The list of college football yearly receiving leaders identifies the major college receiving leaders for each season from 1937 to the present. It includes yearly leaders in three statistical categories: (1) receptions, (2) receiving yardage; (3) yards per reception; and (4) receiving touchdowns.
Eleven players have led the NCAA in one or more of these categories in multiple seasons. They are: Reid Moseley of Georgia (1944–1945); Hugh Campbell of Washington State (1960–1961); Vern Burke of Oregon State (1962–1963); Howard Twilley of Tulsa (1964–1965); Ron Sellers of Florida State (1967–1968); Jerry Hendren of Idaho (1968–1969); Mike Siani of Villanova (1970–1971); Steve Largent of Tulsa (1974–1975); Jason Phillips of Houston (1987–1988); Alex Van Dyke of Nevada (1994–1995); and Brennan Marion of Tulsa (2007–2008).
Since 1937, the NCAA record for receiving yards in a single season has been set or broken nine times as follows: Jim Benton of Arkansas in 1937 (814 yards); Hank Stanton of Arizona in 1941 (820 yards); Ed Barker of Washington State 1951 (864 yards); Hugh Campbell of Washington State in 1960 (881 yards); Vern Burke of Oregon State in 1962 (1,007 yards); Fred Biletnikoff of Florida State in 1964 (1,179 yards); Howard Twilley of Tulsa in 1965 (1,779 yards); Alex Van Dyke of Nevada in 1995 (1,854 yards); and Trevor Insley of Nevada in 1999 (2,060 yards).
During that same time, the record for receptions in a single season has been set or broken 13 times as follows: Jim Benton of Arkansas in 1937 (48); Hank Stanton of Arizona in 1941 (50); Barney Poole of Ole Miss in 1947 (52); Ed Brown of Fordham in 1952 (57); Dave Hibbert of Arizona in 1958 (61); Hugh Campbell of Washington State in 1962 (69); Larry Elkins of Baylor in 1963 (70); Howard Twilley of Tulsa in 1964 (95) and 1965 (134); Manny Hazard of Houston in 1989 (142); Freddie Barnes of Bowling Green in 2009 (155); and Zay Jones of East Carolina in 2016 (158).
Programs with multiple receiving leaders (at least three different individuals, in any of the four categories) include:
Year | Name | Rec | Name | Rec Yds | Name | Yds/Rec | Name | Rec TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 |
Jim Benton (Arkansas) |
48 [1] [2] | Jim Benton | 814 [2] | Walter Nelson (Michigan State) |
21.6 | ||
1938 |
Sam Boyd (Baylor) |
32 [3] | Sam Boyd | 537 [3] |
Elmer Tarbox (Texas Tech) |
21.4 [3] | ||
1939 |
Ken Kavanaugh (LSU) |
30 [3] | Ken Kavanaugh | 467 [3] | Earle Clark (Texas Tech) |
17.3 [3] | ||
1940 | Eddie Bryant (Virginia) |
30 [4] |
Don Vosberg (Marquette) |
526 [4] | Don Vosberg | 21.9 [4] | ||
1941 |
Hank Stanton (Arizona) |
50 [4] | Hank Stanton | 820 [4] | Lenny Krouse (Penn State) |
16.8 [4] | ||
1942 | Bill Rogers (Texas A&M) |
39 [5] | Harding Miller (SMU) |
531 [5] |
George Poschner (Georgia) |
20.5 [5] | ||
1943 |
Neill Armstrong (Oklahoma A&M) |
39 [6] |
Marion Flanagan (Texas A&M) |
403 [6] | Marion Flanagan Billy Collins (VMI) |
17.5 [6] | ||
1944 |
Reid Moseley (Georgia) |
32 [7] | Reid Moseley | 506 [7] |
Cecil Hankins (Oklahoma State) |
