Ranking the Big Ten's wide receiver groups for 2025

When it comes to offensive playmakers, the Big Ten has a solid history of wide receivers creating some magical moments. Will that be the case again in the 2025 season? The top of the conference looks pretty hefty at the wide receiver position with Ohio State bringing back one of the top receivers in the sport and Penn State beefing up through the transfer portal at a position it very much needed to upgrade.

Some Big Ten schools appear to be in retooling at the position this season, though, and perhaps more than usual for the conference. But which schools will have the best wide receiver groups to work with, and which quarterbacks in the Big Ten are going to have to work some magic with what they have at their disposal?

Here is how the Big Ten's wide receiver units are shaping up for the 2025 season.

18. Purdue

Everybody knows things are not going so well for Purdue, so there is almost nowhere to go but up for the Boilermakers. Purdue did try filling some holes with the transfer portal additions of Nathan Leacock from Tennessee and Charles Ross from USC, but neither of those players had more than 13 yards last season.

17. Michigan

It is strange to think that Michigan could be this low on the receiver rankings, but things could turn around quickly this season. Michigan may lack a big deep threat right now, but the Wolverines may be able to get by on a less dynamic receiving corps for now.

16. Maryland

The Terrapins have lost some of their top receivers in recent years and could be rebuilding a bit at the position in 2025. Transfer additions from the SEC with Kaleb Webb from Tennessee and Jalil Farooq from Oklahoma, don't come with a ton of experience, but it helps bridge the gap in a rebuilding year for the Terrapins at the position.

15. UCLA

UCLA may have picked up a quarterback it can believe in this offseason, but who will he be passing to? UCLA doesn't bring back a ton of production from last season but did add Kaedin Robinson from Appalachian State from the transfer portal. It's a start/

14. Northwestern

Northwestern lacks big-play ability at receiver but the addition of South Dakota State transfer Griffin Wilde does give the Wildcats a 1,000-yard receiver to throw into the mix. Former Stanford receiver Chase Farrell should be available to help after missing the 2024 season/

13. Iowa

Everybody knows the story of the Iowa offense and its woes. But Iowa should have a receiver group it can work with this season, with plenty of room to grow with a new quarterback throwing the passes and a hopefully new-look offensive approach.

12. Illinois

There is much to like about what Illinois could do at the receiver position this season. Returning Malik Elzy and adding West Virginia transfer Hudson Clement gives quarterback Luke Altmyers some good options to work with.

11. Wisconsin

Wisconsin lacked the needed reliability at the wide receiver position last season, so the Badgers are hoping to see some better results in 2025. Wisconsin's biggest offseason move at the position was bringing in Mark Hamper from Idaho after 966 receiving yards for the Vandals in 2024.

10. Washington

The Washington offense should feel good about its wide receiving corps in 2025, and this unit could potentially be placed higher this fall if things come together. Washington returns Denzel Boston and adds Penn State transfer Omari Evans to the mix.

9. Minnesota

The Gophers are looking to get back on track with the offense in 2025, and the wide receivers should play a role in that. Minnesota brought in Javon Tracy from Miami Ohio and Logan Loya from UCLA to help add some needed experience to the position this season.

8. Rutgers

The Rutgers offense will be a young group overall to watch grow a bit, but the transfer addition of DT Sheffield from North Texas helps give the Scarlet Knights a bit of a veteran boost. This group could be sneaky dangerous this season as it comes together.

7. Nebraska

Like a number of Big Ten teams this offseason, Nebraska went fishing in the transfer portal for established options for its passing game. That led to the additions of Dane Key from Kentucky and Nyziah Hunter from Cal. That should help Nebraska stabilize the passing game a bit in 2025.

6. Michigan State

Michigan State added to the wide receiver room a bit this offseason with some transfer portal additions, including Omari Kelly from Middle Tennessee and Chrishon McCray from Kent State. Will these mid-major transfers be able to follow up on their level of production in the Big Ten? Michigan State hopes so.

5. Oregon

Oregon's offense is always going to have some receivers making some big plays happen, and the 2025 season should be no exception despite having a new starting quarterback throwing the passes. The numbers may be lacking based on previous experience, but these Ducks should be flying pretty quickly.

4. USC

USC may have lost a receiver to Penn State in the transfer portal, but the Trojans should still feel good about the wide receiver position in 2025. Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon are each capable of making some big plays happen, and the Trojans added Prince Strachan from Boise State through the transfer portal to plug a hole on the depth chart.

3. Indiana

Indiana's confidence grew last year and it was not a fluke. Part of the reason was the wide receivers making plays, including Elijah Sarratt. Sarratt was just shy of a 1,000-yard season but he and Makai Jackson make for a solid combo.

2. Penn State

Penn State's wide receivers should be the biggest upgrade on the roster in 2025. After having the receivers shut out in the College Football Playoff semifinal, the Nittany Lions attacked the position through the transfer portal with the additions of Kyron Hudson from USC, Devonte Ross from Troy, and Trebor Pena from Syracuse. Penn State's lack of impact from the receiver position should be a thing of the past this season.

1. Ohio State

Ohio State could easily top this list with just one player, probably. Jeremiah Smith has already established himself as the top wide receiver in the Big Ten after hauling in 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns to help Ohio State win a national title last season. And he was just a freshman. Throw in Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss as additional weapons for the Buckeyes' passing attack, and Ohio State will show once again that the program just knows how to excel at the receiver position in 2025.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Ranking the Big Ten's WR groups for the 2025 college football season