College Football Power Rankings: The Top 30 Wide Receivers Heading Into Week 2

Ohio State WR DeVier Posey
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Week 1 of the college football season is now firmly in the rear view mirror.

We saw some great performances by some of the top wide receivers in the country this past weekend. There were spectacular individual efforts like Julio Jones' amazing one handed touchdown grab, and there were also great performances in the face of adversity like sophomore Jheranie Boyd stepping up and playing big for a needy North Carolina team.

Let's now take a look at which players are at the top of the wide receiver food chain for the 2010 college football season.

30. Greg Little: North Carolina

North Carolina WR Greg Little

The only reason to have Little this low has to do with his eligibility concerns which could keep him out for the near future.

When it comes to pure talent, Little is one of the top guys in the country. The 6'3" 215 lb. senior is one of the most athletic players in college football.

If he's allowed to play, the Tar Heel receiver will be trying to build on a 2009 season in which he caught 62 balls for 724 yards and five TDs.

With TJ Yates seeming to have matured as a passer, Little would have a great shot to showcase his talent for the NFL this year if he gets the chance to return.

29. DeAndre Brown: Southern Miss

Southern Miss WR DeAndre Brown
Chris Graythen/Getty Images

DeAndre Brown was not the factor many thought he would be in the Golden Eagles’ opener at South Carolina this past Thursday night.

Brown did catch four balls for 65 yards including a late fourth quarter TD pass, but he was largely ineffective in the team’s 41-13 loss.

The 6'6" 240-lb. Calvin Johnson clone was said to be nursing a hamstring injury leading up to the game.

28. Jermaine Kearse: Washington

Washington WR Jermaine Kearse
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Jermaine Kearse is expected to be senior quarterback Jake Locker’s main weapon in the passing game this season after catching 50 balls for 866 yards and eight TDs in 2009.

The 6‘2" junior hauled in five of Locker’s passes for over 100 yards and a TD in a losing effort to BYU this past Saturday.

27. Malcolm Williams: Texas

Texas WR Malcolm Williams
Brian Bahr/Getty Images

After the graduation of Jordan Shipley, it’s now expected that junior Malcolm Williams will assume the responsibility of being the main threat in the passing game for Texas this season.

The 6‘3" 220-lb. receiver showed a good rapport with new quarterback Garrett Gilbert as they hooked up four times for 77 yards in the Longhorns 34-17 win against Rice.

26. Mark Dell: Michigan State

Michigan State WR Mark Dell
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Mark Dell has seen his fair share of trouble during his stay in East Lansing, but it now seems that the senior receiver has finally seen the light and started to focus and hone in on the game of football.

Dell, a former highly touted recruit, looks to be back on track this season after his six catch performance in the Spartans’ opening day victory over Western Michigan.

25. Jheranie Boyd: North Carolina

North Carolina WR Jheranie Boyd
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Jheranie Boyd had the capability of having a breakout 2010 campaign, all he simply needed was a chance.

Boyd got that very chance when senior wide receiver Greg Little couldn't compete in the opening night game against LSU.

The 6‘2" super sophomore made the most of the opportunity, catching six balls for 221 yards and a long touchdown score.

It looks like the former elite recruit is here to stay.

24. Damarlo Belcher: Indiana

WR Damarlo Belcher

Indiana wide receiver Tandon Doss may have been the one to receive all the preseason accolades, but it’s fellow junior teammate Damarlo Belcher who’s ready to deliver the results in 2010.

Belcher caught seven passes for 92 yards and a touchdown score in Indiana’s opening-night victory over Towson.

Belcher could be one of the best kept secrets in the Big Ten Conference.

23. Greg Salas: Hawaii

USC WR Greg Salas
Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

After catching over 100 passes in 2009, Greg Salas started off his senior season at Hawaii on a very similar pace.

The 6'2" Salas made eight catches for 124 yards in Hawaii’s surprisingly strong offensive performance against USC.

22. Juron Criner: Arizona

Arizona WR Juron Criner
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

When senior wide receiver Deleshaun Dean was kicked off the team this offseason, many wondered how Arizona’s passing game would fare without him.

Juron Criner calmed any fears that the Wildcats were about to slow down through the air.

