With the college football season only around a month away, we take stock of the best receiver rooms.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS ONLY ABOUT A MONTH away from kicking into full gear. With a revamped scope and a fresh landscape– it’s important to finally take stock of what receiving corps are sure to make an impact. The transfer portal has changed how college football receiving corps are ranked along with the growth of NIL.
The new changes throw some serious wrenches in our rankings this year– and with the mass exodus of quarterback talent to the NFL, it’s simple to see how drastically the sport has shifted.
Oregon Ducks: Nix-less and Strong
The transfer portal might have handed the Ducks the key piece they need to run away with a massive win in this ranking. Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart and returning starter Tez Johnson are a dynamic duo that will give the Ducks’ offense a proper segue into the Big Ten. Johnson led all Power Five receivers this past season with 727 yards after the catch. Stewart’s dominant performance at A&M and his tangibles make for a tandem that not many defenses can cover against. Dillion Gabriel at quarterback instead of a younger, less experienced passer makes sure that the two will receive accurate passes throughout the season and won’t succumb to the pressures and performance of a first-year starter.
In total, the Ducks return four of their five leading receivers from last season. All of which made an impact on the team.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Egbuka For The Win
Ohio State suffered last year from the performance of Kyle McCord– who has since transferred to Syracuse. Now, there’s a new sheriff in time– Will Howard, or someone else who seems to be an upgrade from the previous passing regime. Marvin Harrison Jr. is gone but in comes Jerimiah Smith who was the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2024. He’s Ryan Day’s prized possession and will be sure to turn some heads.
Sure, they can be choppy at times and wildly unpredictable, but make no mistake– this team has some serious talent. The team’s other three receivers are formidable: Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and Mylan Graham.
Missouri Tigers: Not A Big Burden At All
Mizzou came out of last year guns blazing, winning the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State. Quarterback Brady Cook will return for another year and as long as Luther Burden III is still on the team, the Tigers are a force to be reckoned with. Burden posted a 91.0 PFF grade in 2023– third in the FBS.
In addition to Burden, the Tigers still have Theo Wease, Mookie Cooper, and Marquis Johnson. Johnson is a dark horse to be an impact player and according to PFF, had a perfect passer rating when targeted.
Texas Longhorns: Ewers Or Manning, Doesn’t Matter
The Longhorns’ new Alabama-transfer Isaiah Bond is a speed demon and a polished route runner. The excitement surrounding him is warranted but is out of necessity– the Longhorns lost five receivers this offseason. Silas Bolden also is a huge addition to the receiver room from Oregon State.
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The team full of transfers will look to mesh quickly as the Longhorns enter the SEC, but their talent is deep and explosive, entering the top-five for us.
LSU Tigers: Mass Exodus Who?
Yeah, so what? Malik Nabers is gone and so is Brian Thomas Jr. There’s no sugarcoating it, but the addition of CJ Daniels and Zavion Thomas from Liberty and Mississippi State respectively is enough of a talent boost to rocket them into the top-five.
The Tigers still have Kyren Lacy as he enters a fifth-season. LSU also brings in Trey’Dez Green, a former five-star recruit and blue chip superstar. All of these moving parts seem to be meshing well from various reports.
