College fantasy football championships are often won by drafting a strong wide receiver corps that can produce prodigious fantasy points. In 2023, Malik Nabers, Ricky White, and Luke McCaffrey were all CFF playmakers, who exceeded expectations. Examining CFF draft results and rosters in 2024, I prefer to build a team with one stud receiver and find undervalued or overlooked players in the mid-rounds of drafts. Studying receivers has been a hobby of mine for nearly 40 years.
In the early Eighties, I first fell in love with the position when Anthony Carter played for the Michigan Wolverines. He moved on to the USFL with the Michigan Panthers before finally landing in Minnesota in the NFL. I followed Carter’s entire career on the gridiron long before fantasy became a staple in my fandom. In four college seasons, Carter logged 141 receptions for 2,681 yards and 35 touchdowns while averaging a whopping 19.0 ypc. The numbers do not pop off the page in comparison to today’s statistics, but he dominated games.
In 2007, Michael Crabtree recorded an unforgettable season for the ages. The true freshman caught 134 passes for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns in the Air Raid offense at Texas Tech. The next year, I drafted Crabtree in the first round of my CFF fantasy draft, and he grabbed 97 passes for 1,165 yards and 19 scores.
In 2010, the fantasy gods laughed, and I learned a valuable lesson that changed how to examine players and their fantasy potential. Julio Jones was one of the preseason All-Americans, and I could not wait to draft the big-bodied receiver from Alabama. When the curtain closed on the campaign, Jones had recorded 78 catches for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns. While he did not hurt my team, Jones did not post first-round numbers…systems matter at receiver.
Two of the most impressive college fantasy football receivers over the past 15 years never reached the same heights in the NFL. In 2014, Justin Hardy, East Carolina, posted noteworthy numbers, catching 121 passes for 1,494 yards and 10 scores. In 2016, Corey Davis, Western Michigan, nearly matched Crabtree’s production: He tallied 97 receptions for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. Hardy and Davis played at the G5 level and dominated Saturdays but not Sundays.
Not since Desmond Howard at Michigan in 1991 had a receiver won the Heisman award until Alabama’s DeVonta Smith in 2020. The slim reaper captured the nation’s attention when he made 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 scores.
There are not many better alternative-reality prognostications than predicting, drafting and watching a playmaker who surpasses either 100 catches, 1,500 yards and/or 15 scores. Will there be a league-winning receiver who smashes those thresholds in 2024? I would venture to guess that a couple will emerge.
At the receiver position, I embrace risk for a high return if the system has harvested a cornucopia of playmakers in the past. It is about uncovering ADP value to acquire one or two golden nuggets. Therefore, build around a Top 12 receiver and identify upside later in drafts to optimize utility at the position.
CFF WR Rankings and Tiers
The wide receiver profiles are tiered—Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude—to provide flexibility for CFF managers based on their league’s scoring format, roster construction and starting lineup requirements. Let’s look at the Top 12 CFF wide outs in 2024.
Summa Cum Laude
Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Team Offense (Rank): 448 ypg. (20)
Passing Yards: 308.3 ypg. (8)
Points Scored: 34.6 ppg. (18)
2023 FPPG: 22.9
Fantrax ADP: 4.3
In fantasy sports, experts debate between narrative and analytics when ranking players. After 36 years of playing alternative-reality sports, it is clear that the best minds employ both in order to place any player in context for additional insight into the statistics.
QB Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan have grown up together as friends and football players. The duo played youth football, attended the same high school, and enrolled at Arizona. The bond between the pitch-catch pair transcends analytics and is one of the remarkable stories in college football.
At 6’5” and 205 pounds, McMillan flashed right away two years ago, leading all true freshmen in the nation with 702 yards on 38 receptions and eight scores. As a sophomore, he followed up with a more splendid season, catching 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. The second-year playmaker was named Third Team All-American (AP) and Second Team All-Pac-12.
An idyllic X-receiver, McMillan wins at the catch point with size and hands—the lowest drop rate (2.1%) among P5 teams last year. He is a fluid athlete, who is a precise route runner with fancy feet. Easily, the Wildcats’ playmaker is a top 5 overall selection in CFF drafts.
Scouting Notebook: “T-Mac is all ball. He loves the game of football and you see it in the way he plays. He’s got a volleyball background, which I think is why he’s so explosive when it comes to catching a ball. His catch radius is unreal. Any ball that’s in his area, T-Mac has a chance to get,” stated wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings (wildcat.arizona.edu).
