Preseason Big 12 wide receiver rankings: How good is TCU’s Jordan Dwyer?
The Big 12 has always been known for producing star wide receivers and last year was no exception with Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and TCU’s Eric McAlister.
Tyson became a first round draft pick while McAlister led the conference in yards. Tyson, McAlister and seven other of the league’s top-10 leading receivers from a year ago are gone.
That means it’s time for a new crop of receivers to step up to fill the void. From productive to returners to experienced transfers, the Big 12 could have another strong year of receiver play.
The Star-Telegram continues its preseason Big 12 power rankings with a look at the projected No. 1 receivers in the league:
1. Amare Thomas, Houston
Last year’s stats: 67 receptions, 966 yards, 12 touchdowns.
Breakdown: Thomas was slightly overshadowed last season by McAlister and Tyson, but he’ll enter this season as the lone returning first team All-Big 12 receiver. Thomas posted three games with at least 100 yards and another with 99. He could be more productive in his second year with Connor Weigman.
2. Omarion Miller, Arizona State
Last year’s stats: 45 receptions, 808 yards, eight touchdowns at Colorado.
Breakdown: Miller assumed the role of lead receiver with the departure of Travis Hunter and responded with the best season of his career despite a lack of quality quarterback play in Boulder. Now at Arizona State, Miller has a chance to replace Tyson and top 1,000 yards for the first time.
3. Jordan Dwyer, TCU
Last year’s stats: 54 receptions, 730 yards, seven touchdowns
Breakdown: Dwyer made the most of McAlister being the target of constant double teams as he had a breakout season after transferring in from Idaho. With McAlister and multiple other receivers gone, Dwyer will enter the season as the Horned Frogs’ undisputed No. 1 option.
4. Wyatt Young, Oklahoma State
Last year’s stats: 70 receptions, 1,264 yards, 10 touchdowns at North Texas
Breakdown: Young had a breakout season in Denton as he earned first team All-AAC honors and even earned an All-American honor from PFSN. Young torched Group of Five defenses, but how will he fare against more talented defensive backs in the Big 12? It helps that he already has strong chemistry with fellow UNT transfer Drew Mestemaker.
5. Coy Eakin, Texas Tech
Last year’s stats: 48 receptions, 637 yards, six touchdowns
Breakdown: Eakin was one of four Red Raiders to record 600 yards or more last season and the other three are now gone. That opens the door for Eakin to be the primary target this season, but how will the departure of Brendan Sorsby and the injury of Will Hammond impact his production?
6. DeAndre Moore, Colorado
Last year’s stats: 38 receptions, 532 yards, four touchdowns at Texas
Breakdown: Moore was the second-leading receiver for the Longhorns last season in an offense that took awhile to find its groove. Moore may be the most talented No. 1 receiver in the Big 12, but must find more consistency with avoiding drops and his production could be impacted by Colorado’s quarterback situation.
7. Braden Pegan, Utah
Last year’s stats: 60 receptions, 926 yards, five touchdowns at Utah State
Breakdown: Pegan earned first team All-Mountain West honors last season for the Aggies and will have a chance to be the Utes’ lead receiver.
8. Jaron Tibbs, Kansas State
Last year’s stats: 47 receptions, 595 yards and three touchdowns.
Breakdown: The physical receiver had the best season of his career last year and will step into the role of top receiver after the departure of Jayce Brown to LSU.
9. Duane Thomas, Central Florida
Last year’s stats: 53 receptions, 528 yards.
Breakdown: The Knights struggled in general on offense last season, but Thomas was bright spot with his versatility and speed despite only being listed at 5-foot-8. UCF is expected to have better quarterback play which should mean more touches in 2026.
10. Tre Spivey, Arizona
Last year’s stats: 23 receptions, 381 yards, seven touchdowns.
Breakdown: While there are a few players that had slightly more production than Spivey below him on the list, Spivey gets the nod due to his explosive playmaking. Spivey tied for fifth in the league in touchdowns and his 16.6 yards per reception was among the best in the league.
Best of the rest
11. Cam Pickett, Kansas
12. Omari Hayes, Iowa State
13. Gavin Freeman, Baylor
14. DJ Epps, West Virginia
15. JV Gibson, Cincinnati
16. Tyger Bachmeier, BYU
