2026 Wide Receivers

[TwentyTwo]

Last year's NFL Draft only saw One White WR selected .... 4th Round ...Iowa's Kaden Wetjen to the STEELERS
BYU's Chase Roberts went undrafted despite having a 5th-7th round projection.
2026 should be a Bounce back this season for the 2027 NFL Draft .....has 4 of the Top 18 WRs according to ESPN

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/48992931/ranking-top-10-receivers-college-football-2026

Charlie BECKER 6'-4" 207 (Jr) Indiana
2025 stats: 34 receptions, 679 receiving yards, 4 TDs (in 2024 only 1 catch for 3 yards)
Hit a Max Speed of 20.8 mph last season!
From Nashville TN Break out Player of the Year ; during last year's previews only a 2nd string back up where he spent much of the season; until he stepped up for an injured starter going 7 - 108 vs Penn State; then 5-108-1 vs Wisconsin ; later 6 - 126 vs Ohio State in playoffs.
Just a 3 Star out of HS now a bonafied potential 1st Round NFL Draft pick (Top 20) coming off the "CLUTCH" National Championship !!
SEC missed out on this one.
4th ranked WR according to ESPN ; arguably 3rd now that Coleman stats in limbo at Texas

Cooper BARKATE 6'-1" 195 (Sr.) Miami (via Harvard/Duke)
Scouting Report: Regarded as an underrated prospect, known for crisp route-running, versatility, and reliable hands
2025 ....72 rec 1.106 yards & 7 TDs @ Duke
13 - 172 vs Ga.Tech & 6-127-1 vs Clemson
2024....63 rec 1,084 yards 11 TDs @ Harvard
From West Coast; 11th ranked WR according to ESPN
Mock Database has him going 5th Round NFL Draft

Wyatt YOUNG 6'-0 195 ( Jr) Oklahoma State (via North Texas)
2025...70 Rec 1, 264 yards 10 TDs + Rushing TD
Put up Video-game numbers ( 8 - 295 - 2) vs Rice & ( 9 -190-1 ) vs Charlotte
15th WR according to ESPN
Athlon's Big 12 Pre season 1st Team
Following fellow teammate QB Drew Mestamaker

Griffin WILDE 6'-2" 200 (Sr.) Northwestern (via South Dakota State)
2025....71 rec 880 yards 8 TDs @ NW
2024...71 rec 1,154 yards 12 TDs @ So.Dakota St.
18th WR according to ESPN

Trent WALKER 6'-2" 195 (Sr.) Houston (via Oregon State)
Career ....1,790 receiving yards on 154 catches 4 TDs
2025...Caught 68 passes for 823 yards 2 TDs
13-179 vs App St; 9-136 vs Cal ; 5 -117- 1 vs Tulsa ; 7 -103 vs Hoston ..the team he's playing for now lol

Danny SCUDERO 5'-9" 175 (Sr.) Colorado (via San Jose St)
Second Team Associated Press (AP) All-America Team (2025)
....FBS Receiving Leader broke out, starting in all 12 games and dominating on the field. finished season 88 receptions 1,297 receiving yards 10 TDs.
went 7 - 215 -2 vs Hawaii ; 10-180-1 vs Wyoming
Former 3 star out of HS started career at FCS Sacramento State

Beau SPARKS 5'-11" 177 (Sr.) Texas State
Another break out WR...2025 had 84 catches for 1.200 yards 10 TDs + 6 carries 74 yards rushing & TD
Went 10-186-1 vs Louisiana; 9-168- 1 vs Marshall
Began career at FCS Utah Tech

Coy EAKIN 6'-2" 210 (Sr) Texas Tech
All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
Career 130 receptions 1,639 13 TDs
5 -123 - 1 Oregon St ; Big 12 Champion Player o the Game 3 - 66 - 2 TDs vs BYU

Easton MESSER 5'-9" 190 (rs Sr.) Florida Atlantic
2025 ...104 Receptions for 1,052 yards 6 TDs + 3 runs 45 yards & TD + 2 for 2 passing 55 yards & TD
11-119-1 vs UConn; 9-133-1 vs Tulane ; 11-110 vs Rice
Began career @ Western Kentucky

Hudson CLEMENT (Sr.) 6'-1" 215 Illinois
Enters 2026 with a reception in 27 straight games
2025....36 receptions for 454 receiving yards 3 TDs
2024 @ West Virginia had 51 receptions for 741 yards 5 TDs
Has big play ability

Parker LIVINGSTONE 6'-3" 202 (RS Soph.) Oklahoma ( via Texas)
2025... started each of the first 5 games of the season … totaled 29 receptions for 516 yards (17.8 yards per catch) 6 TDs… also passed for a TD
Went 2 - 104 -1 vs Miss State;

Last two prospects above shown based on that upside not nessarily production!
Thats the Elite 11 for now..some tough choices.
Will hope to add some more of the 42 WRs (31 remaining) on the list in near future

Always enjoy CF Members chiming in and keeping threads rolling as season moves along!

