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With four wide receivers taken in the first round of the NFL draft this year, the position is becoming one of the most sought after options in college football behind quarterbacks.

Given that we’ve already tackled the top 10 quarterbacks heading into the 2023 season, it’s time to look at the players they’ll be throwing to this season and what names will fill up the NFL draft boards in 2024.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has four receivers going in the first round in his latest mock draft, including two Ohio State Buckeyes, but who else should be on fans’ radar this season?

From the Horseshoe to Western Kentucky, our writers have you covered on the top receivers as the 2023 season approaches.

Ten writers voted on a ballot with 10 points to the first-place wide receiver down to one point for the 10th-place WR.


Year: Junior
2022 stats: 77 receptions, 1,263 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 100 (10 of 10 first-place votes)

Ohio State has become the nation’s premier incubator for elite receivers under Brian Hartline, the former Buckeyes standout wideout who took over the position group in 2018. The Buckeyes have had three first-round NFL draft picks in the past two years and six in the past five drafts. But there’s a belief that Harrison, son of the Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver, will end up as the best in the recent stretch. Six-foot-4, 205-pound Harrison had a breakout 2022 season, especially after Biletnikoff Award favorite Jaxon Smith-Njigba sustained a hamstring injury in the opener and never fully recovered. Harrison had 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns, ranking fourth in team history in receptions and yards and second in touchdowns. He became Ohio State’s first unanimous first-team All-America wide receiver and won the Big Ten’s Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year award.

Despite his famous name, Harrison was an ESPN top-100 recruit but was not as decorated as other recent Buckeyes star receivers, such as Julian Fleming, Garrett Wilson and Emeka Egbuka, whose name appears below. Hartline told ESPN last summer that, before Harrison’s big senior year of high school, he actually had to push for Ohio State to pursue him. Harrison had seven 100-yard receiving performances last season, and he played his best in Ohio State’s biggest games, including Penn State (10 receptions, 185 yards), Michigan (7 receptions, 120 yards, 1 touchdown) and Georgia (5 receptions, 106 yards, 2 touchdowns). He’s the overwhelming favorite to win the Biletnikoff Award in 2023 before likely becoming the first non-quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL draft. — Adam Rittenberg


2. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Year: Junior
2022 stats: 74 receptions, 1,151 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 87

Egbuka, who missed spring practices with an undisclosed injury, is an intelligent, physical receiver whose versatility makes him the total package. The Buckeyes have used him in the slot, on the outside and in the return game with both kicks and punts, and he has taken handoffs out of the backfield. “If there’s an issue, ‘Where’s Emeka? He’ll help us fix it,'” offensive coordinator/receivers coach Brian Hartline said. “That versatility he plays with allows us to do a lot of things.”

Egbuka was a finalist last year for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation’s most versatile player. A larger role in the passing game was inevitable for him, but the process was accelerated last fall after Jaxon Smith-Njigba was sidelined for most of the season with a leg injury. Egbuka is often the second name mentioned after Harrison, but the plethora of talent in the Buckeyes’ receiving room was a selling point, not a deterrent.

“He chose Ohio State because he knew it’d be hard to start,” Hartline said, “but the people he’s going to play with and compete against to earn that playing time will inevitably shape him.”

Egbuka is entering only his second season as a full-time starter, but with a new starting quarterback, the staff is looking for Egbuka to cement himself as a leader and consistently play mistake-free. — Heather Dinich


Year: Senior
2022 stats: 75 receptions, 1,145 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 80

Washington’s offense took off behind new leadership (head coach Kalen DeBoer, coordinator Ryan Grubb) and a transfer quarterback (Michael Penix Jr.) but also because of several key players already in Seattle. Odunze was an ESPN 300 recruit out of Las Vegas prep power Bishop Gorman. After 47 receptions in his first two seasons, he simply needed the right offense and quarterback to facilitate his breakout season. Odunze delivered last fall, leading the Pac-12 in receiving yards (1,145) while earning third-team AP All-America honors. He was the first Washington player since Reggie Williams in 2003 to record three straight 100-yard receiving performances, and then became the first player in team history with a fourth. Odunze, 6-3 and 211 pounds, had five or more receptions in 10 of the 12 games he played.