24.9 [7] | ||
1945 |
Reid Moseley (Georgia) Gene Wilson (SMU) Steve Contos (Michigan State) |
31 [8] | Reid Moseley | 662 [8] | Reid Moseley | 21.4 [8] | ||
1946 |
Neill Armstrong (Oklahoma State) James Montgomery (Arizona State) |
32 [9] |
Broughton Williams (Florida) |
490 [9] | Broughton Williams | 16.9 [9] | ||
1947 |
Barney Poole (Ole Miss) |
52 [10] | John Smith (Arizona) |
568 [10] | John Smith | 18.3 [10] | ||
1948 |
Red O'Quinn (Wake Forest) |
39 [11] | Red O'Quinn | 605 [11] |
Dick Wilkins (Oregon) |
19.3 [11] | ||
1949 |
Art Weiner (North Carolina) |
52 [12] |
Vito Ragazzo (William & Mary) |
793 [12] | Vito Ragazzo | 18.0 [12] | ||
1950 | Gordon Cooper (Denver) |
46 [13] |
Bucky Curtis (Vanderbilt) |
791 [14] | Bucky Curtis | 29.3 [15] | ||
1951 |
Dewey McConnell (Wyoming) |
47 [16] |
Ed Barker (Washington State) |
864 [16] | Ed Barker | 18.8 [16] | ||
1952 |
Ed Brown (Fordham) |
57 [17] | Ed Brown | 774 [17] | Jimmy Byron (VMI) |
18.9 [17] | ||
1953 |
Johnny Carson (Georgia) Ken Buck (Pacific) Sam Morley (Stanford) |
45 [18] | Johnny Carson | 663 [18] | Dave McLaughlin (Dartmouth) |
19.1 [18] | ||
1954 |
Jim Hanifan (California) |
45 [19] | John Stewart (Stanford) |
577 [19] | Andrew Nacrelli (Fordham) |
19.7 [19] | ||
1955 |
Hank Burnine (Missouri) |
44 [20] [21] | Hank Burnine | 594 [21] |
Jimmy Orr (Georgia) |
18.5 [21] | ||
1956 [22] |
Art Powell (San Jose State) |
40 |
Bill Steiger (Washington State) |
607 | Jim Morse (Notre Dame) |
22.1 | 3-way tie | 6 |
1957 [23] |
Stuart Vaughan (Utah) |
53 | Stuart Vaughan | 756 |
Buddy Dial (Rice) |
24.2 | Jack Fanning (Washington State) |
9 |
1958 [24] |
Dave Hibbert (Arizona) |
61 |
Rich Kreitling (Illinois) |
688 | Rich Kreitling | 29.9 |
Bob Simms (Rutgers) |
9 |
1959 [25] |
Chris Burford (Stanford) |
61 | Chris Burford (Pacific) |
757 |
Bake Turner (Texas Tech) |
20.2 |
Paul Maguire (The Citadel) |
10 |
1960 [26] |
Hugh Campbell (Washington State) |
66 | Hugh Campbell | 881 [27] | Chuck Bryant Ohio State |
19.8 | Hugh Campbell | 10 |
1961 [28] |
Hugh Campbell (Washington State) |
53 |
Pat Richter (Wisconsin) |
817 | Jim Stewart Navy |
21.7 |
Larry Vargo (Detroit) Pat Richter |
8 |
1962 [29] |
Vern Burke (Oregon State) |
69 | Vern Burke | 1007 |
Hal Bedsole (USC) |
25.1 | Hal Bedsole | 11 |
1963 [30] |
Larry Elkins (Baylor) |
70 | Larry Elkins | 873 |
Paul Krause (Iowa) |
23.3 |
Vern Burke (Oregon State) Bob Long (Wichita State) |
9 |
1964 [31] |
Howard Twilley (Tulsa) |
95 |
Fred Biletnikoff (Florida State) |
1179 | Joe Chapman (Idaho) |
25.4 | Fred Biletnikoff | 15 |
1965 [32] |
Howard Twilley (Tulsa) |
134 | Howard Twilley | 1779 |
Larry Seiple (Kentucky) |
23.5 | Howard Twilley | 16 |
1966 [33] | Glenn Meltzer (Wichita State) |
91 |
John Love (North Texas) |
1130 |
Gene Washington (Michigan State) |
25.1 |
Ken Hebert (Houston) |
11 |
1967 [34] |
Bob Goodridge (Vanderbilt) |
79 |
Ron Sellers (Florida State) |
1228 | Mike Carroll (New Mexico State) |
24.1 |
Ronnie Shanklin (North Texas) |
13 |
1968 [35] |
Ron Sellers (Florida State) Jerry Hendren (Idaho) |
