NCAAF · 3 months ago

Top 135 Wide Receivers for the 2025 College Football Season

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

135. Landon Sides - North Texas Mean Green
North Texas is likely in for a rebuilding year, but they are filled with Texas kids, and the floor figures to be at least competitive in the American Athletic Conference. One of those local kids is from Denton, and he’ll probably be the leading receiver for the Mean Green: Landon Sides. Sides is now a junior, and he’s already appeared in 23 games for North Texas with more than receptions and five touchdowns. He finished his sophomore season with five catches for 89 yards and a score against Texas State in the First Responder Bowl.
1. Jeremiah Smith - Ohio State Buckeyes
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The Ohio State Buckeyes won the 2024-2025 National Championship, and the arrival and emergence of superstar Jeremiah Smith played a significant part in their ascension to the top of the sport. Smith has a rare combination of size, speed, toughness, and ball skills, and he was touted as a generational prospect before even playing a collegiate game. Somehow, Smith lived up to the hype and entered the 2025-2026 season as the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver. It is fair to wonder if he is the best player in the country, regardless of position.

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2. Ryan Williams - Alabama Crimson Tide
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A talent like Jeremiah Smith sucks up a lot of the oxygen in any discussion of best wide receivers. Still, fellow freshman Ryan Williams from Alabama was also outstanding and is an excellent choice as the No. 2 wideout for the upcoming season. Despite a slight frame, Williams had an explosive freshman campaign. He led Alabama in receiving yards with 865, an average of 18.02 yards per reception. That all came with the inconsistent play of quarterback Jalen Milroe, and with a more steady passer at the controls in 2025, Williams could take another jump forward.
3. Jordyn Tyson - Arizona State Sun Devils
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The Arizona State Sun Devils made a run to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals after earning a bye for winning the Big 12 Championship. They battled Texas in an instant classic in the Peach Bowl and did so without star wideout Jordyn Tyson. Despite the late injury, Tyson had 75 catches for 1,101 yards and ten touchdowns. He also had 624 yards over five games in November before his injury. He’s back in 2025 and again paired with returning quarterback Sam Leavitt.
4. Antonio Williams - Clemson Tigers
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The Clemson Tigers should have an elite passing attack in 2025. The star quarterback returns and will be in his third season under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. The offensive line is full of veterans. The wide receiver group is as good as Clemson has had since their national title seasons. The leader of that group is Antonio Williams. The junior had 75 receptions for 904 yards with 11 touchdowns, leading Clemson in each category. The continued emergence and development of T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. give the Tigers as good of a top-three group of pass catchers as anyone in the country.
5. Evan Stewart - Oregon Ducks
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The Oregon Ducks will always have a great offense for as long as Will Stein calls the plays, and the Ducks are acquiring great talent. There are questions at quarterback, but they still have a top-notch group of weapons that should elevate whoever throws the passes. Evan Stewart is an excellent receiver but has more potential to unlock. This past season, he was outstanding in big games, and Oregon desperately missed him in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State. With other targets moving on, Stewart must have a massive campaign.

