The Conference USA welcomes in several new teams in 2023 but a familiar face leads the charge at receiver. Our Conference USA WR Rankings lean heavily toward the Hilltoppers, none more notable than Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley.
2023 C-USA WR Rankings
Unlike our previous rankings (QB and RB), the 2023 C-USA WR Rankings are shedding light on individuals more than units. While the quarterback rankings in each conference outlined the strength of a clear-cut starter, they were still based on the strength of the QB room in some situations, albeit by a small amount.
The 2023 C-USA WR rankings portray a list of the best wide receivers we project to see on the field based on what they’ve shown in their collegiate careers to date. Some players are expected to break out, but this list aims to highlight the known commodities at this stage of the offseason.
Wide receiver play comprises far more than statistics, and the more a receiver has shown over his time on the field, the higher they’ll rank here.
1) Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
The undisputed leader in the clubhouse in our Conference USA WR rankings was not up for debate. Malachi Corley exploded onto the scene a year ago with his ridiculous 101-catch, 1,293-yard, 11-touchdown performance. This came after he flashed brilliance with 73 receptions, 691 yards, and seven touchdowns a year prior.
Corley took over the No. 1 spot in 2022 on the WKU receiving corps and dominated in every game. He was terrific before the catch, stemming route cuts with absolute ease and losing no speed. Corley was even better after the catch with a rare blend of elite play speed, strength through contact, elusiveness, and balance.
There isn’t anything Corley can’t do, and with another year hauling in passes from Austin Reed, he should set some career WKU marks. He’ll eclipse some serious talent in the process and is firmly in the discussion as one of the best receivers in the nation.
MORE: Conference USA QB Rankings 2023
2) Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech
Back for another go, Smoke Harris returns to Louisiana Tech for his sixth season with the Bulldogs. Harris has recorded at least 300 yards and multiple touchdowns in each of the past four seasons, reaching the 2,000-yard plateau in his career a season ago.
He’s a born leader of a receiving corps and dominates from the inside. No matter the offensive scheme, Harris has a natural role as the top target on the Bulldogs’ offense, rewarding Louisiana Tech fans with remarkable work at the catch point and after the catch.
Harris is shifty and creates the most out of any of his manufactured touches in Ruston.
3) Michael Mathison, Western Kentucky
In the amazing world that has been the WKU offense over the past decade, a 52-catch, 615-yard performance was good enough to rank Michael Mathison just fourth on his own team in each statistic. However, as he and Corley are the top returners for the Hilltoppers in 2023, you can expect an uptick in targets and production this fall.
Mathison, a former Akron Zip, plays incredibly well on the interior, using a quick release to get open over the middle. He can attack vertically but is much better at moving with his quarterback’s eyes as an outlet or viable second-read option. Mathison won’t run by many defenders, but he’s a terrific after-the-catch threat nonetheless.
4) Cyrus Allen, Louisiana Tech
What a terrific season it was in 2022 for Cyrus Allen. Hauling in 22 catches, he turned those into 500 yards with four scores, averaging a whopping 22.7 yards per catch. That kind of efficiency isn’t likely to repeat itself, but the fact remains that Allen has some talent backing up his place on this list.
Allen possesses a potentially game-changing speed and suddenness to his game. He can run by defenders on straight-line routes or lose them on the inside. With improved play from the quarterback position in 2023, Allen’s spot in the top five here was never in jeopardy.
A rare player at the receiver position who can help elevate his quarterback, Allen’s a star in the making.
5) CJ Daniels, Liberty
If CJ Daniels’ 2021 season was any indicator, we would’ve been talking about him a lot more in 2022 had a torn ACL in the spring not shortened his season to just four appearances and a redshirt.
Daniels, however, now has the opportunity to make up for lost time in 2023 under a new coaching staff. With Jamey Chadwell calling the shots now and over 1,300 receiving yards departing with Demario Douglas up for grabs, Daniels should be the heir apparent to the throne in Lynchburg.
