1. USC Trojans

The Trojans lost a lot from the WR room in the transfer portal, but still have a group of pass catchers that are among the best in the nation.

Makai Lemon is the star and can flat-out make plays when the ball is in his hands. Ja’Kobi Lane is a red-zone machine; 28% of his career receptions have been TDs.

Prince Strachan comes to LA from Boise State and will be a big target on the outside. At the TE spot, Lake McRee should be poised to break out in 2025.

Add in some depth with Josiah Zamora along with newcomers Xavier Jordan and Corey Simms and the Trojans should be very dangerous in the passing game.

2. Oregon Ducks

The loss of Evan Stewart is a big blow, but the Ducks are not exactly barren in the pass catching department. While that may have been the factor in the Trojans jumping them for the top spot, Oregon is still loaded.

Kenyon Sadiq is the best TE in the region and is impactful as a pass catcher and blocker. Dakorien Moore will be explosive and is set to be one of the most impactful freshmen in the nation.

Beyond the speedster Moore, UO will have a lot of depth in the receiving room with Malik Benson, Gary Bryant Jr., Kyle Kasper and Jurrion Dickey all capable of contributing.

Add in another solid TE in Jamari Johnson and this is a very solid group.  Should Evan Stewart make it back from his knee injury, this unit would be among the top few pass catching units in the nation.

3. Arizona State Sun Devils

Jordan Tyson is explosive and is coming off a huge season, especially the tail end of 2024. Tyson is the best WR in the region and could be an All-American come season end.

Malik McClain would be a really good No. 1 WR for most teams; the Sun Devils will line him up opposite Tyson, and that is a lethal 1-2 combination.

Add in speedster Jalen Moss and ASU has a very good trio of starting WRs. Chamon Metayer gives Arizona State an extremely reliable TE to dump the ball off to and he knows what to do with it after the catch.

Sam Leavitt is obviously one of the best QBs in the nation, but it certainly helps having this group to throw to.

4. Washington Huskies

Denzel Boston is going to be the Huskies leading receiver and the 6-foot-4 junior could have a huge season in Seattle. He was a TD machine the first half of last season and his big frame is ideal in the red zone.

Omari Evans is a talented transfer from Penn State who will produce immediately. Rashid Williams and Kevin Green should see a bump during their sophomore season this fall.

The thing that makes the Huskies pass-catchers so good is they have not one, but two really good TEs in the fold.

Quentin Moore missed all but one game last season but is an impact player at TE and due to injuries at the position last season Decker DeGraaf was forced into a more prominent role and all he did was have a Freshman All-American season.

5. Boise State Broncos

The Broncos are solid at TE with Matt Lauter and Matt Wagner.

The former could be the leading receiver for Boise this season while the latter offers depth, and they both could be on the field together in certain sets.

On the outside the Broncos will look a bit different than they did last season with some new faces in key spots. Latrell Caples and Cam Bates should be the two guys that step up and have the most impact in the passing game.

Bates is a speedster that could break out this fall while Caples is back for a sixth season and will provide a veteran leadership role and has proven he can make plays with almost 100 receptions in his career.

6. Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado must replace Travis Hunter, who not only won the Heisman but was also the Buffs first-ever winner of the Biletnikoff Award as the best WR in the nation.

They also need to replace Jimmy Horn and LaJohntay Wester. That is a lot of talent to replicate in 2025. The Buffs have some players in place who could make 2025 a good one. Orelon Miller is a slot specialist who was Colorado’s most impactful freshmen last fall.

Omarion Miller has the ability to be a star and has shown flashes of that the last two seasons, this year he could be a dominant pass catcher. Hykeem Williams gives the Buffs size and strength.

Quentin Gibson is another speedy slot guy that could see a lot of action as a true freshman. While the star power might not jump off the page for CU as it has in past seasons, this might be the deepest WR unit the Buffs have had since Deion Sanders came to Boulder.

7. Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors

The Rainbow Warriors have the pass catchers to make their pass heavy offense zip. Jackson Harris, Nick Cenacle and Pofele Ashlock should make up the starting trio for a unit that might be the strongest part of the team.

Cenacle and Ashlock are both shifty WRs who can make plays over the middle and have the size to bring down the corner routes. The unit also has depth with returners Brandon White, Karsyn Pupunu and Tama Uiliata.

Joey Farthing comes to the islands from Youngstown State and is another big bodied receiver who could have an impact.

8. BYU Cougars

Chase Roberts is a good starting point for this unit. Last season he tallied 854 yards on 52 receptions and has gotten better each year for the Cougars.

Tiger Bachmeier can create plays with the ball in his hands and Jojo Phillips can make plays outside.

Parker Kingston is one of the best returners and will offer depth at WR and obviously he is dangerous in the open field. Tei Nacua is a redshirt freshman and if he produces anything close to what his brother did, then look out.

Carsen Ryan will be a big target in the red zone.

9. Oregon State Beavers

Riley Williams will play a big role in the passing game this season. The TE has transferred to OSU from Miami with a proven track record. His athleticism should help the Beavers stretch things in the middle.

While none of the guys on the outside might be household names, they are productive and experienced.

Trent Walker, Darrius Clemons and Taz Reddicks return a combined 11 receptions per game and 63.4% of the Beavers receiving yardage from last year.

Reddicks should see the biggest jump in production during his sophomore season. Much like the Beavers passing offense, this group may not be flashy but will be productive when called upon.

10. Arizona Wildcats

Arizona enters 2025 having to replace the best WR to come through Tucson as Tetairoa McMillan is on to the NFL after his record-setting career with the Wildcats.

His numbers will not be replaced by a player in the WR room this fall. Similar to the situation with Colorado, the Wildcats may lack the star power, but the group might be deeper as a whole.

Sam Olson will be a weapon for Arizona at TE and his production in the middle should open things up outside. Chris Hunter is the top returning target and will be joined outside by Kris Hutson, Luke Wysong, Tre Spivey and Javin Whatley.

That quartet of transfers has a lot of experience and should provide Noah Fifita with plenty of options.

11. UCLA Bruins

The Bruins will have plenty of options to throw the ball to in 2025.

Kwazi Gilmer and Titus Mokiao-Atimalala will be 1A and 1B at the WR spot. Both are capable of making plays and leading the team in receiving in any game.

Hudson Habermehl is a weapon at TE and will offer Nico Iamaleava a reliable red zone target.

Mikey Matthews can stretch the field and along with Rico Flores could be dangerous in the slot.

12. Fresno State Bulldogs

Fresno State returns Josiah Freeman who was hampered by injuries in 2024 but is capable of  putting up all conference numbers.

The Bulldogs also have a very good pass catching TE in Richie Anderson. Freeman will be joined outside by a mix of returners in Jordan Malau’ulu and newcomers like Josiah Ayon, Jahlil McClain and Jayon Farrar.

McClain comes to Fresno via Louisville and has the potential to make a big impact.

Another player to watch is freshman Harold Duvall. The four-star recruit could end up as one of the most impactful freshmen in the Mountain West.