Size Doesn't Matter: NFL's 15 Best Receivers of All Time from Small Schools

On Saturday, we usually see the studs from Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama and Florida. We all know about those players, and those are the guys that we expect to take the field on Sundays when their opportunity comes around in the NFL.

Not always is this the case, though—especially with receivers. Some of the most prolific receivers of all time have come from small colleges.

Some of them were scout favorites, while others fell deep into the drafts.

Perhaps the next great receiver will come from a small school versus one of the better known ones.

As of now though, these are the 15 best receivers coming out of small colleges.

Honorable Mention: Brandon Marshall

College: Central Florida

NFL Team(s): Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins

Drafted: Round 4, Pick 119

Years: 2006-Present

Receptions: 447

Yards: 5,516

Touchdowns: 29

Why

Brandon Marshall hasn't been the same wide receiver in Miami as he was in Denver. Perhaps it was the thin air or Jay Cutler, but South Beach just hasn't been working out.

Marshall still makes this list though because when he does play, he is extremely talented and impossible to stop. Perhaps Marshall has already grown sick of Miami and is looking for a way out. Or for Andrew Luck.

15. Marques Colston

College: Hofstra

NFL Team(s): New Orleans Saints

Drafted: Round 7, Pick 252

Years: 2006-Present

Receptions: 395

Yards: 5,471

Touchdowns: 43

Why

Marques Colston is still very young, but in five-plus seasons he has already brought in 43 touchdowns and almost 5,500 yards. Colston's numbers would be perhaps higher if he didn't get injured in Week 1 of the 2011 season, but he still has a lot of time to come back.

Colston finds himself higher than some who have better numbers than him because he is on his way to reaching those numbers. With quarterback Drew Brees, Colston will only get better each season being his go-to guy.

14. Art Powell

College: San Jose State

NFL Team(s): Philadelphia Eagles, New York Titans, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings

Drafted: Round 11, Pick 123

Years: 1959-68

Receptions: 479

Yards: 8,046

Touchdowns: 81

Why

Art Powell is likely a name that many will not be as aware of as many of the others on this list, but Powell was one of the best receivers back in his day. From 1963-66 he was an AFL All-Star during his six-year stint with the Oakland Raiders.

Powell has been named to the All-Time All-AFL Team for what he produced on the field during his seven-year career in the AFL.

Photo: Courtesy of talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com

13. Don Maynard

College: Texas Western

NFL Team(s): New York Giants, New York Jets, St. Louis Cardinals

Drafted: Round 9, Pick 109

Years: 1958, 1960-1973 (AFL/NFL)

Receptions: 633

Yards: 11,834

Touchdowns: 88

Why

Another player that was more AFL than NFL, but we will merge the two together because it really shouldn't make a difference as they eventually merged themselves. Don Maynard was actually teammates with the previously mentioned Art Powell, where the two became one of premier wide receiver tandems in football with the New York Titans.

Maynard was a four-time AFL All-Star and six-time All-AFL Selection. Not only that, but Maynard was also selected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame due mostly in part to his efforts with Joe Namath on the New York Jets where they claimed a championship in Super Bowl III. Maynard now has one of the highest honors, as his jersey number has been retired by the Jets.

12. Henry Ellard

College: Fresno State

NFL Team(s): Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins and New England Patriots

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 32

Years: 1983-98

Receptions: 814

Yards: 13,777

Touchdowns: 69

Why

With a career spanning 15 years, Henry Ellard spent the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Rams. In 10 years, Ellard routinely lead the Rams in receiving, and between 1988 and 1991, he had four consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus yards. When he eventually took his himself to Washington, it was the same thing. From 1994 to 1996, Ellard had three consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards or more. 

You can now find Ellard on the sidelines, as he is the wide receivers coach for the New York Jets. Soon you should be able to find him at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, when he finally gets the honor he deserves.

11. Greg Jennings

College: Western Michigan

NFL Team(s): Green Bay Packers

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 52

Years: 2006-Present

Receptions: 364

Yards: 5,899

Touchdowns: 45

Why

The Green Bay Packers are one scary team. Greg Jennings is one scary receiver. The guy was the number one target for both Brett Favre and now Aaron Rodgers, and his career shows for it. Jennings has only been to the Pro Bowl once, last year, but he has still always been one of the biggest deep threats in the NFL.

As his role has become more and more prominent over the years, Jennings will continue to improve and produce at large numbers. By the time his career is done, he will be one of the best of his time.

