College fantasy football: Top 10 wide receivers in 2026

Week 0 of the college football season kicks off on Saturday. Last year, six different wideouts popped off for over 1,200 yards, while 16 of them found the end zone ten or more times. Many of the top offensive units in college fantasy football have star quarterbacks leading the charge. The wide receivers in those units could benefit, but there are multiple other top guys who are the only option in their system and could hit big.

Some of the top receivers from last year are now gone from the college ranks, such as Skyler Bell and Makai Lemon. Still, there are some returning stars, such as Malachi Toney and Jeremiah Smith.

With some receivers in new places, some working with new offensive coordinators, and others returning to great spots, these are the top ten college fantasy wide receivers in 2026.

1. Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State

What receiver is better in the nation than Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State? He was WR2 in 2024 and WR3 in 2025.  The stud receiver put up 1,315 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2024, and followed it up with 87 receptions for 1,243 yards and 12 scores last year. Smith is the reigning Big Ten Receiver of the Year and caught just about everything, bringing in an insane 79.8 percent of his targets last year. With Julian Sayin at quarterback and his accuracy, he should be in for a good year. Still, this is the first time being the top wideout in the offense in every game. He had Carnell Tate with him last year, and both Tate and Emeka Egbuka the year before. Still, he put up insane numbers and should do so again this year.

2. Malachi Toney | Miami (FL) 

Malachi Toney finished the 2025 campaign as WR1 in terms of fantasy points. He came away with 1,211 yards on 109 catche wth 10 touchdowns for Miami. He led FBS in receptions, while setting a Miami record for receiving yards in a season. Toney also ran for 113 yards and a touchdown, while completing four of seven passes for 82 yards and another two scores. Further, Toney did all of this as a true freshman. The receiver is not even 19 years old yet and is already setting records. He will have a new quarterback this year, and there is always the possibility of the sophomore slump, but his already proven track record shows he should get plenty of volume and be a top fantasy receiver again in 2026.

3. Amare Thomas | Houston

Amare Thomas is the best receiver no one is talking about. After two solid years at UAB, he burst onto the scene last year at Houston. Thomas hauled in 67 receptions for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was not the top target to start the season, though.  Stephon Johnson went down in Week 5, and Thomas immediately stepped up, being named First-Team All-Big 12.  After Week 5 on, he hauled in 51 receptions for 682 yards and ten touchdowns. Now, Thomas is entrenched as Connor Weigman’s top target, and his numbers should show that.

4. Nick Marsh | Indiana 

Last year, Elijah Surratt was WR13 overall, coming out of the Indiana offense. He did this while Omar Cooper Jr. produced on the other side, plus Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black both running for over 1,000 yards. Now, Indiana needs to replace that production, and Nick Marsh is the man to do it. Marsh brought in 59 receptions for 662 yards and six scores while having Aidan Chiles and Alessio Milivokevic throw him the ball. Marsh had 108 targets last year, but Michigan State quarterbacks were 72nd nationally in passing efficiency, limiting his production. Now, he has Josh Hoover throwing him the ball and in a much better offense. This is a massive upside play, and Marsh has all the talent needed to be one of the best in the nation.

5. Cam Coleman | Texas

On the same line as Marsh, Cam Coleman is a receiver that upgraded his situation. Despite having to deal with three different quarterbacks throwing him the ball, including Jackson Arnold getting the bulk of the reps, Coleman put up a solid year. He brought in 56 receptions for 708 yards and five touchdowns. He also had a late-season star performance, bringing in ten catches for 143 yards and a score against Vanderbilt. Coleman already has the size and ball tracking ability to make him elite, but now has a quarterback to go with it, as Arch Manning will be slinging him the rock.

6. KJ Duff | Rutgers

KJ Duff started the season with Rutgers in 2025 as the other option in the offense, behind Ian Strong. He did not end the season that way. He brought in 60 receptions for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. Duff did this all on a team that won just five games and while being doubled much of the end of the season. Heading into his junior season, he is the top wideout on the team, and with very little competition for targets, he will be the focus of the Rutgers passing attack. Rutgers has a solid defense and running game, which could lead to tight games and needing big plays late. That is where Duff is going to shine.

7. Beau Sparks | Texas State

The only non-Power Conference receiver on the list comes from the same place as on the quarterback list, Texas State. Beau Sparks was a massive surprise last year. He was being drafted in round 20 or later in most leagues, and finished as WR5. Getting Sparks outside one of the first three rounds is not going to be an option this year. Soparks finished the year with 84 receptions for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also scored once on the ground. Further, he became the top red-zone target for Brad Jackson, and will likely be that again. He gets a ton of volume and is one of the most efficient receivers in the nation, which makes him one ofthe best fantasy options as well.

8. Wyatt Young | Oklahoma State

Wyatt Young was WR6 last year out of North Texas. He pulled in 70 receptions for 1,264 yards and ten scores, while also establishing himself as one of the most reliable hands in the nation. He was one of the best in drop rate, forced 32 missed tackles, and had 768 yards after the catch. Further, 385 of those yards came after contact. He plays the slot and often takes in a ton of volume, while also having the ability to break the big play. Young follows head coach Eric Morris and quarterback Drew Mestemaker to Oklahoma State, giving them immediate chemistry in a new place. If he can keep his volume up, Young is set for a massive year.

9. Ryan Coleman-Williams | Alabama

Ryan Coleman-Williams was a beast in his freshman campaign in 2024, bringing in 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight scores. He also ran in two on the ground. Still, he took a step back last year, with 49 receptions, but for just 689 yards and four scores. Part of that was game script, as Alabama did not pass as much as a whole in 2025 due to being ahead more often. Part of it was also the emergence of Germie Bernard on the other side. Now, Bernard is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Coleman-Williams is the undisputed top receiver in the group.

He will be moving back to the boundary role that he played in 2024, which will help him. The biggest issue is the drops. Coleman-Williams spent much of the offseason working on his hands, after dropping ten passes last year. If that work paid off, he could be a steal as the ninth receiver off the board.

10. Tanook Hines | USC

Tanook Hines did not do much as a freshman. He played mainly in the slot and commanded just ten percent of the target share. He was still third on the team in receptions for 34, while bringing in 561 yards and two scores. Meanwhile, Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane are both gone. They combined for 128 receptions for 1,901 yards and 15 touchdowns. Someone has to replace that, and Hines is the leading candidate to do so. The freshman did the most when he had chances last year. He had just two games in which he had six or more receptions. In those two games, he brought in 304 yards and a touchdown.

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