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Phil Steele ranks top 10 wide receiver units in college football

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•08/16/23•

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Xavier Worthy, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Ladd McConkey
(On3)

In a modern passing era, wide receivers are nearly as important as the quarterbacks in college football. College football analyst Phil Steele ranked his top 10 units going into the 2023 season.

No. 1 should not surprise anyone, it’s Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been a factory production line of NFL talent as of late.

As far as the rest? That’s for you to find out. Below are Steele’s top 10 wide receiver units in college football.

1. Ohio State

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 19: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 and Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs pass routes against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium on November 19, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

This one is easy to put at the top considering the top two receivers in college football could reside here. At least the best one does.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is the top dog for Ohio State after his breakout campaign and the No. 2 is Emeka Egbuka. ‘Nuff said. Whoever wins the quarterback job has superstars to throw to. Don’t forget about Julian Fleming and freshman Carnell Tate.

2. Washington

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 19: Ja’Lynn Polk #2 and Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies celebrate a touchdown which was later overturned against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Husky Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Rome Odunze could be a first round pick this coming season. The high flying pass catcher is there to make life easier for quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Odunze is joined by transfer Ja’Lynn Polk and fellow junior Jalen McMillan. If the Huskies are to win the Pac-12 this season, the passing game has to be on point.

3. USC

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 26: Mario Williams #4 of the USC Trojans runs the ball against Brandon Joseph #16 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Jordan Addison is gone but that’s okay, you still have quarterback Caleb Williams. Plus Williams has wideout Mario Williams, in his second season with USC.

They’re joined by transfer Dorian Singer and senior Brenden Rice. Not to mention freshman Zachariah Branch could get some important snaps this fall.

4. Georgia

ATLANTA, GA DECEMBER 31: Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) runs with the ball during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl college football playoff game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Georgia Bulldogs on December 31st, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Bulldogs have a hard-nosed offense, so you wouldn’t think this would be a top end destination for wide receivers. Steele disagreed with that notion.

Ladd McConkey is back and the team added Rara Thomas and Dominic Lovett in the transfer portal. That should help out whoever’s under center this fall, likely Carson Beck.

5. Texas

AUSTIN, TEXAS – APRIL 15: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Texas Longhorns leaps into the end zone after a reception in the first quarter during the Texas Football Orange-White Spring Football Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Well, Xavier Worthy runs this unit and could be one of the top pass catchers in all of college football. Quinn Ewers should have a good time tossing him the rock this fall.

Adonai Mitchell transferred in to help out the experience of the group. Redshirt senior Jordan Whittington should be a good playmaker as well in front of a couple freshmen.

6. Tennessee

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy (15) catches the ball for a touchdown in front of Clemson cornerback Jeadyn Lukus (10) during the Capital One Orange Bowl college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Clemson Tigers on December 30, 2022 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Bru McCoy is the superstar of the group. McCoy had a wild college career to this point but is the lead man of the unit and he should definitely be a top target for Joe Milton.

Ramel Keyton and Squirrel White join him. Dont’e Thornton Jr. transferred in and added some nice depth for the Volunteers this season.

7. Alabama

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 31: Ja’Corey Brooks #7 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts with Jermaine Burton #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide after scoring a touchdwon during the third quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Caesars Superdome on December 31, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Jermaine Burton will get another crack to truly break out. He was solid last year, but had a lot of expectations when he transferred in from Georgia prior to 2022.

Junior wideout Ja’Corey Brooks is due for a big season and sophomore Kobe Prentice should be a solid option for Alabama’s, eventually named, starting quarterback this year.

8. Texas Tech

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 28: Mississippi Rebels safety Isheem Young (1) reaches to tackle Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Loic Fouonji (19) in the second quarter during the TaxAct Texas Bowl between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Ole Miss Rebels on December 28, 2022 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tyler Shough is out to prove he can sling it with a talented group of playmakers and give Texas Tech a chance to win the Big 12 in 2023. Loic Fouonji, Jerand Bradley and Nehemiah Martinez are the top three options going into the season.

How will they perform? Perhaps the trio is a bit unknown compared to previously mentioned units, but don’t sleep on the Red Raiders.

9. Florida State

ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 29: Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Johnny Wilson (14) escapes a tackle from Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman (5) during the Cheez-It Bowl between Oklahoma and Florida State on December 29, 2022 at Camping World Stadium, in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Seminoles vastly improved this unit with the addition of Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman. That’ll make quarterback Jordan Travis smile.

Johnny Wilson was already in this group and he’s one of the biggest targets on the field. This could be a dynamic and dominant duo. Don’t forget about Winston Wright Jr. adding to the mix.

10. Oregon

SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) catches a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl football game between the Oregon Ducks and the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 28, 2022, at Petco Park in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Justin Fine/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Ducks opted for the transfer portal and landed Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden to add two seniors to the group. Troy Franklin returns for the Ducks.

Let’s not forget Gary Bryant Jr., who transferred in from USC. Oregon, low key, has a solid group for quarterback Bo Nix going into 2023.

Will these groups change? Of course, no rankings stay the same. Steele’s projections show the best groups at this moment, but come the start of the season, we’ll see what these wide receiver units are made of.