Back in 2021, Daniels put on a show with both his hands and his feet. He was quick with his releases and routes and sure with his hands all over the field. He’s a terrific vertical threat and can move well coming across the field. The sky is the limit this season for Daniels.
6) Ife Adeyi, Sam Houston State
The reviews are in from Sam Houston State: Ife Adeyi and Co. are ready for the big stage. Whether that pans out or not will largely come down to quarterback play in 2023, but after Adeyi and the Bearkats got Grant Gunnell in the portal this offseason, all signs point up.
Adeyi gives the Bearkats a viable option from the inside or outside as he can move around the formation and has proven to be a home-run threat. For his career, he averages over 15 yards per catch.
There’s a lot to like about Adeyi’s game, especially if Gunnell returns to his glory and can find him in the open field, where he’ll be most of the time.
7) DJ England-Chisolm, Middle Tennessee
A big play waiting to happen, DJ England-Chisolm steps up into the WR1 role for the Blue Raiders in 2023. A true speedster, England-Chisolm is hard to cover from the outside, as he breaks inward on a dime with one of the cleanest releases in the conference.
Given cushion, England-Chisolm can push defenders vertically and break a route off in an instant or simply lose defenders on in-breaking routes. He makes his living on yards after the catch, and with more opportunities coming his way in 2023, he should become a household name.
8) Perry Carter, Jacksonville State
After four years at UL-Monroe, Perry Carter took his talents to Jacksonville State in 2022. As the season wore on, Carter adjusted to his new role on offense, and the production clearly ticked up down the stretch.
Carter is a dangerous threat on the inside, winning with his ability to stack smaller or more sluggish defenders over the middle of the field. He’ll move well without the ball in his hands, but speed and elusiveness after the catch are the hallmarks of Carter’s game.
9) Dalvin Smith, Western Kentucky
Dalvin Smith quietly caught 11 touchdowns over the past three seasons, nine of which came over the past two seasons, as his target share ascended. With two of the Hilltoppers’ most targeted receivers from last season now out of the picture, Smith could see yet another career year at WKU.
He’ll be a large threat on the outside if his usage packages shift him to the perimeter, similar to both Daewood Davis and Jaylen Hall last year. Smith wins with his hands at the catch point but is no stranger to highlight-reel moments after the catch as well.
MORE: Conference USA RB Rankings 2023
10) Noah Frith, Liberty
A consistent performer for the Flames over the past four seasons, Noah Frith is a terrific possession receiver for Liberty on the outside. He maintains a solid presence at every level of the field and has terrific timing with late hands to the ball.
There aren’t many holes in Frith’s game, and he’s about as reliable of a WR2 as there is in the Conference USA this season.
11) Kris Mitchell, FIU
Marred by inconsistency as an offensive unit in 2022, Kris Mitchell looked every bit the part of FIU’s next No. 1 receiver. Mitchell, at 6’1″ and 175, has surprising strength on his routes and doesn’t get knocked off his spot easily.
He also can go up and get the ball at its high point, fighting through defenders in the process. But what makes Mitchell potentially special is his ability after the catch. He’s a long strider who — if he gets in the open field — could outrun most defenders.
All that’s left for Mitchell to hit his stride is some consistent quarterback play.
12) CJ Yarbrough, Liberty
CJ Yarbrough is a dynamic, large-framed outside receiver who gives the Flames a reliable third option on passing downs. He hasn’t reached 300 yards in a single season just yet, but early-season success over the past two years indicates that he is more than capable of such a feat in the very near future.
Standing at 6’3″, Yarbrough is bigger than most defenders lining up against him, and he uses his physicality well, seemingly everywhere on the field. The new offensive system for the Flames will likely play to this size mismatch on the outside more often than the previous regime did.
13) Errol Rogers Jr., Liberty
The fourth Liberty receiver to make the cut, Errol Rogers Jr. comes to Lynchburg after three seasons at Louisiana. Rogers is as quick as a hiccup, and defenses know it, playing him off and allowing cushion underneath.