10. Shannon Sharpe

College: Savannah State

NFL Team(s): Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens

Drafted: Round 7, Pick 192

Years: 1990-2003

Receptions: 815

Yards: 10,060

Touchdowns: 62

Why

There can't be enough said about Shannon Sharpe. The guy was one of the most prolific receivers during his time and he was a tight end. Playing for John Elway never hurts, either. Over his career, Sharpe had four seasons of 1,000-plus yards (in 1993 he only had 995, but I'm going to give it to him). He also won three Super Bowls with the Broncos.

Also, he was named to the Pro-Bowl team eight times over his 13 year career. His success has brought him much more success in his post NFL time, claiming a spot in the Hall of Fame and finding himself on television working for CBS for their weekly NFL program.

9. Donald Driver

College: Alcorn State

NFL Team(s): Green Bay Packers

Drafted: Round 7, Pick 213

Years: 1999-Present

Receptions: 711

Yards: 9,722

Touchdowns: 55

Why

While Greg Jennings has been receiving all the glitz and glory over the last few seasons, it was Donald Driver who got things going during the end of the Brett Favre Era.

Driver was not apart of the Packers 90s Super Bowl victories, but the long time Packer was apart of their 2010 championship. He has also been named to the Pro Bowl three different times. Most importantly, he is the Packers all time leading receiver in terms of receptions. Driver is coming close to a close on his career, but he likely has a year or two left in the tank.

8. Antonio Gates

College: Kent State

NFL Team(s): San Diego Chargers

Drafted: Undrafted

Years: 2003-Present

Receptions: 542

Yards: 7,113

Touchdowns: 70

Why

The fact that Antonio Gates was undrafted likely astonishes some people. The big San Diego Chargers tight end has been one of the most dangerous receivers in the league over the last eight seasons. He has missed significant time here and there with injuries, but when he is on the field, he plays extremely well.

Gates has seen a lot more exposure since Philip Rivers has taken over, as the Chargers have moved on to a pass-heavy offense. That was also due to the fact that lead rusher LaDainian Tomlinson was ousted by the team.

7. Andre Reed

College: Kutztown

NFL Team(s): Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins

Drafted: Round 4, Pick 86

Years: 1985-2000

Receptions: 951

Yards: 13,198

Touchdowns: 88

Why

For 15 seasons, Andre Reed was a member of the Buffalo Bills. There, he was the Bills' top receiver and went to the Super Bowl four consecutive trips without ever claiming a championship. Statistically, Reed is one of the greatest receivers of all time. He ranks near the top, and is only second to Jerry Rice in many Super Bowl records.

During those seasons in Buffalo, Reed was named to the Pro Bowl seven times. He will always be known as one of the best receivers in Bills history, but unfortunately he wasn't able to help bring them a title.

6. Rod Smith

College: Missouri Southern

NFL Team(s): Denver Broncos

Drafted: Undrafted

Years: 1994-2007

Receptions: 849

Yards: 11,389

Touchdowns: 71

Why

Another undrafted guy, Rod Smith, became one of the biggest deep threats in the NFL. Smith was another perfect complement to John Elway, like previously mentioned tight end Shannon Sharpe. The Broncos were lucky to have Smith land in their laps, as they basically picked up a Hall of Fame wideout without sacrificing a draft pick.

Smith was part of the Broncos' organization for his entire career, but was only there for the latter two Super Bowls. If it wasn't for Smith going to a D-II school, who knows if he would have been apart of these great Bronco teams of the Elway era?

5. Torry Holt

College: North Carolina State

NFL Team(s): St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 6

Years: 1999-2009

Receptions: 920

Yards: 13,382

Touchdowns: 74

Why

During the early 2000s, Torry Holt was part of what was known as the Greatest Show on Turf. The Mike Martz-led offense with quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and receivers Holt and Issac Bruce were known as the most dangerous offense in the league.

Holt spent the majority of his career with the St. Louis Rams, opting for one last chance with Jacksonville in 2009. His career was quite stellar, and it wouldn't shock most if Holt was eventually accepted in the Hall of Fame. That is a little bit down the road, but it certainly is possible Holt will be taken in.

4. Isaac Bruce

College: Memphis

NFL Team(s): St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 33

Years: 1994-2009

Receptions: 1,024

Yards: 15,208

Touchdowns: 91

Why

Speaking of the Greatest Show on Turf, nothing defined that more then Issac Bruce. OK, maybe Marshall Faulk, but Bruce was pretty important as well. During their Super Bowl XXXIV run, Bruce was the Rams' most important wideout. Torry Holt was only a rookie, but he was doing significantly well. But it was still all about Bruce and Faulk.

