College football’s top 10 pass receivers: Why Ohio State’s duo

With four pass receivers taken in the first round of the NFL draft this year, the position is becoming one of the most searched for alternatives in college football

behind quarterbacks.Given that we have actually already taken on the top 10 quarterbacks heading into the 2023 season, it’s time to take a look at the players they’ll be throwing to this season and what names will fill the NFL draft boards in 2024.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has 4 receivers going in the preliminary in his most current mock draft, consisting of 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, however who else ought to be on fans’ radar this season?From the Horseshoe to Western Kentucky, our writers have you covered on the top receivers as the 2023 season approaches.Ten writers voted on a tally with

10 points to the first-place wide receiver down to one point for the 10th-place WR. Year: Junior 2022 stats: 77 receptions, 1,263 receiving yards, 14 receiving
touchdowns.Points: 100 (10 of 10 first-place votes)Ohio State has actually ended up being the nation’s premier incubator for elite receivers under Brian Hartline

, the former Buckeyes standout wideout who took over the position group in 2018. The Buckeyes have actually had 3 first-round NFL draft chooses in the previous two years and six in the previous 5 drafts. But there’s a belief that Harrison, son of the Pro Football Hall of Fame pass receiver, will wind up as the very best in the recent stretch. Six-foot-4, 205-pound Harrison had a breakout 2022 season, specifically after Biletnikoff Award favorite Jaxon Smith-Njigba sustained a hamstring injury in the opener and never ever fully recovered. Harrison had 77 receptions for 1,263 backyards and 14 touchdowns, ranking 4th in team history in receptions and lawns and second in goals. He became Ohio State’s first consentaneous first-team All-America pass receiver and won the Big 10’s Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year award.Despite his well-known name, Harrison was an ESPN top-100 recruit however was not as embellished as other current Buckeyes star receivers, such as Julian Fleming, Garrett Wilson and Emeka Egbuka, whose name appears listed below. Hartline told ESPN last summer season that, before Harrison’s huge senior year of high school, he in fact had to push for Ohio State to pursue him. Harrison had 7 100-yard getting performances last season, and he played his best in Ohio State’s biggest games, including Penn State (10 receptions, 185 lawns ), Michigan(7 receptions, 120 backyards, 1 goal) and Georgia( 5 receptions, 106 backyards, 2 touchdowns). He’s the frustrating favorite to win the Biletnikoff Award in 2023 before likely becoming the first non-quarterback chosen in the 2024 NFL draft.– Adam Rittenberg 2. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State Year: Junior 2022 stats: 74 receptions, 1,151 receiving backyards, 10 receiving touchdowns.Points: 87 With first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba out with an injury most of last season, Egbuka filled out his

function and the Ohio State offense didn’t miss out on a beat. Picture by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire Egbuka, who missed out on spring practiceswith an undisclosed injury, is a smart, physical receiver whose versatility makes him the overall package. The Buckeyes have utilized him in the slot, on the outdoors and in the return game with both kicks and punts, and he has actually taken handoffs out of the backfield.”If there’s a problem, ‘Where’s Emeka? He’ll assist us fix it, ‘”offensive coordinator/receivers coach Brian Hartline said.” That adaptability he plays with allows us to do a great deal of things. “Egbuka was a finalist last year for the Paul Hornung Award, provided to the country’s most versatile player. A bigger function in the death game was inescapable for him, however the procedure was accelerated last fall after Jaxon Smith-Njigba was sidelined for most of the season with a leg injury. Egbuka is typically the 2nd name discussed after Harrison, but the plethora of talent in the Buckeyes’receiving room was a selling point, not a deterrent.”He picked Ohio State because he understood it ‘d be difficult to start,” Hartline said,” but individuals he’s going to play with and complete against to earn that playing time will undoubtedly form him.”Egbuka is entering just his second season as a full-time starter, but with a brand-new starting quarterback, the personnel is searching for Egbuka to cement himself as a leader and consistently play mistake-free.– Heather Dinich Year: Senior 2022 stats: 75 receptions, 1,145 getting backyards, 7 receiving touchdowns.Points: 80 Editor’s Picks 2 Related Washington’s offense took off behind new management(head coach Kalen DeBoer