86 |
Ron Sellers (Florida State) |
1496 |
Elmo Wright (Houston) |
27.9 | Jerry Hendren (Idaho) |
14 |
1969 [36] |
Jerry Hendren (Idaho) |
95 | Jerry Hendren | 1452 |
Mel Gray (Missouri) |
27.1 | Tom Reynolds (San Diego State) |
18 |
1970 [37] | Mike Mikolayunas (Davidson) |
87 |
Mike Siani (Villanova) |
1328 | Larry Hart (Louisville) |
24.1 |
Ernie Jennings (Air Force) |
17 |
1971 [38] | Tom Reynolds (San Diego State) |
67 |
Brian Baima (The Citadel) |
1230 |
Tom Scott (Washington) |
23.4 | Mike Siani (Villanova) |
14 |
1972 [39] |
Tom Forzani (Utah State) |
85 |
Barry Smith (Florida State) |
1243 | Richard Agle (Appalachian State) |
25.2 | Barry Smith Steve Sweeney (California) |
13 |
1973 [40] |
Jay Miller (BYU) |
100 | Jay Miller | 1181 | Larry Stokes (Chattanooga) |
27.9 | Keith Denson (San Diego State) |
11 |
1974 [41] |
Dwight McDonald (San Diego State) |
86 |
Willie Miller (Colorado State) |
1193 | Tracy Dickson (West Texas A&M) |
26.8 |
Steve Largent (Tulsa) |
14 |
1975 [42] | Dave Quehl (Holy Cross) |
63 |
Steve Largent (Tulsa) |
1000 |
Kelvin Kirk (Dayton) |
24.5 | Steve Largent | 14 |
1976 [43] |
Billy Ryckman (Louisiana Tech) |
77 | Billy Ryckman | 1382 |
Jim Smith (Michigan) |
27.5 | 4-way tie | 10 |
1977 [44] |
Wayne Tolleson (Western Carolina) |
73 | Rod Foppe (Louisiana Tech) |
1274 | Ernest Gray (Memphis) |
29.5 | 3-way tie | 12 |
1978 [45] | Rick Beasley (Appalachian State) |
74 | Rick Beasley | 1205 |
Mark Nichols (San Jose State) |
26.7 | 3-way tie | 11 |
1979 [46] |
Dave Petzke (Northern Illinois) |
91 | Dave Petzke | 1215 | Joe Burke (Chattanooga) |
28.1 | Gerald Lucear (Temple) |
13 |
1980 [47] |
Dave Young (Purdue) |
70 | Rainey Meszaros (Pacific) |
1062 |
Dwight Collins (Pittsburgh) |
27.6 |
Clay Brown (BYU) |
15 |
1981 [48] |
Tim Kearse (San Jose State) |
71 |
Jim Sandusky (UNLV) |
1346 |
Mike Whitwell (Texas A&M) |
27.1 |
Julius Dawkins (Pittsburgh) |
16 |
1982 [49] |
Mike Martin (Illinois) |
69 |
Henry Ellard (Fresno State) |
1510 |
Herkie Walls (Texas) |
28.1 | Henry Ellard | 15 |
1983 [50] | Keith Edwards (Vanderbilt) |
97 |
Jim Sandusky (San Diego State) |
1171 |
Reggie Bynum (Oregon State) |
24.2 | Kirk Pendleton (BYU) |
11 |
1984 [51] |
David Williams (Illinois) |
101 | David Williams | 1278 | Ronnie Kelley (Tulsa) |
25.0 | Doug Allen (Arizona State) |
14 |
1985 [52] |
Rodney Carter (Purdue) |
98 |
Marc Zeno (Tulane) |
1137 |
Stephen Baker (Fresno State) |
29.1 | Mark Bellini (BYU) |
14 |
1986 [53] | Mark Templeton (Long Beach State) |
99 |
Wendell Davis (LSU) |
1244 | Keith Gloster (Temple) |
24.7 | Andy Schillinger (Miami [OH]) |
12 |
1987 [54] |
Jason Phillips (Houston) |
99 |
Ernie Jones (Indiana) |
1265 | Willie Vaughn (Kansas) |
26.9 |
Tommy Kane (Syracuse) |
14 |
1988 [55] |
Jason Phillips (Houston) |
108 | Jason Phillips | 1444 | Calvin Phillips (West Virginia) |
25.5 | Jason Phillips | 15 |
1989 [56] |
Manny Hazard (Houston) |
142 | Manny Hazard | 1689 | Randy Jackson (Rutgers) |
28.5 | Manny Hazard | 22 |
1990 [57] | Eric Morgan (New Mexico) |