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6. Cam Coleman - Auburn Tigers
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Despite a nagging injury and inconsistent (at best) quarterback play, Cam Coleman still managed to put up 598 yards and eight touchdowns during his true freshman season on The Plains. Auburn added Jackson Arnold and is hoping he can resemble the quarterback, who was a five-star prospect. At worst, he should be better than Payton Thorne was in 2024. The Tigers also added more help at wide receiver, which should open up more opportunities for him to face single-coverage. He ended the season with six touchdowns in his final three games, and Coleman has the physical gifts to break out in a massive way in 2025.
7. Deion Burks - Oklahoma Sooners
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What to make of Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks? Burks was one of the top transfers last season as he left Purdue for Oklahoma, and the Sooners had massive hopes for the offense in 2024. Nic Anderson (see later on this list) missed the whole season, the quarterback play was erratic, and Burks was banged up from the beginning and ultimately only played in five games. The dynamic receiver is healthy now, and the Sooners have to find a way to utilize his incredible speed to take the top off of opposing defenses.
8. Carnell Tate - Ohio State Buckeyes
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Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes to produce big numbers for wide receivers is a safe proposition. Emeka Egbuka is off to the NFL, leaving a hole at the No. 2 spot behind superstar Jeremiah Smith. Carnell Tate is the most likely candidate to step up and seize that role. Tate had a very good 2024 campaign, averaging 14.1 yards per reception and pulling in 52 passes for 733 yards. With Smith getting much attention, Tate will have his chance to beat defenders in single coverage.
9. Nic Anderson - LSU Tigers
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As mentioned, Nic Anderson was expected to be a big part of an explosive Oklahoma offense. Unfortunately for Brent Venables, nothing went according to plan, and Anderson’s season-long absence was a major missing piece of the incomplete puzzle. Anderson exploded in 2023 with 798 yards and ten touchdowns on just 38 receptions as a freshman. He’s one of the quickest and most dynamic deep threats in college football and is now playing for LSU as a key target for Garrett Nussmeier. Talent meets opportunity.
10. Eric Rivers - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
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Georgia Tech lost Eric Singleton but replaced him with a very productive and proven weapon in Eric Rivers from Florida International. Rivers was often the sole focus of opposing defenses, but he found a way to haul in 62 receptions for 1,172 yards, an average of 18.9 yards per catch. He also had 12 touchdowns in 2024. After a slow start, Rivers came on late with games of 101, 97, 95, 91, 295, 125, and 117 down the stretch. He’s only 5’11”, but Rivers should have a huge year for the Yellow Jackets.
11. Elijah Sarratt - Indiana Hoosiers
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Elijah Sarratt began his career at St. Francis (PA) before transferring to James Madison and then following Curt Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan to Bloomington for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. At each stop, Sarratt has been incredibly productive. Among returning Power Four wide receivers, only Jordyn Tyson and Jeremiah Smith had more yards last season and Sarratt was a master at pulling down contested catches (16). Sarratt is an excellent blocker and route runner, and he’ll have Fernando Mendoza throwing him the ball, so expect continued high-level production this campaign.
12. T.J. Moore - Clemson Tigers
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As a true freshman, T.J. Moore missed the spring and got off to a slow start during the 2024 season. However, he acclimated midseason and ended up with 45 receptions for 651 yards and five touchdowns. That included a terrific performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff, with nine catches and 116 yards. Moore is a big target, and the Tigers have three wide receivers in the top 15 heading into next season.
13. Eric Singleton Jr. - Auburn Tigers
The Auburn Tigers needed to improve the weapons around Cam Coleman, and they hit a home run in the transfer portal, adding Eric Singleton Jr. from Georgia Tech. Singleton Jr. is a constant big-play threat with legitimate track speed. Per Pro Football Focus, Singleton Jr. had 664 receiving yards on deep balls since 2023. That is the top number for returning Power Four receivers and those numbers came within a Georgia Tech offense that didn’t exactly air it deep every series. His addition should open things up for the Auburn offense.
14. Kevin Concepcion - Texas A&M Aggies
To be very clear, Kevin “KC” Concepcion does not belong on this list based exclusively on his 2024 season. He had a down year as a sophomore for the North Carolina State Wolfpack, but the talent and versatility he displayed in 2023 in Raleigh are still present. I’m really excited about the potential fit in College Station after he transferred to Texas A&M. Concepcion is exceptional with the ball in his hands, and he can excel as both a slot receiver and a gadget weapon on sweeps or handoffs. The Aggies have a strong stable of running backs, a mobile threat at quarterback and KC. On paper, they should be incredibly entertaining.
15. Bryant Wesco Jr. - Clemson Tigers
Behind Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams, no freshman had more receiving yards in 2024 than Bryant Wesco Jr. Despite battling a nagging injury during the season, Wesco Jr. had 41 receptions for 708 yards and five touchdowns, including a monster showing in the ACC Championship Game (142 yards and two touchdowns). Wesco Jr. is the blazing deep threat next to target monster Antonio Williams and big receiver T.J. Moore—the trio form possibly the best top three receiver group in the country.
16. Makai Lemon - USC Trojans
Makai Lemon is a big target that broke out for the USC Trojans as a sophomore in 2024. He had 52 catches for 764 yards but has so much room to grow and finished the campaign with the two best games of his career. Once Jayden Maiava was inserted at quarterback, Lemon went off against Notre Dame for 133 on nine catches and then had 99 yards and six catches against Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl. Lemon is the only sure-thing on USC’s offense as the Trojans enter a pivotal 2025 season.
17. Cayden Lee - Ole Miss Rebels
The Ole Miss Rebels face a lot of turnover from the roster that came up short in 2024, but one returning force is slot receiver Cayden Lee. Lee is shifty and extremely quick, and he surprised many with an impressive 57 catches and 874 yards for the Rebels in his second season. With Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins moving on, Lee is the leader of the receiver room, and he’ll need to increase his production, particularly in the red zone (just two touchdowns last season).
18. Nick Marsh - Michigan State Spartans
Understandably, the freshman season of Jeremiah Smith got all of the attention nationally. Still, Big Ten fans know he was not the only freshman pass-catcher to have a big season. Michigan State’s Nick Marsh was a major force for the Spartans as he hauled in 41 receptions for 649 yards and three touchdowns. Marsh is a supremely talented receiver, and his ability to make contested catches with exceptional body control really stands out. Aidan Chiles gets his best target back for the 2025 season, and he’ll need Marsh to continue developing in order for Michigan State to climb the Big Ten standings.
19. Aaron Anderson - LSU Tigers
Aaron Anderson is small in stature, but his impact and potential for the 2025 season are huge. The speedy playmaker is only 5’8”, but after transferring from Alabama, Anderson exploded with the LSU Tigers in 2024. He had 61 passes for 884 yards (an average of 14.49 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. He led LSU in catches, receiving yards, and returns for round two of his successful partnership with Garrett Nussmeier. Anderson was LSU’s most consistent weapon. He had at least five receptions in eight games and was a steady force on a team that was often erratic.
20. Denzel Boston - Washington Huskies
If the Washington Huskies are going to rebound in 2025, it will be on the back of developing quarterback Demond Williams and star receiver Denzel Boston. Giles Jackson was the top receiver last season, but he is off to the NFL, and the show is now Boston’s. As a sophomore, he had 834 yards on 63 catches and led the Huskies with nine touchdowns. Boston is a big target, and he’ll now be the unquestioned number one target for a potential star at quarterback.
21. Eugene Wilson - Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are counting on Eugene “Tre” Wilson to return to 100% in 2025 following an injury-plagued 2024 campaign. Wilson had hip and knee surgery after playing in only four games last season as the Gators got off to a sputtering start. The change to DJ Lagway at quarterback should open up new opportunities for the explosive Wilson. As a true freshman in 2023, Wilson had 480 yards after the catch, and there will be more chances to burn defenses with Lagway slinging the ball deep.
22. Caleb Douglas - Texas Tech Red Raiders
Speaking of Florida, former Gator Caleb Douglas was on the roster for two seasons in Gainesville but rarely played. He transferred to Texas Tech as an afterthought but exploded for 60 receptions for 877 yards once given the opportunity in Lubbock. Douglas is now the primary receiving threat for the Red Raiders, and they enter the 2025 season as one of the expected contenders in the wide-open Big 12.
23. Chase Roberts - BYU Cougars
Chase Roberts is an underappreciated player. He’s 6’4”, moves well, has excellent hands, and has significantly improved during his time in Provo. Last season, Roberts only had four touchdowns, but he racked up 854 yards on 52 receptions and had three separate games of more than 100 yards. That included 108 yards in a heartbreaking defeat to BYU and 91 yards in the thrilling escape over rival Utah. Roberts is consistent and will be the No. 1 target for returning quarterback Jake Retzlaff.
24. Malachi Fields - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Toiling in anonymity at Virginia, Malachi Fields combined for 1,619 yards in the past two seasons. That is the most receiving yards for any returning player in the Power Four. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Fields is not returning to Virginia. He transferred to Notre Dame and will play for the 2024 national runner-up. The quarterback situation is unclear at Notre Dame, but it should be a better player than who Fields had at UVA in 2024. He's 6’4” and 220 pounds and matches the physicality the Irish look for on offense.
25. O'Mega Blake - Arkansas Razorbacks
A great name and an odd journey. Wide receiver O’Mega Blake began his collegiate career at South Carolina before transferring to Charlotte for one season. He dominated with the 49ers and is now bouncing back to the SEC as a transfer to Arkansas to play with quarterback Taylen Green and the Razorbacks. Woo Pig Sooie, the Hogs got a good one with Blake. He had 795 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the nation with a whopping 24.84 yards per catch. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino will know what to do with an explosive weapon like Blake.
26. Ryan Wingo - Texas Longhorns
Ryan Wingo's numbers from his freshman season do not stand out, but the Longhorns lost Matthew Golden, Gunnar Helm, and Isaiah Bond, and the time is now for Wingo to take over the No. 1 receiver role. Wingo has the look of a future NFL star, and he had 472 yards on just 29 receptions in 2024. Arch Manning is now the starting quarterback and will need Wingo to become the kind of player his recruiting ranking and talent suggest he can be.
27. Devonte Ross - Penn State Nittany Lions
Troy has a proud football tradition, but 2024 was not a good season for the Trojans. One of the few bright spots was wide receiver Devonte Ross. As a junior, Ross had 1,043 yards with 11 touchdowns. His production dwarfed the other receivers for the Trojans, and he had six games with 95 yards or more, including a massive game at Iowa with 142 yards and two touchdowns. Ross transferred to Penn State, and the Nittany Lions hope he can provide them with a consistent threat on the outside, something they have lacked in recent years. It was arguably the most significant weakness for the squad in 2024 and has to be fixed for a serious run at a national title.
28. Josh Cameron - Baylor Bears
The Baylor Bears return top wide receiver Josh Cameron and hope he can be an All-Big 12 performer in his senior season. Cameron had ten touchdowns, 754 yards, and 52 catches, all team-highs for the Bears. His most impressive work came at the end of the season as he exceeded 100 yards in three of their final four contests as they went on a six-game winning streak to likely save Dave Aranda’s job.
29. Dane Key - Nebraska Cornhuskers
Kentucky’s passing offense has been problematic for a couple of seasons, and Dane Key hopes a move to Lincoln can take him from “good” to “great." Key was the top target for the Wildcats and led the team with 47 receptions and 715 yards but only had two touchdowns as Mark Stoops’s squad struggled to find the endzone. Nebraska desperately needs Raiola to take the next step in his development and they are hoping a big-play threat like Key can unlock his big-time potential.
30. DT Sheffield - Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers should have a pretty good duo of receivers with Ian Strong and North Texas transfer DT Sheffield. Sheffield had 11 receiving touchdowns and more than 1,100 all-purpose yards. He offers versatility and explosiveness the Scarlet Knights have not had in a while. Sheffield had a team-high 822 yards and 66 receptions with the Mean Green. Can Rutgers make a pivot to add more aerial firepower to their offense? Sheffield could be an important piece of that transition.
31. Nyck Harbor - South Carolina Gamecocks
The numbers do not show a top 35 wide receiver. Still, the athletic skills, physical profile, and massive potential for South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor have the makings of a top ten weapon in college football and a future first-round draft pick. The time is now for the 6’5” Harbor to turn his potential into actual production. With LaNorris Sellers slinging the ball to him, Harbor needs to harness his gifts and become an actual receiver with improved route-running skills and toughness.
32. Jaden Greathouse - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame’s wide receiver room was primarily considered a weakness for much of the season, but the unit picked it up in the College Football Playoff run to the title game, and Jaden Greathouse was a major standout. As a sophomore, Greathouse only had two games with five receptions or more in the regular season but was great against Louisville in a big win and then saved his best for last with seven receptions for 105 yards and a score to beat Penn State in the semifinals and then six receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns against the Ohio State Buckeyes as the only real effective weapon the Irish had. Greathouse enters his junior season expected to be the No. 1 receiver for Notre Dame.
33. Corey Rucker - Arkansas State Red Wolves
Arkansas State’s Corey Rucker was one of the more productive receivers in the country in 2024. He had 69 receptions for a stellar 1,053 yards and seven receptions while he averaged 15.3 yards per catch. Rucker had five games with more than 105 yards and went off on Bowling Green for 107 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-31 bowl game win. Rucker is entering his sixth season and has never been below 14 yards per reception.
34. Ian Strong - Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Ian Strong began his collegiate career as a safety recruit in the 2023 class, but he switched to wide receiver and became a revelation in 2024. Strong earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and grabbed 43 receptions for 676 yards and five touchdowns. Dymere Miller is now gone, and Strong slides up to the number one target for Rutgers in 2025. He had 20 contested catches, a remarkable number, and plays the position with great physicality. The Scarlet Knights will probably need to throw the ball more than they are accustomed to, so Strong could be in for a big season.
35. Vinny Anthony - Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin’s transition to a no-huddle Air Raid team has not gone well, but they did find a potential star at wide receiver in Vinny Anthony, and he returns for the 2025 season. As a junior, Anthony had 672 yards on just 39 receptions. That is a stellar 17.7 yards per catch, and the Badgers now have a new offensive coordinator, Jeff Grimes. Grimes’ Kansas offenses were in the top ten nationally in yards per completion, so plenty of deep balls should be heading his way. The question will be whether or not transfer quarterback Billy Edwards can get it to him consistently.
36. Duce Robinson - Florida State Seminoles
Duce Robinson was one of the best wide receiver transfers in the portal, and Florida State desperately needed a big target to help new quarterback Thomas Castellanos. The match made sense, and Robinson will play in Tallahassee in 2025. The talented junior was inconsistent and frustrating at USC, but he still had 396 yards on just 23 catches for an impressive 17.22 yards per reception and five touchdowns. He has the physical tools and frame to be a breakout star in the ACC and should have plenty of opportunities with the Seminoles. Can Robinson make good on his potential?
37. Ted Hurst - Georgia State Panthers
Georgia State Panthers wide receiver Ted Hurst jumped into the portal and was expected to be a primary target. Still, he surprisingly (and refreshingly) opted to return to the Atlanta Sun Belt team for his senior season. Hurst had 56 receptions for 961 yards with nine touchdowns. He expects over 1,000 yards as a significant force in the Sun Belt.
38. Chase Sowell - Iowa State Cyclones
The Iowa State Cyclones lost top targets Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins to the NFL. The best returning wide receiver was Carson Brown, who had only 11 catches on the season. So Matt Campbell dipped into the transfer portal and grabbed intriguing East Carolina transfer Chase Sowell. As a sophomore, Sowell had 678 receiving yards and averaged an impressive 19.94 yards per catch for the Pirates. He’s an emerging talent and enters a great situation with Rocco Becht back at quarterback.
39. Zachariah Branch - Georgia Bulldogs
There are so many questions surrounding Zachariah Branch, and it is fitting that he transferred to Georgia. After a frustrating season at the position, the Bulldogs expect to be much better at wide receiver. Branch could be a part of that as a burner who can show some development as a route runner. Branch averaged 10.7 yards per reception last season and must use his explosiveness to take a leap if he wants to become a weapon for Gunner Stockton.
40. Micah Hudson - Texas Tech Red Raiders
Expectations were sky-high for freshman wide receiver Micah Hudson at Texas Tech. He played in eight games, had eight receptions for 123 yards, and did not score a touchdown. He then hit the transfer portal after just one campaign. After all of the hoopla surrounding his commitment to the Red Raiders and his future in that system, Hudson will now play for another Texas school as he transferred to the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies need an explosive wide receiver to complement the running attack they should have this season, and Hudson has the tools needed to be a difference-maker.