Luther Burden, Missouri
Team Offense (Rank): 434 ypg. (28)
Passing Yards: 262 ypg. (37)
Points Scored: 33 ppg. (28)
2023 FPPG: 20.3
Fantrax ADP: 3.4
When Luther Burden committed to Missouri, the Tigers captured the attention of the college football world. A five-star recruit, he was the MaxPreps Illinois Player of the Year in 2021, and the highest-graded high-schooler to enroll at Missouri.
As a true freshman in 2022, Burden played in all 13 games and started 10. He did not live up to the lofty expectations with 45 receptions for 375 yards and six touchdowns. He also carried the ball 18 times for 88 yards and two scores. Burden’s eight total touchdowns led all true freshmen receivers in the country.
Last year, coach Eli Drinkwitz moved the sleek-footed receiver inside to the slot, and the sophomore exploded in Drinkwitz’s passing game. At 5’11” and 201-pounds, Burden snatched 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns, pocketing Second Team All-America and First Team All-SEC honors.
His receiving yards ranked third on the Tigers’ single-season chart and his receptions are the fourth-best in program history. Burden is No. 20 on the all-time list with 1,587 receiving yards, and he trails Danario Alexander—who tops the charts—by 1,191 yards. The coaching staff would likely want to get Burden the school record, which is great news for CFF managers. Draft Burden with confidence in 2024.
Scouting Notebook: Burden inked a nice NIL deal in the offseason: “…not only (for) our program to back it up but the state of Missouri to back it up through NIL and other opportunities to market Luther. I think it’s created a place where other players know, ‘Hey, I can go there, create my own brand and value for myself at the University of Missouri. I don’t have to go somewhere else outside of the state,’” (on3.com) coach Eli Drinkwitz proclaimed.
Tory Horton, Colorado State
Team Offense (Rank): 399 ypg. (54)
Passing Yards: 306 ypg. (9)
Points Scored: 26.1 ppg. (73)
2023 FPPG: 22.2
Fantrax ADP: 4.3
College fantasy footballers rejoiced when Tory Holton decided to remain on campus for one more season. Over the past two years, the Rams’ playmaker has been one of the more productive receivers, finishing as CFF WR11 and CFF WR15. Coach Jay Norvell’s aerial assault took flight last year over Fort Collins, and Horton grossed First Team All-Mountain West in each of the past two seasons.
In 2020, Norvell recruited Horton to Nevada, and the 6’2” and 190-pounder played his first two campaigns (2020-21) for the Wolf Pack. At Nevada, he caught 72 passes for 995 yards and 10 scores. Horton followed his coach to Colorado State and has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Last year, the smooth senior paced the team with 96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 94.7 receiving yards per game. With redshirt sophomore quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (3,460 passing yards and 22 touchdowns) throwing passes, Horton will surely thrive again for CFF coaches.
Scouting Notebook: “The biggest recruiting job we had to do was really to talk to Tory Horton and his family about the benefits of staying in college football for one more year and not going to the National Football League. With my experience coaching in the NFL, being involved in many Senior Bowls and (scouting) combines and evaluating players, I really felt Tory needed to know the good and bad with his decision and what he should weigh. We’re just so thankful Tory is coming back,” coach Norvell said (cesuras.com).
Twitterverse on Fire!
At their current CFF ADP, who are you targeting at wide receiver in drafts this summer?
- Amare Thomas, UAB: 22%
- Chris Bell, Louisville: 24%
- Travis Hunter, Colorado: 34%
- Kole Wilson, Texas State: 29%
Scholar’s Selection: I have somehow become a Chris Bell Truther. I drafted him in the Summa Cum Laude Mock Draft in June and have acquired Bell on five of my six best ball teams so far. At 6’2” and 220 pounds, Bell profiles as an idyllic X-receiver, who dominates on the boundary. During the spring, the junior impressed the coaching staff and onlookers with eye-opening practices and improved footwork and agility. In the spring game, Bell snatched three passes for 126 yards and two scores. I seek upside, and Bell is one of my guys in CFF this season.
