PFF ranks the Top 10 wide receiver groups in college football

Quarterbacks tend to get most of the national spotlight in the offseason, with the value of a returning starter readily apparent to anyone who has watched college football for more than a few minutes. But the top wide receiver groups can be equally important.

Every quarterback needs some reliable targets to hit in the passing game or he’s unlikely to do a whole lot of damage.

So who are the top wide receiver groups in 2023? Pro Football Focus ranked the nation’s best units to give you an idea which guys to look out for this fall.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

You can easily make the case that Ohio State has the two best receivers in the country, or at least the best wide receiver duo in the country. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka are elite in every sense of the word and have proven themselves at the college level.

Then there’s the wealth of new talent coach Brian Hartline brought in, including top-100 prospects Brandon Innis, Carnell Tate and Noah Rogers. There will be no shortage of options for the Ohio State quarterbacks.

2. Texas Longhorns

Quarterback Quinn Ewers has one of the best all-around playmakers in the country at his disposal in the form of Xavier Worthy, who has amassed more than 1,700 yards receiving in the last two seasons. Jordan Whittington is also back behind him.

But it’s Texas‘ additions that make the Longhorns so potentially lethal, with Georgia transfer AD Mitchell joining the fold. Also incoming five-star freshman Johntay Cook II joins the mix.

3. Washington Huskies

You could make a case for the chicken or the egg here with Washington, given how excellent quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was last season. Still, he had receivers that posted some monster numbers.

Rome Odunze racked up 75 catches for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns last season, while Jalen McMillan recorded 79 catches for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns. Both are back this fall.

4. Georgia Bulldogs

Despite the loss of Mitchell to Texas, Georgia still has some serious weapons in its pass-catching corps, starting with tight end Brock Bowers. He’s one of the nation’s most elite mismatches and will provide a nice safety valve for Carson Beck.

But Georgia also returns a pair of very productive receivers in Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. Dominic Lovett was also a tremendous transfer portal addition from Missouri, leaving the defending national champs loaded once again.

5. Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles were huge winners in the transfer portal when it comes to building a top wide receiver group, with the addition of Michigan State star Keon Coleman a huge get. Tight end Jaheim Bell from South Carolina was another real steal.

Throw those guys in with returning monster Johnny Wilson, a 6-foot-7 target who can get downfield, and quarterback Jordan Travis will have quite the arsenal to work with. It should be fun to watch.

6. USC Trojans

It’s one thing to have a returning Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, it’s another for him to have ample targets. USC certainly has those, particularly thanks to the addition of Arizona star Dorian Singer through the transfer portal.

USC also returns Tahj Washington, Mario Williams and Brenden Rice, who combined for 129 catches for 2,027 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Trojans also added a couple top recruits to the fold.

7. Oregon Ducks

Oregon has an interesting list of playmakers among its top wide receiver group, with Troy Franklin a budding star after piling up 891 yards and nine touchdowns receiving a year ago. Back too is Kris Hutson, who had 472 yards receiving.

Then the Ducks made some offseason acquisitions. Troy transfer Tez Johnson could be a bona-fide star, while five-star freshman Jurrion Dickey just has to live up to his billing.

8. LSU Tigers

LSU has one of the top wideouts in the SEC in Malik Nabors, who topped 1,000 receiving yards during the 2022 campaign. LSU also returns Brian Thomas Jr. and Kyren Lacy, who combined for 629 yards and five touchdowns.

Then the Tigers did some retooling via the transfer portal, adding Alabama‘s Aaron Anderson. They also added three four-star wideouts in the 2023 recruiting class.

9. Texas A&M Aggies

In a disaster of a season for Texas A&M in 2022, freshman Evan Stewart showed why he was such a high-profile recruit. He should be poised for a monster season, particularly with a little more stability on the O-line and Conner Weigman identified as a quality starting quarterback.

The Aggies also return Moose Muhammad III and Ainias Smith, a pretty good duo to stress defenses with outside of just Stewart. Consistency will be key.

10. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama’s top two receivers from last season both return in Jermaine Burton and Ja’Corey Brooks, having totaled 1,351 yards and 15 touchdowns in a pretty even split. They’ll lead the way.

But the Crimson Tide will also be counting on more from Kobe Prentice and Isaiah Bond, two younger players who were both contributors last year. Alabama brings in top JUCO recruit Malik Benson as well, rounding out the final top wide receiver group.