UPDATE: Transferred back to Texas Tech
41. Dillon Bell - Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs won the SEC in 2024, but most considered the season a “down year” for Kirby Smart’s program. UGA struggled to run the ball consistently and dealt with injuries and off-the-field issues in the wide receiver corps. The top two targets are gone, and the Bulldogs have reloaded the room with multiple additions. There is an expectation that dynamic players like Dillon Bell can step into more prominent roles. Bell had 43 catches for 466 yards and showed flashes as a ball-carrier with 107 yards on the ground. Bell can be used in the slot or on the outside, but I think his best place is as a slot receiver that can get quick passes from Gunner Stockton and do damage after the catch.
42. Donaven McCulley - Michigan Wolverines
Donaven McCulley is a talented player and will be featured in the Michigan Wolverines' passing attack. The big question for the Maize and Blue is whether or not the coaching staff can get more consistent effort than Curt Cignetti was able to in Bloomington. McCulley left IU’s program midway through the 2024 season amid criticism from Cignetti that McCulley was not practicing at the level that he was expected to. In his previous time on the field with the Hoosiers, he was rarely a willing blocker, which will need to change due to Michigan's physicality. If those things get figured out, McCulley is a big target with excellent ball skills and above-average athleticism. He has the potential to be an All-Big Ten player for the Wolverines.
43. Noah Thomas - Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia’s restructuring and reloading of the wide receiver room involved adding one of the best transfer prospects in the portal. Noah Thomas left Texas A&M after leading the Aggies in receiving yards and receptions, going for 574 yards on 39 catches. He’s a big target that should slide into one of UGA’s outside receiver positions and serve as a red zone target for Stockton after securing eight touchdown receptions in 2024.
44. Horatio Fields - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were an outstanding team in 2024. They reached the National Championship Game before succumbing to Ohio State, but the team had few weaknesses. If one position group could be pointed out as weaker than desired, it would be at wide receiver. The Irish turned to the transfer portal to strengthen the unit for 2025. Beaux Collins and tight end Mitchell Evans are gone, so plenty of targets are available. Wake Forest transfer Horatio Fields is expected to grab a good chunk of them. Fields’s production in 2024 was limited by subpar quarterback play for the Demon Deacons, but he still had 39 receptions for 463 yards with a team-best four touchdowns. He’s in a much better situation now and is expected to increase production accordingly.
45. Omar Cooper - Indiana Hoosiers
Elijah Sarratt will lead IU’s wide receiver room in 2025. He is one of the country's best and most consistent receivers and figures to be the top target for quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Indiana’s offense spreads the ball around, and emerging star Omar Cooper is expected to take a big jump forward after snagging 28 receptions for an extremely impressive 21.21 yards per catch. Cooper scored on 25% of his receptions and is a threat to break for a big play every time he touches the ball. The injury to expected starter Tyler Morris will likely increase Cooper’s usage, and he’s in for a breakthrough 2025 campaign.
46. Germie Bernard - Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide are counting on the passing game to take a step forward in 2025 as Kalen DeBoer enters year No. 2 in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide return budding superstar Ryan Williams and veteran Washington transfer Germie Bernard. Bernard gained 794 yards on a team-high 50 receptions in 2024. Bernard only had two touchdowns, and the Tide are counting on him to increase that number this season, with Jalen Milroe out of the picture.
47. DeAndre Moore Jr. - Texas Longhorns
DeAndre Moore Jr. was part of a balanced cast of pass-catchers for the Texas Longhorns in 2024. Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond are headed to the NFL, and Texas pivots to Arch Manning at quarterback. Ryan Wingo is expected to step up and be the No. 1 target, but Texas has a few options who should have big seasons. Moore is one of them after scoring seven touchdowns and gaining 456 yards. Moore is a skilled and reliable target and should excel as the No. 2 option in an offense that will spread the ball around.
48. Isaiah Horton - Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide secured one of the top wide receiver transfers this past offseason as they grabbed Isaiah Horton from the Miami Hurricanes. Horton is a big receiver who had 616 yards on 56 receptions with quarterback Cam Ward. Alabama has slotted him into the starting lineup on the outside, and after spring practice, DeBoer said that Horton “has definitely not let us down." He was reportedly outstanding all spring and Alabama is counting on him giving them a great trio of wideouts.
49. Parker Livingstone - Texas Longhorns
This is a leap of faith, but Texas redshirt freshman Parker Livingstone is getting a lot of buzz from Austin. Livingstone looks like a movie star but stands 6’4” and has speed that rivals anyone else in the position group for the Longhorns. After entering Texas at just 195 pounds, he is now 220 pounds and stands out among a group of young Texas wide receivers that could break out. He’s penciled in as a starting receiver next to Ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore Jr. and could be a household name by the end of the campaign.
50. Joshisa Trader - Miami Hurricanes
Joshisa “JoJo” Trader is a breakout candidate in Coral Gables with an extremely high ceiling. Miami lost Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, and Isaiah Bond to the NFL Draft, and Isaiah Horton to Alabama, so there is a lot of opportunity for receivers to step up. CJ Daniels is still recovering from injuries, so Trader got a chance to shine during the spring. He reportedly cemented himself into the starting lineup, impressing with his ability to beat one-on-one coverage with speed and acceleration. He also has good hands in traffic to make contested catches.
51. Jayden Gibson - Oklahoma Sooners
The 2024 season was a mess for the Oklahoma Sooners. Injuries ravaged the team, and they were mostly a disappointment in their first year in the SEC. No unit was hurt more by absences than the wide receivers, and they are desperately hoping the returns of Deion Burks and Jayden Gibson can help new quarterback John Mateer get the offense rolling. Gibson is a 6’5” playmaker who averaged an absurd 26.79 yards per reception in 2023 with five touchdowns on just 14 receptions.
52. De'Zhaun Stribling - Ole Miss Rebels
The Ole Miss Rebels lost a lot on offense, but they reloaded again in the transfer portal with multiple good additions. De’Zhaun Stribling was terrific for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2024, averaging 16.96 yards per reception and leading the team with 882 yards. This came despite some inconsistent play from the quarterbacks, which included four games of more than 100 yards and six games of at least five catches. He joins an offense that is typically high-octane and should offer more of the same in 2025 in Oxford.
53. Dakorien Moore - Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks return Evan Stewart and added Malik Benson from Florida State via the transfer portal. The third starter is probably going to be incoming five-star freshman Dakorien Moore. Moore is an explosive former track star who should excel in the slot in Oregon’s offense. The Ducks are loaded with talent, but Moore drew positive praise for his play in the spring, and he’s ready to make an instant impact.
54. Malik McClain - Arizona State Sun Devils
The Arizona State Sun Devils lost star running back Cam Skattebo. Still, head coach Kenny Dillingham expects the offense not to miss a beat as quarterback Sam Leavitt returns, along with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Joining Tyson is Malik McClain. The transfer from Penn State arrived in Tempe just before the 2024 season and impressed in fall camp, but he was still very new to the team, and the coaching staff felt like a redshirt season would benefit him and the team. However, an injury to Jordyn Tyson late in the season and McClain’s continued standout play in practices nudged the coaches to insert him into the lineup during the postseason play, as those games did not count against eligibility. McClain had a 43-yard catch against Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game and a 42-yard reception against Texas in the epic Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl loss to Texas, flashing his ability to make a difference. He’s ready to roll as a full-time starter and hopes to give ASU a dynamic duo.
55. Malcolm Simmons - Auburn Tigers
In roughly 18 months, the Auburn Tigers may have gone from the outhouse to the penthouse regarding wide receiver quality. Hugh Freeze has, as expected, loaded up his roster for a significant 2025 campaign on The Plains. Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons were the second and third-leading receivers as true freshmen in 2024. They return with transfer portal additions like Eric Singleton Jr., giving the Tigers a legitimate threat in the slot. Simmons is a native of Montgomery and had 40 catches for 451 yards with four touchdowns as a surprise star last season. He is expected to take another step forward in 2025.
56. Barion Brown - LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers revamped and reloaded the wide receiver room ahead of a critical 2025 campaign. They now have one of the deepest receiver units in the country, and Kentucky transfer Barion Brown is hoping to take advantage of a better offensive system in Baton Rouge. Brown had 29 receptions for 361 yards but has proven his ability to produce in the SEC (539 receiving yards in 2023). He’ll be in a supporting cast role with the LSU Tigers this coming campaign as they try to push for a trip to the College Football Playoff.
57. Jordan Dwyer - TCU Horned Frogs
The TCU Horned Frogs are counting on former Idaho receiver Jordan Dwyer to successfully make the leap from the FCS to the Big 12 and continue his production. After a relatively slow first two seasons for the Vandals, Dwyer exploded last season for 78 receptions with 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns. That included 100+ yards in four of the final five games and a playoff game with 11 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Dwyer is only 6’0” and 195 pounds, but the Washington native will be one of the more interesting receivers to watch this coming season.
58. Harrison Wallace - Ole Miss Rebels
There are always players where the end product does not add up to the individual traits, and people are left wanting. Harrison Wallace III is one of those players. He’s 6’1” and 200 pounds, moves well, and looks like a dominant player. It’s not that Wallace was bad for Penn State a season ago. On the contrary, he led all PSU wide receivers with 720 yards and 46 receptions. However, he often disappeared in games when the Nittany Lions needed him, and their fans were not sad to see him leave via the transfer portal. Wallace had no receptions against Notre Dame in a three-point defeat, only had two catches against Ohio State, and just four receptions against Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game defeat. Wallace is now with the Ole Miss Rebels, and Lane Kiffin is hoping he can get the most out of him in his senior season.
59. Kevin Coleman Jr. - Missouri Tigers
Mario Craver and Kelly Akharaiyi got more attention, but Kevin Coleman Jr. was, by far, the most productive receiver for the struggling Mississippi State Bulldogs in 2024. Coleman Jr. had 74 receptions for 932 yards with six touchdowns. After Coleman, Jordan Mosley was second with 405 yards, and Akharaiyi was next with 25 receptions. Coleman Jr. will now be a top target for the Missouri Tigers and their new quarterback, Beau Pribula. Missouri’s system will need to be tweaked a bit with the more mobile Pribula. Still, Eli Drinkwitz will maximize Coleman Jr.'s ability, and this feels like an excellent fit for the senior transfer.
60. Jahmal Edrine - Virginia Cavaliers
The Purdue Boilermakers were a disaster in 2024. They were one of the worst power conference teams in the country and struggled mightily in pretty much every facet. However, the Boilermakers did have some good individual talent, and that was seen in the transfer portal as multiple players transferred to premier programs (Oregon, Ohio State) and top receiver Jahmal Edrine left West Lafayette for Charlottesville. Edrine had 365 yards on 23 receptions and is a big-play threat who should see his production leap with a somewhat competent team around him.
61. Trebor Pena - Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State Nittany Lions have had one weakness in the past few seasons: the lack of difference-making wide receivers. The position was completely invisible in critical games, and James Franklin knew it was a position that had to be addressed ahead of the 2025 campaign. PSU has an incredible roster and hopes they have the wide receiver room to match their aspirations. Devonte Ross was added from Troy, Kyron Hudson was brought in from USC, and they made a late addition with Syracuse transfer Trebor Pena. Pena was terrific in 2024 for the Orange with 84 receptions for 941 yards and nine touchdowns. Head coach Fran Brown clarified that Pena was asking for money and a role that did not align with reality. However, Penn State added the talented slot receiver, and they now feel like they have the horses to knock off elite teams like Oregon and Ohio State.