80 |
Patrick Rowe (San Diego State) |
1392 | Bryan Rowley (Utah) |
27.2 | Tracey Jenkins (Utah State) Daryl Hobbs (Pacific) |
14 |
1991 [58] | Fred Gilbert (Houston) |
106 |
Aaron Turner (Pacific) |
1604 | Melvin Bonner (Baylor) |
24.6 |
Desmond Howard (Michigan) |
19 |
1992 [59] | Sherman Smith (Houston) |
103 |
Ryan Yarborough (Wyoming) |
1351 | Ron Peters (Houston) |
26.2 |
Sean Dawkins (California) |
14 |
1993 [60] |
Chris Penn (Tulsa) |
105 | Chris Penn | 1578 | Jay Kearney (West Virginia) |
25.9 |
Bryan Reeves (Nevada) J. J. Stokes (UCLA) |
17 |
1994 [61] | Alex Van Dyke (Nevada) |
98 |
Marcus Harris (Wyoming) |
1431 | Jimmy Oliver (TCU) |
23.8 |
Jack Jackson (Florida) |
15 |
1995 [62] |
Alex Van Dyke (Nevada) |
129 | Alex Van Dyke | 1854 |
Terry Glenn
[63] (Ohio State) |
22.0 | Terry Glenn Chris Doering (Florida) |
17 |
1996 [64] | Damond Wilkins (Nevada) |
114 |
Marcus Harris
[63] (Wyoming) |
1650 | Marcus Robinson (South Carolina) |
24.0 |
Reidel Anthony (Florida) |
18 |
1997 [65] |
Eugene Baker (Kent State) |
103 |
Randy Moss
[63] (Marshall) |
1820 | Corey Alston (Washington State) |
23.8 | Randy Moss | 26 |
1998 [66] |
Troy Edwards
[63] (Louisiana Tech) |
140 | Troy Edwards | 1996 | Kevin Coffey (Virginia) |
25.3 | Troy Edwards | 27 |
1999 [67] |
Trevor Insley (Nevada) |
134 | Trevor Insley | 2060 |
André Davis (Virginia Tech) |
25.5 | Trevor Insley James Williams (Marshall) |
13 |
2000 [68] |
James Jordan (Louisiana Tech) |
109 |
Snoop Minnis (Florida State) |
1340 |
Derrick Lewis (San Diego State) |
25.2 |
Lee Mays (UTEP) |
15 |
2001 [69] |
Rodney Wright (Fresno State) |
104 |
Josh Reed
[63] (LSU) |
1740 |
Doug Gabriel (UCF) |
28.7 |
Ashley Lelie (Hawaii) |
19 |
2002 [70] |
Nate Burleson (Nevada) |
138 |
J. R. Tolver (San Diego State) |
1785 |
Brandon Middleton (Houston) |
24.1 |
Rashaun Woods (Oklahoma State) |
17 |
2003 [71] |
Lance Moore (Toledo) |
103 |
Larry Fitzgerald
[63] (Pittsburgh) |
1672 | Dwight Counter (New Mexico) Lawrence Brady (Boise State) |
25.0 | Larry Fitzgerald | 22 |
2004 [72] |
Dante Ridgeway (Ball State) |
105 |
Roddy White (UAB) |
1452 | Dan Sheldon (Northern Illinois) |
23.4 |
Chad Owens (Hawaii) |
17 |
2005 [73] |
Greg Jennings (Western Michigan) |
98 |
Mike Hass
[63] (Oregon State) |
1532 | Matt Miller (Arizona State) |
23.5 |
Dwayne Jarrett (USC) |
16 |
2006 [74] |
Davone Bess (Hawaii) |
96 |
Chris Williams (New Mexico State) |
1425 | Terry Moss (Ball State) |
25.4 |
Jarett Dillard (Rice) |
21 |
2007 [75] |
Michael Crabtree
[63] (Texas Tech) |
134 |
Michael Crabtree
[63] (Texas Tech) |
1962 |
Brennan Marion (Tulsa) |
31.9 |
Michael Crabtree
[63] (Texas Tech) |
22 |
2008 [76] |
Casey Fitzgerald (North Texas) |
113 |
Austin Collie (BYU) |
1538 |
Brennan Marion (Tulsa) |
25.9 |
Jarett Dillard (Rice) |
20 |
2009 [77] |
Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green) |
155 |
Danario Alexander (Missouri) |
1781 | Owen Spencer (NC State) |
25.5 |
Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green) |
19 |
2010 [78] |
Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma) |
