Notre Dame’s Tim Brown, a sometimes-forgotten receiver in college football history, left an impression that I will never forget. He came onto the national radar as a junior in 1986 when he caught 45 passes for 910 yards and five touchdowns. He also brought two kicks to the house for touchdowns among his 25 touches on special teams.
Entering his senior season in 1987, Brown was one of the favorites for the Heisman. To this day, I contend that “Touchdown Timmy” performed better as a junior than senior, and Syracuse QB Don McPherson (Syracuse finished the season 11-0-1) deserved the award. The Notre Dame star returned two punts on opening day for touchdowns against Michigan State and immediately gained the national media spotlight. When the campaign concluded, Brown had snatched 39 passes for 846 yards and three touchdowns. He totaled 1,922 all-purpose yards and became the second receiver to capture the Heisman.
Since Brown’s memorable season, three other receivers have been bestowed with the Heisman Trophy: Desmond Howard (1991), Devonta Smith (2020), and Travis Hunter (2024). While Heisman-winning receivers are in the minority, the position does not take a back seat in College Fantasy Football, and getting a stud to anchor a CFF roster is imperative to winning. Sad to say, it is difficult to forecast a position that has a lot of volatility among the top-ranked receivers every season.
The two receivers in the Summa Cum Laude tier are first-round CFF talents without reservations. All of the wide outs in the Magna Cum Laude tier are high-upside players, who have not yet reached their fantasy ceiling. Looking at the Top 12 wide outs, it is interesting to note that only one comes from a Group of 5 program. In the past, usually four or five G5 receivers would stand among the projected leaders, but the transfer portal now provides a player to move up in competition, leaving the cupboard nearly bare on the G5 teams.
CFF WR Tiers
I have placed the wide receiver profiles in tiers—Summa, Magna 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 wideouts this season.
Summa Cum Laude
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Team Offense (Rank): 429 ypg. (30)
Passing Yards: 263 ypg. (29)
Points Scored: 35.7 ppg. (14)
2024 FPPG: 19.3
On the National Champion Buckeyes, Jeremiah Smith scared opposing defenses the most and impacted the outcome of games more than any other Ohio State playmaker as a true freshman. In the storied history of college football, Smith arguably recorded the second-best season by a freshman receiver, only Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech (2007), ranks ahead of Smith during my lifetime.
At Ohio State, Smith shattered all of Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter’s freshman records with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. The touchdown receptions tied for second and the receiving yards ranked fourth in the country. He collected First Team All-America honors, Big Ten Conference’s Richter-Howard Wide Receiver of the Year, Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year in the Conference and Rose Bowl Offensive MVP. In the classroom, he earned OSU Scholar-Athlete.
Coming out of high school, Smith was the consensus No. 1 player in the country and a five-star prospect as well as the top-ranked wide receiver. He was a finalist for National Player of the Year by 247Sports and named the Player of the Year in Florida by MaxPreps. As a senior, the Miami Gardens native had 88 receptions for 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns. Will the Buckeyes’ passing game be as dominant without QB Will Howard? Even if the aerial assault dips in production and efficiency, Smith will be relied upon to torch opponents and garner well over 100 targets, which will turn into fantasy gold.
Notebook: “Everybody has to continue to get better when they’re on the field. For Jeremiah, it’s like, ‘How do I get that one percent better every day?’ A lot of it is learning how to become a good teammate, learning how to encourage other guys around him to play winning football, which he does, but you’re starting to see him come out of his shell a little bit,” coach Ryan Day said in the offseason in regard to Smith’s improved leadership (msn.com).
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Team Offense (Rank): 429 ypg. (28)
Passing Yards: 230 ypg. (62)
Points Scored: 32.9 ppg. (30)
2024 FPPG: 20.4
While RB Cam Skattebo gained the attention of college football fans last fall, his teammate Jordyn Tyson was arguably just as impactful on the Sun Devils’ success. Tyson smoked opponents all season—he was named Third Team All-America and earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. His breakout campaign grossed 75 catches for 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
In the first six games, Tyson had only 25 catches for 369 yards and four touchdowns. In the second half, he blasted off with 50 receptions for 732 yards and six scores. The sophomore posted five games over 100 yards receiving, including 176-yard outing on 12 catches with two touchdowns at Kansas State.