, planner
Ryan Grubb) and a transfer quarterback(Michael Penix Jr. )but likewise since of a number of crucial players already in Seattle. Odunze was an ESPN 300 hire out

of Las Vegas prep power Bishop Gorman. After 47 receptions in his very first 2 seasons, he simply needed the right offense and quarterback to facilitate his breakout season. Odunze delivered last fall, leading the Pac-12 in receiving backyards (1,145 )while earning third-team AP All-America honors. He was the very first Washington player since Reggie Williams in 2003 to tape-record three straight 100-yard getting performances, and then became the very first player in team history with a fourth. Odunze, 6-3 and 211 pounds, had five or more receptions in 10 of the 12 games he played.Despite the production spike, Odunze picked to bypass the NFL draft and return for his fourth season, along with Penix, fellow star wideout Jalen McMillan and a loaded offense. He informed ESPN that he returned mainly for group goals, like a Pac-12 champion and a possible CFP look, but likewise for individual ones like the Biletnikoff and assisting Penix compete for the Heisman. Odunze wishes to improve in making objected to catches and reinforcing his lower body.”I wish to hit a minimum of 1,300 [receiving backyards], 80 catches, double-digit goals are what I set my goals at today, “he said.”If I achieve that, hopefully I can look back and be carrying the awards. “– Rittenberg Year: Junior 2022 stats: 66 receptions, 1,015 receiving backyards, 6 getting touchdowns.Points: 40 During his second season at Arizona, Singer broke out for 1,105 receiving lawns and 6 goals on simply 66 receptions. The player from St. Paul, Minnesota, averaged 16.7 yards per catch and became one of the fulcrums of Arizona’s explosive offense. It was enough to rise Singer into the nationwide spotlight and,
more importantly, right into the view of Lincoln Riley and USC.
In reality, Vocalist

placed on a program during the Wildcats’ matchup against the Trojans in October. USC’s defense had no answer for Singer, who amounted to 144 yards and three goals, including a 73-yard score.So it was not a surprise that when Vocalist entered the transfer portal, USC called. The decision was straightforward and, with Jordan Addison leaving for the NFL, Vocalist right away has actually become one of Caleb Williams ‘leading targets this spring. USC’s pass receiver space is loaded, but Vocalist has the opportunity to be the No. 1 option and have a season that tops his breakout in Tucson in 2015.– Paolo Uggetti Year: Junior 2022 statistics: 60 receptions, 760 receiving lawns, 9 getting touchdowns.Points: 40 Deserving burst onto the scene at Texas with 62 catches for 981 backyards and 12 goals as a true freshman in 2021. The four-star hire, No. 62 total in the 2021 ESPN 300, was much sought after and signed with Michigan, then asked for a release due to” conditions beyond my control.”The

timing worked
out right for Steve Sarkisian, who had actually simply arrived at Texas and had hired Worthwhile at Alabama.After that breakout year, the player from Fresno, California, took some heat in 2015 for dropped passes, consisting of 2 huge ones in the bowl loss to Washington. His production dipped a little to 60 catches for 760 backyards and nine touchdowns. However this spring, Sarkisian revealed that Worthy had actually played the 2nd half of the season with a broken hand– refusing to take himself out of the lineup or have surgical treatment. Back to full strength, Worthwhile is anticipated

to play a huge function in a big season for Texas, which appears like the Big 12 favorite. He’s the star of an enhanced receiving corps featuring the return of Jordan Whittington, in addition to Isaiah Neyor, the Wyoming transfer who missed out on last year with a torn ACL, and the additions of Georgia transfer advertisement Mitchell and appealing freshman Johntay Cook II. Sarkisian has actually positioned an emphasis on enhancing the Longhorns’deep passing game, and Deserving could be the beneficiary.– Dave Wilson Year: Junior 2022 statistics: 43 receptions, 879 receiving backyards, 5 receiving touchdowns.Points: 38 With Jordan Travis back under center for another year, anticipate Johnny Wilson to have a huge year in his 2nd season at Florida State. Image by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire In 2015, Wilson was learning a new system and staff after transferring from Arizona State– and he still led the ACC with 22 catches of a minimum of 20 backyards. Recognizing there’s still work to do– and particularly discussing the
objective of winning a nationwide title– Wilson chose to pass up the NFL draft and return
to FSU for a second season.At 6-7, 235 pounds, Wilson is a tall target for Heisman hopeful quarterback Jordan Travis and provides an inequality for opposing defenses. His ability to extend the field included some volatility to the Seminoles’offense. There were some visible drops, though, that avoided Wilson from cracking the 1,000-yard mark, a turning point that hasn’t been reached at FSU considering that 2019. This spring, FSU receivers coach Ron Dugans informed press reporters Wilson was concentrated on his route running, following his catches and finishing.”He’s done a truly excellent task of coming out here with the state of mind every day that no matter what takes place on the play, I’ll react the next play, “Dugans stated.”He’s done an excellent job having a short memory, returning and being a truly good football player for us this spring.”– Dinich Year: Junior 2022 statistics: 72 receptions, 1,017 getting backyards, 3 getting touchdowns.Points: 35 LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels just improved as the season progressed a year ago, and so did his favorite receiver. Nabers led the Tigers with 72 catches for 1,017 yards

