CBS Sports Ranks Top 10 College Football Wide Receivers for the 2025 Season
As the college football landscape continues to evolve, the wide receiver position is more critical than ever for teams vying for national championships. Wideouts are no longer just deep threats—they’ve become the focal points of offenses, running a full range of routes and contributing in a variety of ways. Heading into the 2025 season, CBS Sports has ranked the top 10 wide receivers who are expected to make a massive impact. These athletes have the talent, skills, and potential to dominate on Saturdays and eventually in the NFL.
Let’s dive into CBS Sports’ top 10 wide receivers for the 2025 college football season:
1. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State)
When it comes to top-tier wide receivers, Marvin Harrison Jr. stands head and shoulders above the rest. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, the younger Harrison has already established himself as one of the most dominant players in college football. With excellent route-running ability, incredible hands, and a knack for making spectacular catches, Harrison has become a household name.
In 2024, Harrison posted over 1,300 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to take over a game. He has the size (6’4″, 205 lbs) and physicality to challenge defenders at the highest levels and will be one of the most heavily scrutinized players heading into the 2025 season. Expect him to continue to be the top target for Ohio State’s offense, with NFL scouts watching closely as his stock continues to rise.
Why he’s ranked No. 1: Harrison’s combination of size, speed, and elite ball skills is unmatched in college football. He can stretch the field vertically, and his ability to win contested catches makes him nearly unstoppable.
2. Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
Rounding out Ohio State’s dynamic wide receiver duo is Emeka Egbuka, a standout who is often overshadowed by Harrison but is no less talented. Egbuka brings a unique blend of agility, speed, and impressive route-running ability to the table. He is a consistent producer for the Buckeyes, with the ability to make plays all over the field—whether it’s quick passes in the slot or deep routes down the sideline.
In 2024, Egbuka had over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile wide receivers in the country. As the 2025 season approaches, look for Egbuka to continue to thrive as one of the top playmakers in college football.
Why he’s ranked No. 2: Egbuka’s ability to make defenders miss and create separation in both the short and long game makes him an extremely valuable asset to Ohio State’s offense. His chemistry with Harrison will only continue to strengthen.
3. Malik Nabers (LSU)
LSU’s Malik Nabers emerged as one of the most dangerous receivers in college football during the 2024 season, and he’s expected to continue that dominance into 2025. Nabers had over 1,400 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, showcasing his incredible speed, strong hands, and competitive nature.
Nabers is a deep threat who has the ability to change the game in a single play. His acceleration and separation make him nearly impossible to cover one-on-one, and his versatility allows LSU to use him in a variety of offensive schemes. With LSU’s offense clicking and the return of quarterback Jayden Daniels, Nabers will continue to be a key target in the Tigers’ high-powered offense.
Why he’s ranked No. 3: Nabers is one of the most explosive wide receivers in the country, capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. His ability to stretch the defense and be a reliable possession receiver makes him a dual threat.
4. Xavier Worthy (Texas)
At Texas, Xavier Worthy is poised to take the next step in his development and cement himself as one of the nation’s top wide receivers. A game-changer with blazing speed, Worthy has the ability to turn any short pass into a long touchdown. While his sophomore year in 2024 wasn’t without its ups and downs, Worthy still managed to exceed 1,000 yards and score multiple touchdowns for the Longhorns.
With the arrival of highly touted quarterback Arch Manning, the Longhorns’ offense is primed to take a step forward in 2025. Worthy’s deep speed and ability to track passes downfield will give Manning a reliable target on almost every play. Expect big things from Worthy as he enters his junior season.
Why he’s ranked No. 4: Worthy is a proven deep threat with the ability to take over games. His agility and speed make him dangerous on any given play, and with Manning under center, his ceiling is sky-high.
5. Rome Odunze (Washington)
A name to watch closely in 2025 is Rome Odunze, Washington’s standout wide receiver. Odunze had a breakout 2024 season, recording over 1,200 yards and 9 touchdowns. He combines elite size (6’3″, 210 lbs) with smooth route-running and an ability to win jump balls, making him a threat in both the intermediate and deep game.
Odunze’s big-play ability and consistent hands make him one of the top wideouts in the nation heading into 2025. He is expected to be a key target for Washington’s offense, which is led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., one of the top signal-callers in college football.
Why he’s ranked No. 5: Odunze’s versatility in winning contested catches and making plays across all areas of the field makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. His combination of size and speed gives him a great advantage.
6. Rakim Jarrett (Maryland)
Despite being one of the most underappreciated wide receivers in college football, Rakim Jarrett is ready to take the college football world by storm in 2025. Jarrett has the potential to break out as a top receiver, building on his solid performances in 2024. With a strong combination of speed, agility, and great hands, Jarrett should see his stock rise significantly as he enters his junior year.
Jarrett has the ability to make defenders miss in the open field, and his route-running is as crisp as it gets. If Maryland’s offense continues to grow under coach Mike Locksley, expect Jarrett to become one of the most talked-about wide receivers in the country.
Why he’s ranked No. 6: Jarrett is a versatile and explosive playmaker who can affect the game in a variety of ways. His speed and agility make him a nightmare for defenders, and his potential is sky-high.
7. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State)
The second Ohio State receiver on this list, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, will be looking to bounce back in a big way after dealing with injuries in 2024. When healthy, Smith-Njigba is a true game-changer who can do it all—run precise routes, make contested catches, and stretch the field with his speed. His 2023 season was a reminder of how dangerous he can be, and he will look to regain that form in 2025.
Smith-Njigba is poised to be a key part of Ohio State’s passing attack, and if he can stay healthy, he will be a top wide receiver to watch.
Why he’s ranked No. 7: Despite his injury struggles in 2024, Smith-Njigba’s natural ability and previous seasons of dominance place him among the top wideouts in the country.
8. Malik McClain (Florida State)
Malik McClain has made significant strides in his development over the past year, and he’s expected to be a major contributor for Florida State in 2025. McClain brings size (6’4″, 215 lbs), speed, and a natural ability to separate from defenders. He has all the tools to be a dominant wide receiver, and he should have the opportunity to shine with the Seminoles’ high-powered offense in 2025.
Why he’s ranked No. 8: McClain’s combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him a dangerous target for any defense, and he will likely see an uptick in production in 2025.
9. Ja’Khi Douglas (Louisiana)
Ja’Khi Douglas has been one of the most underrated wide receivers in the Sun Belt Conference, and his skill set has flown under the radar for far too long. With blazing speed and a knack for breaking big plays, Douglas will look to make a name for himself nationally in 2025.
Why he’s ranked No. 9: Douglas’ speed and big-play ability make him one to watch, especially if Louisiana’s offense continues to improve.
10. Jermaine Burton (Alabama)
To round out the list, Jermaine Burton of Alabama is expected to continue to develop into one of the top wide receivers in the nation. Burton had a strong 2024 season, and with a solid group of quarterbacks surrounding him, he should be primed for a massive 2025.
Why he’s ranked No. 10: Burton is one of the most physically gifted wide receivers in the SEC, and he’ll likely play a key role in Alabama’s offense.