As July winds down, a large number of prospects have either committed or have cut their lists down to a handful of teams. In this article, we will be taking a deep dive into what I believe to be the best wide receiver classes of the 2024 recruiting cycle so far.
Number One – Ohio State
Year in and year out, Ohio State has been the school to go to if you are a wide receiver. Brian Hartline has been doing a phenomenal job in Columbus not only developing receivers and preparing them for the NFL, but also consistently bringing in top talent out wide. It should be no surprise that they are number one on the list. Let’s take a look at who the Buckeyes have committed in the 2024 cycle, and who they are heavily in play for.
Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith is the number two overall player in the class of 2024, and there’s a very solid argument to be made that he should be number one. 247 analyst Andrew Ivins stated Jeremiah Smith is “one of the most talented wide receiver prospects to come out of South Florida in the modern recruiting era.” Standing in at 6-3, 198 pounds, Smith can do it all. He posted just over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns for Chaminade-Madonna Prep last season and was selected as a Junior All-American by MaxPreps. The crown jewel of Ohio State’s class has a bright future ahead of him at the next level.
Mylan Graham
Alongside Jeremiah Smith is Mylan Graham, a 6-1, 170-pound wide out that has drawn comparison to CeeDee Lamb. Graham is ranked as the #18 overall player nationally and is the #6 WR in the 2024 class. 247 analyst Allen Trieu projects him as a second-round draft pick and for good reason. He shows great athleticism and is a great technician when it comes to route running. He caught 48 passes for 1,149 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior in high school. The upside is there, and with Brian Hartline coaching him up, the five-star prospect is next in line to be an elite wide out at the next level.
Jeremiah McClellan (Uncommitted)
If the Buckeyes can beat out Oregon for Jeremiah McClellan, it would put a nice cherry on top of what has been yet another stellar receiver class for the Buckeyes. McClellan ranks as the #108 overall player in the class (#18 WR), and has received a handful of crystal balls in favor of Ohio State. The St. Louis, Missouri product has a thick frame and is able to go up and make contested catches. He put up just over 1,100 yards last season and hauled in 13 touchdowns on 61 catches. Barring injury, he’s in for another monster year. This isn’t one that you can take to the bank if you’re Ohio State, but I like their chances as of right now.
Number Two – Texas A&M
Despite their offensive struggles last season, Texas A&M has had a monster off-season in the recruiting world, especially at the wide receiver position. New offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has high expectations as the Aggies’ next signal caller, and it seems to be paying dividends on the recruiting trail. Let’s quickly take a look at the pass catchers that Texas A&M has committed to in the 2024 cycle.
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Cameron Coleman
Five-star wideout Cameron Coleman committed to the Aggies on July fourth and is rated as the #12 player in the country regardless of position. This was a massive win on the recruiting trail for Jimbo Fisher and the company, as many believed that he would end up elsewhere. Coleman is a lengthy receiver, standing in at 6-3, and he is a superb athlete. He can beat you with both his speed and his size, although he needs to work on some of the more technical aspects of the position. Nevertheless, Coleman could very well end up in the rotation from day one, and Aggie fans should be excited about what he brings to the table.
Drelon Miller
Miller is yet another excellent athlete that has pledged to the Aggies. He is a physical receiver, one that can go up and snatch the ball out of the air in traffic and make it look easy. His biggest strength however is his big-play ability after the catch. At the high school level, he’s taken snaps as both receiver and running back for Silsbee high school in Texas. He’s ranked as the #61 overall player in the country (#13 WR). Big-time get for Texas A&M.
Jaylan Hornsby
Jaylan Hornsby comes in as the #425 player in the 2024 class. His offer list isn’t what you’d typically see for a blue-chip recruit, but don’t let that fool you. Texas A&M really wanted this kid. The New Jersey product had a large chunk of the staff involved in his recruitment, including defensive tackles coach Elijah Robinson, as well as wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig. He stands in at 6-3, 195 pounds, and will be a big-body receiver that can make plays in the red zone.
Debron Gatling
Although he is rated as a three-star prospect, Debron Gatling boasts a rather impressive offer list, including the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and more. The Milton high school product hauled in 69 catches for 932 yards and nine touchdowns last year, and although he doesn’t possess blazing speed, he is a guy that I could see being a late riser as the recruiting cycle drags on. This is a better player than his ranking shows, and I think his offer list proves that. No matter how you spin it, this is a big pickup for Texas A&M.
Ernest Campbell
Last but not least, we have a three-star Aggie pledge, Ernest Campbell. He’s definitely a bit on the smaller side, but he makes up for that with his blazing speed. Campbell is one of the fastest players in the country, posting a lightning-fast 10.22 100-meter dash. This is a guy that can and will beat you down the field and could develop into an excellent big-play receiver at the next level with his ability to take the top off of a defense.
Number Three – Clemson
Clemson has had an elite summer on the recruiting trail, especially at the wide receiver position. With hot-shot offensive coordinator Garrett Riley joining the staff back in January, it’s no surprise that the Tigers have had success recruiting the offensive side of the ball. Let’s take a look at who Clemson has committed in the 2024 class.
Bryant Wesco
Bryant Wesco out of Midlothian, TX is one of the best receivers in the country, listed as the #16 player overall (#5 WR). Wesco was arguably one of the biggest wins on the recruiting trail for Clemson, as many believed that it was an Oklahoma-TCU battle. However, with a big push down the stretch, Clemson was able to pull one of the nation’s elite. The 6-2, 170-pound receiver put up over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns his junior season, and has all the tools to put out elite numbers at the next level. I’m excited to see what he can do in a Garrett Riley-led offense.
TJ Moore
Clemson’s other receiver commit, TJ Moore, is a guy that has produced great numbers in a tough division of high school football. The Tamps Catholic product posted over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Crusaders in his junior season. According to Andrew Ivins, Moore is a “big-play wide receiver with exceptional hands” and “explosive tendencies as a route runner.” He stands in at just over 6-3 and has all the physical tools to be an excellent big-body receiver at the next level.
