The conference’s top five leading receivers are gone, leaving zero 1,000-yard pass catchers returning this season. But that doesn’t mean the 2024 CUSA WR Rankings are bereft of talent. It just means there is a new crop of playmakers ready to fill the void.
CUSA 2024 WR Rankings
10) Omari Kelly, Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
A former highly recruited four-star prospect, Omari Kelly spent the first two years of his career at Auburn. However, he was only able to see the field long enough to record five catches and 101 yards. Yet, word out of MTSU’s camp is he’s the new WR1 and is primed for a breakout campaign.
With such little production and no in-game evidence as of yet, Kelly lands at No. 10 on the 2024 CUSC WR Rankings, but if his practice highlights are anything to go by, he will rise up the list in due time.
9) Nazeviah Burris, FIU Panthers
Kris Mitchell transferred to Notre Dame, and Jalen Bracy graduated, leaving huge holes in FIU’s WR corps. Dean Patterson and Eric Rivers are established ancillary pieces, but Nazeviah Burris has an opportunity to become the next WR1.
Burris comes over from FCS-level Stetson and has already made a great impression with the Panthers. QB Keyone Jenkins said Burris went the whole spring without a drop and is “one of those guys you can look for to get you a first down.”
Meanwhile, WRs coach Jay MacIntyre said the transfer led all receivers with 67 catches this spring, highlighting Burris’ instant connection with Jenkins. If the camp hype carries over into the season, expect Burris to jump up the rankings.
8) Jaden Smith, UTEP Miners
Jaden Smith was a high-volume slot savant for three seasons at Eastern Kentucky, amassing 173 receptions, 1,922 yards, and 14 TDs across 34 contests. A smooth mover with easy throttle control, Smith has no issue attacking leverage and creating separation when given space to work.
With the player at No. 5 on this list taking the tops of defenses, Smith will be able to feast in the intermediate parts of the field.
7) Ife Adeyi, Sam Houston Bearkats
Ife Adeyi had a strong 2020 campaign but shifted into a new gear in 2021 with a 54-747-10 receiving line. His biggest moment in the spotlight came against North Dakota State in the FCS quarterfinal, when he hauled in a massive third-down conversation on a tightrope along the sideline.
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However, Adeyi has rarely been seen since. With Sam Houston transitioning to the FBS, he only played in four games to retain his redshirt in 2022. Then, in 2023, he suffered a season-ending injury after just three games. If he can return to his big-play form of 2021, Adeyi could challenge for a spot among the top five WRs in the CUSA.
6) Dalvin Smith, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Hilltoppers are a bit of a WR factory, with Malachi Corley (2022-23), Jerreth Sterns (2021), Mitchell Tinsley (2021), Lucky Jackson (2019), and Taywan Taylor (2016) exploding with the program in the last eight years. This year, four players could shine, and with TJ Finley slinging the rock, it wouldn’t be surprising if they all did.
Dalvin Smith was the WR2 last season, hauling in 50 passes for 513 yards and six TDs in 11 games. He put up 125 yards against Sam Houston and nearly crested the century mark against USF (97). Smith has the talent to be the WR1, landing him on the Shrine Bowl 1000 watch list, but another Hilltopper is standing in his way.
5) Trey Goodman, UTEP Miners
Trey Goodman isn’t just another Austin Peay player following head coach Scotty Walden to UTEP; he’s a legitimate receiving weapon. On just 34 receptions, he generated 721 yards and seven TDs last season — that’s an average of 21.2 yards per catch.
He’ll operate as the Miners’ premier deep threat with the versatility to win out wide or in the slot and pick up yards after the catch.
4) Gabriel Benyard, Kennesaw State Owls
There are “do-it-all” threats, and then there is Gabriel Benyard. Across three seasons at Kennesaw State, he has produced 62-408-2 rushing, 32-640-8 receiving, 38-981-0 kick-returning, and 12-260-1 punt-returning lines.
Those numbers are even more impressive when you realize he played in only 26 games, including four last season (to maintain a redshirt). Benyard’s versatility is a bit of a double-edged sword, as his limited reps at any one position keep him from mastering a single skill set. Nevertheless, he’ll have a full season in the CUSA to torture defenses from every level and at every alignment.
3) Kisean Johnson, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Kisean Johnson was Alabama State’s most productive receiver over the last two seasons, culminating in first-team All-SWAC honors in 2023. He led the conference in receiving yards (819), receiving yards per game (81.9), receptions per game (6.2), and receiving TDs (seven). All of those numbers ranked in the top 25 among FCS WRs.
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Whereas Benyard is a jack of all trades, Johnson is a complete WR. He has route-running nuance to win before the catch, the size (6’1″, 210) and length to win at the catch point, and the speed and wiggle to win after the catch.
2) Treon Sibley, Liberty Flames
QB Kaidon Salter and WR CJ Daniels went scorched Earth on the conference last season, but with Daniels now at LSU, Salter will have to turn to a new No. 1. Luckily, he already has a pre-established connection with that player, as its last season’s WR2 Treon Sibley.
Sibley led the team in yards per catch last season (20.3), as he routinely burnt defenses downfield. He’ll need to prove he can flourish as the primary target, but he has all the tools to step up and become Salter’s go-to option en route to a potential College Football Playoff berth.
1) Noah Smith, Sam Houston Bearkats
Sam Houston didn’t exactly thrive in its first season in the CUSA, going 3-9 and finishing second to last in points per game (20.0). Even still, Noah Smith did all he could to keep the team in games, taking 79 catches for 782 yards and six TDs. No other Bearkat had more than 35 receptions or two receiving scores.
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With Adeyi stretching the field and forcing defenses to pay attention to him, Smith will have more room to produce underneath. And with Central Michigan’s Jase Bauer now in place under center, the passing attack should be much more efficient in 2024.
2024 CUSA WR Rankings | 11-20
11) Michael Mathison and Easton Messer, Western Kentucky
12) Dean Patterson, Eric Rivers, and Desna Washington, FIU
13) Malik Phillips, Sam Houston
14) Jimmy Holiday, Louisiana Tech
15) Tyson Mobley, Julian Gray, and Donte Lee Jr., Liberty
16) Myles Butler and Hayes Sutton, Middle Tennessee State
17) Tru Edwards and Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim, Louisiana Tech
18) Kordell David and Jahrique Lowe, New Mexico State
19) Samario Rudolph, P.J. Wells, and Michael Pettaway, Jacksonville State
20) Blake Bohannon, Kennesaw State
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