62. J. Michael Sturdivant - Florida Gators
When analyzing or previewing the 2025 college football season, few teams are as intriguing as the Florida Gators. DJ Lagway is ready to begin throwing again, and if he can stay healthy, the Gators have a ton of talent prepared to face one of the nation’s most demanding schedules. Florida has elite receiver Tre Wilson, plus a good group of backups like Aidan Mizell and Tank Hawkins. Still, the addition of J. Michael Sturdivant from UCLA is a big-bodied receiver with great length, and he can be a significant red zone threat for Lagway to utilize. He fell down the depth chart in 2024, but there is a history of putting up good numbers, and he’s in a great spot in Gainesville.
63. Nyziah Hunter - Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nyziah Hunter transferred from Cal to Nebraska after the 2024 season. As a redshirt freshman in Berkeley, Hunter started in eight games and had 40 catches for 578 yards with five touchdowns. Hunter is 6’2” and more than 210 pounds. He should partner with fellow transfer Dane Key to provide a pair of book-end outside receivers for quarterback Dylan Raiola. Nebraska is counting on this season being special under head coach Matt Rhule. Keep an eye on true freshman Cortez Mills, who will eventually make an impact this season.
64. Malik Benson - Oregon Ducks
How do you evaluate a transfer from Florida State after the disastrous 2024 season for the Seminoles? The ‘Noles were awful and got some of the worst quarterback play of any power conference team, so wide receivers understandably saw their numbers suffer. Malik Benson is a gifted wide receiver but was limited to 25 receptions with 311 yards in 2024. He has experience at Florida State and Alabama and the talent to put together a productive season in Eugene, particularly with defenses focused on Evan Stewart and freshman Dakorien Moore.
65. Hykeem Williams - Colorado Buffaloes
Muck like Malik Benson, Florida State transfer Hykeem Williams is a tough player to evaluate. He was only a sophomore last season and appeared in only nine games for the Seminoles with 16 receptions. Williams looks like a star with a great frame and good length. Colorado has to replace Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., and LaJohntay Wester and hopes to get the most out of Williams’s talent. Omarion Miller will be a player to watch, but he has battled injuries. That leaves an increased focus on Williams, and he’ll be a big target for freshman quarterback Juju Lewis or transfer Kaidon Salter to get comfortable with.
66. Chris Bell - Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals have a terrific duo at running back, and Miller Moss seems like an excellent fit for Jeff Brohm’s offensive system. The offensive line is a question mark, but this offense needs a couple of answers at wide receiver to be one of the top units in the ACC. The best bet at the position is returning stud Chris Bell. Ja’Corey Brooks is gone after leading the team, but Bell was second for the Cardinals in 2024, averaging 17.14 yards per reception and hauling in 43 receptions with four touchdowns. Bell is a big physical target that should thrive in a bigger role.
67. Mike Matthews - Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee’s 2025 offense will look much different from the 2024 version. Dylan Sampson and Nico Iamaleava are gone. The offensive line has several changes, and the wide receiver room lost nine remarkable players (seven to the portal and two to the NFL Draft). That means the time is now for former five-star recruit Mike Matthews to become a star in Knoxville. Matthews has everything you could want in a No. 1 target, and Joey Aguilar will need him big-time. Thus far, Matthews has only been hype (seven receptions for 90 yards), but he’ll have a much larger role and be relied upon in Year 2 in college.
68. Malik Elzy - Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini are among the teams getting the most buzz as a potential College Football Playoff “sleeper” team in 2025. The Illini almost made the 12-team field in 2024 and return a good quarterback, a strong defense, and an offensive line capable of pushing opponents around. They lost their top two wide receivers to the NFL and will have to rely on transfers and returning players to fill the void. Malik Elzy is a bet on potential. Elzy has the size and speed to be a more productive player than he has been. This ranking counts on him turning potential into production as a junior with a larger role. He only had four receptions in 2024, but he’ll start in 2025 and be a primary target for Luke Altmyer.
69. Reece Vander Zee - Iowa Hawkeyes
You want a sleeper candidate that no one is talking about because of the offense he plays in? An Iowa receiver fits the mold, Reece Vander Zee. Vander Zee is from Rock Rapids, Iowa. He struggled with injuries and was the victim of awful quarterback play in 2024. However, he’s 6’4”, can potentially be a significant threat in the red zone, and can stretch the field for new quarterback Mark Gronowski. Vander Zee will have a larger role, is healthy, and a breakout candidate in 2025.
70. Hudson Clement - Illinois Fighting Illini
Malik Elzy was mentioned a couple of spots earlier, and another receiver being relied upon by Illinois is West Virginia transfer Hudson Clement. As a sophomore, Clement led the Mountaineers with 51 receptions and 741 yards, plus a team-leading five touchdowns. Clement is expected to slide into a starting role as one of the two outside receivers for the Illini, and transferring his production from Morgantown to Champaign is critical for Illinois’ CFP hopes.
71. Jayce Brown - Kansas State Wildcats
The wide receiver position has been a weak spot for Chris Kleimann’s otherwise very successful tenure at Kansas State. The Wildcats have a lot of question marks at that spot again, but they do return one excellent option with junior Jayce Brown. He only averaged 3.6 receptions per game, but had 17.51 yards per catch. Brown is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. As a junior, he should see a higher volume of targets, and his relationship with quarterback Avery Johnson should be stronger in Year 2 with them both starting. If Brown can make the jump to a true No. 1 receiver, the Wildcats could be a contender in the Big 12.
72. Darrell Gill Jr. - Syracuse Orange
Syracuse faces a reset on offense as the top three pass catchers, the quarterback, and the top running back are all gone. However, all is not lost. The Orange still have an excellent offensive system in place, and Darrell Gill Jr. could step up in the absence of Jackson Meeks and Trebor Pena. Gill Jr. had 31 catches for 570 yards as a big-play threat in 2024. That included 185 yards against UConn and 145 yards against Washington State in two of the last three games last season. Gill Jr. will need to become a top target for quarterback Rickie Collins.
73. Kwazi Gilmer - UCLA Bruins
A lot of attention will be paid to the UCLA Bruins this fall. Nico Iamaleava’s much-publicized exit from Tennessee resulted in him landing in Westwood, and he will be playing his home games in the Rose Bowl in 2025. Who will he be throwing to? The leader of the wide receiver room is thought to be Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, but the most talented player in the room is probably sophomore Kwazi Gilmer. He had 31 receptions for 345 yards with two touchdowns as a freshman. Gilmer only averaged 11.13 yards per reception, but that should increase with a more talented quarterback chucking it to him. He is a big wideout with the tools to develop into a true No. 1 option for Iamaleava.
74. Daylon Singleton - SMU Mustangs
The SMU Mustangs surprised everyone with a trip to the ACC Championship Game, a close loss to Clemson, and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Head coach Rhett Lashlee returns his star quarterback, but there is much work to do at running back and wide receiver, as Kevin Jennings's available weapons are almost completely reset. There will be a lot of targets available, and the Mustangs are turning to a quartet of talented incoming freshmen to take up the mantle. Daylon Singleton from DeSoto High School in Texas is the best of the group and will be asked to start immediately. In a good offensive system, he should produce right away.
75. Brady Kluse - Memphis Tigers
Memphis is starting over on offense. There is a new quarterback, and the top five pass-catchers have all graduated. They brought in some new weapons via the transfer portal, but the player the coaches are excited about is sophomore Brady Kluse. As a freshman, the athletic receiver had five catches for 90 yards, but his role will increase exponentially. He’ll start in an offensive system primed for big numbers for pass catchers. Hopes are high for Kluse to be an All-AAC player in 2025.
76. Malik Rutherford - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech lost Eric Singleton Jr. and could have let that be a death knell to their push to challenge for a College Football Playoff spot. Undeterred, Brent Key raided Florida International and has kept the Yellow Jackets’ wide receiver room extremely competitive. In addition to Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech added Dean Patterson, but the top returning option should not be forgotten. Malik Rutherford led the team in receptions with 62, with 702 yards and an established relationship with quarterback Haynes King.
77. Squirrel White - Florida State Seminoles
A breakout campaign was expected from Squirrel White in 2024. Aside from his name, not much was awesome about Squirrel’s season. He fled Tennessee after feeling underutilized with just 34 catches for 381 yards and two scores. White ended up at Florida State and will play in a much different system, with Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator and Thomas Castellanos as quarterback. White is dynamic, and Florida State must find multiple ways to get the ball into his hands.
78. Otto Tia - Utah Utes
Utah lost Dorian Singer, Brant Kuithe, and Money Parks, their top three pass catchers from a poor 2024 offense. The Utes now turn to Devon Dampier and are recommitting to a powerful and dynamic rushing attack. That does not mean they will altogether eschew the passing game. Utah dipped into the transfer portal and will rely on 6’4” target Otto Tia from Utah State to eat a lot of targets from Dampier. Tia will look like a tight end in the Utah attack and could amass 60 receptions in this system.
79. Kenny Johnson - Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers leaned heavily on leading receiver Konata Mumpfield, but Kenny Johnson was a bright spot as a No. 2 target. Johnson is a good outside receiver and had 46 receptions for 537 yards with three touchdowns as a sophomore last season. The Panthers are now without Mumpfield, and Johnson is the top candidate to step into the leading receiver role for quarterback Eli Holstein.
80. Noah Rogers - North Carolina State
The North Carolina State Wolfpack are relying on a significant jump from former Ohio State blue-chip recruit Noah Rogers. The freshman transferred from Ohio State and had 35 catches for 478 yards. That’s a much higher yards per catch average than the much-touted star KC Concepcion. Concepcion transferred out, and if Rogers can progress and make good on his pedigree coming out of high school, he could be in for a 60-reception season in Raleigh.
81. Javon Tracy - Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota has to replace the chronically undervalued Daniel Jackson and veteran Elijah Spencer. The Golden Gophers are starting over at receiver and will almost certainly be downgrading. They did well in getting Javon Tracy from Miami of Ohio. The All-MAC receiver is shifty, speedy, and dangerous with the ball in his hands, and as a redshirt sophomore, he had 57 catches for 818 yards with seven touchdowns. That included an impressive 7.3 yards after the catch average, which is the best in the MAC, and should translate up a level to the Big Ten.
82. Keshaun Singleton - South Florida Bulls
The South Florida Bulls were expected to have one of the best offenses in the country last season, with quarterback Byrum Brown and head coach Alex Golesh leading the way. USF was dangerous, but did not take off. Perhaps we were a year ahead of the curve, and 2025 will be the breakout campaign. Sean Atkins and his 79 receptions are gone, but the big-play ability of now junior Keshaun Singleton is back. Singleton only had 26 receptions but had 408 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 15.69 yards per carry. Singleton will now be the lead target for Brown and should take a leap forward.
83. Logan Loya - Minnesota Golden Gophers
The other transfer portal addition for the Minnesota Golden Gophers is former UCLA Bruins wide receiver Logan Loya. He’ll combine with Javon Tracy to keep the Gophers' passing attack from being an anchor. Loya only had 29 receptions for 348 yards in 2024 but led the Bruins in receiving touchdowns with four. Go back to 2023, and he had 59 catches for 655 yards with five touchdowns. If Minnesota can get the 2023 version of Loya, they’ll have a fringe All-Big Ten level player and a pretty good one-two punch at receiver.
84. Stephon Johnson - Houston Cougars