Despite the production spike, Odunze chose to bypass the NFL draft and return for his fourth season, alongside Penix, fellow star wideout Jalen McMillan and a loaded offense. He told ESPN that he returned primarily for team goals, like a Pac-12 championship and a possible CFP appearance, but also for individual ones like the Biletnikoff and helping Penix contend for the Heisman. Odunze wants to improve in making contested catches and strengthening his lower body. “I’d like to hit at least 1,300 [receiving yards], 80 catches, double-digit touchdowns are what I set my goals at right now,” he said. “If I achieve that, hopefully I can look back and be carrying the awards.” — Rittenberg


Year: Junior
2022 stats: 66 receptions, 1,015 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 40

During his second season at Arizona, Singer broke out for 1,105 receiving yards and six touchdowns on just 66 receptions. The player from St. Paul, Minnesota, averaged 16.7 yards per catch and became one of the fulcrums of Arizona’s explosive offense. It was enough to vault Singer into the national spotlight and, more importantly, right into the view of Lincoln Riley and USC. In fact, Singer put on a show during the Wildcats’ matchup against the Trojans in October. USC’s defense had no answer for Singer, who totaled 144 yards and three touchdowns, including a 73-yard score.

So it was no surprise that once Singer entered the transfer portal, USC called. The decision was straightforward and, with Jordan Addison leaving for the NFL, Singer immediately has become one of Caleb Williams‘ top targets this spring. USC’s wide receiver room is loaded, but Singer has the opportunity to be the No. 1 option and have a season that tops his breakout in Tucson last year. — Paolo Uggetti


Year: Junior
2022 stats: 60 receptions, 760 receiving yards, 9 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 40

Worthy burst onto the scene at Texas with 62 catches for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2021. The four-star recruit, No. 62 overall in the 2021 ESPN 300, was much sought after and signed with Michigan, then asked for a release due to “conditions beyond my control.” The timing worked out right for Steve Sarkisian, who had just arrived at Texas and had recruited Worthy at Alabama.

After that breakout year, the player from Fresno, California, took some heat last year for dropped passes, including two big ones in the bowl loss to Washington. His production dipped slightly to 60 catches for 760 yards and nine touchdowns. But this spring, Sarkisian revealed that Worthy had played the second half of the season with a broken hand — refusing to take himself out of the lineup or have surgery. Back to full strength, Worthy is expected to play a big role in a big season for Texas, which looks like the Big 12 favorite. He’s the star of an improved receiving corps featuring the return of Jordan Whittington, along with Isaiah Neyor, the Wyoming transfer who missed last year with a torn ACL, and the additions of Georgia transfer AD Mitchell and promising freshman Johntay Cook II. Sarkisian has placed an emphasis on improving the Longhorns’ deep passing game, and Worthy could be the beneficiary. — Dave Wilson


Year: Junior
2022 stats: 43 receptions, 879 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 38

Last year, Wilson was learning a new system and staff after transferring from Arizona State — and he still led the ACC with 22 catches of at least 20 yards. Recognizing there’s still work to do — and specifically mentioning the goal of winning a national title — Wilson decided to forgo the NFL draft and return to FSU for a second season.

At 6-7, 235 pounds, Wilson is a tall target for Heisman hopeful quarterback Jordan Travis and presents a mismatch for opposing defenses. His ability to stretch the field added some explosiveness to the Seminoles’ offense. There were some noticeable drops, though, that prevented Wilson from cracking the 1,000-yard mark, a milestone that hasn’t been reached at FSU since 2019.

This spring, FSU receivers coach Ron Dugans told reporters Wilson was focused on his route running, being consistent with his catches and finishing.

“He’s done a really good job of coming out here with the mindset every day that no matter what happens on the play, I’ll respond the next play,” Dugans said. “He’s done a good job having a short memory, coming back and being a really good football player for us this spring.” — Dinich


Year: Junior
2022 stats: 72 receptions, 1,017 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 35

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels only got better as the season progressed a year ago, and so did his favorite receiver. Nabers led the Tigers with 72 catches for 1,017 yards. He finished with just three touchdown receptions, but look for that number to increase in 2023. Nabers was the first LSU receiver to rack up 1,000 or more receiving yards since Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson both did it during the 2019 national championship season. The 6-foot, 200-pound player earned Freshman All-SEC honors in 2021 and then blossomed into the Tigers’ go-to receiver as a sophomore.

