Who cracked our Top 5 Wide Receivers on the Emerald Coast?

The area's star power at wideout over the past decade is undeniable.

Richie Grant and Jayce Brown shined at Choctaw, while Tyre McCants, Eli Stove, Azareyeh Thomas and Roland Clay were all game-changers at Niceville. Caden Roberts and Pearce Spurlin III ushered South Walton into a new era, while Marquese Davenport was instrumental in Blake James' passing record at Fort Walton Beach. The Voisin brothers at Crestview were multi-sport stars, while Josh Preston led Rocky Bayou to uncharted heights. Meanwhile Dante Wright and Quentin Randolph shined at Navarre and beyond.

This year's crop of wideouts looks to build on the area's reputation.

With Brown off to Kansas State and Spurlin to Georgia, the race for the area's top receiver is wide open. Here are my top five.

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1. Maddax Fayard, Niceville, 5-10, 185, Sr.

2022 Stats: 65 receptions, 986 receiving yards, 15.2 ypc, 6 TDs

Fayard was simply uncoverable in 2022.

Elite speed, sharp route running, great hands ... the scouting report screams matchup nightmare for the senior regardless of the corner. Fayard wins 50-50 balls, has an awareness of the sideline on toe-touching grabs and knows how to get to the sticks. Simply put, no receiver in the area runs a better route or sacrifices their body more than Fayard.

Now, in his swan song, the senior is rested after an offseason injury, has a talented WR2 in Landon Isbell and is developing a connection with transfer QB Nino Freeman. With DJ Shorts back to lead the ground game, this offense is as multi-dimensional as it's been in years. It's hard to improve on 2022's numbers, but the uptick in touchdowns will no doubt come for Fayard, who will continue to be a focal point in returning Niceville to its typical 35-to-40 points per game.

2. Terence Marshall, Navarre, 6-2, 180, Sr.

2022 Stats: 37 receptions, 634 receiving yds, 5 TDs, 17.1 ypc

One of the best deep-threat playmakers in the Panhandle, Marshall returns for his swan song as the No. 1 option to Hunter Pfiester.

In 2022, Marshall averaged 17.1 yards per catch. With Jadon Reese and his 45 catches for 737 yards and 12 touchdowns graduated and tailback Eddie love Jr. off to Fort Walton Beach, expect the Raiders to lean on Marshall and the aerial attack more than ever. By season's end, Marshall is a good candidate to eclipse 1,000 yards and 60 catches.

3. Issac Thomas, Choctaw, 6-4, 185, Sr.

2022 Stats: 39 receptions, 617 yds, 15.8 ypc, 2 TDs

One of the most underrated transfers of the offseason was Thomas, who last we saw was torching Niceville in the Region 1-4S quarterfinals for 160 yards on nine catches.

Physically, Thomas has all the tools to replace all-stater Jayce Brown, whose 925 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns went off to Kansas State. With a proven star in Jesse Winslette feeding Thomas the rock and tailback Cole Tabb returning after nabbing the 3S Player of the Year honors, the senior could approach 1,000 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns. Currently offered by Valdosta State, expect the bigger offers to trickle in for Thomas.

4. Jaden Robinson, South Walton, 6-3, 180, Sr.

2022 Stats: 26 receptions, 454 yds, 17.5 ypc, 5 TDs

Robinson flourished as Carson Hawk's third-favorite option in 2022. Now, with Maddox Porter and Gabe Hanson graduating as the core of a senior class that accounted for 79 receptions, 1,173 yards and 12 touchdowns, the opportunity is there for Robinson.

Quarterback Carson Hawk has undoubtedly improved. As has the O-line. So it wouldn't be a shock to see Robinson haul in double-digit touchdowns and double 2022's receiving output of 454 yards and five scores.

5. Landon Isbell, Niceville, 6-2, 175, Jr.

2022 Stats: 15 receptions, 156 yards, 10.4 ypc, 0 TDs

Landon Isbell has been the talk of the offseason after Fayard's injury allowed him to occupy WR1 status.

"Unbelievable, unreal" is how Grant Thompson described Isbell's rise this offseason, and at 6-2, 175 pounds he looks the part of a budding star. With the attention on Fayard, opportunity will flow for Isbell, who developed a strong connection with IMG Academy transfer Nino Freeman.

Last year, Niceville missed that 1-2 punch as the offense sputtered with just 27.9 points per game. Isbell doesn't need to be a home run threat, simply just a possession guy offering 3-5 catches nightly. If that develops, teams will have to pick their poison in trying to contain DJ Shorts and the run game or Isbell and Fayard in the secondary. Oof, have fun with that.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Top 5 wide receivers on Emerald Coast include Fayard, Thomas, Marshall