Houston’s offense in Willie Fritz’s first season was abysmal. The Cougars averaged only 14 points per game and were atrocious in the passing and rushing games. Fritz and his staff knew they needed to do something different, so they entered the transfer portal and are mostly starting over at quarterback and receiver. The one exception is leading receiver Stephon Johnson. Despite a woeful quarterback situation, Johnson managed to get 32 catches for 402 yards. He is back as a senior, and they are hoping he can form a good relationship with Conner Weigman and become a legitimate No. 1 target in the Big 12.
85. Andrel Anthony - Duke Blue Devils
The Duke Blue Devils are counting on the talent of Andrel Anthony to show itself and for the transfer to live up to his potential as a number one target for transfer quarterback Darian Mensah. Anthony began his career at Michigan and spent two seasons in Ann Arbor before two seasons in Norman at Oklahoma. He has only played 33 career games with 47 receptions for 761 yards. This is the best situation and opportunity to get consistent playing time and showcase what he can do. If talent and health meet opportunity and playing time, Duke hopes it will result in Anthony having a tremendous senior season.
86. Kobe Paysour - North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels leaned heavily on the run in 2024, but we can’t take anything from last season and extrapolate to this season. Everything has changed in Chapel Hill. Bill Belichick is in as head coach, and no one knows how the experiment will play out. One of the few returning players from last season is wide receiver Kobe Paysour. The redshirt senior was fourth on the team in receiving yards but averaged a team best (for players with more than ten receptions) 17.38 yards per reception. He’ll be asked to carry a much bigger load in 2025 and should be Gio Lopez’s top target.
87. Lewis Bond - Boston College Eagles
Boston College could not rely on Thomas Castellanos, and head coach Bill O’Brien switched to Grayson James towards the end of the season. James will be the starting quarterback as the 2025 campaign kicks off, and his top target will be slot receiver and target merchant Lewis Bond. Bond was, by far, the top target for the Eagles in 2024. He had 689 yards on 67 catches. That’s only 10.28 yards per reception, and they need more from other targets unless Bond can increase his production and efficiency.
88. Kris Hutson - Arizona Wildcats
Washington State was extremely productive through the air in 2024. John Mateer was outstanding and is now at Oklahoma. His second-best receiver was Kris Hutson. He racked up 683 yards with an average of 12.65 yards per catch and a pair of touchdowns. Hutson is now expected to be the top target for the Arizona Wildcats and will be a downgrade from Tetairoa McMillan. However, he’s a good player, and if Arizona can find some stability and consistency at quarterback, he should have a good campaign with plenty of targets.
89. Ayden Greene - Virginia Tech Hokies
Brent Pry is on the hot seat, and the proud fanbase for the Virginia Tech Hokies will not wait much longer to see a competitive team in Blacksburg. Kyron Drones is back at quarterback, but the Hokies lost top rusher Bhayshul Tuten and several leading pass catchers. One piece of hope on offense is junior receiver Ayden Greene. Greene has 268 yards on just 19 receptions and now elevates to the top option at receiver. Incoming transfers like Cameron Seldon will join him, but significant progression is needed from the returning Greene to help the passing attack.
90. Nitro Tuggle - Purdue Boilermakers
After a disastrous tenure under Ryan Walters, the Purdue Boilermakers needed a total reset. Barry Odom is in as the head coach and has nearly completely reset the roster. The player with the highest potential in the receiver room is probably Georgia transfer and former blue chip prospect Nitro Tuggle. The Indiana native returned to the state, and despite having only three catches in eight games as a freshman in 2024, Tuggle has the physical tools to make a significant impact in the Big Ten. Of course, the primary reason for having him on this list is that he should have a lot of opportunity to catch the ball, as Purdue will probably be chasing games and chucking it around.
91. Jordan Mosley - Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Mississippi State Bulldogs have an uphill battle under second-year head coach Jeff Lebby. It is in Lebby’s DNA to chuck the ball around, but he has the personnel in Starkville to pound the ball with a good group of running backs (including personal favorite Fluff Bothwell). That does not mean Mississippi State is bereft of talent at wide receiver, though. They lost Kevin Coleman Jr., and that’s a huge loss, but second-leading receiver Jordan Mosley is back and potentially ready for a big step up. He averaged 17.61 yards per catch with three touchdowns, which should double. The rest of the group is entirely new, with transfer portal additions brought in to try and fill the gaps.
92. Pofele Ashlock - Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Pofele Ashlock is, in my opinion, the best returning wide receiver in the Mountain West Conference. As a freshman, he had 83 catches for 832 yards (2023), and he followed that up with 61 receptions for 629 yards in 2024. Hawaii kept him, which is a massive boon for the Rainbow Warriors. Nick Cenacle is also back, and that should give Hawaii the top passing attack in the league.
93. Latrell Caples - Boise State Broncos
Latrell Caples returns to Boise for his final collegiate season and will be asked to carry a larger burden in 2025 than he needed to last season. Cam Camper was the top wideout, but he’s gone, so the Broncos will lean on Caples after he had five touchdowns in 2024 (the most for any Boise State player). There are question marks everywhere else in this position group for Boise State, as they’ll need to hope they get breakout performances from Chris Marshall and Cam Bates.
94. Ayo Shotomide-King - Oklahoma State Cowboys
Talyn Shretton was expected to take over as the leading receiver in 2025, but the Oklahoma State Cowboys suffered a bad blow when Shretton tore his ACL in the spring. There is buzz from Stillwater that Ayo Shotomide-King is ready to take that mantle. He was expected to have a strong 2024 season, but Mike Gundy leaned heavily on veterans, keeping him in a limited role. Shotomide-King is a big target and a physical specimen that can be a handful for defenders. The big question will be whether or not they have a quarterback capable of consistently delivering the ball to him.
95. Jeff Caldwell - Cincinnati Bearcats
The Cincinnati Bearcats need a bounceback season in 2025, and they’ll need a strong campaign from the wide receiver room to support quarterback Brendan Sorsby. Scott Satterfield relied on the transfer portal to inject some talent into the lineup with guys like Cyrus Allen (Texas A&M) and Caleb Goodie (Colorado State) expected to contribute. It is an FCS transfer generating the most attention heading into the campaign, though, as 6’5” Jeff Caldwell is expected to take a prime role. Caldwell reportedly has terrific straight-line speed and gives the Bearcats a deep threat they have not previously had in this regime. The Cincinnati coaches believe Caldwell has NFL potential.
96. Nick Cenacle - Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Pofele Ashlock is not the only Hawaii Rainbow Warrior wide receiver on this list. The leading target last season was actually senior Nick Cenacle. Keeping both of those players on campus for another season was a big deal for Hawaii and the duo should be the strength of this squad. Cenacle had 63 catches for 721 yards and both Cenacle and Ashlock had six touchdowns in 2024. They are expecting even more production in 2025.
97. Armani Winfield - Colorado State Rams
Losing Caleb Goodie to the transfer portal (Cincinnati) hurts and the Colorado State Rams now lack a true number-one threat. Goodie was not spectacular as a sophomore but he was, by far, the most explosive option for the Rams with 20.76 yards per catch. His absence means junior Armani Winfield needs to increase his efficiency and yards per catch after leading the Rams in receptions last season with 38. He has played quite a bit in his young career and has a built-in relationship with his quarterback so the ingredients are there for a good campaign.
98. Keagan Johnson - New Mexico Lobos
This is all about opportunity. Keagan Johnson had a solid 2024 season with the Kansas State Wildcats, hauling in 29 receptions for 359 yards in 11 games. However, he decided to transfer down a level and is now playing for the New Mexico Lobos in the Mountain West Conference. Johnson is going to be one of the more talented wideouts in that league and he should be able to put up a big season as the clear number-one receiver in Albuquerque.
99. Jalil Farooq - Maryland Terrapins
The Maryland Terrapins are turning the page and nearly starting over on offense. Tai Felton, Kaden Prather, and Dean Wade are all gone, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. is gone, and running back Roman Hemby is now at IU. The Terrapins are hoping to get a bounceback season from Oklahoma transfer Jalil Farooq to carry the offense. Farooq only played in three games in 2024 but he had 694 yards and averaged 15.42 yards per reception in 2023 for the Sooners. Farooq has plenty of talent and if he can stay healthy, he’ll be the Terps’ best weapon at receiver.
100. Quincy Porter - Ohio State Buckeyes
Opposing fanbases could be forgiven for rolling their eyes at this one but the truth is the truth and Ohio State has another freshman phenom at wide receiver. Quincy Porter is a five-star freshman that enrolled in Columbus for the spring and he’s expected to compete for playing time behind Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. Brandon Inniss is likely to start but Quincy Porter is physically ready to play in the Big Ten and I think it’s very possible that he has a big impact later in the season for the reloaded Buckeyes.
101. Ja'Mori Maclin - Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats lost both Dane Key and Barion Brown to the transfer porta,l and they are starting over at quarterback with Zach Calzada now getting a crack at the starting job. I don’t think any of that is positive, but they do return big-play threat Ja’Mori Maclin to anchor the wide receiver room. Maclin had 313 yards on 24.08 yards per catch along with four touchdowns. He did that while hauling in only 13 passes. With Key and Brown now gone, opportunities will increase for Maclin, and it will be interesting to see if he can increase his volume while maintaining anything close to the efficiency he showed in 2024.
102. Jairus Mack - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky has a habit of churning out receivers that put up big numbers, and I expect 2025 to be more of the same. Maverick McIvor is in at quarterback and they brought in a trio of receivers that are likely going to excel in Helton’s offensive system. Jairus Mack averaged 22 yards per catch for the Charlotte 49ers last season, and he is the best of the bunch, while Isaiah Myers and Matthew Henry should also be potential All-Conference USA players.
103. Chris Domercant - UCF Knights
The UCF Knights are starting over by going back to a familiar face. Scott Frost flailed at Nebraska, but he was successful in his short stint in Orlando and the Knights are hoping to recapture that magic with him back at the helm. Tayven Jackson (IU) and Cam Fancher (FAU) are battling for the starting quarterback job, and whoever prevails has some decent options to throw to. The best of an intriguing group of transfers is potentially Chris Domercant from Chattanooga. Domercant averaged 17.8 yards per catch for the Mocs and totaled 640 yards with two touchdowns. He had three 100-yard games. Florida-transfer Marcus Burke is another option to emerge.
104. Kris Hutson - Arizona Wildcats
The Arizona Wildcats need a strong 2025 after a disastrous campaign last year. Their rival won the Big 12 and challenged Texas while the Wildcats were left wandering in the desert and looking uncompetitive with a first-year head coach. They are relying on Washington State transfer Kris Hutson to help quarterback Noah Fifita return to form. Hutson had 54 catches for 683 yards in a very friendly system, but he only had two touchdowns and was not particularly efficient. All of that is compounded by the departure of Tetairoa McMillan to the NFL.
105. Griffin Wilde - Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern was able to upgrade at quarterback by bringing in Preston Stone but man, the wide receiver situation is grim. No returning pass catcher had more than 100 yards receiving last season and the top target is probably going to be South Dakota State transfer Griffin Wilde. It’s not all bad, Wilde had 1,154 yards and 12 touchdowns while catching passes from now Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski. He’s a good player who will be taking a huge jump in competition with little help expected from the other targets.
106. Omarion Miller - Colorado Buffaloes
The Colorado Buffaloes had a fantastic wide receiver unit in 2024, with Travis Hunter, LaJohntay Wester, Will Sheppard, and Jimmy Horn Jr. all putting up strong seasons and surpassing 440 yards. The issue for 2025 is that they are all gone now. The absence of Shedeur Sanders and all that talent at receiver will cause Colorado to lean more on the running game, but this is still a Deion Sanders team, so they will still be throwing it around.

