Top Returning Wide Receivers - 2022

by Charlie Krausse          April 16, 2022
@coachcrewshow
PictureJaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
            Unlike the previous two positions covered, the wide receiver unit has had a lot of exits.  That does not mean all the talent left as well, it just means new faces will emerge as household names this fall.
Best returning receivers:
  1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State – The Buckeye last year may have been partially in the shadow of Chris Olave, but he still reached All-American status by multiple reporting newspapers and agencies.  Last year Smith-Njigba recorded 95 receptions and over 1,600 yards receiving.  Not too shabby for a #2 receiver, so to say!
  2. Jordan Addison, Pittsburgh – Addison led the nation in TD receptions in 2021 with 17.  Additionally, he was on the receiving end of exactly 100 receptions and a happy meal under 1,600 yards receiving.  With Slovis now at the helm, the production level will at minimum, remain consistent in 2022.
  3. Jacob Cowing, Arizona – The hidden gem of 2021 entered the transfer portal and received offers from over 20 schools.  Ultimately, most might be a little surprised by his decision, as he will be an Arizona Wildcat in 2022.  Cowing averaged over 100 yards receiving and scored 7 TDs last season in UTEP.
  4. Josh Downs, North Carolina – Completing the past two seasons with Sam Howell tossing passes definitely helped Downs numbers.  But his talent is still worthy of him being regarded as a top receiver in 2022.  In 2021, Downs recorded 101 receptions, 8 TDs and over 1,300 yards receiving.
  5. Nathanial Dell, Houston – The Cougar receiver had a dominant 2021 season posting 90 receptions and scoring 12 TDs.  Add an extra year of experience under his belt and the fact that his quarterback, Clayton Tune also returns, and this chemistry is only going to be more impressive in 2022.
  6. Mitch Tinsley, Penn State – In the juggernaut offense known as Western Kentucky football in 2021, Tinsley put up massive numbers with 87 receptions, over 1400 yards receiving and scoring 14 touchdowns.  Now, he finds himself in Happy Valley in 2022 after exiting the transfer portal.
  7. A.T. Perry, Wake Forest – Perry was a main reason the Demon Decon offense put up the numbers they did in 2021.  The wide receiver caught 71 receptions, scoring 15 touchdowns and totaling just under 1,300 yards.
  8. Dante Cephas, Kent State – The Golden Flash receiver put up big numbers in 2021, catching 82 passes and scoring 9 TDs.  Cephas also added over 1,200 yards receiving.  Now with Krum gone, who will earn the rights to throw to Cephas in 2022 remains to be answered.
  9. Dontayvion Wicks, Virginia – The Cavalier receiver was a favorite target of Brennan Armstrong throughout the ’21 campaign.  Wicks scored 9 TDs on 57 receptions with over 1200 yards receiving.
  10. Xavier Worthy, Texas – The freshman receiver led the Longhorns in every receiving category last year.  Worthy had 62 receptions and 12 touchdowns as he was a bright spot in a very up and down year for Texas.