Last year, 10 FCS players surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yardage.
Not one of them is back, whether it’s because eligibility was all used up or they moved on to a new school.
But that hardly means the FCS is devoid of talent at the WR position. Take a look, conference by conference, at the best receivers in the FCS for 2024.
RELATED: Top 25 Returning FCS WRs Nationally
BIG SKY
Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 84 receptions, 932 yards, 8 TDs
First off, we’re saving Montana’s Junior Bergen for a different category that we’re spotlighting this week. And we know Bergen has a pro career ahead. Statistically, Chism had a stronger season – receiving-wise only. And there, we got that out of the way. It’s impossible to deny that Chism has had one helluva career (226 receptions, 2,541 yards, 24 TDs).
BIG SOUTH-OVC
DeVonte Tanksley, UT Martin, Grad.
2023 STAT LINE: 54 receptions, 698 yards, 4 TDs
Tanksley is a great story, beginning his career at Catawba College and turning into a primary receiving threat at UT Martin. With QB Kinkead Dent back throwing the ball, expect big things here. Lindenwood’s Jeff Caldwell should also have a good year.
CAA
Nick DeGennaro, Richmond, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 71 receptions, 904 yards, 11 TDs
Considered a pro prospect by Draft Scout, DeGennaro tied a Spiders’ program record with 11 receiving touchdowns last year. After beginning his career at Maryland, he has become a major part of the passing attack since 2022.
IVY
Jared Richardson, Penn, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 67 receptions, 788 yards, 8 TDs
Only a rising junior, this Pennsylvania native truly broke through in the passing game after playing sparingly his freshman season. His 2023 highlight game came when he set a school record with 17 receptions against Yale, while also adding 191 yards and a TD.
MEAC
Kasey Hawthorne, Howard, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 38 receptions, 535 yards, 5 TDs; rushed for 5 TDs
If you want to find talent quickly, dive down to Florida. That’s what Howard did when they found Kasey Hawthorne in the Heartland of the Sunshine State. Hawthorne was a key part of the Bison MEAC title season of 2023, and he can help a team win in several different ways.
MVFC
Carter Bell, South Dakota, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 52 receptions, 908 yards, 5 TDs
Picking a top returning receiver from the Missouri Valley Football Conference isn’t an easy task. USD’s Carter Bell clearly had a special year last year, while North Dakota’s Bo Belquist (66 catches, 772 yards, 6 TDs) and Illinois State Daniel Sobkowicz (68-933-10, underclassman) also could easily fill that role. Look for big things from all three.
NEC
Noah Robinson, Robert Morris, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 70 receptions, 846 yards, 6 TDs
As Robert Morris transitions from the Big South-OVC to the NEC this fall, the Colonials can be confident they’ll once again have a talented primary target for talented quarterback Anthony Chiccitt.
PATRIOT
Garrett Cody, Fordham, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 54 receptions, 856 yards, 7 TDs
Like some of the other conferences mentioned in this piece, this spot for the Patriot League was a tough call. Colgate’s Treyvohn Saunders (68 catches, 859 yards, 4 TDs) also had an impressive 2023 and he’s back. We gave the nod to Cody because last year he shared the ball with stud WR M.J. Wright, and this year QB C.J. Montes will need Cody to step up even more.
PIONEER
Ryan Upp, Morehead State, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 55 receptions, 833 yards, 9 TDs
After recording just two total receptions and 11 yards in his first two seasons at Morehead State, Upp exploded in year three, 2023. He led the Pioneer League in receiving yards per game last year (75.7 ypg).
SOCON
Javin Whatley, Chattanooga, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 55 receptions, 977 yards, 9 TDs
Sorry, SoCon, Whatley’s only just getting started. Oh, and he was the Mocs’ primary kick returner last year, too. Even as a redshirt freshman, he had six starts and caught 29 passes for 451 yards. Against Alabama last year, he had a 54-yard reception.
SOUTHLAND
Darius Lewis, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 48 receptions for 568 yards and 4 TDs; 16 punt returns for 221 yards
Lewis was a 2023 All-Southland selection at punt returner (1st Team) and wide receiver (2nd Team). He returned 16 punts for 221 yards while hauling in 48 receptions for 568 yards and four TDs.
SWAC
Jacolby Hewitt, Alabama A&M, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 32 receptions, 516 yards, 4 TDs in 9 games
Several top SWAC receivers have moved on, but Memphis native Hewitt is expected to be back in the lineup for the Bulldogs this fall. He has also played at Indiana and FIU in his career.
UAC
Takairee Kenebrew, North Alabama, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 42 receptions, 669 yards, 10 TDs
Just call Kenebrew the wise old man at North Alabama. He first touched the ball for UNA back in 2018, when some of this fall’s freshmen were still in middle school. It was thought his eligibility was all used up when he played the final game of 2023, but the NCAA granted a rare 7th year of eligibility due to an early injury sustained in his career, plus the situation with COVID. He enters 2024 with 26 career touchdowns. Tarleton State’s Darius Cooper is also an impressive UAC returnee.
