The ACC sent five receivers to the NFL via the draft, clearing the way for another bumper crop of up-and-coming pass catchers. A corps of established talent returns, and the competition is wide open. The conference has scrapped its two-division format, and the result is a 14-team battle royale for the title in 2023. ACC quarterbacks will have stacks of targets on their radar this season, so let’s have a look at the receivers vying to lead their teams to glory.
ACC’s Best Returning Receivers
5. Antonio Williams, Clemson Tigers
Clemson was on a historic run from 2015-19, winning at least 12 games each season. The only thing that could put a dent in the Tigers’ dominance was a global pandemic. They were back in business last season, capping an 11-3 campaign with a big win over North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game and an appearance in the Orange Bowl. Williams was a big part of last year’s success, as he played his way onto numerous Freshman All-America teams.
Williams amassed 598 yards and four touchdowns on 55 catches. He appears poised for another big year now that Cade Klubnik has taken over at quarterback for the departed D.J. Uiagalelei. Williams racked up his All-America stats while making just 10 starts in 14 appearances, the most start for a Clemson true freshman receiver since Sammy Watkins in 2011.
4. Nate McCollum, North Carolina Tar Heels
McCollum saw plenty of action at Georgia Tech before transferring to Chapel Hill this off-season. Since he transferred within the conference, he qualifies for the list. He was one of the few bright spots last year for the Ramblin’ Wreck, catching 60 passes for 655 yards and three touchdowns. It will be fascinating to see what he can do with Drake Maye throwing him the ball.
McCollum made 10 starts in 29 appearances for Georgia Tech. He was fifth in the ACC with 60 receptions last year while playing for a 5-7 squad. Head Coach Mack Brown will undoubtedly be looking to incorporate him into the North Carolina offense.
3. Jalon Calhoun, Duke Blue Devils
The redshirt senior has been Mr. Consistency since his freshman season in 2019. He should continue to flourish with the return of starting quarterback Riley Leonard. Last season, Calhoun snagged 62 catches for 873 yards and four touchdowns.
Calhoun utilizes his 5-11, 190-lb frame to slip through coverages and break into the open. He had six catches for 62 yards in Duke’s 30-13 victory over UCF in the Military Bowl. His experience and talent will be instrumental in Duke improving on last year’s 9-4 record under second-year head coach Mike Elko. Could the Blue Devils be headed for a 10-win season?
2. Jahmal Banks, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Banks has been a go-to player since his freshman campaign in 2021. He played in every game as a rookie during that breakout season, when the Demon Deacons went 11-3 and won the ACC Atlantic Division.
The junior wideout from Washington, D.C., creates matchup problems with his size. At 6-4 and 208 lbs, he is a considerable challenge for any defender. Banks had 42 catches for 636 yards and nine touchdowns last year. He averaged 15.1 yards per reception, so when he gets the ball in his hands, watch out.
1. Johnny Wilson, Florida State Seminoles
When it comes to ACC wide receivers, the Megatron-sized junior is a beast, pure and simple. Wilson racked up 897 yards and five touchdowns on 43 receptions for a whopping average of 20.9 yards per catch. The only critique of his game is that he averaged just 3.3 receptions per contest.
The California native began his career with Arizona State before he showed up in Tallahassee last year and torched defenses regularly. He brings prototypical size at 6-7 and 235 lbs, and 51 percent of his catches last season went for 20 yards or more. Big things happen every time he touches the ball.