Nabers is plenty capable of making plays in the deep passing game, but where he’s at his best is getting the ball in space and making things happen after the catch. He’s elusive and is rarely brought down by the first defender. He’s also athletic enough to go up and make contested catches even when the defender has good coverage. Nabers wasn’t able to play his senior year of high school because of a transfer rule, so this will be only his third season of football since he was a junior in high school. He emerged as one of college football’s top breakout receivers a year ago. He has all the tools to be one of the top receivers, period, this coming season. — Chris Low


Year: Junior
2022 stats: 79 receptions, 1,098 receiving yards, 9 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 29

Much like Odunze, McMillan was an obvious talent who just needed the right system and coaching staff to bring out his best. Last season, McMillan recorded the fourth-highest receptions total (79) in team history and the seventh-highest receiving yards total (1,098), while becoming only the seventh Washington player to reach the 1,000-yard mark. He provided some of Washington’s most memorable highlights, including a 75-yard touchdown catch on the first play from scrimmage in the Apple Cup against Washington State. His consistency jumped out, as he recorded at least four receptions in every game and six or more in six Pac-12 contests (and the Alamo Bowl win over Texas). McMillan was the No. 3 recruit in Washington’s decorated 2020 class, listed by ESPN at No. 124 overall. At 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds, McMillan isn’t a physical marvel but brings tremendous speed to the perimeter.

He decided to return to Washington for his fourth season before knowing what Penix would decide and only informed a few people, including Grubb and wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard. “He was like, ‘I need to still get better, I need to get stronger, I know I can do more,'” Grubb told ESPN. “That said a lot to me about how much J-Mac had grown. That’s why I love him.” McMillan will form arguably the nation’s most dangerous receiving tandem in 2023. Another 1,000-yard season will put him in the top three on Washington’s career list, and he needs 1,288 yards to move into second place. — Rittenberg


Year: Fifth-year senior
2022 stats: 93 receptions, 1,137 receiving yards, 15 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 19

Franklin jumped from a two-star recruit with no Power 5 offers to UTSA’s leading career receiver. Now, after leading the Roadrunners in receiving for three straight years, one of college football’s best receivers is in the transfer portal, potentially looking to prove himself all over again in his last season in college.

Last year, Franklin was in the top 10 nationally in catches (93) and touchdowns (15) and was 11th with 1,137 receiving yards. He has made Conference USA’s all-conference teams each of the past three years and the 6-1, 185-pound senior has 13 career 100-yard games, coming up big in several of the Roadrunners’ key games, such as his 10-catch, 144-yard, 3-TD day against North Texas in the C-USA title game last year. He also has shown he can handle Power 5 competition, as he racked up 10 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown against Illinois in the 2021 season opener. — Wilson


Year: Junior
2022 stats: 101 receptions, 1,293 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns.
Points: 18

Corley has done nothing but impress since arriving in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Corley set a WKU record for freshman receiving yards in 2021, then followed it up this past season by setting the record for sophomore receiving yards. Corley ranked fourth in the nation in receiving yards and seventh in receiving touchdowns, and his 101 catches was the fourth most in college football. Once Corley got the football in his hands, he was one of the most dangerous players in the sport. He ranked first in the nation in yards after catch with 975 and was also first in the nation in missed tackles forced with 40.

His quarterback Austin Reed, initially in the transfer portal, announced Dec. 13 that he would be returning to WKU. Protecting him will be Vincent Murphy and Quantavious Leslie, who both started all 14 games last season and gave up only 14 sacks. With another year under their belts, all of this is setting up for another record-setting year for Corley and an offense that’s going to keep Conference USA defensive coordinators up at night. Corley will be a threat to win the Biletnikoff Award this coming season. — Harry Lyles Jr.

Also receiving votes: Ainias Smith, Texas A&M (10); Mario Williams, USC (10); Troy Franklin, Oregon (10); Jacob Cowing, Arizona (9); Jahmal Banks, Wake Forest (9); Ladd McConkey, Georgia (9); Antwane Wells Jr., South Carolina (2); Dante Cephas, Penn State (2); Dominic Lovett, Georgia (2); Jamari Thrash, Louisville (1).