In 2022, Tyson joined Colorado and played in nine games as a true freshman—he had 22 receptions for a team-leading 470 yards and five total touchdowns. Against Arizona State, he was Pac-12 Freshman of the Week and special teams player of the week. After one season in Boulder, CO, he transferred to Arizona State when Deion Sanders took over the program and missed most of the 2023 season with a knee injury.
On the field as a Sun Devil, the 6-1 and 195-pounder championed WR coach Hines Ward’s “No Block, No Rock” motto. He finished fifth among FBS receivers with 298 run-blocking snaps last year. A three-star prospect in high school, Tyson was graded as the No. 211 wide receiver and No. 206 player from Texas. He also played basketball in high school. The Sun Devils’ home run hitter is an easy selection in the first round of CFF drafts.
Notebook: Daniel Flick voiced that “Tyson is an explosive mover who’s quick and fluid entering and exiting breaks. There are no giveaways in his routes. He has loads of juice when he reaches the break point, creating substantial separation. He has natural hands, and once he secures the pass, he’s loose and elusive after the catch. He has experience playing both inside and outside, and he’s fast enough to stretch defenses vertically.” (si.com)
Arizona State strikes first on the Sam Leavitt ➡️ Jordyn Tyson connection… the Sun Devil faithful seem to be enjoying it 🔊#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/t49mcMH3iK
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 12, 2024
Magna Cum Laude
Cam Coleman, Auburn
Team Offense (Rank): 429 ypg. (29)
Passing Yards: 264 ypg. (28)
Points Scored: 27.8 ppg. (71)
2024 FPPG: 13.1
Since coming over to Auburn after four years at Liberty (34-15 record), coach Hugh Freeze has guided the Tigers to an 11-14 mark in two seasons. One of the best moves Freeze made was recruiting and signing Cam Coleman, who was a consensus five-star prospect and graded as the top player in Alabama. The 6-3 and 195-pounder enrolled at Auburn in January 2024 and made an impact as a true freshman for the Tigers.
Coleman recorded 37 catches for 598 yards with eight scores, and among all-time Tigers’ freshmen, his yards rank third in the program. The freshman took a giant leap forward in the final three games last year, snatching 22 passes for 306 yards and six scores and producing 88.6 Fantasy Points (FPs).
Over the past 12 seasons, I have championed drafting Auburn receivers only to be disappointed by their production. Neither Seth Williams (2018-20) nor Darius Slayton (2016-18) lived up to expectations in CFF. Coleman is a better receiver and in a more explosive passing game than either Williams or Slayton.
An explosive competitor with speed and acceleration, Coleman had 61 receptions for 1,372 yards and 18 scores as a senior in high school. He led his team to the Class 7A state championship, scoring a 73-yard touchdown catch in the title game to earn MVP honors. A team captain on the gridiron, he was also all-area in basketball.
Looking at the all-time leaders in the program, Terry Beasley (1969-71) ranks first with 141 receptions for 2,507 yards and 29 touchdowns. If Coleman remains on campus for the next two years, he easily could rewrite the Tigers’ record books. In February, I selected Coleman in the fourth round of a Way Too Early Draft and was ecstatic with the value. Unfortunately, the sophomore sensation is no longer available that late and comes off the board by the 20th selection in most CFF drafts.
Notebook: “Cam with the experience he has and coming back with the most production—he’s not a talker but his actions speak loud in our room. Every day during individual drills, he’s not talking about it, but he’s the first one that’s taking the reps. It’s the little things like that,” receivers coach Marcus Davis uttered (msn.com).
Easton Messer, Florida Atlantic
Team Offense (Rank): 397 ypg. (57)
Passing Yards: 209 ypg. (91)
Points Scored: 25.9 ppg. (83)
2024 FPPG: 11.6
In December, Florida Atlantic hired Zach Kittley to lead the program. He has 12 years of coaching experience, but never as head coach. Last year, he was the offensive coordinator and QB coach at Texas Tech (his alma mater) and spent three seasons in Lubbock, TX. He previously was the offensive coordinator for Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky. At 33 years old, Kittley is considered a passing game guru and will implement his high-flying offense in Boca Raton, FL.
In the offseason, Kittley plucked QB Caden Vandekemp and WR Easton Messer—both formerly at Western Kentucky—from the transfer portal to jump-start the aerial assault for the Owls. Spring reports identify Messer as the No. 1 target magnet in Kittley’s scheme for the upcoming season. As a sophomore last year, Messer concluded the crusade second on the Hilltoppers with 55 catches for 793 yards and four scores, averaging 14.42 ypc. He recorded a career-best 106 yards versus UTEP and a career-long 64-yard reception versus Kennesaw State.
