two POVs, and it only helps us get better every day.”
Wright, who is a four-year starter, said in addition to being a lockdown cornerback, he’s also looking forward to using his 10.6 100-meter speed when being utilized at receiver and kick returner.
“I’m very excited, just to go out there and leave it all on the field to help my team win any way I can,” Wright continued.
The 6-foot-1 recruit said he worked on his technique during the offseason and studied film to improve his play recognition.
“It puts you in better positions to allow you to make more plays,” Wright explained. “So that’s all I’m trying to do is put myself in position to make plays.”
On defense, Wright is glad to once again be paired with Johnson, like they were during their freshman and sophomore seasons.
“We’re not just going to see him at corner,” Wright said. “He’s going to be moving around. We’re going to be moving around, so it’s going to get dangerous for sure.”
Meanwhile, Johnson, a three-year starter, is more than ready to get back on the high school football field for the first time since he was a sophomore. He has 10.3 100-meter speed but missed his entire junior season with an injury.
“We’re both seniors,” Johnson said, “and we’re both leaders, and we’re ready to lead our team to be state champs.”
The 5-foot-11 two-way player, who is being recruited as an athlete, said he’s excited to show his versatility.
“I’m very excited for sure on the offensive side,” Johnson continued. “Just to showcase my abilities more. I just feel like nobody has really seen me at my full potential and for my last year of high school, people are really going to see who JuJu really is.”
The Jackrabbits quarterback room includes three new players. Juniors Ace Fa’agata (La Mirada transfer) and Kingston Stokley (Narbonne transfer) and sophomore Trevor Scott (Mater Dei transfer), who is expected to sit out until just before Moore League play. All three have shown potential leading up to the season.
“Football is always going to have its ups and downs, but I feel like every Friday, we’re always going to come out on top,” Johnson concluded.
2027 Miami CB commit Donte Wright on helping lead Long Beach Poly football to new heights as a senior. Wright, who is a five-star recruit, is expected to play offense, defense and special teams. pic.twitter.com/WoNDLFkoD4
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 21, 2026
UCLA 2027 commit JuJu Johnson is excited to be back on the field after missing his junior season with an injury. Johnson is a five-star recruit, who can take the top off the defense with 10.3 100m speed. He will see time at receiver, cornerback and special teams. pic.twitter.com/hD5zvcFA0L
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 21, 2026
Long Beach Poly football first-year head coach Travon Patterson is all about family. That’s why the 2006 alum, who played WR at USC, said he came home to be Poly’s coach. He’s excited about his team’s potential this season. pic.twitter.com/OulpaLsjcA
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 21, 2026