College football has seen a surge in talented wide receivers over recent years. From notable players like Ja’Marr Chase at LSU to Rome Odunze at Washington, many have gone on to themselves in the NFL after their successful collegiate careers. In the lead-up to the 2024 season, FOX Sports college football experts Michael Cohen and RJ Young shared their top-five wide receiver picks.
RJ Young’s lists begins with Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State, regarded as the most experienced pass-catcher in the country. Luther Burden III from Missouri, who accounted for 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2023 season, comes in second. Third is Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona thanks to his 90 catches for 1,402 yards with 10 touchdowns. Elic Ayomanor from Stanford, famous for his performance against Colorado, is in fourth place, while Travis Hunter of Colorado wraps up the list due to his above-average performance and potential.
On the other hand, Michael Cohen places Tetairoa McMillan at the top, emphasizing his role in Arizona’s successful campaign despite the uncertain futures of him and quarterback Noah Fifita. Luther Burden III holds the second spot owing to his impressive run in five straight games between Sept. 9 through Oct. 7. Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State comes in third, followed by Oregon’s Tez Johnson whose impressive stats have sent expectations soaring. Michael’s list concludes with Kevin Concepcion of NC State who earned ACC Rookie of the Year and first-team Freshman All-America honors.
Both analysts have highlighted the significance of receiver talent in the modern college football game. With these standout players coming to the fore, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see who can live up to the hype and translate their performances into success on the field. The wide receiver position has always had an important role to play but recent years have shown that it has become even more critical to team success.
The rankings of Young and Cohen demonstrate a shared recognition for players like Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden III. However, their rankings differ when it comes to other talents. Young’s recognition of Elic Ayomanor and Travis Hunter notably contrasts with Cohen’s preference for Tez Johnson and Kevin Concepcion. These differences, while minor, underscore the diversity of talent and the subjective nature of these evaluations.
As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on these top picks to lead their teams to victory. These exceptional talents will carry not just the hopes of their respective teams, but also the expectations of college football analysts and fans across the nation. With their impressive resumes and undeniable talent, these wide receivers are set to make a significant impact on the 2024 college football season.
RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports, and Michael Cohen covers college football and basketball for FOX Sports with a focus on the Big Ten. Their expertise and insights offer an intriguing perspective on the wide receiver talents to watch out for in the forthcoming 2024 college football season. No matter the outcome, the 2024 season is poised to showcase some of the brightest talents in college football.
