College-Wide Receiver Transfers Set to Shine
Welcome to New Teams and New Dreams. College football wide receivers transferring to a new university can offer significant benefits. It can provide an opportunity for increased playing time, especially if the new team has a greater need for their skills. A different coaching staff might offer fresh perspectives and strategies, potentially enhancing the player’s development. Additionally, the receiver may find a better academic fit or a more supportive community.
All things can positively impact both their athletic performance and overall college experience. However, the transition also presents challenges. Adapting to a new playbook and building chemistry with a new quarterback can take time. The player could face increased competition leading to uncertainty about playing time. Socially, adjusting to a new campus environment can be daunting, potentially causing stress and impacting focus.
Below I will discuss 5 wide receivers transferring to new programs. Each wide receiver hopes their new team can bring forth new dreams of stardom at the collegiate level potentially raising their NFL draft stock.
Deion Burks, WR (Oklahoma)
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer Purdue wide receiver Deion Burks has the potential to become a top target for Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold. Burks’s remarkable speed and agility allow him to create separation from defenders and make explosive plays downfield. His route-running skills and reliable hands make him a consistent threat in short and deep-passing situations. Plus, last season he showcased some ability to gain yards after the catch converting 35% of his yards once the ball was in his hands. He has good acceleration with some elusiveness that allows him to turn routine receptions into substantial gains.
Furthermore, his experience and versatility enable him to line up in various positions across the field. Because of this, he could create matchup problems for opposing defenses. With these attributes, Burks can quickly establish a strong rapport with Arnold. If he becomes the go-to receiver he could be in for his breakout campaign. Burks has yet to see over 700 yards receiving in his 3 seasons with Purdue despite having a 50% reception rate. He will look to join his new team in hopes of obtaining new dreams as a top receiving threat for the Sooners this season.
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2021 | Purdue | Big Ten | FR | WR | 4 | 1 | 26 | 26.0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 9.7 | 0 |
| *2022 | Purdue | Big Ten | SO | WR | 14 | 15 | 149 | 9.9 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 16 | 153 | 9.6 | 0 |
| 2023 | Purdue | Big Ten | SO | WR | 12 | 47 | 629 | 13.4 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 3.0 | 0 | 51 | 641 | 12.6 | 7 |
| Career | Purdue | 63 | 804 | 12.8 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 2.7 | 0 | 70 | 823 | 11.8 | 7 | ||||
Jahmal Banks, WR (Nebraska)
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer Wake Forest wide receiver Jahmal Banks will look to become the top receiver for freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. Banks has the prototypical size to be an alpha receiver at the collegiate level and pro level. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches he possesses strong physicality that will help him emerge as a key red zone threat. He can outmuscle and outleap defenders, making him a prime target for contested catches and jump balls. In fact, throughout his career at Wake Forest, he had a 54% success rate against contested catches. His excellent body control mixed with his reliable hands allow him to be a top option for quarterbacks, especially in tight coverages. He is not known for creating many yards after a catch, however, his 66% reception rate shows he can still make an impact in the passing game.
Additionally, Banks’ ability to use his frame to shield defenders will allow him to see the field even in running scenarios. Plus, he does have great field awareness that helps him find the soft spots in zone coverages. He is not the best at gaining separation, but with his frame and physicality, he hardly needs it. Raiola will enjoy having a dependable receiving option to start his collegiate career. Wide receivers like Banks help young quarterbacks like Raiola build confidence and find their rhythm at the collegiate level.
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2020 | Wake Forest | ACC | FR | WR | 5 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 0 | |
| *2021 | Wake Forest | ACC | FR | WR | 14 | 5 | 98 | 19.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 98 | 19.6 | 0 | |
| *2022 | Wake Forest | ACC | SO | WR | 12 | 42 | 636 | 15.1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 636 | 15.1 | 9 | |
| 2023 | Wake Forest | ACC | JR | WR | 12 | 59 | 653 | 11.1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 60 | 660 | 11.0 | 4 |
| Career | Wake Forest | 107 | 1404 | 13.1 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 108 | 1411 | 13.1 | 13 | ||||
Julian Fleming, WR (Penn State)
Embed from Getty ImagesJulian Fleming is a former Ohio State wide receiver searching for his breakout opportunity. Ohio State always has a plethora of wide receivers creating difficulties for some to even find valued playing time. Fleming has now transferred to a new team, Penn State, in hopes of achieving new dreams with quarterback Drew Allar. He can gain separation because of his fluid route running a quick feet. Fleming can line up anywhere on the field, although in his career majority of his snaps have come from the outside. His experience at a high-caliber program like Ohio State equipped him with the mental toughness and competitive drive needed to excel in pressure situations. A wide receiver like Fleming could be what Allar was missing last season.
