The Pac-12 is looking to get back into the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2016. The conference has only seen two of their teams make the playoff since 2014. One of the biggest ways a team will make the CFB is to develop a highly efficient passing offense. Two teams in the conference have serious contenders for the Heisman Trophy with USC’s Caleb Williams being the reigning winner. These high-volume passers need reliable receivers to create a spark for the offense. Despite the loss of USC’s Jordan Addison, the Pac-12 is set to have wide receivers earn some great recognition with a productive 2023 season. The Pac-12 will have five wide receivers that should stand out the most going into the 2023 College Football season.
Pac-12’s Top Wide Receivers Returning in 2023
Jeremiah Hunter (California) – The Experienced Playmaker
Kicking off the list of the top pass-catchers in the Pac-12 this season is California’s fifth-year senior Jeremiah Hunter. This past season was Hunter’s breakout season at the collegiate level as he caught 60 receptions for 965 yards and five touchdowns. Before last season, he had only caught 21 receptions for 388 yards and a touchdown. He is a player that possesses great hands, developing speed after the catch, and is a shifty receiver to cover, especially in the red zone. Hunter is set to be a key player for the Golden Bears’ offense that looks to finish its rebuilding process. He is an Athlon Sports preseason second-team All-Pac-12 selection.
Jacob Cowing (Arizona) – The Shifty and Elusive Playmaker
When Jacob Cowing decided to transfer out of UTEP going into the 2022 season, he looked for exposure. Cowing caught 69 receptions for 1,354 yards and seven touchdowns in his last season at UTEP in 2021. In his first season with the Arizona Wildcats this past year, Cowing caught 85 receptions for 1,034 yards and seven touchdowns. He was one of two pass-catchers to accumulate more than 1,000 yards last season. Cowing is a fast and highly athletic slot that is a shifty and difficult player to tackle. On a screen route or a quick pass, Cowing can make plays as an elusive receiver. He is also a difficult receiver to keep in coverage as he can run multiple different routes. Cowing enters the 2023 season as a graduate student and the leading receiver from 2022.
Jalen McMillan (Washington) – The Matchup Nightmare
Last season, Washington had two wide receivers step up to give the Huskies a highly productive offense. Jalen McMillan was a four-star recruit for the Huskies’ 2020 recruiting class that finally got his chance to shine this past season. McMillan caught a team-high 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. He is one of two pass-catchers to account for 1,000 receivers for the Huskies. What makes McMillan different is his explosive get-off at the snap of the ball, dynamic route-running ability, breakout speed, ability to find the ball, and winning contested matchups. McMillan had a chance to leave early for the 2023 NFL Draft but opted to stay for another season at Washington. He is an Athlon Sports preseason second-team All-American and a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
Dorian Singer (USC) – The New Star on A Superteam Team
The USC Trojans have to reload in the passing game, specifically with the loss of Addison. The Trojans need a new #1 receiver for their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback this season. That receiver could be new transfer Dorian Singer after spending two years with the Arizona Wildcats. Singer made an impact as a freshman since arriving in 2021, but his best production was last season. In 2022, Singer caught 66 receptions for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns. Singer is a receiver that can easily win one-on-one contested matchups and make plays after the catch. He possesses incredible reach to make the plays, agility, and established route-running. He has proven to be an efficient weapon for a mid-level Wildcats team. Singer could have a Bilentnikoff Award-winning type season this upcoming year with the Trojans. He is an Athlon Sports preseason second-team All-American and a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
Rome Odunze (Washington) – The Pro-Ready Receiver
It should come as no surprise to football fans and media outlets on the West Coast that Washington Huskies’ Rome Odunze is one of the most polarizing pass-catchers in college football. What Odunze lacks in explosive speed, he makes up for in tremendous athleticism, excellent route-running, the ability to contend for the ball, and his play-making skills after the catch. Last season was a breakout year for Odunze on a hungry Washington Huskies team. In 12 games last season, Odunze caught 75 receptions for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. He had six games last season where he accumulated for at least 100 years. Other receivers have more experience or productivity, but there aren’t many receivers that can make big-time plays, but also show their pro-level talent. He enters this upcoming season as an Athlon Sports Preseason All-American and a 2022 first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
Photo courtesy: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