 

[Leonardfan]

That time again?! Time flies.

Your group of WRs to look out for certainly are ones to watch for and should be either number 1 or number 2 receivers for their respective teams. Looking forward to seeing how they all play this year and also who emerges from out of nowhere.

 

[Don Wassall]

Wasn't there a wideout on San Jose State who was tearing it up last year, or am I imagining things. Had an Italian surname. What happened to him?

Anyway, great preview as always, 22!

 

[Leonardfan]

Wasn't there a wideout on San Jose State who was tearing it up last year, or am I imagining things. Had an Italian surname. What happened to him?

Anyway, great preview as always, 22!

That was Danny Scudero. Unfortunately he ended up transferring to Colorado.

 

[Freethinker]

On of my favorite threads! I agree that this year seems much promising than last year. More star power.

 

[El Gringo]

Thank for the preview 22! I always look forward to it every year.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Thank y'all for all of the replies! Makes it all worth it...

Yes sir Don...Danny Scudero is the 6th pic above ; like Leonardfan ...cautiously optimistic

Check this out that came up on the local sports chat board earlier this week ; and then the replies.
Standard Caste blueprint for WRs...been a tough cookie to crack!
Not a good look for the perception for the affletic starters

Twitter with the best description of WR1 and WR2 I may have ever seen​

Twitter with the best description of WR1 and WR2 I may have ever seen

Twitter with the best description of WR1 and WR2 I may have ever seen -

www.tigerdroppings.com

WR1: route-running genius made of glass
WR2: indestructible retard

Many such examples

Then the replies........

WR3: white dude that doens't drop a pass that only runs routes less than 10 yards
this got 80 UPVOTES vs only 3 DOWN Votes

WR4: tall 6'3 Combine workout warrior who bounces around the league
Lequon Tredwell, 31 signed with the Colts earlier this month

WR5: shortish elite athlete past his prime too early after legal issues
KR/PR who runs a 4.2-4.3 with below average ball security.

WR6: Special teams demon who has never actually taken an offensive rep

WR7: HBCU grad that has never been in a regular season game and is only on the field due to extensive injuries, picked up by your fantasy opponent on a hunch, who then goes off for 120 yds and 2 TDs to sink your playoff hopes
hmmm ...who is this?

WR7: Practice Squad WR who beat reporters talked about every day like they were the next Calvin Johnson and fans stress constantly they would lose them if they got cut on cutdown day but goes unclaimed on the waiver wire and is never heard from again until the next camp

 

[TwentyTwo]

The next group of WRs show promise ..like Leonardfan said you never know who will step up; out of the blue

Parker KINGSTON formerly of BYU would have been part of the 1st group above ; however was kicked off team because of rape allegations ...TODAY...charges were "Dropped". Was set to be a senior in 2026, led the Cougars in receiving yards (928) and receptions (67) in 2025. Wonder if her can "TRANSFER" last minute to another FBS Team?
So it's time for WRs Cody HAGEN & Kyler KASPER to step it up are listed as Starters for BYU now


Braden PEGAN 6'-3" 210 (Jr) Utah (Utah State Transfer)
2025... First Team All-Mountain West...
60 receptions 926 yards 5 TDs ( Three 100+ yard games)
Began career @ UCLA
WR Creed Whittemore listed 2nd team

Reece VANDER ZEE (Jr.) 6'-4" 215 Iowa
2025 ...Only 15 rec 219 yards 2 TDs ..missed 4 games due to injury
29 career catches ..but 5 TDs
Check out this catch in the Bowl game
Possibly a break out season

https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/news/_/id/5138293/reece-vander-zee

Brett ESKILDEN 6'-1" 198 (Jr.) Penn State ( Iowa State transfer)
2025: Earned All-Big 12 honorable mention.
Played all 12 games started 7…Caught 30 passes for 526 yards 5 TDs…
Had eight catches of 25+ yards…Ranked 24th in the nation (2nd in Big 12) averaging 17.53 yards per reception.
Last year Summer camp break out player posted on 2025 WR thread
Joins fellow team mates QB Rocco Becht & RB Carson Hansen

