Projecting Every Conference's Best WR Corps in 2024 CFB Season

Even if games are truly won up front, no position in college football offers more production than wide receivers.

As we look ahead to the 2024 season, B/R is breaking down every position in every conference and projecting the best unit within each league. The choices are subjective but consider past production—including from transfers—and meaningful position-related context.

So far, our offseason series has covered running backs, defensive lines and the secondary. In a tidy segue, the next edition is focused on the players who the secondary is most meant to stop: wide receivers.

Note: Oregon State and Washington State, which are affiliated with the Mountain West in 2024, are considered within the MWC.

AAC: South Florida Bulls

Whether the defense can actually stop anyone will define USF's season, but this receiving corps is awfully fun. Other than top receiver Sean Atkins wearing No. 38, of course. Gross.

Atkins, in seriousness, is back after a breakout year with 92 catches and more than 1,000 yards. So are Naiem Simmons (637 yards) and Michael Brown-Stephens (350), while USF brought in Purdue transfer Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen. He tallied 329 yards in just six games.

C-USA: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

As you'd expect from an Air Raid offense, Western Kentucky has plenty of appealing targets on the outside.

Dalvin Smith collected 50 receptions last year, and Easton Messer made 42 catches as a redshirt freshman. Michael Mathison missed the season due to injury but reeled in 52 passes two years ago, while transfer Kisean Johnson just had an 800-yard season with Alabama State.

MAC: Central Michigan Chippewas

First things first: Consider that Toledo's Jerjuan Newton paced the MAC with 696 receiving yards in 2023. Relativity is important here.

Northern Illinois or Toledo will likely boast the most potent duo in the league, but Central's depth is notable. Although the offense needs to find a stable QB, the receiving corps has options. Tyson Davis (444 yards), Jesse Prewitt III (438) and Chris Parker (409) are back, and CMU picked up lower-division standout Solomon Davis in the portal, too.

MWC (and Pac-2): UNLV Rebels

Depth is valuable, and each of Colorado State, Hawaii and Utah State probably have more of that. Simultaneously, one overwhelming star can reduce the need for a bunch of targets.

Such is life at UNLV, which returns third-team AP All-American Ricky White. He amassed 88 catches for 1,483 yards and eight scores last season. Behind him, the Rebels have Jacob De Jesus (606 yards) with Texas transfer Casey Cain and Corey Thompson Jr. as expected contributors.

Sun Belt: Texas State Bobcats

James Madison quarterback Jordan McCloud transferred to Texas State this offseason and inherited a superb situation at receiver.

Last season, Joey Hobert (895 yards) and Kole Wilson (747) both caught eight touchdowns. They should ease the transition for Beau Sparks, a Freshman All-American at Utah Tech in 2023. Drew Donley and Boston College transfer Jaden Williams figure to be factors, as well.

The Pick: Miami Hurricanes

Especially after the arrival of Washington State quarterback Cam Ward, Miami has sneaky-high upside in the receiving corps.

Last year, Xavier Restrepo was a third-down machine who became the program's sixth player to have a 1,000-yard season. Jacolby George (864 yards) provided the explosiveness with a team-high eight scores.

Colbie Young left for Georgia, but the 'Canes replaced him with Houston transfer Sam Brown. He posted 471 yards in 2022 before leading the Cougars with 815 last season.

Isaiah Horton, who nabbed five passes for 54 yards in the Pinstripe Bowl, should be a regular contributor as a sophomore.

The Pick: Oregon Ducks

Within the Big Ten, this is definitely a two-team race.

As with nearly every positional group, Ohio State has a strong case. The challenge for the Buckeyes is turning to inexperienced targets—namely, 5-star freshman Jeremiah Smith—around Emeka Egbuka, so Big Ten newcomer Oregon holds an early edge in a fascinating conversation.

Tez Johnson piled up a team-best 86 catches with 1,182 yards and 10 scores last season. He was a safe bet to lead Oregon in all categories in 2024 before the Ducks scooped up a top transfer.

Evan Stewart, who turned in a couple of 500-yard campaigns at Texas A&M, is a hugely talented player. And now, he'll be catching passes from veteran quarterback Dillon Gabriel in a prolific system.

Rounding out the position for Oregon are Traeshon Holden (452 yards) and Gary Bryant Jr. (442).

The Pick: Colorado Buffaloes

Will the defense stop anyone? That answer will shape most of Colorado's results in 2024, but Shedeur Sanders—who tossed 27 touchdowns to three interceptions last year—can engineer a prolific offense.

Travis Hunter has a bright NFL future at cornerback. For now, he's also a dangerous wideout who posted 721 yards in 2023.

Colorado's depth is silly, really. Jimmy Horn Jr. (567 yards) held a key role for CU, which also landed Florida Atlantic star LaJohntay Wester (1,168) and Vanderbilt's Will Sheppard (684) in the transfer portal. Both of them caught eight touchdowns last season.

North Carolina State transfer Terrell Timmons Jr. and Omarion Miller should be a part of the rotation, too.

The Pick: Ole Miss Rebels

Texas is rebuilding at the position, yet the product might be awesome. The three transfers—Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Matthew Golden (Houston) and Silas Bolden (Oregon State)—form a high-potential group.

Ole Miss, though, is equally loaded with the benefit of some continuity.

Last season, Tre Harris (985 yards) and Jordan Watkins (741) formed two pieces of a 700-yard duo. Dayton Wade is gone, so the Rebels hope South Carolina transfer Antwane Wells Jr. fills the void after an injury-disrupted season. Given that he produced 928 yards in 2022, the optimism is well-founded.

Deion Smith, the highest-rated JUCO prospect in 2024, headlines the Rebels' depth with sophomores Ayden Williams and Cayden Lee.