Bruce was Warner's number one target, bringing in 12 touchdowns in 1999. After 13 seasons with the Rams, Holt tried to revive his career in San Francisco, but those final two years just were not as kind to him. In the end, Bruce was traded to Rams just so he could at least retire for where he made the most of his career.

3. Randy Moss

College: Marshall

NFL Team(s): Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 21

Years: 1998-2010

Receptions: 954

Yards: 14,858

Touchdowns: 154

Why

This final group of guys are just so much significantly better then their fellow receivers, it is not even funny. Mostly due to touchdown receptions, Randy Moss was one of the most dangerous players in the NFL. He was extremely lanky and skinny, but wow could he catch the ball and break defenses like no other.

Moss saw the majority of his highlighted career in Minnesota playing with quarterback Daunte Culpepper. For years, the two were some of he scariest passer/receiver combos in the NFL. Moss always spelled trouble though, and eventually he was traded to the Oakland Raiders, where he almost disappeared for two seasons. 

When Randy Moss was traded from Oakland to the New England Patriots, Moss' career was revived. He was once again a big-play threat, and he and Tom Brady looked to be the perfect match.

However, after three great seasons, things built up and eventually the Patriots parted ways with Moss and sent him back to where he started, Minnesota. The Brett Favre/Randy Moss tandem never took off, and eventually the Vikings just released Moss.

He eventually finished out his career with the Titans, and then following the 2010 season he retired. The NFL lost one of its greatest receivers of all time.

2. Terrell Owens

College: Tennessee-Chattanooga

NFL Team(s): San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals and TBD

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 89

Years: 1996-Present

Receptions: 1,078

Yards: 15,934

Touchdowns: 156

Why

Perhaps he is more eccentric then the previously mentioned Randy Moss, but wow, could Terrell Owens play football. Doesn't matter what anyone says about him, he is still one of the greatest wide receivers of all time.

Owens spent the majority of his career with the 49ers, being Steve Young's favorite new target. In San Francisco, Owens was selected to five straight Pro Bowls from 2000 to 2004. When Owens finally started to act up and get bad, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles where he would be teamed up with Donovan McNabb. While many thought Super Bowl, that just never ended up happening for the Eagles. It was actually more drama for about two seasons until the Eagles finally had enough.

Owens then found himself in Dallas, where the drama ensued. He constantly had a rift with quarterback Tony Romo, and eventually owner Jerry Jones had enough of Owens' act. To say the least, Owens was somewhat successful in his first few years with Dallas, but towards the end his production fell and his drama rose, seeing his eventual demise.

After being released and in need of reshaping his image, Owens took a job with the Buffalo Bills in 2009. He was not the same Owens in Buffalo on many accounts. For one, he was extremely quiet. He also was not very effective. Owens was still great for Buffalo and its young quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Following his one-year stint with the Bills, Owens joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010 after they were looking for some relief at wide receiver. Owens and Chad Ochocinco were put together, but things were not as great as some would think. The Bengals were ineffective, and there was only so much ball to be shared with two great wideouts.

The Bengals were not very good, and they did not bring back Owens for 2011. The team pretty much got rid of Owens, Ochocinco and Carson Palmer, who were all primary pieces to the ineffective pass offense. Owens is now still looking for work, and he could be jumping on with a team any time now.

1. Jerry Rice

College: Mississippi Valley State

NFL Team(s): San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 16

Years: 1985-2004

Receptions: 1,549

Yards: 22,895

Touchdowns: 197

Why

The greatest receiver of all time came from a little school called Mississippi Valley State. Jerry Rice was no secret though, being selected in the first round. Rice was brought into a great situation, as he was drafted by the 49ers, who had just won the Super Bowl the previous season. Once Rice hit the field, he was a force to be reckoned with.

Rice and quarterback Steve Young created one of the most dangerous passer/receiver tandems that the NFL will ever see. It begs the question who made who, or perhaps both complemented each other so well, which is why they were so effective.

During his 15 years with the 49ers, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times and an All-Pro 11 times. With the 49ers, Rice also won three Super Bowls while being Super Bowl MVP once.

He ended up joining the Oakland Raiders for the 2001 season. Rice continued to shine there, having two seasons of over 1,000 yards. In 2002, he was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, while also taking the Raiders to the Super Bowl. They ended up losing that matchup to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers though.

Rice eventually called an end to his career after a short stint with the Seattle Seahawks. He went back to the 49ers to retire with the team he started with. Rice had an amazing career and was deserving of his Hall of Fame induction in 2010. Rice will be one player that will be tough for anyone to surpass.