Top 10 Wide Receivers in the NCAA Transfer Portal
The NCAA Transfer Portal is in full swing. With that, there are numerous talented players available for teams in need, including more than a few incredibly talented wide receivers. That includes big names from schools like South Carolina and Notre Dame, as well as wide receivers from smaller schools as well.
The wide receivers have all been assigned new On3 Industry Rankings based on their collegiate performance to date, so we have a good idea of what teams will be getting if they take in a transfer wide receiver.
So, here is a dive into the 10 best wide receivers currently in the transfer portal.
1. Juice Wells, South Carolina
In his first year with the Gamecocks, Juice Wells produced a ton, emerging as the team’s leading receiver by over 400 yards with 928 total along with six touchdowns as quarterback Spencer Rattler’s favorite target. However, injuries marred his 2023 season, leading to a meager three catches all year for Wells. Now, he’s searching for a new home.
The decision does come as a bit of a surprise since he did tweet a couple of weeks ago that he would not leave for the NFL and would return. Apparently, Juice Wells just meant he’d be returning to college football, not Columbia in particular.
2. Caullin Lacy, South Alabama
Caullin Lacy is one of the best wide receivers in the transfer portal after proving himself at South Alabama. The 5’10 195 lbs wide receiver will have one year of eligibility remaining. This comes after Lacy was 5th in the nation in 2023 in receptions with 91 and yards with 1,316.
One school to look out for as it relates to Lacy is Texas A&M. The Aggies are looking for more wide receivers and Lacy is scheduled to make a visit to College Station. That visit will be coming up over the weekend.
3. Will Sheppard, Vanderbilt
Will Sheppard announced that it was his intention to enter the transfer portal on Sunday afternoon. At 6’3 200, he has ideal size for a wide receiver. Going forward, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Among the schools that Sheppard is looking at are Tulane and Mississippi State. Both of those staffs are going through coaching changes, though, with the Green Wave not hiring a new coach yet. So, there is a good chance that his list changes moving forward.
4. Mikey Matthews, Utah
Mikey Matthews is transferring out of Utah after spending just one season with the program. However, he did play in all 12 games this season, grabbing 29 receptions for 261 yards. In the process, he flashed a lot of exciting potential.
As a recruit, Matthews was a four-star recruit in the 2023 cycle. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Matthews was the 235th best player and 34th best wide receiver overall. A California native, he’s currently undecided on where he’s going to transfer.
5. Deion Burks, Purdue
Deion Burks is quickly becoming one of the most sought after recruits in the transfer portal. He stands at 5’10 and 185 lbs. He will have two years of eligibility remaining after starting all 12 games for the Boilermakers this season, scoring a total of 7 touchdowns.
He could enter the NFL draft, but Texas, Miami, USC, Auburn, Utah, Washington, and Oregon all expressed interest and reportedly offered scholarships. However, it appears that the Longhorns have emerged as the current favorite to land Burks.
6. Kris Mitchell, FIU (Notre Dame commit)
Mitchell played four seasons at FIU before electing to go into the transfer portal. He’ll have an opportunity to make a big impact with the Fighting Irish. Last season, he had 64 catches for 1,118 yards, seven touchdowns, and 17.5 yards per catch. Over the course of his career, Mitchell had 100 catches for 1,663 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 16.6 yards per catch.
As a member of the Class of 2019, Mitchell was a three-star recruit out of Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 223 overall prospect in the state, the No. 231 wide receiver in the class and the No. 1,591 overall prospect in the class. He recently committed to Notre Dame.
7. Chris Tyree, Notre Dame (Virginia commit)
A former running back, he rushed for 444 yards and three touchdowns in 2022. Despite his 5-foot-9 190-pound frame, Tyree was consistently a threat when on the field. Still, head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish offensive coaching staff saw more opportunity for him at wide receiver than at running back moving forward.
Tyree made the full switch to receiver this season. The former four-star prospect paced Notre Dame in receiving yards this season, with 26 catches for 484 yards and three touchdowns. Tyree averaged 18.6 yards per carry, emerging as one of quarterback Sam Hartman’s top targets. He has committed to transfer to Virginia.
8. Julian Fleming, Ohio State
Fleming has spent the last four seasons with the Buckeyes, where he’s amassed 76 receptions for 905 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. His best season came in 2022, when he caught six touchdowns over the course of the season.
Julian Fleming played high school football at Southern Columbia (PA), where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s currently undecided about his next stop.
9. Donaven McCulley, Indiana
Indiana wide receiver Donaven McCulley is one of the best wide receivers to have entered the transfer portal. He did so following the firing of head coach Tom Allen. McCulley racked up 644 yards and six touchdowns during the 2023 season.
McCulley played high school football at Lawrence North in Indianapolis (IN). where he was a four-star recruit in the 2021 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He was also rated as the No. 211 overall player and No. 2 player in the state of Indiana for his cycle.
10. Rico Flores Jr., Notre Dame
Rico Flores finished third on the Notre Dame roster in receiving, hauling in 27 receptions for 392 yards and a touchdown as one of Sam Hartman’s top targets. His biggest game came against Wake Forest when he had eight catches for 108 yards in the Fighting Irish’s resounding 45-7 victory.
Flores played high school football at Folsom (CA) High School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 240 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.