Statistics don’t tell the full story of a player – especially given the context of the 2020 season. The COVID-19 pandemic kept changing schedules, whether it was a change of opponent or a completely canceled game. Schools trudged through the unknown and masters were eventually crowned.
This year’s edition of the recurring statistics guides will be different than last year as the athletes on this list play an uneven number of games (context, remember?). But over the next few weeks we will be looking at the top returnees in terms of passing yards, rushing yards, and reception yards in classifications 6A, 5A, 4A / 3A, and private schools.
Below are the top return receivers among all 5A players based on the Dallas Morning News top 20 leaders a season ago (listed in descending order of yards). We’ll take a comparative look at the top players at the very end of this post.
Note: We’re listing this year’s team records to show how many games each school has played, including the postseason.
The top three
1. CJ Nelson, Richland
Statistics: 48 receptions for 1,079 yards (22.5 average) and 14 TDs
Team record: 5-5
A big game is waiting for the three-star alliance recruit to top all of the players on this list with the most yards per catch at 22.5. Nelson, listed as a four-star contestant by 247Sports, tops this list and didn’t even appear in two of Richland’s games, meaning the gap between him and the next few players could have been even greater.
Nelson is # 38 overall in the News Area Top 100 and is # 7 WR on the list for the Class of 2022 and is committed to SMU. The mustangs get a player who can act on both sides of the ball. Nelson was SportsDayHS Player of the Week for a heroic performance in an OT loss to Colleyville Heritage. His stats were impressive: 11 receptions for 291 yards, 5 TDs (a school record); 2 INT, 2 PBU, 4 solo tackles, 3 assists.
T2. Evan Stewart, Frisco Liberty
Statistics: 46 receptions for 913 yards (19.8 average) and 9 TDs
Team record: 6-5
Stewart stayed busy after the 2020 football season, playing a large portion of Frisco Liberty’s 5A track and field team title. He was involved in all 54 Liberty points by winning the long jump, finishing second in the triple jump, anchoring the 4×200 relay that finished second, and the 4×400 relay that ended first. His efforts in the 4×400 relay, the final part of the competition, moved Liberty from third to first place to win the title. He was named Athlete of the Year by The News.
Oh, he’s pretty good at football too. The Texas commit is a five-star composite recruit and is ranked # 1 on the WR for the Dallas area in The News’ class of 2022. 247Sports lists him as the nation’s fourth best WR.
READ MORE: Young Athlete of the Year 2021: Evan Stewart of Frisco Liberty
T2. Jack Livingstone, Lovejoy
Statistics: 52 receptions for 913 yards (17.6 average) and 10 TDs
Team record: 5-6 (with Richardson Pearce)
Livingston spent the 2020 season with Richardson Pearce and will be with Lovejoy for the 2021 season. That’s good news for Lovejoy, as its two top 2020 receivers, Reid Westervelt (86 receptions for 1,809 yards and 31 TDs) and Luke Mayfield (58 receptions for 882 yards and 11 TDs) are now gone. Whoever becomes Lovejoys QB will have solid weapons with Livingstone and Jaxson Lavender (45 receptions for 465 yards and 3 TDs in 2020).
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Lone Star’s Ashton Jeanty (2) runs for a touchdown in front of Denton’s Amir Fera (42) and Courtney Blackston (11) in the second quarter of a high school football game between Frisco Lone Star and Denton on Thursday, November 5, 2020, in Denton , Texas.
(Matt Strasen / special article)
Next up
4. Carston Brewer, Frisco Heritage
Statistics: 44 receptions for 881 yards (20.1 average) and 14 TDs
Team record: 3-7
5. Ashton Jeanty, Frisco Lone Star
Statistics: 55 receptions for 816 yards (average 14.8) and 7 TDs
Team record: 7-4
Note: Jeanty will move to running back for the 2021 season, according to Lone Star offensive coordinator John Fish. Jeanty had 383 rushing yards and an average of 8.3 yards per carry. Fish says they’ll take advantage of Jeanty by pulling him on and off in the backcourt. A running back with one year of experience as a receiver is a big plus for any offensive, especially for one of QB Garret Rangel’s like Lone Star.
6. Zion Steptoe, Frisco Monument
Statistics: 37 receptions for 790 yards (21.4 average) and 8 TDs
Team record: 3-6
A comparative look
Below are the stats of everyone on this list:
| Player, school | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJ Nelson, Richland | 48 | 1,079 | 22.5 | 14th |
| Evan Stewart, Frisco Liberty | 46 | 913 | 19.8 | 9 |
| Jack Livingstone, Lovejoy | 52 | 913 | 17.6 | 10 |
| Carston Brewer, Frisco Heritage | 44 | 881 | 20.1 | 14th |
| Ashton Jeanty, Frisco Lone Star | 55 | 816 | 14.8 | 7th |
| Zion Steptoe, Frisco Memorial | 37 | 790 | 21.4 | 8th |
More statistics guide
6A: Passing | Hurry | reception
5A: Pass | Hurry | reception
4A / 3A: Pass | Hurry | reception
Private schools: Passed | Hurry | reception
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Check out more high school sports stories from The Dallas Morning News here.
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