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Hard-throwing rookie Misiorowski going to ASG

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Hard-throwing rookie Misiorowski going to ASG

Hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski is a National League All-Star replacement, giving the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander a chance to break Paul Skenes‘ record for the fewest big league appearances before playing in the Midsummer Classic.

Misiorowski was named Friday night to replace Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, who will be unavailable for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Atlanta because he is scheduled to start Saturday at the New York Yankees.

The 23-year-old Misiorowski has made just five starts for the Brewers, going 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA while averaging 99.3 mph on his fastball, with 89 pitches that have reached 100 mph.

If he pitches at Truist Park, Misiorowski will make it consecutive years for a player to set the mark for fewest big league games before an All-Star showing.

Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander getting ready for his second All-Star appearance, had made 11 starts in the majors when he was chosen as the NL starter for last year’s All-Star Game at Texas. He pitched a scoreless inning.

“I’m speechless,” said a teary-eyed Misiorowski, who said he was given the news a few minutes before the Brewers’ 8-3 victory over Washington. “It’s awesome. It’s very unexpected and it’s an honor.”

Misiorowski is the 30th first-time All-Star and 16th replacement this year. There are now 80 total All-Stars.

“He’s impressive. He’s got some of the best stuff in the game right now, even though he’s a young pitcher,” said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is a starting AL outfielder for his seventh All-Star nod. “He’s going to be a special pitcher in this game for a long time so I think he deserved it and it’s going be pretty cool for him and his family.”

Carlos Rodón, Carlos Estévez and Casey Mize were named replacement pitchers on the AL roster.

The New York Yankees‘ Rodón, an All-Star for the third time in five seasons, will replace teammate Max Fried for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta. Fried will be unavailable because he is scheduled to start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.

In his final start before the All-Star game, Rodón allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings in an 11-0 victory over the Cubs.

“This one’s a little special for me,” said Rodón, an All-Star in 2021 and ’22 who was 3-8 in his first season with the Yankees two years ago before rebounding. “I wasn’t good when I first got here, and I just wanted to prove that I wasn’t to going to give up and just put my best foot forward and try to win as many games as I can.”

The Kansas City Royals‘ Estévez replaces Texas’ Jacob deGrom, who is scheduled to start at Houston on Saturday night. Estévez was a 2023 All-Star when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.

Mize takes the spot held by Boston‘s Garrett Crochet, who is scheduled to start Saturday against Tampa Bay. Mize gives the Tigers six All-Stars, most of any team and tied for the franchise record.

Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia will replace Tampa Bay‘s Brandon Lowe, who went on the injured list with left oblique tightness. The additions of Estévez and Garcia give the Royals four All-Stars, matching their 2024 total.

The Seattle Mariners announced center fielder Julio Rodríguez will not participate, and he was replaced by teammate Randy Arozarena. Rodríguez had been voted onto the AL roster via the players’ ballot. The Mariners, who have five All-Stars, said Rodríguez will use the break to “recuperate, rest and prepare for the second half.”

Arozarena is an All-Star for the second time. He started in left field for the AL two years ago, when he was with Tampa Bay. Arozarena was the runner-up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 Home Run Derby.

Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a first-time All-Star, is replacing Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled to start Saturday night at Arizona. Rasmussen is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 18 starts.

San Diego added a third NL All-Star reliever in lefty Adrián Morejón, who replaces Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler. The Phillies’ right-hander is scheduled to start at San Diego on Saturday night. Morejón entered the weekend with a 1.71 ERA in 45 appearances.

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Bellinger goes deep for 3rd time after Cubs rob HR

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Bellinger goes deep for 3rd time after Cubs rob HR

NEW YORK — Robbed an inning earlier, Cody Bellinger wasn’t sure his first three-homer game had been swiped away again.

“I didn’t know at first,” he said. “For that third one to finally get over feels pretty good.”

Bellinger hit three two-run homers against his former team and was denied a fourth by a spectacular catch, leading the Yankees to an 11-0 rout of the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

Aaron Judge made a trio of outstanding grabs in right field for the Yankees, who have won five straight games following a a six-game losing streak.

Bellinger, whose dad Clay played for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, is a two-time All-Star and 2019 NL MVP.