That means a significant opportunity for guys like Omarion Miller and Drelon Miller. Miller only played in seven games last season but still had 21.60 yards per catch on ten receptions. That comes after averaging 21.27 yards per catch as a freshman in 2023. He’s a big-play threat who will need to increase his volume as a more reliable target.
107. Micah Mays - Wake Forest Demon Deacons
After a long and mostly successful stretch in Winston-Salem, Dave Clawson walked away as the head coach of Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons made what I consider a pretty good hire, bringing in Jake Dickert from Washington State. By most accounts, Dickert left a better job but the instability caused by the dissolution of the PAC-12 opened the door for this move and Wake Forest took advantage.

The Demon Deacons are mostly starting over, and there are serious questions about the talent level of this team, but I do like Micah Mays Jr. after his freshman season. He only had 16 catches but racked up 218 yards, and he has a frame that suggests he’s capable of much more in a new offensive system with a bigger load of targets.
108. Shazz Preston - Tulane Green Wave
The Tulane Green Wave lost a significant amount of talent to the transfer portal, but they also retained a number of key players and secured a major win in keeping head coach Jon Sumrall. The Green Wave is still going to run the ball a lot, but wide receiver Shazz Preston is healthy and capable of a big season in 2025.

Preston only had four catches for 99 yards last season, as he battled injuries throughout the year and played in only six games, never finding his footing. The redshirt junior transferred to Tulane from Alabama and was the nation's number five receiver in high school, so the talent is definitely there to break through.
109. Bryson Canty - Kansas Jayhawks
Jalon Daniels is healthy (for now), and that means the Kansas Jayhawks’ offense has a chance in 2025. Who is he going to throw the ball to, though? Emmanuel Henderson Jr. is a talented Alabama transfer, but he has yet to demonstrate his abilities in college. The freshmen aren’t ready to shine.

