Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

College Football

Ranking the 10 best B1G wide receivers entering the 2019 season

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

There’s a ton of talent returning at the wide receiver position in the B1G in 2019, which should provide us with plenty of entertainment come the fall. The top two pass-catchers from last season are back (Rondale Moore and Tyler Johnson), and five of the top 10 statistical leaders will return to the field.

It should be a lot of fun to see these guys go to work.

With so many talented players returning at the position, it was really hard to narrow this list down. Somehow, we managed. Here’s a look at the 10 best wide receivers in the B1G heading into the 2019 season:

10. Brandon Smith, Iowa

With Noah Fant, T.J. Hockenson and Nick Easley all gone, Smith will get an opportunity to be the top target in Iowa’s offense this fall. He’s more than capable of being the first option in the passing attack.

Smith has an incredible knack for finding the football in the air and making highlight reel catches. He could potentially be a top five receiver in the B1G if he sees enough throws come his way.

9. Cody White, Michigan State

In his first two years at Michigan State, White has totaled over 1,000 receiving yards. He’s been a solid option for Brian Lewerke and has been a good downfield option for the Spartans. But he’ll have to step up next season with Felton Davis gone.

White is a terrific route-runner and is capable of getting open when plays break down. He may not be the most athletic receiver in the B1G, but he’s got excellent awareness and even better hands.

https://twitter.com/lifesyourcup/status/1089309310243368960?s=20

8. KJ Hamler, Penn State

Speed kills, and Hamler has a lot of it. If he can beat the secondary, there aren’t many defensive backs capable of catching him. His quickness is a big reason why he’s also been involved with Penn State’s special teams.

Hamler is also a bit of a jitterbug and can make defenders miss. Basically, he possesses the ability to make something out of nothing anytime he touches the football.

7. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan

Because of limitations in the passing game, Peoples-Jones’ numbers probably aren’t quite where you’d expect for a former five-star prospect. Still, the Michigan receiver took a big step from his freshman to sophomore season and should be even more effective as a junior with Josh Gattis running the show.

Peoples-Jones can be effective in the short passing game, making defenders miss frequently. He also has great speed and can be a good downfield option for Shea Patterson, too.

6. JD Spielman, Nebraska

In Year 2 of Scott Frost’s offense, and with Stanley Morgan out of the picture, there’s potential for Spielman to have a really big year as Nebraska’s go-to receiver. Like so many on the list, Spielman possesses elite speed and is great in the open field.

When he gets behind the secondary, Spielman is impossible to catch and is often a home-run threat, especially with Adrian Martinez’s big arm and accuracy. Spielman will be on the receiving end of a lot of big plays in 2019.

https://twitter.com/SchutteCFB/status/1046163633280098304?s=20

5. Nico Collins, Michigan

Collins might be the best deep threat in the B1G. He has excellent field awareness, can high-point the football and is capable of making catches with defenders draped around him. Collins allows Michigan to stretch the field consistently.

Not only is Collins good outside the numbers, he can make acrobatic catches in traffic. His 6-foot-4 frame also allows him to outstretch defenders for jump balls almost every time. Collins is one of the toughest receivers to defend.

4. Nick Westbrook, Indiana

Just throw the ball Westbrook’s direction and he’ll likely come down with it. He’s no stranger to making ridiculous catches and makes life easy for quarterback Peyton Ramsey.

Westbrook has a 6-foot-3 frame and is often targeted outside the numbers. He has tremendous footwork and hauling in passes in coverage really isn’t an issue for the Hoosier. Westbrook is an NFL receiver and it’ll be interesting to see how Kalen DeBoer uses his top target this fall.

3. K.J. Hill, Ohio State

Hill is going to be the No. 1 option at a position loaded with talent for Ohio State. He’s fast, elusive and has a great nose for finding the football.

As a smaller receiver, Hill isn’t necessarily a deep-ball threat for the Buckeyes, but he’s an excellent short-to-intermediate receiver in the passing attack. And when he catches the football, he’s capable of turning up field for long gains. Hill also finds a way to haul in just about everything thrown his way.

2. Tyler Johnson, Minnesota

He’s 6-foot-2, but Johnson plays like he’s much taller and has proven to be one of the most difficult receivers to defend. He high-points the football as well as any receiver in the country and is a precise route-runner who is able to create space.

Even when he’s not in space, Johnson isn’t afraid of making big plays in traffic. He can corral those over-the-shoulder passes or leap over a defender to make a player. Johnson also has underrated speed and is an excellent blocker when he’s not beating defenders with his feet.

https://twitter.com/SchutteCFB/status/1061386059584540672?s=20

1. Rondale Moore, Purdue

The smallest receiver yet the most talented in the B1G. Moore is the most difficult receiver in the B1G to tackle and can turn a five-yard loss into a 50-yard gain. There’s a reason he was a consensus All-American as a true freshman.

Moore isn’t typically a threat to haul in the deep ball, but all he needs is a little space and he can move the chains. He’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators and there aren’t many defenders capable of keeping him in check. In Jeff Brohm’s offense, Moore is an excellent candidate to lead the B1G in receiving for a second-straight year.

https://twitter.com/SchutteCFB/status/1063931037124882433?s=20

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB