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Tracking college football’s highest-paid wide receivers
The college football wide receiver market has grown sporadically in recent years, with the going rate for a starting wideout in the $700,000 to $800,000 range. Sources have also pointed out the impact of Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith, who is one of the highest-paid players in the sport.
Wide receivers also transfer more than almost any other position, leading to some deals being inflated. At least five wide receivers are making north of $1 million this fall. On3 is breaking down the landscape of the college football wide receiver market. The numbers shared represent the compensation that players will receive from the school and/or NIL collective, excluding incentives.
Jeremiah Smith
The former No. 1 recruit in the nation put together one of the top true freshman seasons in recent memory in 2025. Jeremiah Smith finished his first season of college football with 76 catches for 1,315 yards, including a 56-yard catch in the national championship game to seal the win for the Buckeyes. Already viewed as the No. 1 prospect in the 2027 NFL draft, Ohio State stepped up this offseason. He’s making between $4 to $5 million this season, sources tell On3. He is believed to be one of the highest-paid players in the sport.
Ryan Williams
The other true freshman standout of the 2024 season, Ryan Williams, finished his breakout season at Alabama with 48 catches for 865 yards. He starred on the EA Sports College Football 26 cover with Smith this summer. Williams told On3 in an interview that Smith “had the better season last year … this time around, I hope I can flex.” Sources have told On3 that Williams is making north of $1.8 million this season.Carnell Tate
Rumors that Carnell Tate could hit the transfer portal were floated around this winter following Ohio State’s national title, but those never came to fruition. Through two games this season, Tate has seven catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. A complement to Smith, Tate is making north of $1.5 million this season, per sources.KC Concepcion
Viewed as one of the top transfer portal wide receivers this offseason, KC Concepcion picked Texas A&M over Alabama, Colorado, Florida State, Miami and South Carolina. The NC State transfer has nine catches for 145 yards through two games, and is on a $1 million deal this season with the Aggies, sources have told On3.Eric Singleton
Eric Singleton was the other top wide receiver to hit the transfer portal this offseason, leaving Georgia Tech to prove himself in the SEC. Auburn was immediately the school to watch in his portal recruitment. Sources have told On3 that he will make over $1 million this season for the Tigers.Cam Coleman
A former five-star recruit, Cam Coleman is now in his second season with the Tigers. Auburn has put together one of the top wide receiver rooms in the country with Coleman and Singleton. Putting that together comes at a premium. Similar to Singleton, sources have told On3 that Coleman is also making north of $1 million, sources have said.Reggie Virgil
One of the most productive wide receivers in the country through the first two weeks of the 2025 season, Texas Tech went all out to land Reggie Virgil. The Miami (Ohio) transfer product has nine catches for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Sources have said his financial package this season sits around the $800,000 mark.Dane Key
Matt Rhule made an all-out effort to surround quarterback Dylan Raiola with a stronger cast of wide receivers this offseason. The top pickup was Kentucky transfer Dane Key, who is making roughly $800,000 this season, sources have told On3. He’s proven to be a top target for Raiola through two weeks with nine catches for two touchdowns.Ryan Wingo
The top-ranked wide receiver in the 2024 class for Texas, Ryan Wingo, had a productive freshman season for the Longhorns. While his stats were below those of Smith and Williams, he finished the year with 29 catches for 472 yards. Sources have told On3 that Wingo is making north of $750,000 this season.Breaking down the rest of the field:
+ Oregon true freshman Dakorien Moore was the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the 2025 cycle. Sources have said his deal with the Ducks is at least $700,000.
+ LSU hit the portal this offseason to give Garrett Nussmeier some new options in the passing game. Kentucky transfer Barion Brown and Oklahoma transfer Nic Anderson are both on deals valued around $650,000.
+ Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews has emerged as a top target for quarterback Joey Aguilar early on in 2025. Sources have said he’s making north of $600,000.
+ Another key transfer pickup this offseason for Texas A&M was Mississippi State wideout Mario Craver. He’s making upwards of $600,000 this season and ranks second in the SEC in receiving yards to this point.
+ Louisville held onto star wideout Chris Bell this offseason despite numerous SEC schools making a run at him. He’s making upwards of $600,000 in 2025, sources have told On3.
+ Another key portal pickup for Nebraska this offseason was Cal transfer Nyziah Hunter. Sources have told On3 he signed an 18-month agreement with the Cornhuskers that is north of $800,000.
+ Alabama added to its wide receiver room this offseason with Miami transfer Isaiah Horton. Sources have put his deal for this season in the $700,000 range.
+ To paint a picture of what the rest of the wide receiver market looks like, sources have said LSU’s Aaron Anderson’s deal is around the $350,000 mark. Texas Tech transfer pickup Roy Alexander is in the $400,000 range.
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