The transfer portal has seen an all-time high number of players joining in the hopes of landing with teams that will provide them more playing time or NIL deals. Over 1,000 players have entered the transfer portal in search of a new home, and our transfer portal rankings identify the top wide receivers amongst them.
Top 10 Transfer Portal Wide Receivers
The wide receiver position is among the deepest in the transfer portal, with plenty of players who are deep threats. Let’s take a look at 10 of those players who are considered the best wide receivers in the transfer portal.
10) Matthew Golden, Texas
During his first two seasons with the Houston Cougars, Matthew Golden showed potential with 38 catches in each of the last two years. The difference between Golden in 2022 and 2023 was that he made bigger plays in 2022, as he went from averaging 15.4 yards per catch to 10.6 yards per catch this past season.
He joins a Texas Longhorns team that expects Golden to take the next step as one of its top receivers. With him joining WR Xavier Worthy in the receiving corps, the Longhorns will have big-play potential in the passing game for 2024.
9) Mikey Matthews, California
Mikey Matthews is another receiver who has big-play potential, but with the struggles and rotation of the quarterbacks at Utah, fans never got to see him fully on display. Matthews averaged almost 22 yards per catch, but he only had 29 catches with the Utes in his freshman year.
Now, with Matthews heading home to play for the Cal Golden Bears, he has a chance to be the top receiver on the team. Cal enters the ACC boasting one of the more overlooked receiving rooms in the conference.
8) Jeremiah Hunter, Washington
Where one California receiver enters, one leaves for the Big Ten. Jeremiah Hunter has been Cal’s top receiver over the last two seasons, as he has produced 2,056 yards and 13 touchdowns since 2021.
Hunter joins a Washington Huskies team that will be going through a transformation with their offense. He gives them a lengthy receiver who has a chance to make some great plays for the Huskies as they also transition to a new conference home.
7) Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Elijah Sarratt spent only one season at James Madison in 2023, and he lit it up with 82 receptions for 1,191 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games. Sarratt proved quickly to be the best receiver in the Sun Belt Conference.
His head coach, Curt Cignetti, moved on to Indiana to be their next head coach, and Sarratt decided to join him there. Indiana’s passing game, which struggled in recent years, should get a much-needed boost with Sarratt in the mix at receiver.
6) Ja’Mori Maclin, Kentucky
North Texas Mean Green star WR Ja’Mori Maclin finished his redshirt sophomore season with 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Mean Green leaned on Maclin in the passing game, as he was QB Chandler Rogers’ top target.
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After overachieving in the AAC, Maclin took his talent to the SEC by joining the Kentucky Wildcats. His speed makes him a perfect fit for the conference as Kentucky looks for a deep-threat pass catcher to help the offense.
5) Kris Mitchell, Notre Dame
During his four seasons at Florida International, Kris Mitchell worked his way up for playing time, which led to 2023 being his breakout season. He finished with 1,118 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.
Now, he is about to enter the big leagues by joining a Notre Dame team going through changes at quarterback. Mitchell jumps in as one of their top offensive players, as he will be targeted often for the Fighting Irish.
4) CJ Daniels, Undecided
The Liberty Flames had a big-play target in CJ Daniels, who bounced back from his ACL injury in 2022 with a big 2023 season. He was the only receiver in Conference USA with over 1,000 yards. Meanwhile, he added 10 touchdowns.
He has not committed to a school but has visited Texas and is expected to visit Oregon and Auburn. Daniels will be one of their top targets on any team he joins. It’s just a matter of finding the right home for the receiver.
3) Juice Wells, Ole Miss
Juice Wells has journeyed throughout college football, starting at James Madison his first two seasons and spending the last two with South Carolina. He recorded 1,250-yard and 928-yard receiving years in 2021 and 2022, but a left foot injury early this season kept him off the field.
Wells transfers for the third time in his career, staying in the SEC with Ole Miss. The good news is QB Jaxson Dart will be back for 2024, and with Wells in the picture, the Rebels have a chance to take over the SEC’s top spot.
2) Caullin Lacy, Louisville
Over the last four seasons, Caullin Lacy has progressed into South Alabama’s top receiver, exploding onto the scene with big plays. He has recorded 2,518 yards and 13 touchdowns in four seasons.
Louisville lands one of the top transfer portal receivers in the country. The Cardinals lost their top receiver, Jamari Thrash, as he heads to the NFL Draft. Lacy can fill the void and ensure the Cardinals still have a big-play player.
1) Evan Stewart, Oregon
Coming out of high school in 2022, Evan Stewart was the top receiver and a top-10 prospect entering Texas A&M. In two seasons, Stewart recorded 1,163 receiving yards and six touchdowns with the Aggies.
Oregon has now snagged Stewart to join the offense as they look for a replacement for Bo Nix. The team lost WR Troy Franklin to the NFL Draft, but they did get WR Tez Johnson back for his senior season. Stewart and Johnson will make for one of the top-receiving duos in college football.
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!