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Ranking the Top College Football Wide Receivers in the West

> The best players who are expected to play at the position for the region's programs in 2025


  By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports

June 12, 2025



A lot can happen between now and the opening weekend.

We have already seen Oregon’s Evan Stewart go down with an injury. As one of the nation’s top receivers, Stewart surely would have been at the top of this list with ASU’s Jordyn Tyson.

But we move on with this Best in the West list, just as the Ducks have, and they appear to have some players ready to step up.

Today, we continue our preseason look at the region’s best players with the Top 12 WRs.

ASU logo
1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
ASU wide receiver Jordan Tyson
Eric Gay/AP
Tyson had a breakout season for Arizona State in 2024 with 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He came on very strong in the back half of the season, catching 50 passes for 732 yards and six scores in his final six games. Unfortunately, his season ended prematurely with an injury in the Arizona game.

Tyson should be in line for an All-American type of season in 2025.

usc logo
2. Makai Lemon, USC
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon
John McGillen/USC Athletics
The USC WR depth chart took a huge hit in the transfer portal in the offseason. Lemon, the top returner for the men of Troy, had a breakout season in 2024 and is poised for another productive year.

In the last two games of the season, against Notre Dame and Texas A&M, he caught 15 passes for 222 yards as the chemistry between him and Jayden Maiava was apparent.

The Trojans had a bunch of upheaval, but one sure thing should be Lemon on the outside.

Washington football logo
3. Denzel Boston, Washington
Washington WR Denzel Boston
Washington Athletics
Boston will be the No. 1 target in the Huskies’ passing attack in 2025, and the good news is that his quarterback could be a star.

The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher caught nine touchdown passes in the first seven games last fall and ended the season with 834 yards on 63 receptions.

Look for a big junior season out of Boston who could become an All-Big Ten performer.

BYU logo
4. Chase Roberts, BYU
BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts
Brynn Carnesecca/Lehi Free Press
Roberts is a big receiver with excellent hands who has just gotten better each season with the Cougars.

Last year, he tallied 854 yards on 52 receptions for BYU.

This season should be even more productive as he will be the top target in the BYU passing game and should be more of a threat in the red zone than he was in 2024.

usc logo
5. Ja’Kobi Lane, USC
USC wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane
Kirby Lee/Imagn Images
A real red-zone weapon for the Trojans, Lane is a tall, lanky receiver with a ton of upside physically.

Last season, he caught 43 passes for 525 yards and 12 TDs. In 20 games played over his two-year career, Lane has caught 14 TD passes; 28% of his career receptions have netted a touchdown.

Look for Lane to be a playmaker in the SC offense in 2025.

Oregon Ducks Logo Pac-12
6. Dakorien Moore, Oregon
Oregon WR Dakorien Moore
Soobum Im/Getty Images
Evan Stewart would have been among my top two on this list if not at the top.

A knee injury will set him back, and he could miss all of 2025. That will push the true freshman Moore into a much larger role, and I think he will thrive.

The top WR prospect from last season has track star speed and will make plays. He had a solid spring with the Ducks and was set to make an immediate impact if Stewart were healthy. Now his impact figures to be even larger.

ASU logo
7. Malik McClain, Arizona State
ASU wide receiver Malik McClain
Michael Chow/The Republic
The Sun Devil passing attack could be lethal this season with Malik McClain lining up opposite Jordyn Tyson, as Sam Leavitt will have not one, but two top targets.

The injury to Tyson got McLain more action against Iowa State and Texas, and he delivered with a pair of 40-plus-yard TD catches.

As a starter this season, Arizona State will have a dynamic duo stretching the field on the outside.

Oregon Ducks Logo Pac-12
8. Malik Benson, Oregon
Oregon WR Malik Benson
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Benson comes to Oregon from Florida State after opening his career at Alabama.

The Seminoles had one of the worst—if not the worst—quarterback performances among Power 4 schools in 2024. But Benson still managed to haul in 25 passes for 311 yards. Not stellar numbers, but in that offense, those figures are good.

Benson has a ton of talent and will need to showcase something in the absence of Evan Stewart.

Colorado logo
9. Hykeem Williams, Colorado
Colorado WR Hykeem Williams
Mike Ewen/The Osceola
Given the players the Buffs need to replace at WR from last season, Williams has the size and strength to step in.

Look for the Florida State transfer to be a top target for whoever earns the starting QB spot.

As noted earlier, FSU had some really bad play at the QB spot in 2024. Williams could end up with a big season in Boulder.

UCLA logo
10. Kwazi Gilmer, UCLA
UCLA wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer
UCLA Athletics
JMichael Sturdivant is gone, and someone will need to step up at WR for the Bruins.

That someone could be Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, but I think I like the upward progression of Gilmer a little bit better. Gilmer came on and started the final five games last season for UCLA and performed well.

He ended his freshman campaign with 31 receptions for 345 yards. At 6-2, he has the size to go get the ball and could be a big target for Nico Iamaleava.

Hawaii logo
11. Nick Cenacle, Hawai’i
Hawai'i WR Nick Cenacle
Hawai’i Athletics
Similar to the situation at UCLA, it could be close between Cenacle or Pofele Ashlock for who leads the ‘Bows in receiving this season.

I am giving the edge to Cenacle, a shifty wideout who can get open over the middle. He has the size to bring the ball down.

The senior should thrive in Timmy Chang’s system this season with Micah Alejado slinging it at quarterback.

Utah Utes logo
12. Otto Tia, Utah
Utah WR Otto Tia
Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal
Last season was Tia’s best performance with Utah State. Now, moving from Logan to Salt Lake City, he should emerge as the top target for Devon Dampier.

A big-bodied wideout at 6-4 and 220 pounds, he should be a productive red-zone force for the Utes.

He also has the size to make plays over the middle and win the 50/50 balls.

Other Notables

Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, UCLA

Pofele Ashlock, Hawai’i

Josiah Freeman, Fresno State