PFF names top 10 returning college football wide receivers for 2022

The college football season just ended, but the 2022 campaign is already just around the corner. While most players have made their decisions on the next steps in their careers, whether that’s to stay put at their current school, enter the transfer portal and head elsewhere or declare for the NFL Draft, there are many high-profile players returning to college football to play next season.

Looking specifically at wide receivers, there are many dominant wideouts that will be back playing on Saturdays this coming fall. Pro Football Focus compiled a ranking of the top 10 receivers that are returning to college football for the 2022 season.

Here’s a look at the complete ranking from PFF, from Nos. 1-10.

PFF’s Top 10 Returning College Football Wide Receivers for 2022

1.) Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Buckeyes: Smith-Njigba capped off a strong 2021 season by dominating in the Rose Bowl for Ohio State – catching 15 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns. He recorded 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns on the year and received a 91.7 PFF grade.

2.) Jordan Addison, Pitt Panthers: Addison caught 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns while helping Pitt to a successful season. Addison won the Biletnikoff Award and received an 87.6 grade from PFF.

3.) Kayshon Boutte, LSU Tigers: Although he played in just six games before suffering a season-ending injury, Boutte still put up 509 yards and nine touchdowns on 38 catches for LSU in 2021 – giving him a grade of 77.1 from PFF.

4.) Xavier Worthy, Texas Longhorns: While Texas battled numerous injuries within its wide receiver room last season, Worthy stepped up and made 62 receptions for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns. PFF gave him a grade of 80.3.

5.) Josh Downs, North Carolina Tar Heels: Earning an 83.4 grade from PFF, Downs tallied 1,335 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 101 receptions for North Carolina.

6.) Mario Williams, USC Trojans: After playing at Oklahoma, Williams – who recorded 35 catches for 380 yards and four touchdowns last season – is joining Lincoln Riley at USC for 2022. PFF gave him a 79.2 grade for his production last year.

7.) Keytaon Thompson, Virginia Cavaliers: A former quarterback, Thompson has been successful as a wide receiver at Virginia – making 78 receptions for 990 yards and two touchdowns in 2021, which earned him a PFF grade of 85.5.

8.) Marvin Mims, Oklahoma Sooners: After tallying 705 yards and five touchdowns on 32 catches last season, Mims decided to stay put at Oklahoma and play for new Sooners’ head coach Brent Venables in 2022. PFF gave Mims a grade of 86.5 for his work in 2021.

9.) Quentin Johnston, TCU Horned Frogs: Johnston battled injuries throughout the 2021 season but still managed to put up 612 yards and six touchdowns on 33 receptions, which earned him a grade of 76.4 from PFF.

10.) Jacob Cowing, Arizona Wildcats: After a successful run at UTEP, Cowing has transferred to Arizona and will suit up for the Wildcats in 2022. He made 69 receptions for 1,354 yards and seven touchdowns while with the Miners last season and PFF gave him a grade of 90.0 because of it.

SLEEPER TO WATCH: Arian Smith, Georgia Bulldogs: Despite playing in just three games in 2021, Smith tallied over 100 yards and two touchdowns on just three total receptions and is PFF’s Sleeper To Watch for 2022.