131 |
Greg Salas (Hawaii) |
1889 |
Kris Adams (UTEP) |
22.8 |
Justin Blackmon
[63] (Oklahoma State) |
20 |
2011 [79] |
Jordan White (Western Michigan) |
140 |
Jordan White (Western Michigan) |
1911 |
Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech) |
29.3 |
Patrick Edwards (Houston) |
20 |
2012 [80] |
Marqise Lee
[63] (USC) |
118 |
Terrance Williams (Baylor) |
1832 | Willis Wright (FIU) |
25.3 |
Stedman Bailey (West Virginia) |
25 |
2013 [81] |
Davante Adams (Fresno State) |
131 |
Brandin Cooks
[63] (Oregon State) |
1730 | Devon Cajuste (Stanford) |
22.9 |
Davante Adams (Fresno State) |
24 |
2014 [82] |
Amari Cooper
[63] (Alabama) |
124 |
Rashard Higgins (Colorado State) |
1750 |
Devin Smith (Ohio State) |
28.2 |
Rashard Higgins (Colorado State) |
18 |
2015 [83] |
Tajae Sharpe (UMass) |
111 |
Keyarris Garrett (Tulsa) |
1588 |
Mack Hollins (North Carolina) |
24.8 |
Corey Coleman (Baylor) |
20 |
2016 [84] |
Zay Jones (East Carolina) |
158 |
Trent Taylor (Louisiana Tech) |
1803 | Jalen Robinette (Air Force) |
27.4 |
Corey Davis (Western Michigan) & Carlos Henderson (Louisiana Tech) |
19 |
2017 [85] |
Trey Quinn (SMU) |
114 |
James Washington (Oklahoma State) |
1549 | Aaron Cephus (Rice) |
24.9 |
Anthony Miller (Memphis) & David Sills V (West Virginia) |
18 |
2018 [86] |
Rondale Moore (Purdue) |
114 |
Andy Isabella (UMass) |
1698 | Xavier Ubosi (UAB) |
23.9 |
John Ursua (Hawaii) |
16 |
2019 [87] |
Justin Jefferson (LSU) |
111 |
Ja'Marr Chase (LSU) |
1780 | Geraud Sanders (Air Force) |
24.87 |
Ja'Marr Chase (LSU) |
20 |
2020 |
DeVonta Smith (Alabama) |
117 |
DeVonta Smith (Alabama) |
1,856 |
D'Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan) |
23.1 |
DeVonta Smith (Alabama) |
23 |
Before 1937 the NCAA did not compile official statistics. This chart reflects unofficial receiving statistics compiled by historians mostly from newspapers accounts.
Year | Name | Rec | Name | Rec Yds | Name | Yds/Rec | Name | Rec TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1915 |
Bert Baston (Minnesota) |
|||||||
1916 |
Bert Baston (Minnesota) |
|||||||
1917 | ||||||||
1918 |
Bernard Kirk
[88] (Notre Dame) |
7 | ||||||
1919 |
Bernard Kirk
[88] (Notre Dame) |
21 | Bernard Kirk | 372 | ||||
1920 |
Eddie Anderson
[89] (Notre Dame) |
17 | Eddie Anderson | 293 | ||||
1921 |
Eddie Anderson
[88] (Notre Dame) |
26 | Eddie Anderson | 394 | ||||
1922 | ||||||||
1923 | ||||||||
1924 | ||||||||
1925 |
Myles Lane
[90] (Dartmouth) |
7 | ||||||
1926 | ||||||||
1927 | ||||||||
1928 | ||||||||
1929 |
Wear Schoonover
[88] (Arkansas) |
33 | ||||||
1930 | ||||||||
1931 | ||||||||
1932 | ||||||||
1933 | ||||||||
1934 |
Don Hutson (Alabama) |
19 | ||||||
1935 | ||||||||
1936 |
Jim Benton
[88] (Arkansas) |
35 |
The list of college football yearly receiving leaders identifies the major college receiving leaders for each season from 1937 to the present. It includes yearly leaders in three statistical categories: (1) receptions, (2) receiving yardage; (3) yards per reception; and (4) receiving touchdowns.