“Give me TRAVIS HUNTER! One thing that Coach Prime will make sure of is getting Hunter the ball. If the Buffs win, Hunter picks off a ball, and scores a touchdown in the same game early in the season, he will be a quick Heisman favorite.” @aceholesrule
“It’s basically a coin flip between Amare Thomas and Kole Wilson. While I expect all four will be productive this year, Chris Bell and Travis Hunter tend to go earlier in my drafts than I’m willing to spend. Bell has especially jumped recently.” @eliotmays
Magna Cum Laude
Ricky White, UNLV
Team Offense (Rank): 413 ypg. (42)
Passing Yards: 239 ypg. (55)
Points Scored: 34.4 ppg. (22)
2023 FPPG: 20.4
Fantrax ADP: 20.2
If asked to name the all-time greatest player from the Rebels, QB Randall Cunningham would immediately pop into my head. Two decades ahead of the curve, Cunningham played at UNLV—still the school’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns—from 1982-84 and caught the eyes of scouts across the nation.
The Eagles drafted Cunningham in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft and the general public, myself included, had not seen the Rebels’ signal caller. In the early Eighties, the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (that’s right) games were not broadcast nationally and fans had to rely on published scouting reports and ESPN highlights to form an opinion on the UNLV prospect. Cunningham went on to redefine the quarterback position in the NFL and fantasy.
After Cunningham, Ricky White might end his Rebels’ tenure as the second-best fantasy player from the program. He is currently No. 13 all-time in both receptions (139) and receiving yards (2,202) at UNLV. He needs 1,307 receiving yards to ascend to the top of the charts, and is 144 catches away from the leader.
Originally a member of the Michigan State program in 2020, White transferred to the desert in 2022 and prospered last year. The senior caught 88 passes for 1,483 yards and eight scores, averaging 16.9 ypc and finishing the campaign as CFF WR8. He was named First Team All-Mountain West for his performance. Offensive Coordinator Brennan Marion’s “Go-Go” attack scored over 34 ppg., and White will be the key component of the passing game again.
Scouting Notebook: “I definitely want to stay another year. I want to develop here. I have a great QB and great coaches around me to help me grow, and a great team, also. I’m definitely going to stay another year, develop, and show the scouts what they want to see,” White divulged last December (lasvegassun.com)
Joey Hobert, Texas State
Team Offense (Rank): 458 ypg. (15)
Passing Yards: 271 ypg. (28)
Points Scored: 37 ppg. (11)
2023 FPPG: 19.4
Fantrax ADP: 10.6
When QB TJ Finley left Texas State to play at Western Kentucky, I pondered the future of the Bobcats’ passing game without last year’s starter. Coach GJ Kinne alleviated any concerns when he convinced Jordan McCloud to come to San Marcos, TX to take over the offense. With McCloud behind center, Joey Hobert looks poised to elevate his production.
Joey is the son of former NFL quarterback Billy Joe, who played for the Raiders, Bills, Saints and Colts. A three-star recruit, the younger Hobert racked up 1,924 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior. He also played defensive back, recording 105 tackles, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. In 2020-21, he played at Washington State but saw very limited opportunities.
In 2022, Hobert transferred to Utah Tech (an FCS program) to continue playing football. He crushed the opposition with 90 catches for 1,258 yards and 16 scores for the Trailblazers and was named an All-American. Afterward, he moved to Texas State and immediately made an impact. He earned Second Team All-Sun Belt with 78 receptions for 895 yards and eight touchdowns. At 5’11” and 185-pounds, Hobert is a preseason all-conference candidate and in a terrific position to exceed last year’s fantasy numbers.
Scouting Notebook: “Hobert made a huge impression in his first year in San Marcos after transferring to Texas State from Utah State, leading the Bobcats in most receiving categories and earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors. The 5’11” and 180-pound Hobert is as consistent as they come and should link up nicely with a new quarterback Jordan McCloud,” penned Mike Craven while ranking the 10 best college receivers in Texas (texasfootball.com).
Evan Stewart, Oregon
Team Offense (Rank): 531 ypg. (2)
Passing Yards: 347 ypg. (1)
Points Scored: 44 ppg. (2)
2023 FPPG: 12.6
Fantrax ADP: 26.8
As a high school teacher and football fan, it would have been an honor to give guidance to Evan Stewart on choosing a college to attend. Three years ago, it was easy to identify programs that better fit Stewart’s football skills than Texas A&M with coach Jimbo Fisher. Luckily, Stewart competes during an era in which an 18-year-old can redress an error in judgment.
The young man made a much better decision over the offseason. After losing Troy Franklin to the NFL, coach Dan Lanning dipped into the transfer portal and acquired the former Aggies’ playmaker. A five-star recruit in 2022, Stewart played in the Under Armour All-American game and ran track and field in high school. As a true freshman, he pocketed SEC All-American and Freshman All-American honors. In two seasons at College Station, Stewart logged 91 receptions for 1,163 yards and six scores—underwhelming production for sure.