The player that has gotten the most buzz from Lawrence is Columbia transfer Bryson Canty. Canty is originally from North Carolina, and he was named First Team All-Ivy League in 2024 after hauling in 43 passes for 760 yards and nine touchdowns. It’s a big jump up in opposition, but Canty is 6’2” and Kansas believes they have a gem.
110. Tiger Bachmeier - Stanford Cardinal
The Stanford Cardinal are starting over, and Andrew Luck is leading the program with an interim staff in place for this campaign. That plus a tough schedule is going to make for major uphill sledding.

However, they have a few pieces to be excited about with young quarterback Elijah Brown and slot receiver Tiger Bachmeier. Bachmeier is undersized, but he’ll have a ton of targets for the Cardinal and has shown the ability to get open and move the chains.
111. Qua'Vez Humphreys - Sam Houston State Bearkats
Sam Houston lost KC Keeler to Temple in a surprising move for the veteran head coach. They turned to former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo to rev up the offense as the new head coach. The cupboard is not totally bare as quarterback Hunter Watson returns along with the most explosive weapon from 2024, Qua’Vez Humphreys. As a junior, Humphreys averaged an impressive 19.25 yards per catch along with four receiving touchdowns, and he should have a larger role in a more passer-friendly attack in 2025.
112. Brandon Inniss - Ohio State Buckeyes
This won’t come as a surprise to anyone not living under a rock, but the Ohio State Buckeyes are absolutely loaded at wide receiver. Jeremiah Smith is possibly the most gifted player in the country, regardless of position. Carnell Tate is an incredible number two, and Quincy Porter is a star-in-waiting as a freshman.

Brandon Inniss is now a junior, and he should be ready to move into a slightly more prominent role this season after hauling in 14 passes for 176 yards. Inniss is extremely quick, and it would not be surprising to see new offensive coordinator Brian Hartline utilize him in a gadget-type role as a rusher and pass-catcher.
113. Jay Wilkerson - Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Sonny Cumbie is firmly on the hot seat, and we now know that Louisiana Tech will be transitioning to the Sun Belt Conference in the near future. Cumbie turns to 67-year-old Air Raid practitioner Tony Franklin to lead the offense, and there is hope in the form of redshirt freshman Evan Bullock, along with explosive and quick target Jay Wilkerson.

As a sophomore, Wilkerson had 13 receptions for 262 yards with two touchdowns. That’s an average of 20.15 yards per catch, way higher than the other members of the Bulldogs’ receiving corps. His quickness should serve him well in Franklin’s offense.
114. Junior Vandeross - Toledo Rockets
Jerjuan Newton is gone, but Jason Candle and the Toledo Rockets do return possession monster Junior Vandeross III. The All-MAC target had 85 receptions for 957 yards along with five receiving touchdowns, and he will be one of the better, or at least most proven, receivers in the league in 2025.

The big question for Toledo is whether they have a quarterback capable of launching the Rockets back to the top of the conference.
115. Victor Ross - Buffalo Bulls
Speaking of reaching the top of the MAC, let’s highlight the top wide receiver for the team I’m picking to win the conference: Victor Snow of the Buffalo Bulls. Snow averaged 11.84 yards per catch, but he had a team-high 55 receptions and 651 yards along with six touchdowns for the run-heavy Buffalo Bulls.

Pete Lembo is a fantastic coach, and Buffalo returns some good pieces, along with adding some good pieces from the portal, and Snow should be an All-MAC player in 2025.
116. Luke Wysong - Arizona Wildcats
The Arizona Wildcats need a major rebound in year two under head coach Brent Brennan, as a repeat of 2024 will likely result in a new head coach being hired in Tucson in 2026. Tetairoa McMillan will be impossible to replace, but they do have a decent group ready to step up.

The outside targets look alright with Kris Hutson headlining, and that opens the door for slot transfer Luke Wysong. Wysong had 836 yards a season ago at New Mexico despite some poor quarterback play. He has 134 receptions in his career and now gets a shot to play at the Power Conference level.

Week 1: Hawaii at Arizona (-14.5)
117. Dazmin James - Cal Golden Bears
The Cal Golden Bears are basically starting over after their roster was gutted by the transfer portal. The skill positions were hit particularly hard, and they are relying on incoming transfers to fill the voids.

The most intriguing receiver transfer is from Arkansas, in the form of Dazmin James. James is a track athlete and one of the fastest players in the country. Still, he has no proven production to lean on, so Cal is hoping he can translate his speed into being a vertical threat.

Week 1: Cal (+2.5) at Oregon State
118. Jameson Tucker - Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Coastal Carolina has a suspect quarterback situation, but they can lean on one of the best wide receivers in the Sun Belt to give them a chance on offense. Jameson Tucker led the Chanticleers in 2024 with 57 catches, and he hauled in 576 yards plus six touchdowns (team-high in both categories).

The other two expected starters are incoming transfers, but Tucker has proven that he can produce in the Sun Belt and Coastal offensive system.

Week 1: Coastal Carolina (+12.5) at Virginia
119. Terry Lockett Jr. - Eastern Michigan Eagles
Chris Creighton rarely receives the attention he deserves for the job he has done, transforming Eastern Michigan into a respectable program. There are virtually no resources at his disposal, but he routinely produces bowl teams.