Josh DALLAS (Sr.) 6'-1" 205 Georgia Southern
2024 Break out season 46 catches 614 yards 6 TDs; All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention
Strong physical
2025 Season Ending INJURY early; granted a medical hardship waiver
He will have a new QB ...UNC/LSU Transfer Max Johnson

Late addition FCS
Taco DOWLER 5'-9" 170 (Senior) ....Montana State
(2025) Named Preseason All-America and All-Big Sky as a punt returner, and Preseason All-Big Sky receiver..
77 catches 1,025 yards 7 TDs + Punt return TD + 15 carries 124 yards rushing & TD
CLUTCH in the FCS Championship !

Honorable Mention...
Braden Wisloski ...JMU
Tommy Maher ...Colorado State
Brock Spalding ...East Carolina
Landon Sides ...also East Carolina (North Texas transfer)
Nick Devereaux.... Eastern Michigan
Ed Small.....TCU....went 6- 101 vs K State last year
John Neider ....West Virginia (U.Conn transfer)
Dalton Carnes ....North Texas
Collin Chase ...Temple
Ben Ford ...Boise State
Owen Sweeny ....Marshall ( FCS VMI transfer)
David Pantelis....Stanford; Missed the entire 2025 season due to injury
Davis Dalton ...Southern Miss
Jay Wilkerson ...LaTech
Landon Strother...Louisiana
Jackson Holman ...Wyoming
Brady Anderson ...Army
Grady O'Neill ...Sam Houston St
FCS....
Lofton O'Groske ....South Dakota State
Sam Milligan ....Bucknell

Current 2nd teamer's for now
London Humphries ...Georgia...needs to START
Gatlin Blair ....Oregon ...Blazing Speed
Cade Wolford ...Cincinnati (Kent State transfer); can also play RB!
Bailey Stockton...Florida (GaTech transfer)
Cole Adams ...Vanderbilt (Alabama transfer)
Brady Kluse ...Memphis...makes clutch plays
Cole Turner ...Clemson

 

[Truthteller]

Excellent job, as usual, by Twenty-Two. During the winter months of early 2026 I posted several hundred names of players that transferred (via the portal). I went back and culled the names of the wide receivers. The most talented transfers have mostly been put forth by Twenty-Two, so I removed those names. Here are some not mentioned that have transferred. I would assume most of these players will really have to battle for playing time. But some might wind up being "break out" stars.

WR J.J. Buchanan Utah to Michigan (Utes TE, being moved to WR?)
WR Eddie Kasper Illinois State to Illinois
WR Camdon Frier Florida State to Tarleton State (Ex-4 Star/Son of Ex-FSU star)
WR Davis Lane Virginia to Rice
WR Owen Dupree West Georgia to Georgia State
WR Callen Barta Kansas State to Emporia State
WR Justin Popovich Lock Haven to Wyoming
WR Ace Ciongoli Indiana to Florida (Fresh)
WR Parker Fulghum Clemson to Louisiana-Monroe
WR James Tyre Western Carolina to North Texas
WR Cooper Perry Oregon to California at Berkeley (Ex-4 star)
WR Jackson Harper Connecticut to Colorado State
WR Lance Beeghley Southern Methodist to Iowa (RS Fresh)
WR Bryce Cohoon Kansas to South Dakota
WR Gavin Freeman Oklahoma State to Baylor (Senior) (Reneged Tennessee Commit')
WR Ryder Treadway Toledo to Connecticut (Fresh)
WR Reed Swanson Colgate to Boston College (Senior/6'6” turned down SEC giants like Alabama and Georgia)
WR Jackson Wade Florida to Boston College (RS-Junior)
WR Cam Abshire Oklahoma State to Connecticut (RS-Junior)
WR Jackson Voth Drake to Louisville


Buchanan, if allowed to flourish at WR, might be the most likely "break out" star .... Looking at Swanson's size/speed, in addition to all the big-time powers that pursued him, I'd say he is definitely one to watch ... Freeman is a smallish speedster that is a typical slot/return specialist .... Perry and Frier are both ex-4 stars hoping for playing time. Perry might be more likely to "break out" .... Fulghum is the son of ex-LSU QB Josh Booty drafted by Marlins (MLB/5th overall in 1994) and Seahawks (6th round 2001)