Oregon stands among the best programs in the nation, and coach Lanning knows how to best utilize Stewart’s skill set. At 6’0” and 175-pounds, the slim-and-sleek junior will catch passes from one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, Dillon Gabriel. I expect Stewart to finally blast off and be a CFF star this season.
Scouting Notebook: “I think there’s a lot of things that pop off with Evan. I think he saw a lot of opportunity here with what we’ve done with our wideouts here over the last two years. But he has the skill set to be a really, really talented player. We had some coaches who were really familiar with him before as well. That certainly paid off,” coach Lanning commented in the spring (oregonlive.com).
Tez Johnson, Oregon
Team Offense (Rank): 531 ypg. (2)
Passing Yards: 347 ypg. (1)
Points Scored: 44 ppg. (2)
2023 FPPG: 18.9
Fantrax ADP: 18.1
If a CFF player has any reservations in regard to Tez Johnson’s talent, the concerns are misplaced. EA Sports provided evidence of his awesome pass-catching abilities. The company ranked the Ducks’ rising star among the Top 100 players in the game. With a Speed score of 96 and an Acceleration grade of 97, Johnson was the 59th-rated player. A low score on Strength (43) lessened his placement in the rankings—anyone who studied the 5’10” and 160-pound speedster last year would concur with the lack of brawn.
The adopted brother of former Ducks’ QB Bo Nix, Johnson transferred to Oregon from Troy before the 2023 season. He started the crusade slowly with only 15 catches for 203 yards and three scores in five games. Afterward, Johnson exploded down the stretch, exceeding 100 yards receiving four times and reaching the promised land another seven. He etched his name in the Duck’s history book, establishing a single-season record for receptions with 86 while racking up 1,182 receiving yards. The Associated Press placed Johnson on the Second Team All-PAC-12. The elusive speedster is primed for another outstanding season in 2024.
Scouting Notebook: “…it seems very likely that Oregon football fans will see Johnson routinely make huge plays again this season. Johnson isn’t huge and won’t dominate defensive backs with a physical presence like some other wide receivers might, but he’s still one of the most dangerous wideouts around. With his speed, Johnson will present problems for opposing offenses and that will be exciting to see,” Ethan Lee wrote (autzenzoo.com).
Sean Atkins, USF
Team Offense (Rank): 451 ypg. (17)
Passing Yards: 269 ypg. (31)
Points Scored: 32 ppg. (32)
2023 FPPG: 19.7
Fantrax ADP: 24.7
When the season kicks off, Sean Atkins will begin his sixth campaign in a Bulls’ uniform. In 2019, he first stepped onto the gridiron in Tampa, FL. Atkins did not earn many opportunities during his first four years on the field; nevertheless, he did spend his time wisely in the classroom. He earned his degree in pre-finance, and in 2020 and 2021, he was named to the Athletics Honor Roll and obtained AAC All-Academic honors.
Last year, Atkins’ hard work and determination were finally rewarded. The senior established USF season records for receiving yards (1,054) and receptions (92). He became the first 1,000-yard receiver in program history. Atkins was one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy (honoring walk-ons) and Second Team All-AAC.
On the USF career lists, he begins training camp fifth in receptions (121), 10th in receiving yards (1,386) and 10th in receiving touchdowns (10). He needs 33 catches, 750 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in order to set new records for the Bulls. At 5’10” and 172-pounds, the USF graduate student will likely end his campus tenure atop the receiving charts, and CFF managers can look forward to the weekly production.
Scouting Notebook: “(Atkins) is such an easy example to point to—if you just put your head down and work, here’s what happens. He’s grown tremendously, physically and mentally. He has taken that step as a leader. He’s got ‘it’ in him,” USF coach Alex Golesh said (abcactionnews.com).
Jalen Royals, Utah State
Team Offense (Rank): 439 ypg. (25)
Passing Yards: 264 ypg. (43)
Points Scored: 33.2 ppg. (26)
2023 FPPG: 20.7
Fantrax ADP: 13.4
I have accepted that UConn football will never approach the heights of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Storrs. Why do I go to the Huskies’ football games? I love tailgating and hanging out with my friends. Over the years, I have witnessed so many great performances by opponents. In 2023, Jalen Royals torched the UConn secondary at the Rent with seven catches for 185 yards and three touchdowns. He immediately became a CFF waiver wire gemstone and continued his upward ascent thereafter. In the next two games, Royals surpassed the 100-yard barrier and scored four times.
