Last season, 33 receivers generated 1,000+ yards, and 31 crossed the millennium mark in 2022. We’ll presumably see another group of over 30 WRs surpass the 1,000-yard threshold, but according to our college football predictions, who are the 10 most likely to do so?
Predicting the Top 10 WRs Who Will Have 1,000+ Receiving Yards in 2024
Kevin Concepcion, North Carolina State Wolfpack
The 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year, Kevin Concepcion set Wolfpack freshman records with 71 receptions and 10 touchdowns, logging 839 receiving yards. He also took 41 carries for 320 yards and completed a 17-yard pass for a TD. What can’t he do?
With Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall taking over for the Brennan Armstrong/MJ Morris combination from last year, expect fireworks in Wake County.
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State Buckeyes
The 2021 five-star recruit is finally the WR1 in Columbus … at least until true freshman Jeremiah Smith ultimately takes the crown. In 2022, Emeka Egbuka hauled in 74 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 scores alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. before injuries derailed his 2023 campaign.
Egbuka clearly has the talent you’d expect from an Ohio State WR coached by Brian Hartline, but now he’ll have the targets to capitalize.
Tre Harris, Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss is a run-first offense, but Lane Kiffin knows how to scheme his WRs open. It also helps when Tre Harris can out-muscle and out-athlete DBs at 6’2″ and 205, as he averaged 18.2 yards per catch last season.
Now, with South Carolina dynamo Antwane Wells Jr. in tow, defenses can’t sell out on containing Harris on the outside. The Rebels will be in the thick of the SEC championship race in 2024, and Harris will be a big reason why.
CJ Daniels, LSU Tigers
With Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. leaving for the NFL, LSU needed reinforcements in the WR corps. Enter Liberty liberator CJ Daniels. In 2023, he took 55 catches for 1,067 yards (19.2 per catch!) and 10 TDs for Jamey Chadwell’s squad.
Sure, the jump from the Group of Five to the SEC will be noticeable, but Daniels has the physical tools, QB (Garrett Nussmeier), and projected usage to pick up where Nabers and BTJ left off.
Xavier Restrepo, Miami Hurricanes
Mario Cristobal enters Year 3 of his Miami tenure with one of the best rosters in the ACC, including WR Xavier Restrepo. He set career numbers with 85 receptions, 1,092 yards, and six scores last season, becoming only the sixth 1,000-yard pass catcher in program history.
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With Washington State transfer Cameron Ward coming in, Restrepo could improve both his efficiency and output in 2024, as Ward has no issue pushing the ball downfield.
Tory Horton, Colorado State Rams
The epitome of consistency, Tory Horton has logged back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons and is gearing up for his third. He gave Colorado State fans a transfer portal scare but ultimately returned to catch passes from Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi once again.
There are few holes in Horton’s game, as he can win before the catch, at the catch point, and after the catch at all levels of the field.
Tez Johnson, Oregon Ducks
The excitement of Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart has somewhat caused Tez Johnson to fall under the radar. Yet, he put up 1,000 yards with Bo Nix last season, and he’ll do so again with Dillon Gabriel under center.
Johnson is a YAC monster and swiftly frees himself from defenders in the slot due to his searing short-area speed and acceleration. Add in some slot fades with Gabriel uncorking his best-in-class deep ball, and you have the makings of an All-Conference performance.
Luther Burden III, Missouri Tigers
Not only is Luther Burden III arguably the best WR in the country, but he will be a Heisman Trophy candidate as a true junior. He posted 1,212 yards and nine scores last year, as Missouri utilized him as a true WR1 rather than a gadget weapon.
With QB Brady Cook back, expect Burden to put up video game-like numbers in what will likely be his final collegiate campaign before departing for the NFL Draft.
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona Wildcats
Standing 6’5″, 210-pound, Tetairoa McMillan is a sky-walking pass catcher who left our orbit with Noah Fifita launching rockets at him last season. He recorded 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns, flashing his obvious contested catch appeal, surprising flexibility, and route-running prowess.
Ricky White, UNLV Rebels
Ricky White put up an 88-1,483-8 receiving line at UNLV last year, and while repeating that jaw-dropping production is unlikely, reaching 1,000 yards is practically a given. QB Jayden Maiava is out, but Holy Cross’ Matthew Sluka is in, and OC Brennan Marion remains on the sideline.
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White can take any play to the house (he hit a top speed of 21.2 mph in Week 12 against Air Force in 2023), but what’s more impressive is the rate at which he creates separation.
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