Eleven players have led the NCAA in one or more of these categories in multiple seasons. They are: Reid Moseley of Georgia (1944–1945); Hugh Campbell of Washington State (1960–1961); Vern Burke of Oregon State (1962–1963); Howard Twilley of Tulsa (1964–1965); Ron Sellers of Florida State (1967–1968); Jerry Hendren of Idaho (1968–1969); Mike Siani of Villanova (1970–1971); Steve Largent of Tulsa (1974–1975); Jason Phillips of Houston (1987–1988); Alex Van Dyke of Nevada (1994–1995); and Brennan Marion of Tulsa (2007–2008).
Since 1937, the NCAA record for receiving yards in a single season has been set or broken nine times as follows: Jim Benton of Arkansas in 1937 (814 yards); Hank Stanton of Arizona in 1941 (820 yards); Ed Barker of Washington State 1951 (864 yards); Hugh Campbell of Washington State in 1960 (881 yards); Vern Burke of Oregon State in 1962 (1,007 yards); Fred Biletnikoff of Florida State in 1964 (1,179 yards); Howard Twilley of Tulsa in 1965 (1,779 yards); Alex Van Dyke of Nevada in 1995 (1,854 yards); and Trevor Insley of Nevada in 1999 (2,060 yards).
During that same time, the record for receptions in a single season has been set or broken 13 times as follows: Jim Benton of Arkansas in 1937 (48); Hank Stanton of Arizona in 1941 (50); Barney Poole of Ole Miss in 1947 (52); Ed Brown of Fordham in 1952 (57); Dave Hibbert of Arizona in 1958 (61); Hugh Campbell of Washington State in 1962 (69); Larry Elkins of Baylor in 1963 (70); Howard Twilley of Tulsa in 1964 (95) and 1965 (134); Manny Hazard of Houston in 1989 (142); Freddie Barnes of Bowling Green in 2009 (155); and Zay Jones of East Carolina in 2016 (158).
Programs with multiple receiving leaders (at least three different individuals, in any of the four categories) include:
Year | Name | Rec | Name | Rec Yds | Name | Yds/Rec | Name | Rec TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 |
Jim Benton (Arkansas) |
48 [1] [2] | Jim Benton | 814 [2] | Walter Nelson (Michigan State) |
21.6 | ||
1938 |
Sam Boyd (Baylor) |
32 [3] | Sam Boyd | 537 [3] |
Elmer Tarbox (Texas Tech) |
21.4 [3] | ||
1939 |
Ken Kavanaugh (LSU) |
30 [3] | Ken Kavanaugh | 467 [3] | Earle Clark (Texas Tech) |
17.3 [3] | ||
1940 | Eddie Bryant (Virginia) |
30 [4] |
Don Vosberg (Marquette) |
526 [4] | Don Vosberg | 21.9 [4] | ||
1941 |
Hank Stanton (Arizona) |
50 [4] | Hank Stanton | 820 [4] | Lenny Krouse (Penn State) |
16.8 [4] | ||
1942 | Bill Rogers (Texas A&M) |
39 [5] | Harding Miller (SMU) |
531 [5] |
George Poschner (Georgia) |
20.5 [5] | ||
1943 |
Neill Armstrong (Oklahoma A&M) |
39 [6] |
Marion Flanagan (Texas A&M) |
403 [6] | Marion Flanagan Billy Collins (VMI) |
17.5 [6] | ||
1944 |
Reid Moseley (Georgia) |
32 [7] | Reid Moseley | 506 [7] |
Cecil Hankins (Oklahoma State) |
24.9 [7] | ||
1945 |
Reid Moseley (Georgia) Gene Wilson (SMU) Steve Contos (Michigan State) |
