Top 10 Best College Football Wide Receivers of All Time

Kind of like Jerry Rice, Randy Moss shows that you can succeed from any college, even a smaller one like Marshall. After issues with Notre Dame and Florida State, he headed to Marshall for his redshirt freshman season. This turned out to be a steal for the Thundering Herd. In his freshman season, he caught 78 passes, gained around 1,700 yards, and scored a whopping 28 touchdowns.

In 1997, he improved his stats with more catches and yards, adding another 26 touchdowns. In his short college career, he scored a total of 54 touchdowns, one in every game he played, which is quite impressive. Moss was eventually drafted by the Vikings and, like Rice, had a spectacular career. Despite his short college career, it was quite amazing.

Jerry Rice is regarded as one of the best NFL players of all time, proving you don't need to attend a large school to excel in professional football. In the early '80s, Rice chose Mississippi Valley State over larger schools. During his college career, he amassed 301 catches, 4,693 yards, and 50 touchdowns.

His standout season was in 1984, with 112 catches, 1,845 yards, and 27 touchdowns, setting a record at the time. In just two games, he scored five touchdowns. He impressed many, becoming a hot target for scouts and was eventually a first-round pick for the 49ers. Rice is now considered the best wide receiver in NFL history.

Calvin Johnson, recently inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, wowed crowds during his career with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Known for his incredible leaping skills and speed, he had an amazing run in college football.

He was a two-time All-American, won the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver, and was a significant challenge for cornerbacks. Johnson was eventually drafted by the Lions, where he had a great career. His playing abilities are considered very rare today.

Only four wide receivers have ever won the Heisman Trophy: Tim Brown, Johnny Rodgers, DeVonta Smith, and Desmond Howard. Playing for Michigan, Howard was invaluable to his team.

He was not only famous as a wide receiver but also as a kick and punt returner, making many memorable plays. Howard finished his college career with 37 all-purpose touchdowns, making him one of the most versatile players of his kind.

In 2016, the Western Michigan Broncos finished with a record of 14-1, including bowl games. The head coach at that time should thank their best player: Corey Davis. He is one of the most prolific wide receivers in college football history, holding the FBS record for most career receiving yards with 5,278.

In his three seasons, he had at least 1,400 yards, 78 catches, and 12 touchdowns each year. Described as selfless and hardworking, Davis was drafted by the Titans as the 6th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Although his NFL career didn't meet the high expectations, his college career was undeniably impressive.

You might be surprised to see a player with only two college seasons on this list, but Larry Fitzgerald's impact at Pittsburgh was significant. Like Randy Moss, he redshirted his freshman year. In 2002, he started strong with 12 touchdowns, around 1,000 yards, and 69 catches, becoming an instant contributor.

In his next season, he broke an NCAA record with 18 straight games with a touchdown catch and was a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, a rare feat for a wide receiver. Despite his brief college career, his performance earned him a spot with the Arizona Cardinals, and he is now a football legend.

Tim Brown not only won the Heisman Trophy, a rare achievement in college football, but also made it into the NFL Hall of Fame. Before his NFL career, he made Notre Dame an interesting team to watch. Like Desmond Howard, he contributed in various roles on his team.

While his stats might not seem as impressive today, they were significant at the time. Winning the Heisman Trophy in 1987 was a shocking and rare feat. Overall, Tim Brown is an all-time player in college football history.

It might seem odd to see two Michigan players here, but both are that good. Braylon Edwards had a slow start in his freshman year, catching only three passes. In the next three years, he caught 249 passes, averaging 83 per year.

He was the first player in Big Ten history to have three consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more yards. His most notable season was his senior year, with 97 catches, 1,330 yards, and 15 touchdowns, earning him the award for best wide receiver. Edwards is cemented as one of the best wide receivers of all time.

Under the guidance of head coach Mike Leach, Michael Crabtree became a standout player. Like several others on this list, he played only two years in college football. During his time with Texas Tech, he recorded 231 catches for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Crabtree broke freshman records for receptions (134), yards (1,962), and touchdowns (22). In his second season, he continued to impress, winning the Biletnikoff Award twice and earning All-American honors. Crabtree likely inspired many college players in his position.