. He completed with just 3 touchdown receptions, however look for that number to increase in 2023. Nabers was the first LSU receiver to rack up 1,000 or more receiving lawns considering that Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson both did it throughout the 2019 national championship season. The 6-foot, 200-pound player earned Freshman All-SEC honors

in 2021 and then progressed into the Tigers’go-to receiver as a sophomore.Nabers is plenty efficient in making plays
in the deep passing game, however where he’s at his finest is getting the ball in space and making things take place after the catch. He’s elusive and is hardly ever lowered by the first defender. He’s likewise athletic adequate to increase and make contested catches even when the defender has good coverage. Nabers wasn’t able to play his senior year of high school due to the fact that of a transfer guideline, so this will be only his 3rd season of football since he was a junior in high school. He emerged as one of college football’s leading breakout receivers a year ago. He has all the tools to be among the leading receivers,

period, this coming season.– Chris Low Year: Junior 2022 statistics: 79 receptions, 1,098 receiving backyards, 9 receiving touchdowns.Points: 29 Much like Odunze, McMillan was an obvious skill who just needed the best system and coaching staff to bring out his finest. Last season, McMillan recorded the fourth-highest receptions total(79) in group history and the seventh-highest receiving yards total( 1,098 ), while ending up being just the seventh Washington player to reach the 1,000-yard mark. He provided a few of Washington’s a lot of memorable highlights, consisting of a 75-yard touchdown catch on the first play from skirmish in the Apple Cup

versus Washington State. His consistency jumped out, as he tape-recorded a minimum of four receptions in every game and 6 or more in

six Pac-12 contests (and the Alamo Bowl win over Texas). McMillan was the No. 3 recruit in Washington’s decorated 2020 class, listed by ESPN at No. 124 total. At 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds, McMillan isn’t a physical marvel but brings incredible speed to the perimeter.He decided to go back to Washington for his fourth season before understanding what Penix would choose and just notified a couple of people, consisting of Grubb and wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard.”He was like, ‘I require to still get better, I need to get more powerful, I understand I can do more,'”Grubb told ESPN. “That stated a lot to me about how much J-Mac had grown. That’s why I like him.”McMillan will form arguably the nation’s most dangerous receiving tandem in 2023. Another 1,000-yard season will put him in the top three on Washington’s profession list, and he requires 1,288 backyards to move into 2nd place.– Rittenberg Year: Fifth-year senior 2022 statistics: 93 receptions, 1,137 getting yards, 15 getting touchdowns.Points: 19 Franklin leapt from a two-star recruit with no Power 5 provides to UTSA’s leading profession receiver. Now, after leading the Roadrunners in getting for 3 straight years, one of college football’s finest receivers is in the transfer portal, potentially seeking to show himself all over once again in his last season in college.Last year, Franklin was in the leading 10 nationally in catches(93 )and goals (15) and was 11th with 1,137 receiving yards. He has made Conference U.S.A.’s all-conference teams each of the previous three years and the 6-1, 185-pound senior has 13 profession 100-yard games, coming up huge in numerous of the Roadrunners’key games, such as his 10-catch, 144-yard, 3-TD day against North Texas
in the C-USA title game in 2015. He also has actually shown he can handle Power 5 competition, as
he racked up

10 catches for 155 backyards and a goal against Illinois in the 2021 season opener.– Wilson Year: Junior 2022 statistics: 101 receptions, 1,293 getting lawns, 11 getting touchdowns.Points: 18 Corley has actually not done anything but impress since getting here in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Corley set a WKU record for freshman receiving yards in 2021, then followed it up this previous season by setting the record for sophomore receiving lawns. Corley ranked 4th in the country in getting backyards and seventh in getting goals, and his 101 catches was the fourth most in college football. Once Corley got the football in his hands, he was among the most hazardous players in the sport. He ranked first in the nation in lawns after catch with 975 and was likewise initially in the country in missed out on deals with required with 40. His quarterback Austin Reed, initially in the transfer portal, revealed Dec. 13 that he would be returning to WKU. Securing him will be Vincent Murphy and Quantavious Leslie, who both started all 14 games last season and gave up just 14 sacks. With another year under their belts, all of this is setting up for another record-setting year for Corley and an

offense that’s going to keep Conference U.S.A. defensive coordinators up in the evening. Corley will be a danger to win the Biletnikoff Award this coming season.– Harry Lyles Jr.Also getting votes: Ainias Smith, Texas A&M (10 ); Mario Williams, USC( 10); Troy Franklin, Oregon (10); Jacob Cowing, Arizona(9 ); Jahmal Banks, Wake Forest(9); Ladd McConkey, Georgia (9); Antwane Wells Jr., South Carolina (2); Dante Cephas, Penn State(2); Dominic Lovett, Georgia (2); Jamari Thrash, Louisville(1).