Rogers is capable of eating up said cushion and making defenders miss in the open field if he’s fed the ball quickly enough. With plenty of mouths to feed, don’t be surprised if Rogers gets a hot hand due to his ability to win off the line of scrimmage quickly.
14) Jamarye Joiner, Jacksonville State
Once upon a time, Jamarye Joiner flashed brilliantly with Khalil Tate throwing him passes at Arizona in 2019. Fast forward a few years later, and Joiner has hauled in just 16 receptions since 2020.
Still, the hulking receiver on the outside has speed, strength, agility, and a plethora of potential WR1 attributes that he displays from the slot. If Joiner is given time to work and return back to form, Jacksonville State may have a steal of a transfer.
15) Josh Sterns, Western Kentucky
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because you remember Josh Sterns’ brother Jerreth from when the latter made history with Bailey Zappe. Now, returning from an injury, all eyes are on the younger Sterns as Josh looks to capitalize on the form that he showed off in 2020.
With Houston Baptist three seasons ago, Sterns averaged a ridiculous 31 yards per catch in just four games played. That stretch included a five-catch, 209-yard, two-touchdown performance against Texas Tech.
Sterns, like his older brother, has an innate ability to find the football anywhere on the field and plays much bigger than his frame would indicate. If all goes to plan, another Sterns will be in the end zone often for Western in 2023.
16) P.J. Wells, Jacksonville State
The sky was the limit for P.J. Wells in 2022 after he broke out in 2021. However, two of the trio of Gamecocks ahead of him ate into his targets (and his production) in 2022 for JSU.
However, Wells has prototypical size on the outside and could be vital to Jacksonville State’s efforts to compete in the Conference USA as early as this fall. Wells’ catch radius will be put to test once again, as will his surprising speed after the catch.
With Ahmad Edwards out of the picture, that potential is in sight for Wells in 2023.
17) Noah Smith, Sam Houston State
Featured heavily in the Sam Houston offense over the past three seasons, Noah Smith does a ton of work on his own in the receiving game. He’ll be targeted heavily in 2023, most likely in the short area of the field or on screens, where he can once again dominate after the catch.
Smith effortlessly loses would-be tacklers and looks for the next defender to shake. If he adds a vertical threat to his game, Smith is a candidate to move up these rankings quickly.
18) Kordell David, New Mexico State
A breakthrough player down the stretch in 2022, Kordell David announced himself to the Conference USA with his games against rival New Mexico, Liberty, Valparaiso, and Bowling Green. Can the 6’3″ pass catcher repeat those performances with another offseason under his belt?
After he put forth more impressive reps as each game wore on in 2022, the answer looks like an easy yes for David in 2023.
MORE: Conference USA QB Rankings 2023
19) Al’Vonte Woodard, Sam Houston State
A big man with a massive catch radius, Al’Vonte Woodard gave us a glimpse of what his potential is down the stretch last season. As he continues to hone his craft in just his second season with Sam Houston, Woodard’s size and sneaky speed could pay dividends in 2023.
Woodard, at 6’2″ and 195 pounds, has some real juice on the outside and proved he could also maximize his receptions. After three seasons with Texas, he’s as disciplined as they come on the outside and could be in for a major uptick in production this fall.
Honorable Mentions
- Kelly Akharaiyi, UTEP
- Jalen Bracey, FIU
- Ze’Vian Capers, Western Kentucky
- Bryce Childress, New Mexico State
- Sterling Galban, Jacksonville State
- Jimmy Holiday, Western Kentucky
- Kyle Maxwell, Louisiana Tech
- Elijah Metcalf, Middle Tennessee
- Kalani Norris, Middle Tennessee
- Justin Olson, Middle Tennessee
- Dean Patterson, FIU
- Michael Pettway, Jacksonville State
- Treon Sibley, Liberty
- Reese Smith, Liberty
- AJ Toney, Middle Tennessee
- Holden Willis, Middle Tennessee