In 2023, Messer corralled 42 passes for 484 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned 15 kicks for 333 yards. He collected C-USA All-Conference and All-Freshman Team honors as a kick returner and was also named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team as a wide out. In high school, he garnered a two-star rating, and Air Force, Marshall, and Eastern Kentucky also recruited Messer. The newest Owl is my top-ranked Group of 5 wide receiver and clearly in-line to earn over 120 targets in Kittley’s offense.
Notebook: “We’ve just grown, and kind of meshed together (as a team). It’s really starting to feel like a family,” Messer stated about his new teammates and the offensive scheme, at Florida Atlantic (Palmbeachpost.com).
Twitterverse on Fire!
At their current CFF ADP, who are you targeting at wide receiver in drafts this summer?
- Ja’Kobi Lane, USC: 28%
- Ryan Wingo, Texas: 43%
- Hudson Clement, Illinois: 13%
- Dane Key, Nebraska: 16%
Scholar’s Selection: I like the quartet above and have drafted all at one time or another this year. If all the players are on the board, I would go for the biggest upside as a CFF playmaker and that is Ryan Wingo. If he can beat out the competition in the Longhorns’ locker room, Wingo could become a 1,000-yard receiver with Arch Manning slinging the pigskin and coach Steve Sarkisian calling signals.
“I voted for Ryan Wingo, but this could just as easily be Ja’Kobi Lane. I think Wingo has a higher ceiling but tougher target competition.” @CffDfs
“Pretty easy. It is Ja’Kobi Lane for me. He has an incredible touchdown upside in a system that will focus targets on only a couple of guys.” @eliotmays
“Hudson Clement for me. I nabbed him in Round 11. All of these other folks went in Rounds 10 and 11. I like Clement’s chances to be the No. 1 Illinois. I think the rest will be No. 2s on their teams.” @aceholesrule
Ryan Williams, Alabama
Team Offense (Rank): 410 ypg. (42)
Passing Yards: 236 ypg. (56)
Points Scored: 33.8 ppg. (22)
2024 FPPG: 15.3
Like many CFF diehards last year, I expected Germie Bernard to lead the Crimson Tide in receiving—he did not become the pass-catching star forecasted. Instead, freshman Ryan Williams ascended to the top of the pecking order in Tuscaloosa, AL. The 17-year-old opened his college career with a monster five games: He scored 27.9, 16.8, 17.8, 29.7, and 23.4 FPs.
For the season, Williams was targeted 88 times and logged 48 receptions for 865 yards, averaging 18 ypc., and eight touchdowns. He scored 199 FPs. After his fast start, opponents focused on Williams, and the passing game slumped. The freshman sensation produced over 20 FPs just twice down the stretch. He was a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Award, a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, and named Second Team All-American.
As a high schooler, Williams reclassified from the 2025 class to graduate with the Class of 2024. He was a unanimous five-star prospect and one of the top receivers in the country. In 2023, as a junior, he made 72 catches for 1,324 yards and 19 touchdowns and toted the ball 30 times for 261 yards and seven touchdowns. For a second consecutive season, he earned the Gatorade Player of the Year honors and Mr. Football in Alabama.
In 2022, Williams was the first sophomore ever to be named Mr. Football in the state. A standout in track, the speedster posted a 10.49 seconds in the 100-meters and 21.28 seconds in the 200-meters. Still only 18 years old, the 6-1, 165-pound speedster will exceed last year’s production and challenge for CFF All-American status under coach Kalen DeBoer.
Notebook: When asked to forecast his production in 2025, Williams responded: “I’m gonna be honest, as many as we need. I ain’t gonna lie. If that means I gotta score 40 touchdowns, then guess what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna score 40. So however many the team needs, that’s how many I’m gonna get.” (Saturdaydownsouth.com).
RYAN WILLIAMS ARE YOU SERIOUS🤯🤯🤯
Alabama retakes the lead over Georgia pic.twitter.com/uVXuoa2BYO
— On3 (@On3) September 29, 2024
Antonio Williams, Clemson
Team Offense (Rank): 451 ypg. (11)
Passing Yards: 278 ypg. (15)
Points Scored: 34.7 ppg. (18)
2024 FPPG: 18.2
Entering the upcoming campaign with a catch in all 33 games played, Antonio Williams is the thirteenth player in Clemson history to record 150 career receptions; he has 153 catches for 1,732 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. A multi-purpose competitor, the Tigers’ playmaker has 12 carries for 109 yards and a score, 35 punt returns for 307 yards, and three passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.
