Steven Johnson: Big 12 wide receiver power rankings

The Big 12 has always been known as a pass-happy league with a plethora of standout receivers every season.

There were some great ones in 2022 including TCU’s Quentin Johnston, Iowa State’s Xavier Hutchinson and Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims. All three had over 1,000 yards and are now in the NFL.

With so much starpower gone, it sets the stage for new names across the conference to take on the mantle as the next standout receiver from the Big 12.

Here are the teams I think have the best receiver rooms in the conference:

1. Texas

Notables: Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, AD Mitchell, JaTavion Sanders, Jontay Cook

One reason pundits are so high on Texas winning the Big 12 is the talent at receiver. Worthy is the second-leading returning receiver in the conference while Sanders is the best tight end in the conference. Whittington was productive as a No. 2 with over 600 yards last season.

That trio alone would be enough to put Texas near the top, but the additions of Mitchell and Cook solidify their spot. Cook was a five-star recruit from DeSoto and has game-changing speed. Mitchell had good moments at Georgia, including a scoring a touchdown in four College Football Playoff games.

2. Texas Tech

Notables: Jerand Bradley, Myles Price, Xavier White, Nehemiah Martinez, Loic Fouonji

The Red Raiders may have the deepest receiver room in the league and return their five leading receivers from last year. Everything starts with Bradley, who was just the sixth freshmen in program history to led the Red Raiders in receiving. White and Price had over 500 yards each while Fouonji and Martinez had nearly 400 each with a combined five touchdowns.

3. Kansas

Notables: Luke Grimm, Lawrence Arnold, Mason Fairchild, Quentin Skinner

The Jayhawks had one of the best offenses in the country last year and return their four leading receivers. Arnold was the top-10 in the conference in receiving yards and Grimm was No. 12. Fairchild was voted second team All-Big 12. The 6-foot-5 Skinner was second in the team in touchdowns with five last season.

4. TCU

Notables: JP Richardson, Savion Williams, Dylan Wright, JoJo Earle, Jared Wiley, Cordale Russell

The Horned Frogs landing here has a lot to do with upside and how aggressive TCU was in the transfer portal. Richardson was productive at Oklahoma State and was the best receiver in the spring. Williams has NFL potential and had a bit of breakout year as the fourth option along with Wiley, who caught four touchdowns in 2022.

Wright was a former top-100 recruit and had 600 yards in two seasons at Minnesota. If Earle or Russell pops, this could be a special group.

No. 5 Oklahoma State

Notables: Brennan Presley, De’Zhaun Stribling, Arland Bruce

Presley is the leading returning receiver in the conference with over 813 yards and two touchdowns. Stribling was a really good transfer pickup after he led Washington State in in every receiving category in 2022. Bruce showed flashes at Iowa and will now be in a more pass friendly offense.

No. 6 UCF

Notables: Javon Baker, Kobe Hudson, Xavier Townsend, Chauncey Magwood

Baker and Hudson could quietly be one of the top duos in the league. Baker was voted second team All-AAC by Pro Football Focus with 796 yards and eight touchdowns. Hudson averaged 16.4 yards per catch with seven touchdowns.

Townsend is in line for a bigger role, while Magwood transferred over from Kentucky.

No. 7 Oklahoma

Notables: Austin Stogner, Jalil Farooq, Brenen Thompson, Andrel Anthony, Jaquaize Pettaway,Drake Stoops

Another team where upside is key is the Sooners. Stoops and Farooq were third and fourth on the team in receiving, but there’s questions after that. Thompson and Pettaway were top-100 recruits, but unproven. Anthony was brought over from Michigan, but didn’t have a big role.

Stogner returned to Oklahoma after a season at South Carolina.

No. 8 Baylor

Notables: Monaray Baldwin, Hal Presley, Ketron Jackson, Josh Cameron

The Bears didn’t have a prolific passing attack last season, but could see improvement in 2023 with its three of their four leading receivers back. Baldwin in particular could be a name to watch after having 198 yards in two games vs. TCU and Kansas State.

Presley tied for a team-high in touchdowns with four while Cameron was pleasant surprise during his freshmen season. Dave Aranda brought over Jackson from Arkansas to add some juice to the group.

No. 9 Houston

Notables: Matthew Golden, Sam Brown, Stephon Johnson, Joseph Manjack IV, Joshua Cobbs

Between Tank Dell and Kesean Carter, Houston has to replace 1,999 yards and 22 touchdowns. It’s daunting task, but Houston has pieces at receiver. Brown was second on the team in receptions while Golden was second in touchdowns.

Johnson arrives from Oklahoma State while Cobbs had a solid season at Wyoming before transferring to Houston.

No. 10 Iowa State

Notables: Jaylin Noel, Dimitri Stanley, DeShawn Hanika, Jayden Higgins

There’s experience returning led by Noel who had 609 yards, but the task of replacing Xavier Hutchinson, the leading receiver in the league last year, will be incredibly challenging. Wiggins had a breakout year at Eastern Kentucky with 10 touchdowns and 757 yards. With improved quarterback play, this group could see its ranking rise.

No. 11 Kansas State

Notables: Phillip Brooks, Ben Sinnott, Keegan Johnson

The Wildcats’ passing game ascended to another level when Will Howard took over at quarterback and a few of his favorite targets return. Brooks was second on the team in receiving yards while Sinnott could be an All-Big 12 contender at tight end.

The upside of this group could come down to how healthy Johnson is after missing 10 games.

No. 12 BYU

Notables: Keanu Hill, Kody Epps, Chase Roberts

The Cougars have a good core with three of their five leading receivers back, but Hill was the only one to have over 500 yards last season. Behind the trio, there’s a lot of youth and unknowns if one of the top guys gets banged up during the year. Plus how does the group adjust to a step up in competition?

No. 13 Cincinnati

Notables: Dee Wiggins, Donovan Ollie, Sterling Berkhalter, Joey Beljan

The top seven receivers from a year ago are all gone, leaving plenty of production that needs to be replaced. Ollie had a career-high 491 yards at Washington before transferring. Wiggins arrives from Louisville, while Berkhalter was at North Carolina AT&T in 2022.

Beljan was a capable redzone threat at Western Kentucky. The tight end had 10 touchdowns during his career.

No. 14 West Virginia

Notables: EJ Horton, Kole Taylor, Devin Carter, Ja’Shaun Poke

The Mountaineers are another team with their hands full in terms of replacing last year’s production. West Virginia went into the portal to grab Taylor from LSU, Carter from NC State, Horton from Marshall and Poke from Kent State. Carter was ranked a four-star transfer by 247.