Ben Kenney
May 22, 2024 9:42 am CT
The Big Ten Conference has been home to some of college football’s best wide receivers over the last few years.
In 2021 it had Purdue’s David Bell, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Penn State’s Jahan Dotson. In 2022 it had Purdue’s Charlie Jones and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. In 2023 it again had Harrison, who became the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Related:Big Ten football 2024 season win-loss record predictions for each team after spring practice
2024 will be no different. The conference’s standing will even grow with the additions of former Pac-12 powers Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington. All four schools have terrific histories on the offensive side of the football, including at wide receiver.
It remains to be seen how the styles of the four newcomers will contrast with that of the longstanding Big Ten powers — mainly Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan. But when USC (fantastic offense, horrid defense) eventually plays Iowa (amazing defense, nonexistent offense), which style emerges victorious? The two teams are not scheduled to meet in 2024, so that question will have to wait.
As we inch closer to kickoff of the 2024 Big Ten season, Pro Football Focus released its updated ranking of the Big Ten’s highest-graded returning wide receivers. That top 10 includes only three players from the conference’s newcomers:
1
Dymere Miller (Rutgers)
Monmouth’s Dymere Miller scores a touchdown. Lehigh at Monmouth University football.
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Doug Hood-USA TODAY NETWORK
PFF Grade: 92.1
2023 Stats (at Monmouth): 90 receptions, 1,295 yards, 9 touchdowns, four carries, 76 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis and opinions onRutgers Wire
2
Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (8) catches a pass during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
PFF Grade: 89.9
2023 Stats (at James Madison): 82 receptions, 1,191 yards, 8 touchdowns
3
Tez Johnson (Oregon)
Oregon Green Team wide receiver Tez Johnson carries the ball during the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard-USA TODAY NETWORK
PFF Grade: 87.5
2023 Stats: 86 receptions, 1,182 yards, 10 touchdowns
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions onDucks Wire
4
Jahmal Banks (Nebraska)
Sept. 17, 2022; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Jahmal Banks (80) makes a touchdown catch against the Liberty Flames during the second half at Truist Field. James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 77.5
2023 Stats (at Wake Forest): 59 receptions, 653 yards, 4 touchdowns
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions onCornhuskers Wire
5
Will Pauling (Wisconsin)
Oct. 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) catches a pass in front of Ohio State Buckeyes safety Josh Proctor (41) during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 76.9
2023 Stats: 74 receptions, 837 yards, 6 touchdowns
6
Donaven McCulley (Indiana)
Indiana’s Donaven McCulley (1) does stretching exercises during Indiana football spring practice at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
PFF Grade: 76.5
2023 Stats: 48 receptions, 644 yards, 6 touchdowns
7
Daniel Jackson (Minnesota)
Nov. 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) runs with the ball as Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Preston Zachman (14) and linebacker Jordan Turner (54) give chase during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 76.3
2023 Stats: 59 receptions, 831 yards, 8 touchdowns
8
Jeremiah Hunter (Washington)
Nov. 25, 2023; Pasadena, California; California Golden Bears wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter (3) catches a 13-yard touchdown pass against UCLA Bruins defensive back John Humphrey (6) in the second half at Rose Bowl. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 75.1
2023 Stats (at Cal): 63 receptions, 731 yards, 7 touchdowns
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions onHuskies Wire
9
Logan Loya (UCLA)
Dec. 16, 2023; Inglewood, California; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Logan Loya (17) runs past Boise State Broncos defensive tackle Michael Callahan (92) during the first quarter of the Starco Brands LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 74.2
2023 Stats: 59 receptions, 655 yards, 5 touchdowns
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions onUCLA Wire
10
Ke'Shawn Williams (Indiana)
Nov. 12, 2022; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams (13) runs for yards after the catch against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Truist Field. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 73.9
2023 Stats (at Wake Forest): 38 receptions, 384 yards, 1 touchdowns
11
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