In 2024, Williams accumulated career bests with 75 catches for 904 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. The 5-11 and 190-pounder also returned 17 punts for 164 yards and was named First Team All-ACC. The junior joined former Tigers C.J. Spiller (2008 and 2009), Jacoby Ford (2009), and Sammy Watkins (2012) to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in a single season.
Injuries limited Williams to five games in 2023, and he took a redshirt season with only 22 receptions for 224 yards with two touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2022, he collected First Team Freshman All-American honors, catching 56 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns. As a high school recruit, he was ranked as the No. 83 player in the nation, the No. 9 receiver, and the No. 3 player in South Carolina. Williams has a super high floor for fantasy, but a lower-than-coveted ceiling in a crowded receiver locker room at Clemson.
Notebook: Returning to the Tigers for another season, Williams explained why in the offseason: “A big word thrown around was legacy. I felt like leaving early, not really ending it the way I wanted to, wouldn’t have been a great finish in my career here at Clemson.” (greenvilleonline.com)
Denzel Boston, Washington
Team Offense (Rank): 390 ypg. (61)
Passing Yards: 262 ypg. (32)
Points Scored: 23.4 ppg. (104)
2024 FPPG: 15.2
In his first seven games last year, Denzel Boston propelled himself among the elite CFF receivers: He produced over 13 FPs in each contest and scored more than 30 FPs in consecutive games against Northwestern and Rutgers. Regrettably, opponents began to double-team Boston, and he produced double-digit points only twice in the team’s final seven games while dealing with injuries. Will Washington’s passing game take flight in 2025?
Obviously, the answer will determine Boston’s production for CFF managers. The 6-4 and 209-pound junior paced the Huskies in receiving last year with 807 yards and nine touchdowns with 62 catches on 103 targets. In the loss against Rutgers, he established a new career high with 125 yards on seven receptions and two touchdowns. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten and to the Fall Academic All-Big Ten team.
Before exploding last year, Boston redshirted in 2022 and saw limited action in 2023 behind Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan. In high school, he was a three-star recruit and the No. 71 wide out in the nation by ESPN. As a senior in 2021, he caught 36 passes for 548 yards and eight scores. Over his high school career, he caught 105 passes for 1,572 yards and 23 touchdowns. If QB Demond Williams continues to grow as a passer and Boston recovers in time for training camp, the Huskies’ receiver has a high fantasy ceiling.
Notebook: Boston missed spring practices with an undisclosed injury: “We need to continue to improve the execution of our passing game. It’s very difficult when Denzel isn’t able to be part of any of the spring,” coach Jedd Fisch said (washingtonhuskies.com).
Cayden Lee, Mississippi
Team Offense (Rank): 526 ypg. (2)
Passing Yards: 351 ypg. (2)
Points Scored: 38.6 ppg. (3)
2024 FPPG: 12.2
Since taking over the Mississippi program in 2020, coach Lane Kiffin has provided CFF coaches with many productive pass catchers: Elijah Moore (2020), Dontario Drummond (2021), and Tre Harris (2024) all exceeded 1,000 yards receiving in Kiffin’s aerial assault. In the offseason, Cayden Lee has garnered praise from Kiffin and pushed himself to be the next impactful playmaker for the Rebels after Harris and Jordan Watkins concluded their collegiate careers.
At 5-11 and 175 pounds, Lee played in all 13 games and started 12 last year. He was second on the team in catches with 57 and yards with 874 while reaching the end zone twice. Lee also finished second in the SEC and tied for seventh nationally in receptions over 20 yards with 20. The sophomore collected Third Team All-SEC and earned SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. As a true freshman in 2023, the Rebels’ receiver made one start to close the season against Penn State in the Peach Bowl, hauling in five catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
In high school, Lee was a four-star prospect and enrolled at Mississippi over Oklahoma, Auburn, Georgia, USC, Texas, and Oregon. In 2022, he capped off his senior campaign with 1,101 receiving yards on 74 catches, including scoring a career-high 13 touchdowns. CFF diehards value productive offensive schemes with proven production, and Mississippi, under Kiffin’s guidance, is a prominent unit to find players. Lee is in line to be peppered with targets and volume in 2025.
