Heading into the 2025 college football season, Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is a pretty clear top player at the position. That’s not to say he doesn’t have company, though. From all of college football’s elite pass catchers, here are five excellent receivers whose reputation and production could be on par with Smith’s.
Top 5 college football wide receivers (aside from Jeremiah Smith)
Ryan Williams, Alabama
Like Smith, Williams was a true freshman last season who made his mark at one of the nation’s top programs. A 6′ speedster, Williams began his college career at just 17 years old. He flexed his muscles early, scoring at least one touchdown in each of his first five college games. Williams is a threat to score anytime he touches the football. He’s a legend in the making.
He struggled late in his freshman season, as SEC defenses caught up with him a bit, and a lack of college experience saw him wear down. But he finished with 48 catches for 865 yards and eight scores and added two rushing touchdowns as well. Look for a massive 2025 campaign from Williams.
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyson absolutely exploded in 2024. After a 2022 season at Colorado, where he showed promise but had just 22 catches for 470 yards and four scores, Tyson transferred to Arizona State. He missed almost the entire 2023 season after suffering a collarbone injury, but Tyson took off in 2024.
He caught 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 6’1″ Tyson was especially sharp at the end of the season. In the last three games, he had 29 catches for 444 yards. If he can pick up 2025 where he left off last season, he’ll make plenty more noise in the year to come.
Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech
Rivers is at his third school with Georgia Tech, but he’s certainly a proven quality. The 5’11” standout caught 62 passes last year at Florida International for 1,172 yards and 12 touchdowns. Rivers posted five 100+ yard games last season, including a freaking 11 catches for 295 yards against New Mexico State.
Tech should offer Rivers a chance to further expand his game. Returning QB Haynes King will feature him early and often, and Rivers could be the newcomer of the year in the ACC in 2025.
Cam Coleman, Auburn
Another of last year’s brilliant group of freshman stars, Coleman has a bright future ahead at Auburn. At 6’3″, he’s one of the taller and more physical targets on this list. In the 2024 season, he had 37 grabs for 598 yards and eight touchdowns.
Coleman started the year fairly quietly, but finished strong. In his last three games, he had 22 catches for 306 yards and six touchdowns. That type of production over a full season would make him a likely All-American and arguably the best receiver in Auburn’s extensive history. Coleman can be that good– but can he be consistent enough to reach his potential in 2025?
Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
The 6’2″ Sarratt came off a brilliant 2023 campaign at James Madison (82 catches for 1,191 yards and eight TDs) and had an almost equally brilliant 2024 at Indiana (53 catches for 957 yards and eight TDs). Three of Sarratt’s four 100+ yard games came in conference play, so he’s certainly at his best in big games.
Indiana was one of college football’s surprises last season, and Sarratt was a significant part of that development. He won’t be an unknown in 2025, but this guy is a consistently top-performing collegiate receiver. His 2025 should be highly entertaining.
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