CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The fall 2026 football season features a solid senior receiver class in the Coastal Bend. That's why we're highlighting five seniors in our third annual KRIS Super 6 Showcase, a combine-like environment that will air Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. on KRIS 6.
The Carroll Tigers have an arsenal of wide receivers including senior Steven McChester at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. He'll not only battle opponents one-on-one, but he can beat them at the jump ball. That's why he's been named to our KRIS Super 6 Showcase.
"Oh he definitely can play in college. It's just a matter of getting the opportunity," said Carroll football head coach Cal Neatherlin. "They see some of the highlights that we have, they're going to be drawn to him because his upside is through the roof."
Last fall, McChester caught 24 passes for 412 yards and 7 touchdowns through 11 games. His speciality is breaking downfield.
"I would say catching those deep balls," McChester said. "I feel like just going up and getting it is kind of like recess ball to me, so I just go up and get it and I like hearing the crowd pop."
In the offseason McChester packed on some muscle, gaining over 10 pounds in the weight room. His bench press is at 225, and that power carries over to the field.
"Definitely getting off the line stronger. Not being able to get bullied around you know."
McChester first put on the pads when he was 7-years-old, playing with the Flour Bluff Youth Football League. Over time his passion for sports transitioned to basketball, but when he moved to Carroll in high school head coach Cal Neatherlin convinced him to play.
"I was never going to play football my high school years I'm not going to lie," McChester said. "I was never going to play, but God blessed me with the ability to and I'm here now."
McChester dedicates hours on the field and in the classroom. He has a 3.5 GPA. It's his mentor mindset that's really shown growth.
"Now he's starting to be vocal like in 7-on-7 and when we're out there he's a calming influence out there," Neatherlin said. "He's really kind of grown into leadership."
Carroll's receiver corps is stacked, so McChester has had to earn the respect and confidence from Tigers' quarterback Seth Neatherlin.
"My first big play on varsity was against Boerne in the playoffs and I threw the ball to him," said Seth Neatherlin. "I just have a good relationship with all of them."
This season, Carroll football is hoping to live up to the hype. On paper they've got a solid roster. Last fall they lost two of their games by only one touchdown, before struggling against their top two district opponents and then making it to the first round of playoffs to end the year with a (6-5) record.
"I mean we've won, but we haven't really won like we've wanted to," McChester said. "We all have something to prove and we've all been good friends over the years."
The KRIS Super 6 Showcase features McChester alongside Flour Bluff's Ransom Watson, King’s Damon Smith, Orange Grove’s Daniel Martinez and Three Rivers’ Ethan Conn. Watch the showcase on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. on KRIS 6.
The Carroll Tigers kick off their season on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7:05 p.m. at Buccaneer Stadium in the Battle of the Bridge against Gregory-Portland. If you can't be there, make sure to watch it on KRIS 6 for Game Night South Texas.
Thank you to Ramsey Torres of Ramco Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating on supporting Coastal Bend athletes, a proud sponsor of the KRIS Super 6 Showcase.
There are more class of 2027 receivers to keep on the radar like London's Zach Tyrone, Carroll's Braylen Swanson and Miller's Izaiah Gidrey to name a few.