Notebook: “It speaks on my work ethic and offseason stuff I’ve done, training and preparing I’ve done for my body. Honestly, I expect nothing less from myself. I know that going forward, I’m going to continue to do the same thing and just grow and keep trying to improve my game at all levels,” Lee said during his offseason training program with Jayden Daniels (si.com).
Twitterverse on Fire!
Who Ya Got as a long shot to win the Biletnikoff Award in 2025?
- Malachi Fields, Notre Dame: 4%
- Evan Stewart, Oregon: 27%
- Makai Lemon, USC: 59%
- Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech: 10%
Scholar’s Selection: I tend to agree with the results that Makai Lemon is the most likely to capture the Biletnikoff among the four competitors. When looking for a long shot, my contrarian nature takes over, and I cast my ballot for Evan Stewart. He has been a disappointment since enrolling in college three years ago. Nevertheless, the Ducks’ playmaker might finally take the step forward that many college fantasy footballers anticipated in 2022.
#USC WR Makai Lemon is incredibly dynamic with the ball in his hands pic.twitter.com/WhLnPhz90r
— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) December 28, 2024
“Makai Lemon! He was the team leader in all receiver stats except touchdowns last season. Lemon dominated the middle of the field and was a certified chain mover with over 30 first downs. He became Jayden Maiava’s main target down the stretch and should continue that in ’25. He recorded a 77% reception percentage and 7.3 YAC. I’d expect a 1,000-plus yards with 75 receptions. If the touchdowns come, lock it in.” @_NinoBrown_
“Makai Lemon for me. I think USC’s offense could click this year, and Lemon could be THAT guy!” @aceholesrule
“Of this set, Makai Lemon. In large part because I’m not sure the others will have efficient and high-volume passing games.” @WBP83
Cum Laude
Eric McAlister, TCU
Team Offense (Rank): 427 ypg. (31)
Passing Yards: 313 ypg. (8)
Points Scored: 33.5 ppg. (25)
2024 FPPG: 11.2
Two years ago, I picked up Eric McAlister off the CFF waiver wire when he was at Boise State. A staple in my starting lineup after the third game of the 2023 season, McAlister scored double-digit points in six of seven games and produced over 20 FPs four times. In early November, the former Broncos playmaker stepped away from the program, and I scrambled to find a replacement…Ugh!
Where would McAlister play in 2024? He landed in Fort Worth, TX, with the Horned Frogs. In 2024, he placed second on the team with 762 yards receiving, third with five touchdowns, and fourth with 39 catches. He led the nation with a first down on 90% of his receptions (min. 25 catches). A home run hitter, the junior ranked tenth in the FBS and sixth among P4 receivers with 19.5 ypc.
A three-star recruit in high school, the 6’3″ and 205-pound senior from Texas was ranked as one of the top 100 recruits at wide receiver in the country and in his home state. As a senior in 2020, he grabbed 70 receptions for 1,498 yards and 20 touchdowns and led his team to a second-straight district title in 2019.
McAlister redshirted in 2021, and the following season, he registered 259 yards receiving and four touchdowns on 11 catches. During his college tenure, he has hauled in 97 passes for 1,894 yards and 14 scores while averaging 19.5 ypc. Coach Sony Dykes’ system is always a good scheme to draft CFF receivers. McAlister’s home run ability will benefit CFF coaches in 2025.
Notebook: Writer Jeremy Clark broke down McAlister’s skill set: “(He) brings size, athleticism, and speed to the position. His best asset is his catching ability; if the ball is near him, he usually comes down with it. He uses his body extremely well on 50/50 balls. Although he may not look the fastest, he’s got very deceptive speed.” (247Sports.com).
Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Team Offense (Rank): 426 ypg. (34)
Passing Yards: 261 ypg. (34)
Points Scored: 41.3 ppg. (2)
2024 FPPG: 15.1
Over the past two seasons, Elijah Sarratt has helped me win many games. In 2023, the James Madison playmaker was a breakout player on the waiver wire. Last year, he was undervalued suiting up for Indiana and moving up to face Big Ten competition. Sarratt far exceeded all expectations for the past two seasons and is now ranked among the top CFF receivers.
At 6-2 and 209 pounds, Sarratt has played for three colleges and has been productive at each. In 2022, he spent one season at Saint Francis (Pa.) and was named FCS Freshman All-America and First Team All-Northeast Conference. In 2023, he decided to compete for James Madison and earned First Team All-Sun Belt after tallying 1,191 yards receiving on 82 receptions with eight touchdowns.
