Through Week 8 of the college football season, wide receiver play has been impressive across the country. Multiple freshmen have taken the sport by storm, and two of them headline the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs.
Jeremiah Smith continues to cement himself as a key piece of the Ohio State offense as a true freshman. He enters Week 9 as the Buckeyes’ leading receiver and is forming quite the one-two punch with the experienced Emeka Egbuka, who also appears in the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs.
Another true freshman sits at No. 2, though. Alabama star Ryan Williams is one of the top playmakers in the country and a key target for Jalen Milroe, and he remains one of the top receivers in the country entering Week 9. He leads the Crimson Tide in receiving yards and continues to electrify the offense.
Of course, freshmen aren’t the only wide receivers shining this season. Big names such as Tre Harris and Tetairoa McMillan also highlight the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs after Week 8. They’re two players who could be looking to improve their NFL Draft stock, as well, as the race to the College Football Playoff heats up.
There’s still plenty of time left for the rankings to shift, though. Here are the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs after Week 8.
1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
After arriving in Columbus as the centerpiece of Ohio State’s recruiting class, Jeremiah Smith has lived up to the billing in more ways than one. He’s averaging more than 92 receiving yards per game as a true freshman to come in at No. 1 in the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs.
Smith leads the Buckeyes with 553 yards and seven touchdowns this season, making an immediate impact on the reloaded unit. He ranks 16th in receiving yards per game and continues to lead a talented wide receiver room at Ohio State.
2. Ryan Williams, Alabama
At just 17 years old, Ryan Williams has taken the nation by storm during his true freshman season. His 649 receiving yards leads all first-year receivers in college football, and his 20.94 yards per reception is 14th in the nation this year.
Williams enters Week 9 as Jalen Milroe’s top target as Alabama’s big-play threat, and he’s had a few notable highlight-reel plays this year. Of course, the biggest was the game-winner against Georgia, and he sits just ahead of Jeremiah Smith with 92.7 receiving yards on average.
3. Tre Harris, Ole Miss
Through seven games, Tre Harris has already surpassed his receiving yard total from last season. He’s the focal point of Ole Miss’ high-powered offense and leads the nation in yards entering Week 9.
Harris has 987 yards to his name through seven games, which averages out to 141 yards per contest. His playmaking ability makes him one of the top receivers in the game and he’s sure to continue making an impact as SEC play continues.
4. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
A projected second-round pick last season, Emeka Egbuka is making the most out of his final go-round at Ohio state. He sits behind Jeremiah Smith in receiving yards, but is still in the Top 50 in the nation entering Week 9.
Egbuka is in search of his second career 1,000-yard season and is already halfway there through Week 8, totaling 526 receiving yards so far. He also has six touchdowns as he and Smith continue to put pressure on opposing defenses this year.
5. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Through seven games, Tetairoa McMillan is putting together an impressive follow-up to his career year in 2023. His 780 receiving yards leads the Big 12 after Week 8 and puts him at No. 5 in the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs.
McMillan ranks sixth in the nation in receiving yards as the top target for Noah Fifita this year. He’s also increasing his NFL Draft stock, coming in as a Top-12 pick in ESPN’s latest mock draft last week.
6. Tai Felton, Maryland
In an up-and-down year for Maryland, Tai Felton has emerged as a top playmaker. He’s averaging 114.7 yards per game this year to lead the Terrapins to a 4-3 record – including, most recently, a victory over USC.
Felton is in the midst of a breakout year after totaling 723 yards all last year. His 803 receiving yards through five games puts him at No. 5 in the nation entering a matchup against Minnesota this week.
7. Xavier Restrepo, Miami
As Cam Ward makes a case for the Heisman Trophy, Xavier Restrepo is playing a key role. He’s the top target at Miami this year and checks in at No. 7 in the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs.
Restrepo had 1,092 yards last year and is well on pace to pass that this year. His 686 yards lead the ACC, and he currently sits at No. 8 nationally in receiving yards as part of his monster season.
8. Travis Hunter, Colorado
Still a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, Travis Hunter is still the top playmaker in the country. He continues to get it done on both sides of the ball at Colorado – but is making a major impact at wide receiver.
Hunter is averaging 86.3 yards per game on offense to go with six receiving touchdowns. That puts him at No. 8 in the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs, but it’s also worth noting he has 19 tackles and two interceptions at cornerback.
9. Ricky White, UNLV
Amid UNLV’s 6-1 start to the season, Ricky White is emerging as the top threat for the Rebels’ offense. He’s averaging 87.7 receiving yards this year, which sits tied for 18th in the nation entering a pivotal Week 9.
White – who started his career at Michigan State – broke out for 1,483 yards last year and came back for another year in Las Vegas. A newcomer to the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs, he’ll look to continue his impressive year in a key matchup against Ashton Jeanty and Boise State this week.
10. Luther Burden, Missouri
Missouri’s leader in receptions this year, Luther Burden continues to be one of the top wide receiver prospects in this year’s draft. He also rounds out the On3 Impact Top 10 WRs after helping the Tigers avoid an upset against Auburn last week.
Burden enters Week 9 with 37 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdowns, but he also has two rushing touchdowns as part of the running game. He’s a dynamic threat for the Mizzou offense as the Tigers get ready for this week’s matchup against Alabama.
The top wide receivers will need to keep making plays down the stretch with November quickly approaching. The On3 Impact Top 10 WRs are sure to see some more changes, as well, with conference play in full swing.