31 [8] | Reid Moseley | 662 [8] | Reid Moseley | 21.4 [8] | ||
1946 |
Neill Armstrong (Oklahoma State) James Montgomery (Arizona State) |
32 [9] |
Broughton Williams (Florida) |
490 [9] | Broughton Williams | 16.9 [9] | ||
1947 |
Barney Poole (Ole Miss) |
52 [10] | John Smith (Arizona) |
568 [10] | John Smith | 18.3 [10] | ||
1948 |
Red O'Quinn (Wake Forest) |
39 [11] | Red O'Quinn | 605 [11] |
Dick Wilkins (Oregon) |
19.3 [11] | ||
1949 |
Art Weiner (North Carolina) |
52 [12] |
Vito Ragazzo (William & Mary) |
793 [12] | Vito Ragazzo | 18.0 [12] | ||
1950 | Gordon Cooper (Denver) |
46 [13] |
Bucky Curtis (Vanderbilt) |
791 [14] | Bucky Curtis | 29.3 [15] | ||
1951 |
Dewey McConnell (Wyoming) |
47 [16] |
Ed Barker (Washington State) |
864 [16] | Ed Barker | 18.8 [16] | ||
1952 |
Ed Brown (Fordham) |
57 [17] | Ed Brown | 774 [17] | Jimmy Byron (VMI) |
18.9 [17] | ||
1953 |
Johnny Carson (Georgia) Ken Buck (Pacific) Sam Morley (Stanford) |
45 [18] | Johnny Carson | 663 [18] | Dave McLaughlin (Dartmouth) |
19.1 [18] | ||
1954 |
Jim Hanifan (California) |
45 [19] | John Stewart (Stanford) |
577 [19] | Andrew Nacrelli (Fordham) |
19.7 [19] | ||
1955 |
Hank Burnine (Missouri) |
44 [20] [21] | Hank Burnine | 594 [21] |
Jimmy Orr (Georgia) |
18.5 [21] | ||
1956 [22] |
Art Powell (San Jose State) |
40 |
Bill Steiger (Washington State) |
607 | Jim Morse (Notre Dame) |
22.1 | 3-way tie | 6 |
1957 [23] |
Stuart Vaughan (Utah) |
53 | Stuart Vaughan | 756 |
Buddy Dial (Rice) |
24.2 | Jack Fanning (Washington State) |
9 |
1958 [24] |
Dave Hibbert (Arizona) |
61 |
Rich Kreitling (Illinois) |
688 | Rich Kreitling | 29.9 |
Bob Simms (Rutgers) |
9 |
1959 [25] |
Chris Burford (Stanford) |
61 | Chris Burford (Pacific) |
757 |
Bake Turner (Texas Tech) |
20.2 |
Paul Maguire (The Citadel) |
10 |
1960 [26] |
Hugh Campbell (Washington State) |
66 | Hugh Campbell | 881 [27] | Chuck Bryant Ohio State |
19.8 | Hugh Campbell | 10 |
1961 [28] |
Hugh Campbell (Washington State) |
53 |
Pat Richter (Wisconsin) |
817 | Jim Stewart Navy |
21.7 |
Larry Vargo (Detroit) Pat Richter |
8 |
1962 [29] |
Vern Burke (Oregon State) |
69 | Vern Burke | 1007 |
Hal Bedsole (USC) |
25.1 | Hal Bedsole | 11 |
1963 [30] |
Larry Elkins (Baylor) |
70 | Larry Elkins | 873 |
Paul Krause (Iowa) |
23.3 |
Vern Burke (Oregon State) Bob Long (Wichita State) |
9 |
1964 [31] |
Howard Twilley (Tulsa) |
95 |
Fred Biletnikoff (Florida State) |
1179 | Joe Chapman (Idaho) |
25.4 | Fred Biletnikoff | 15 |
1965 [32] |
Howard Twilley (Tulsa) |
134 | Howard Twilley | 1779 |
Larry Seiple (Kentucky) |
23.5 | Howard Twilley | 16 |
1966 [33] | Glenn Meltzer (Wichita State) |
91 |
John Love (North Texas) |
1130 |
Gene Washington (Michigan State) |
25.1 |
Ken Hebert (Houston) |
11 |
1967 [34] |
Bob Goodridge (Vanderbilt) |
79 |