As a Hoosier in 2024, the senior finished tenth on Indiana’s single-season receiving yardage chart with 957 yards and tied for tenth on the single-season receiving touchdown list with eight. He collected Third Team All-Big Ten honors after securing 53 passes and averaging 18.1 ypc. Coach Curt Cignetti has coordinated productive offenses throughout his career, and the Hoosiers will rely on Sarratt to move the chains and put points on the board.
Notebook: “I want to improve in everything. Run my routes better. Getting my depth. Work on my hands and routes. Fine tuning all the stuff I’m good at and getting better. Improve your quickness. You always want to get faster…that is the main thing,” Sarratt declared in the spring in regard to offseason goals (iuhoosiers.com).
T.J. Moore, Clemson
Team Offense (Rank): 451 ypg. (11)
Passing Yards: 278 ypg. (15)
Points Scored: 34.7 ppg. (18)
2024 FPPG: 10.1
From 2011-2019, the Tigers produced an abundance of CFF receivers: Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Williams and Tee Higgins. Coach Dabo Swinney’s offense was a great program to find production at the position. Since 2020, Clemson has not been an abundant offense to draft receivers. Yet, last year the passing game popped again behind QB Cade Klubnik, and the Tigers might have the deepest depth chart at the position in the nation.
Sophomore T.J. Moore joins Antonio Williams among the Top 12 CFF wideouts. In 2024, the freshman posted a splendid inaugural campaign, hauling in 45 passes for 651 yards and five scores. He was one-half of Clemson’s freshman wide receiver combo with Bryant Wesco Jr. The pair became the first P5 conference team to have multiple freshmen reach 650-plus yards and more than five touchdowns in a season since 2000. At 6-3 and 200-pounds, Moore finished sixth in receiving yards among freshmen and earned All-AAC Academic Team honors.
In high school, Moore was among the top 100 players in the nation and a five-star recruit. After his strong performance at the All-American Bowl, he raised his profile, ranking as the eighth-best wide receiver in the country and the eighth-best prospect in Florida. Among a deep depth chart, Moore will not ascend to an unforgettable height in CFF; nevertheless, his floor is solid and provides nice production for CFF coaches.
Notebook: “I think we have the best, not even starting four receivers, starting six. Our receiver room is so deep. I feel like we have the room, and we have the quarterback to take it where we need to go this season,” Moore observed in March (greenvilleonline.com)
CLEMSON MAKES IT A ONE-SCORE GAME IN THE FOURTH 🔥
Cade Klubnik to T.J. Moore on fourth down for the touchdown 😤 pic.twitter.com/ZT1380iwkO
— ESPN (@espn) December 21, 2024
Deion Burks, Oklahoma
Team Offense (Rank): 331 ypg. (113)
Passing Yards: 176 ypg. (119)
Points Scored: 24.0 ppg. (97)
2024 FPPG: 15.3
In full disclosure, I have not drafted Deion Burks in any of my CFF drafts so far. I see the upside for the Sooners’ receiver, but he goes off the board before I am comfortable selecting him. The Oklahoma offense did not light up the scoreboard last year, and Brent Venables is a defensive-based coach. Also, while QB John Mateer is an upgrade at the position, he is a better runner than passer, which will limit the Sooners’ aerial game.
A three-star recruit in high school, Burks competed in track and field in the 60-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter events. At 5-9 and 181 pounds, he began his college tenure at Purdue and redshirted as a freshman in 2021. As a sophomore, he made one start for the Boilermakers. For the season, he hauled in seven passes for 80 yards. In 2023, the former Boilermaker hit his stride as a junior, pacing the club with 47 receptions for 629 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
After the breakout campaign, Burks entered the portal and signed with Oklahoma in 2024. He started all five games in which he played, missing the other seven games due to injury. The redshirt senior totaled 31 receptions, which were the most ever by a player in the first five games of a Sooners’ career, for 245 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed five times for 32 yards. In the fourth round, I would pluck Burks off the board in a heartbeat, but he rarely falls that far in drafts.
Notebook: “Deion’s pretty much the leader of the receiver room, and it’s great to have a receiver of his caliber back. It’s going to be really helpful for us,” Sooners wide receiver and teammate Jacob Jordan said (ouinsider.com).