Royals finished the season with 71 catches for 1,080 yards and a school-record 15 touchdowns. He collected Third Team All-American (College Football Network), First Team All-Mountain West, and Academic All-Mountain West accolades. In Aggies history, the senior was the thirteenth player to record 1,000 yards, and the total was the tenth-best single-season mark while the receptions are tied for the tenth most at Utah State.
In high school, Royals was an all-state high jumper and also played basketball. He played for one year at Georgia Military College in 2021 before enrolling at Utah State in 2022. Just before going to press, Utah State placed head coach Blake Anderson on administrative leave for allegedly declining to report Title IX claims. How will the possible changes impact the Aggies’ aerial assault? I have moved Royals down my rankings a little because of the uncertainty before the season starts. For now, he remains a top-10 receiver,
Scouting Notebook: “Jalen’s movement at the line of scrimmage has gotten better and better. He’s elevating and playing above the rim, which is something that doesn’t come naturally to everybody. He’s making competitive catches at the point of attack with bodies around him. He is a well-rounded player who can kind of do whatever we need him to do,” former coach Anderson uttered last December (deseret.com).
Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii
Team Offense (Rank): 353 ypg. (88)
Passing Yards: 276 ypg. (28)
Points Scored: 21.4 ppg. (106)
2023 FPPG: 16.9
Fantrax ADP: 30.3
I believe that many CFF diehards are secretly Hawaii fans. First, the Rainbows mastered the run-and-shoot offense under coach June Jones at the turn of the century. Second, Hawaii quarterbacks Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan combined for over 31,000 passing yards and 248 touchdowns between 2000 and 2007. Finally, the Rainbows appeared many times on late-night television in which CFF fanatics watched until very late on the mainland.
At receiver, sharp CFF managers can never forget Ashley Lelie and Greg Salas, who starred in the run-and-shoot scheme at Hawaii. In 2023, Pofele Ashlock culled the attention and acclaim of CFF fans after opening the season with an eye-opening two-game performance: Ashlock secured 15 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns against Vanderbilt and Stanford.
For the season, Ashlock corralled 83 passes for 832 yards and nine scores. FWAA appointed him to the All-American Freshman team, and he earned honorable mention All-Mountain West. The 6’2” and 175-pounder was the first Rainbows’ freshman to lead the team in catches since Davone Bess in 2005. There is a very good chance that the redshirt sophomore outpaces all of his teammates and approaches 100 receptions this year.
Scouting Notebook: “I came off a senior season (in high school) of an ACL tear and all college offers and interest had dropped. So, I was the one that’s left standing. Hawaii took a chance on me. And so why would I leave (a team) that took a chance on me? But this is love, you know what I mean? Nowhere in the world do you get love like in the 808. So, I really take pride in this football team,” Ashlock answered after being asked about the transfer portal and his decision to remain on campus (khon2.com).
Twitterverse on Fire!
Among the quartet below, Who Ya Got as a longshot to win the Biletnikoff Award this season?
- Brennan Pressley, Oklahoma State: 4%
- Tez Johnson, Oregon: 48%
- Trey Harris, Mississippi: 20%
- Eugene Wilson III, Florida: 28%
Scholar’s Selection: When I target a possible longshot, I consider the offensive systems and the quarterbacks of the candidates. Therefore, my choice was narrowed to Mississippi and Oregon in which both teams have All-American signal callers, Jaxson Dart and Dillon Gabriel, and amazing fantasy aerial assaults. I disagreed with the above results and voted for Tre Harris in the poll.
“Tre Harris for me. I predict the poll goes for Tez Johnson, but the more I look at Ole Miss, the more I feel Jaxson will be throwing DARTS to Harris.” @aceholesrule
“Tez Johnson has the offense, the quarterback, and the experience to put up BIG numbers at Oregon this year.” @JGoody77
“Trey Harris for me. Ole Miss will be a National Champion contender due to that passing game.” @ProbascoLuke
“Zachariah Branch from USC is my longshot, but out of these guys, with Jaxson Dart throwing him the ball, I’ve got Tre Harris. Tez Johnson is great, but competing with Evan Stewart for targets makes it tougher to stand out nationally.” @TheDraftRoomNFL
“Of those options, I’m going with Eugene Wilson. I’m not sure what the odds are but CJ Daniels going to LSU intrigues me too.” @copieps
Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
Team Offense (Rank): 353 ypg. (89)
Passing Yards: 233 ypg. (57)
Points Scored: 20.6 ppg. (110)
2023 FPPG: 16.6
Fantrax ADP: 46.4
I am going to miss watching the PAC-12, and it’ll be strange to see Stanford compete in the ACC. The Cardinal travel to the East Coast three times (Syracuse, Clemson, and NC State), but avoid any bad weather weekends in the east. Stanford has a projected win total of 3.5 games and is likely to be underdogs in the majority of contests, which bodes well for lots of second-half passing and rising star Elic Ayomanor.
