Ridge Point senior receiver John Rangel is averaging 18.3 yards per catch through five games. He has 30 receptions, 550 receiving yards and six touchdowns as the Panthers sit at 6-0 and No. 6 in the Class 6A state rankings.

Rangel, a 6-foot, 185-pound wideout, spent the offseason training with several receiver coaches before connecting with Jacksonville Jaguars slot receiver Parker Washington, the Defender Network first reported. The sessions focused on route stems, tempo changes and creating separation at the top of routes.

"Parker Washington taught me a lot about getting to my spots and using different stems to create separation in routes … He showed me how important details are and how changing your tempo and route stems can make a big difference," Rangel told the Defender Network.

Washington is a Fort Bend County product. He attended Fort Bend Travis High School before playing at Penn State and going to Jacksonville in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has emerged as the Jaguars' starting slot receiver, posting 15 catches for 221 yards and two touchdowns through three games of the 2026 season.

That local pipeline matters. Ridge Point went 11-1 last season and sent 16 players to Division I programs, including three receivers who are now starting as college freshmen, according to the Defender Network. Wide receivers coach Charles McWilliams told the outlet that Rangel added about 10 pounds of muscle heading into his senior year, giving him new versatility alongside a high football IQ.

Rangel has never had a traditional football offseason at Ridge Point because of his baseball commitments. Head coach Rick LaFavers told the Defender Network that Rangel has no official track times on record but called him one of the program's strongest and fastest players.

The Houston Chronicle's Week 7 rankings placed Ridge Point at No. 6 in Class 6A after a 41-6 win over Fort Bend Austin. The program has won 11 consecutive district titles dating to 2014.

Rangel holds 10 Division I football offers, including from Texas State, the University of New Mexico and Sam Houston. He remains uncommitted and told the Defender Network he wants to keep proving he can compete against top competition.

Ridge Point's next District 21-6A game is against Elkins.