In his four seasons with Ohio State Fleming had a 63% reception rate on 125 targets. The hope would be that Fleming goes to Penn State as his 2022 version of himself, if not better. In 2022 Fleming had 533 yards with 43% of those yards coming from after the catch. Joining Penn State’s offense offers him the chance to showcase his route-running and speed in a system that emphasizes vertical passing and play-action. Penn State has great running backs, however, the addition of Fleming could unlock another dimension to the offense. His deep-threat ability and knack for gaining yards after the catch, as seen in 2022, should be fully utilized. With these attributes, Fleming is poised to make a significant impact and emerge as a key contributor to the Nittany Lions offense.
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2020 | Ohio State | Big Ten | FR | WR | 6 | 7 | 74 | 10.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 74 | 10.6 | 0 | |
| *2021 | Ohio State | Big Ten | SO | WR | 9 | 12 | 86 | 7.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 86 | 7.2 | 1 | |
| *2022 | Ohio State | Big Ten | JR | WR | 11 | 34 | 533 | 15.7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 533 | 15.7 | 6 | |
| *2023 | Ohio State | Big Ten | SR | WR | 12 | 26 | 270 | 10.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 270 | 10.4 | 0 | |
| Career | Ohio State | 79 | 963 | 12.2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 963 | 12.2 | 7 | |||||
Rico Flores Jr., WR (UCLA)
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer Notre Dame wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. decided to take his talents to UCLA for the upcoming 2024 season. He will hope to find more opportunities in the Bruins’ new-look offense. On tape, Flores shows excellent speed with agility utilizing both in his route-running. He can gain separation with his agility, but his speed allows him to be a field stretcher. As a freshman, he caught 55% of 49 targets. Flores has reliable hands that allow him to make tough catches in traffic. Moreover, Flores has a knack for yards after the catch, using his quickness and elusiveness to turn routine receptions into big plays. Last season he had 392 receiving yards with 201 of those yards coming after the catch. At UCLA, he should benefit from a system that will emphasize quick passes and explosive plays, allowing him to maximize his skillset and become a standout receiver.
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2023 | Notre Dame | Ind | FR | WR | 12 | 27 | 392 | 14.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 392 | 14.5 | 1 | |
| Career | Notre Dame | 27 | 392 | 14.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 392 | 14.5 | 1 | |||||
Ja’Mori Maclin, WR (Kentucky)
Embed from Getty ImagesNew Kentucky wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin should greatly benefit from sharing the field with fellow wide receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key. Their presence can amplify his playmaking abilities. Last season Maclin broke out with his first 1,000-yard season. His 18.9 yards per reception shows that he is a dangerous field stretcher capable of making big plays. Playing alongside Brown and Key, who command significant defensive attention due to their talents, Maclin will likely face more favorable matchups against single coverage. This dynamic allows him to exploit his quickness and route-running skills more effectively. Additionally, Maclin’s speed and ability to make acrobatic catches will add another layer to Kentucky’s passing attack. His presence on the field can also help to diversify the team’s aerial strategies, creating more opportunities for explosive plays.
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2023 | South Carolina | SEC | SR | RB | 12 | 143 | 707 | 4.9 | 3 | 22 | 153 | 7.0 | 1 | 165 | 860 | 5.2 | 4 |
| Career | South Carolina | 143 | 707 | 4.9 | 3 | 22 | 153 | 7.0 | 1 | 165 | 860 | 5.2 | 4 | ||||
Honorable Mentions:
Oregon – Evan Stewart formerly A&M
Georgia – Colbie Young formerly Miami
Texas – Isaiah Bond formerly Alabama
Ole Miss – Antwane Wells Jr formerly South Carolina
North Carolina State – Noah Rogers formerly Ohio State
Auburn – KeAndre Lambert-Smith formerly Penn State State
Notre Dame – Kris Mitchell formerly Florida International
Do not miss out on our Devy Diamonds series where S.C. Romero highlights potential NFL prospects. Stay up to date with all our videos and articles coming out by following @TheFFUniverse on X.
