It takes good wide receivers to win in modern college football. Often times, the national champion has the best quarterback paired with the best weapons.
Last season, Ohio State probably had the nation’s best wide receiver room. The Buckeyes came up just short against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals. However, Ohio State could have the country’s best wide receiver group again in 2023.
The majority of the top returning wide receivers have transferred at some point in their career. Four of the 10 highest-graded returning receivers transferred during the offseason. Will they be able to maintain their level of play at their new college football homes?
Who are the best returning receivers (graded per Pro Football Focus) entering the 2023 college football season?
10
Virginia Tech's Ali Jennings III
2022 college football season grade: 81.8
2022 season stats: 54 receptions for 959 yards and nine touchdowns
Key fact: Jennings III transferred from Old Dominion to Virginia Tech this offseason.
9
Penn State's Dante Cephas
2022 college football season grade: 82.1
2022 season stats: 48 receptions for 744 yards and three touchdowns
Key fact: Cephas, who is entering his fifth year of college football, transferred to Penn State from Kent State this offseason.
8
Syracuse's Oronde Gadsden II
2022 college football season grade: 82.2
2022 season stats: 61 receptions for 969 yards and six touchdowns
Key fact: Oronde Gadsden II has a big frame and is coming off a breakout season after recording just two catches for 24 yards in 2021.
7
Florida State's Johnny Wilson
2022 college football season grade: 82.3
2022 season stats: 43 receptions for 897 yards and five touchdowns
Key fact: At 6-foot-7, 235-pounds, Johnny Wilson is one of the biggest receivers in recent memory.
6
Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka
2022 college football season grade: 82.9
2022 season stats: 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns
Key fact: Egbuka is a former five-star recruit that could be the next first-round wide receiver to come out of Ohio State.
5
Ohio's Jacoby Jones
2022 college football season grade: 83.2
2022 season stats: 45 receptions for 776 yards and six touchdowns
Key fact: Jones played at Northwest Mississippi Community College before joining Ohio in 2022.
4
Georgia's Dominick Lovett
2022 college football season grade: 83.8
2022 season stats: 56 receptions for 846 yards and three touchdowns
Key fact: Lovett was an All-SEC wide receiver at Missouri before transferring to Georgia ahead of the 2023 college football season.
3
Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley
2022 college football season grade: 84.1
2022 season stats: 101 receptions for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns
Key fact: Corley finished last season fourth in the nation in both receptions and receiving yardage.
2
Oregon's Tez Johnson
2022 college football season grade: 89.9
2022 season stats: 56 receptions for 863 yards and four touchdowns
Key fact: Johnson transferred to Oregon after having an outstanding season with Troy in 2022.
1
Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.
2022 college football season grade: 90.2
2022 season stats: 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns
Key fact: Harrison Jr. finished last season fourth in the nation in receiving touchdowns. He’s considered the top wide receiver prospect for the 2024 NFL draft.