The Eagles will lean on Terry Lockett Jr. after he led the team in 2024 in receiving yards with 669. EMU was top 50 in the country in pass attempts last season, and Lockett Jr. is now expected to be the No. 1 target.

Week One: EMU (+14.5) at Texas State
120. Junior Sherrill - Vanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores have one of the worst wide receiver groups of any power conference team. Of course, they rely heavily on the legs of quarterback Diego Pavia, and tight end Eli Stowers leads the team in all receiving categories. Things are a bit untraditional in Nashville, but the receivers could still hold this team back.

The top target at the position is probably Junior Sherrill after he had 29 catches for 411 yards and three touchdowns. Sherrill is primarily a slot receiver, but the outside targets are major question marks, so he gets the nod as the best receiver.
121. Jacory Barney - Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers had a frustrating offense in 2024. Despite some individual talent and the addition of five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, the Huskers were often less than the sum of their parts. Nebraska fans are counting on that being mainly because of offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, and now Dana Holgorsen is calling the shots. They have a strong receiver corps led by Kentucky transfer Dane Key and returning sophomore Jacory Barney. Barney’s usage last season was a prime example of the frustration, as he averaged less than nine yards per catch, mostly thanks to the incessant use of bubble screens that were seldom explosive. Barney has good speed and should be a gadget weapon for Nebraska in 2025.

Week One: Nebraska (-7.5) vs. Cincinnati
122. E.J. Williams Jr. - Indiana Hoosiers
E.J. Williams Jr. began his career as a decorated recruit for the Clemson Tigers. He was unable to gain traction for Dabo Swinney’s team and transferred to Indiana. His talent has flashed when he has been on the field, but injuries have kept him from truly taking off. Now entering his senior season, Williams Jr. is expected to start next to Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt for the top 20 Hoosiers, and he has been healthy and explosive during spring practice. If he can stay healthy, he’s in for a big season as a vertical threat for quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Week One: IU (-23.5) vs. Old Dominion
123. TreyShun Hurry - Louisville Cardinals
San Jose State had a really fun offense in 2024. They had a pair of really good wide receivers in Nick Nash (1,382 yards on 104 catches) and Justin Lockhart (983 yards on 53 catches). Lost behind those studs was junior TreyShun Hurry. Hurry had 28 catches for 481 yards (an average of 17.18 yards per catch) and two touchdowns a season ago, and his volume of targets should increase substantially in 2025, after joining Louisville's emerging offense.
124. Nyziah Hunter - Nebraska Cornhuskers
As previously written, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are counting on a change at offensive coordinator plus maturation and seasoning for Dylan Raiola to turn the offense into a real force in 2025. The second transfer wide receiver (after Dane Key) to be brought in was Cal transfer Nyziah Hunter. The 6’2” sophomore had 40 catches for 578 yards for the Golden Bears, and he will now likely be the third target for the Huskers as they try to break through for a big season.
125. Keagan Johnson - New Mexico Lobos
New Mexico had a very disappointing 2024 season, but the offense was not usually to blame. The Lobos averaged 33.5 points per game, and it was the defense (giving up 38 points per game) that tanked their record and kept them from a bowl game. The top receivers are gone to either the portal or graduation, so they hit the transfer portal and made a nice acquisition with Kansas State receiver Keagan Johnson brought in for his senior season. Johnson played in 11 games and was second on the team with 29 receptions for 359 yards. He now becomes the primary target for New Mexico and steps down a level to the Mountain West.

Week One: New Mexico (+36.5) at Michigan
126. Ja'Kobi Lane - USC Trojans
Ja’Kobi Lane could be one of the more impactful players in the Big Ten this season. Lane is a big target, and he’ll pair with Makai Lemon to make a formidable duo for the Trojans and head coach Lincoln Riley.

Lane only had 43 receptions as a sophomore in 2024, and those receptions averaged 12.21 yards per catch; however, he had 12 touchdowns and is a major threat in the red zone.

Week 1: Missouri State at USC (-34.5)
127. Caullin Lacy - Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals have a pair of dynamic running backs, but Jeff Brohm is going to chuck the ball around, and that means quarterback Miller Moss needs receivers.

The number one target is Chris Bell, but Caullin Lacy is an interesting option as well. Lacy was limited by injury in 2024, but he was awesome in 2023 for the South Alabama Jaguars, pulling in 91 passes for 1,316 yards.

It’s a step up from the Sun Belt to the ACC, but it’s a great system, and Lacy is talented enough to be dynamic if he can stay healthy.
128. Omari Evans - Washington Huskies
Can Omari Evans make good on his potential? Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies are counting on it.

Denzel Boston is the leading target for breakout candidate Demond Williams, and Washington is looking for a good number two, with Evans the most intriguing of the bunch. The Penn State transfer averaged 19.76 yards per catch and hauled in five touchdowns for the Nittany Lions a season ago, but he’ll need to increase his volume and production.

Week 1: Nevada at Penn State (-44.5)
129. Barion Brown - LSU Tigers
The Kentucky Wildcats lost both Dane Key and Barion Brown, and they will now both be starring for other schools during the 2025 season.

Brown is at LSU, and the Tigers hope he can be a difference-maker as a return specialist and speedy receiver. The former Wildcat has 122 receptions in his career, and joins a talented crop of LSU receivers that should give him the chance to make plays in a better system and with less attention on him.

Week 1: LSU (+3.5) at Clemson
130. Prince Strachan - USC Trojans
Prince Strachan had 25 catches for 304 yards with one touchdown a season ago as a member of the Boise State Broncos. Now the USC Trojans are hoping the 6’5” junior is ready to take off. USC has two outstanding wide receivers, but they are looking for a good third target, and Strachan has the physical tools to emerge.

Week 1: Missouri State at USC (-34.5)
131. Trent Walker - Oregon State Beavers
The Oregon State Beavers are playing a hodgepodge schedule before the relaunching of a very different version of the PAC-12, and they will lean on leading returning receiver Trent Walker to anchor the passing offense. Walker had 81 receptions in 2024, more than triple what any other wide receiver had for the Beavers last season. He only had two touchdown receptions, but was a sure-handed target, and he should put up big numbers again as a senior.

Week 1: Cal at Oregon State (-2.5)
132. Devin McCuin - UTSA Roadrunners
Owen McCown led the UTSA Roadrunners as the quarterback of a potent passing offense in 2024, showcasing a lot of balance. Six pass-catchers had at least 31 receptions, and five players had more than 375 receiving yards. The top returning receiver for the Roadrunners is junior Devin McCuin. McCuin had the most receptions on the team with 45, and he led the team in receiving touchdowns with five, but he could certainly increase his yards per catch from a pedestrian 9.42 yards.

Week 1: UTSA (+24.5) at Texas A&M
133. Yannick Smith - East Carolina Pirates
The East Carolina Pirates finished the 2024 season with a gratifying victory over rival North Carolina State, and they begin the 2025 campaign with a regular season rematch against the Wolfpack. The Pirates’ top receiver is promising sophomore Yannick Smith. Smith is 6’3” and he started three games for ECU last season, finishing with 25 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns, and he’s in line for a breakout season in 2025. Smith is a member of the All-AAC team, according to Athlon Sports.

Week 1: ECU (+13.5) at North Carolina State
134. Devin Voisin - South Alabama Jaguars
The top returning wide receiver for the South Alabama Jaguars is senior Devin Voisin after both Jamaal Pritchett and Jeremiah Webb departed. Voisin had 34 catches for 407 yards, but he failed to find the endzone during the season. His story is a rarity in college athletics today as Voisin began his career in 2019 and will finish it in 2025, all at South Alabama as a member of the USA Jaguars program.
135. Landon Sides - North Texas Mean Green
North Texas is likely in for a rebuilding year, but they are filled with Texas kids, and the floor figures to be at least competitive in the American Athletic Conference. One of those local kids is from Denton, and he’ll probably be the leading receiver for the Mean Green: Landon Sides. Sides is now a junior, and he’s already appeared in 23 games for North Texas with more than receptions and five touchdowns. He finished his sophomore season with five catches for 89 yards and a score against Texas State in the First Responder Bowl.
1. Jeremiah Smith - Ohio State Buckeyes
Top 10 Ohio State Buckeyes Returning For Another College Football Playoff Run

The Ohio State Buckeyes won the 2024-2025 National Championship, and the arrival and emergence of superstar Jeremiah Smith played a significant part in their ascension to the top of the sport. Smith has a rare combination of size, speed, toughness, and ball skills, and he was touted as a generational prospect before even playing a collegiate game. Somehow, Smith lived up to the hype and entered the 2025-2026 season as the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver. It is fair to wonder if he is the best player in the country, regardless of position.

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Top 135 Wide Receivers for the 2025 College Football Season

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