The 6‘4" junior caught 11 balls for 187 yards and a touchdown in Arizona’s dominating win over Toledo last Friday night.

21. Dwayne Harris: East Carolina

East Carolina WR Dwayne Harris

There were whispers this offseason that East Carolina’s Dwayne Harris was the true receiver to watch from the non-BCS conferences this season.

Harris backed up that talk right away by hauling in seven passes for 121 yards and two scores as the Pirates shocked Tulsa 51-49.

20. Lyle Leong: Texas Tech

Texas Tech WR Lyle Leong
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

You can no longer say that Lyle Leong is just a product of Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense.

With new coach Tommy Tuberville roaming the sidelines, Leong caught 11 balls for 187 yards and a touchdown in Texas Tech’s 35-27 win over SMU on Sunday.

The 6‘1" senior is already on pace to top his nine touchdown mark from a year ago.

19. Jarrett Boykin: Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech WR Jarrett Boykin
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Jarrett Boykin was almost the hero twice in Virginia Tech’s hard fought loss to Boise State on Monday night.

First Boykin scored the go-ahead touchdown with just minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and then he nearly hauled in a long pass to put the Hokies in position to tie the game with a field goal.

For the game, Boykin totaled six catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.

18. James Rodgers: Oregon State

Oregon State WR James Rodgers
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Rodgers brothers failed to pull off the upset against TCU in front of their home state crowd at Cowboys Stadium this past Saturday.

Older brother James did have a touchdown and four catches for 75 yards to his credit, but the TCU defense just proved to tough to tame.

Rodgers should have a solid 2010 season with new quarterback Ryan Katz continually developing as a passer as the season move along.

17. Darvin Adams: Auburn

Auburn WR Darvin Adams
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Darvin Adams may have averaged a whopping 29 yards a catch in Auburn’s season opener, but once you realize he only made two receptions, that number seems to lose some of its luster.

Adams has a lot to live up to after his breakout sophomore year in which he almost totaled 1,000 yards receiving.

It will be interesting to see how the 6‘3" junior and new quarterback Cam Newton mesh in the passing game this season.

16. Armon Binns: Cincinnati

Cincinnati WR Armon Binns
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

With former teammate Mardy Gilyard off to the NFL, Armon Binns came into the 2010 season ready to battle with Pittsburgh’s Jonathan Baldwin for the top Big East wide receiver honor.

The senior receiver caught seven passes for 55 yards on Saturday night, but it came in a losing effort at Fresno State.

15. Leonard Hankerson: Miami

Miami WR Leonard Hankerson
Doug Benc/Getty Images

Leonard Hankerson looked like he was going to be the leader of a talented Miami wide receiver group this year, and so far the senior has more than lived up to his billing.

The 6‘3" Hankerson made six catches for 115 yards and 2 TDs in Miami’s blowout win over Florida A&M last Thursday night.

14. Chris Matthews: Kentucky

Kentucky WR Chris Matthews
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Chris Matthews only totaled three catches for 56 yards in Kentucky’s win over Louisville. But he has the look of a potential break out star this year.

The 6‘5" 220 lb. former junior college sensation has superior athleticism and speed for his size.

Along with the versatile Randall Cobb, Matthews should help the Kentucky offense become a force this year.

13. Austin Pettis: Boise State

Boise State WR Austin Pettis
Geoff Burke/Getty Images

Austin Pettis finally received the attention he deserved after catching the game winning touchdown in Boise State’s monumental win over Virginia Tech on Monday night.

The 6‘3" senior, who could be a valuable NFL draft prospect, had six catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Pettis along with the speedy Titus Young give the now national title contending Broncos a nice one-two punch in the passing game

12. Alshon Jeffery: South Carolina

South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery
Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

Alshon Jeffery was one of the main reasons so many South Carolina fans were looking forward to the 2010 season.

As a freshman, Jeffery exploded onto the scene with 46 catches for 763 yards and six touchdowns.

Jeffery kept on rolling to begin his sophomore year. The big 6‘4 240 lb.receiver had seven catches for over 100 yards in South Carolina’s opening night win over Southern Miss.

11. Niles Paul: Nebraska

Arkansas WR Niles Paul
Eric Francis/Getty Images

We may have not known who Nebraska’s top option at quarterback was going to be heading into the season, but we certainly knew who its top option at wide receiver was.