He spent 2023 and 2024 with the Cubs, hitting .266 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 130 games last year while missing time because of a broken right rib. The Cubs traded him to New York in December with $52.5 million remaining on his contract and agreed to pay the Yankees $5 million.

He homered in a three-run third off Chris Flexen and in the fifth against Caleb Thielbar for this 18th multihomer game. Bellinger nearly went deep in the seventh but was robbed by Kyle Tucker on a drive above the right-field wall.

“I was watching it. He timed it up perfect, so I was a little sick about it, honestly,” Bellinger said. “But it was a good catch.”

“Boys were giving me a hard time after he robbed it. Boonie was giving me hard time,” Bellinger added.

A four-time All-Star and a Gold Glove winner, Tucker snatched the ball as a fan tried for it, the spectator clasping both sides of the outfielder’s glove.

“I caught the ball and he caught my glove, so I figured even if I dropped it they’d probably look at it and get it overturned,” Tucker said. “I’ve probably had some encounters with me trying to go into the stands and catching a ball and me hitting someone’s hand or whatever but I don’t know if anyone’s ever actually kind of caught my glove while doing it.”

Bellinger homered in the eighth off Jordan Wicks, just above the red glove of leaping center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and into the dark glove of a kid in the front row.

“The fan just beat to the spot,” Crow-Armstrong said. “He just had a better chance of catching it higher than I did.”

Bellinger, who had rounded first, watched and then smiled when he saw he had hit No. 3.

“Glad the fan caught it before PCA could grab it,” said Bellinger, who met the boy after and got the ball back. “I’ve seen PCA rob so many homers. He’s a freak athlete out there.”

Bellinger is batting .406 over a career-high 16-game hitting streak, raising his average to .285 with 16 homers and 54 RBIs.

He had spoken with his Cubs ex-teammates during batting practice.

“No, no, no revenge,” he said. “Honestly, ultimately it was just fun to be out there. I saw a bunch of guys I hadn’t seen in a while and I shared a bunch of good memories with them for these past two years.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr. and manager Aaron Boone encouraged Bellinger to emerge from the dugout for a curtain call.

“He was a little reluctant, but then the Bell-lin-ger” over the dugout got pretty loud. So I think he succumbed to it,” Boone said. “Belly’s loved being here and loved playing here in a meaningful place to him, going back to his childhood.”

Bellinger turns 30 on Sunday and can opt out of the final season of his contract this fall. With long balls and wide smiles, he seems to have found a home in the Yankees clubhouse.

He tried not to make much of getting the three homers against the Cubs, but Bellinger’s teammates could sense the significance.

“It’s always good to go against your old teammates that you spend a lot of time with, you know, you respect,” Boone said. “To perform right away against them I’m sure probably is a little cherry on top for him.”

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M’s Raleigh hits 2 more HRs, brings total to 38

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M's Raleigh hits 2 more HRs, brings total to 38

DETROIT — Cal Raleigh hit his 37th and 38th home runs in Seattle‘s 12-3 victory over Detroit on Friday night to move within one of Barry Bonds’ 2001 major league record for homers before the All-Star break.

Raleigh hit a solo homer off former teammate Tyler Holton in the eighth to tie the American League record of 37 before the All-Star break set by Reggie Jackson in 1969 and matched by Chris Davis in 2013.

“[Holton] and I are really good friends, and I’ve caught a lot of his pitches,” said Raleigh, who was in the lineup as the designated hitter instead of at catcher. “I don’t think that helped much, but I’m sure he’s not very happy with me.”

Raleigh hit a grand slam off Brant Hurter in the ninth.

“I didn’t even know it was a record until just now,” Raleigh said. “I don’t have words for it, I guess. I’m just very grateful and thankful.”

It was Raleigh’s eighth multihomer game this season, tying Jackson (also in 1969) for the most such games before the All-Star break in MLB history, according to ESPN Research. He also tied Ken Griffey Jr. for the most multihomer games in Mariners franchise history.

Seattle has two games left in Detroit before the break.

“Cal Raleigh … this is just unbelievable,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “He’s already set the AL record and now he’s only one short of Barry. There are two games, so who knows?”

Raleigh hit 10 homers in March and April, 12 in May, 11 in June and has five in July.

“This is a very boring comment, but baseball is all about consistency,” Wilson said. “This hasn’t been one hot streak, he’s doing this month after month. That says everything.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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