In 2023, Ayomanor posted a box score for the history books: He grabbed 13 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns, including a 30-yard touchdown in the first OT. For the season, the redshirt freshman registered 62 catches for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 16.2 ypc. and earning honorable mention All-PAC-12 and First Team Freshman All-America (PFF).
In high school, Ayomanor ran track-and-field and starred in the 100m (10.76 sec.) and 200m (21.66 sec.) events at Deerfield in Massachusetts. CFF managers should not be surprised when the Canadian speedster blows by ACC defensive backs in 2024.
Scouting Notebook: Ayomanor earned the Jon Cornish Trophy—the top Canadian player in the NCAA. “It’s good to see your hard work being rewarded with accolades. I don’t think accolades have really mattered to me that much but obviously it’s great to be recognized,” he said after winning the honor (cbc.ca).
Kyren Lacy, LSU
Team Offense (Rank): 544 ypg. (1)
Passing Yards: 339 ypg. (3)
Points Scored: 46 ppg. (1)
2023 FPPG: 9.8
Fantrax ADP: 45.4
Since I participated in a CFF mock draft in February, I have been driving the Kyren Lacy train down the tracks at full throttle. In 10 drafts, I have selected Lacy eight times—Round 4 earliest and Round 7 latest. Based on current ADP, the LSU receiver is still a value in my opinion, and has one of the highest fantasy ceilings among receivers.
Throughout my CFF tenure, I have been more than happy to grab coach Brian Kelly’s top playmaker: Michael Floyd (2010-11), TJ Jones (2013), Will Fuller (2014-15), Equanimeous St. Brown (2016), Miles Boykin (2018), Chase Claypool (2019), Malik Nabers (2023) and Brian Thomas (2023) all shined in Kelly’s offense.
In high school, Lacy was listed as the No. 8 receiver in Louisiana and logged an incredible senior season, tallying 54 receptions for 864 yards and 18 touchdowns. He earned First Team All-District in 2019 and was a highly regarded basketball player. In 2020, he enrolled at Louisiana-Lafayette and played two seasons for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He caught 50 passes for 668 yards and 10 scores before transferring to LSU in 2022.
At 6’2” and 213-pounds, Lacy studied his craft behind Nabers and Thomas over the past two seasons. Last year, he finished third on the team in yards (558) and touchdown receptions (7) and fourth in receptions (30). To cap off the campaign in the ReliaQuest Bowl versus Wisconsin, he snagged six passes for 95 yards. During the spring, coach Kelly continuity mentioned Lacy in interviews, and I heard the drum beat loud and clear.
Scouting Notebook: “Kyren learned a lot last year watching Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas and the way they came to practice every day. (Kyren) said, ‘I can do this, too.’ I’m really proud of him and happy for him. He’s going to have a breakout season because of it. It’s just the way he takes over practice. It’s going to translate into great success for him,” Kelly uttered during the spring (lsusports.net).
CFF Wide Receiver Projections
| Player | Recs. | Rec. Yds | TDs | Points | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tetairoa McMillan | 87 | 1,350 | 12 | 294 | 24.5 |
| Luther Burden | 92 | 1,300 | 11 | 288 | 24.0 |
| Tory Horton | 100 | 1,200 | 10 | 280 | 23.3 |
| Ricky White | 83 | 1,370 | 10 | 280 | 23.3 |
| Joey Hobert | 85 | 1,060 | 11 | 257 | 21.4 |
| Evan Stewart | 75 | 1,130 | 10 | 248 | 20.7 |
| Tez Johnson | 70 | 1,000 | 10 | 230 | 19.2 |
| Sean Atkins | 85 | 1,000 | 9 | 239 | 19.9 |
| Jalen Royals | 79 | 1,100 | 9 | 243 | 20.3 |
| Pofele Ashlock | 93 | 1,000 | 10 | 253 | 21.1 |
| Elic Ayomanor | 81 | 1,200 | 8 | 249 | 20.8 |
| Kyren Lacy | 68 | 980 | 11 | 232 | 19.3 |