It was senior Niles Paul.

The 6‘1" Paul hauled in five catches for 92 yards and a score in Nebraska’s 49-10 win over Western Kentucky.

10. Greg Childs: Arkansas

Arkansas WR Greg Childs

It was Razorbacks teammate and fellow receiver Joe Adams who enjoyed the better opening night from a statistics standpoint, but it's to be expected that Greg Childs should even things up in Arkansas’ next game against Louisiana Monroe.

The 6‘3" junior only had four catches for 26 yards, but a big performance was hardly necessary.

Arkansas rolled over Tennessee Tech 44-3 on Saturday.

9. Ronald Johnson: USC

USC WR Ronald Johnson
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Lane Kiffin’s USC Trojans may have looked questionable in their opening game at Hawaii, but there was no questioning the play of Ronald Johnson.

The explosive senior receiver scored three touchdowns and finished with seven catches for 59 yards.

Barkley to Johnson could be one of the best passing combinations in America this season.

8. Jeff Fuller: Texas A&M

Texas A&M WR Jeff Fuller
Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Since he plays at Texas A&M, Jeff Fuller has a tendency to get overshadowed by quarterback Jerrod Johnson.

But if the junior receiver stays healthy and plays up to his potential this season, he’ll certainly make a name for himself in the Big 12.

Fuller had four catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns in the Aggies 48-7 win over Stephen F. Austin.

7. Rueben Randle: LSU

LSU WR Rueben Randle

Senior receiver Terrance Toliver was the one who was given the most attention this offseason, but it's actually sophomore Rueben Randle who is the best of the wide receiver bunch at LSU.

There are times when Randle looks like the next Larry Fitzgerald. The 6‘3" receiver definitely has the talent and ability be a future star in the SEC.

Randle was the leader among LSU receivers with four catches for 71 yards and a touchdown in its win over North Carolina.

6. Jonathan Baldwin: PITT

PITT WR Jonathan Baldwin
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

At 6‘5" 230 pounds, Jonathan Baldwin may look like a tight end, but it would be unwise if an opposing defensive back thought he ran like one.

Baldwin, who caught four balls for 71 yards and a TD in PITT’s loss at Utah, is the most feared passing target in the Big East Conference.

5. Julio Jones: Alabama

Alabama WR Julio Jones
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

After a lackluster sophomore season, Julio Jones made sure the college football world remembered who he was by making a an amazing highlight reel one-handed touchdown grab in Alabama’s win over San Jose State on Saturday.

Jones showed that he still has the ability to be a difference maker as the 6'4" junior racked up six catches for 93 yards in the victory.

4. DeVier Posey: Ohio State

Ohio State WR DeVier Posey
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

DeVier Posey and Terrelle Pryor demonstrated in last year’s Rose Bowl that they have what it takes to be a deadly passing duo when they’re clicking.

The pair started up right where they left off by hooking up four times for 41 yards and two scores in Ohio State’s opening night win over Marshall.

3. A.J. Green: Georgia

Georgia WR A.J. Green
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

A.J. Green, a 6'4" junior who caught 53 pass last year, is certainly one of the most talented players in the country. When he's on the field, Green has the ability to add an extra element to Georgia's offense.

The only problem right now is that Green isn't on the field.

After sitting out Georgia's season opener, Green's status is still up in the air due to an ongoing NCAA investigation.

2. Ryan Broyles: Oklahoma

Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Ryan Broyles may only be 5‘11, but don’t let the junior’s smaller stature fool you—he’s a true gamebreaker.

After catching 89 balls for over 1,100 yards in 2009, Broyles kept up that type of production in Oklahoma’s close call against Utah State, catching nine passes for 142 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

1. Michael Floyd: Notre Dame

Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd
Scott Halleran/Getty Images

New Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly kept things pretty conservative in the team's opening season win over Purdue. But expect the coach to start airing things out once new quarterback Dayne Crist gets his feet under him.

He can't keep a weapon like Michael Floyd quiet for too long.

Even though the Irish didn't throw it around as much as they will in the coming games, the 6'3" 225-lb. junior still managed to come away with five catches for 82 yards.

For my money, Floyd is the best receiver we have in the game right now.

Will the NFL scouts agree?