Ron Sellers (Florida State) |
1228 | Mike Carroll (New Mexico State) |
24.1 |
Ronnie Shanklin (North Texas) |
13 |
1968 [35] |
Ron Sellers (Florida State) Jerry Hendren (Idaho) |
86 |
Ron Sellers (Florida State) |
1496 |
Elmo Wright (Houston) |
27.9 | Jerry Hendren (Idaho) |
14 |
1969 [36] |
Jerry Hendren (Idaho) |
95 | Jerry Hendren | 1452 |
Mel Gray (Missouri) |
27.1 | Tom Reynolds (San Diego State) |
18 |
1970 [37] | Mike Mikolayunas (Davidson) |
87 |
Mike Siani (Villanova) |
1328 | Larry Hart (Louisville) |
24.1 |
Ernie Jennings (Air Force) |
17 |
1971 [38] | Tom Reynolds (San Diego State) |
67 |
Brian Baima (The Citadel) |
1230 |
Tom Scott (Washington) |
23.4 | Mike Siani (Villanova) |
14 |
1972 [39] |
Tom Forzani (Utah State) |
85 |
Barry Smith (Florida State) |
1243 | Richard Agle (Appalachian State) |
25.2 | Barry Smith Steve Sweeney (California) |
13 |
1973 [40] |
Jay Miller (BYU) |
100 | Jay Miller | 1181 | Larry Stokes (Chattanooga) |
27.9 | Keith Denson (San Diego State) |
11 |
1974 [41] |
Dwight McDonald (San Diego State) |
86 |
Willie Miller (Colorado State) |
1193 | Tracy Dickson (West Texas A&M) |
26.8 |
Steve Largent (Tulsa) |
14 |
1975 [42] | Dave Quehl (Holy Cross) |
63 |
Steve Largent (Tulsa) |
1000 |
Kelvin Kirk (Dayton) |
24.5 | Steve Largent | 14 |
1976 [43] |
Billy Ryckman (Louisiana Tech) |
77 | Billy Ryckman | 1382 |
Jim Smith (Michigan) |
27.5 | 4-way tie | 10 |
1977 [44] |
Wayne Tolleson (Western Carolina) |
73 | Rod Foppe (Louisiana Tech) |
1274 | Ernest Gray (Memphis) |
29.5 | 3-way tie | 12 |
1978 [45] | Rick Beasley (Appalachian State) |
74 | Rick Beasley | 1205 |
Mark Nichols (San Jose State) |
26.7 | 3-way tie | 11 |
1979 [46] |
Dave Petzke (Northern Illinois) |
91 | Dave Petzke | 1215 | Joe Burke (Chattanooga) |
28.1 | Gerald Lucear (Temple) |
13 |
1980 [47] |
Dave Young (Purdue) |
70 | Rainey Meszaros (Pacific) |
1062 |
Dwight Collins (Pittsburgh) |
27.6 |
Clay Brown (BYU) |
15 |
1981 [48] |
Tim Kearse (San Jose State) |
71 |
Jim Sandusky (UNLV) |
1346 |
Mike Whitwell (Texas A&M) |
27.1 |
Julius Dawkins (Pittsburgh) |
16 |
1982 [49] |
Mike Martin (Illinois) |
69 |
Henry Ellard (Fresno State) |
1510 |
Herkie Walls (Texas) |
28.1 | Henry Ellard | 15 |
1983 [50] | Keith Edwards (Vanderbilt) |
97 |
Jim Sandusky (San Diego State) |
1171 |
Reggie Bynum (Oregon State) |
24.2 | Kirk Pendleton (BYU) |
11 |
1984 [51] |
David Williams (Illinois) |
101 | David Williams | 1278 | Ronnie Kelley (Tulsa) |
25.0 | Doug Allen (Arizona State) |
14 |
1985 [52] |
Rodney Carter (Purdue) |
98 |
Marc Zeno (Tulane) |
1137 |
Stephen Baker (Fresno State) |
29.1 | Mark Bellini (BYU) |
14 |
1986 [53] | Mark Templeton (Long Beach State) |
99 |
Wendell Davis (LSU) |
1244 | Keith Gloster (Temple) |
24.7 | Andy Schillinger (Miami [OH]) |
12 |
1987 [54] |
Jason Phillips (Houston) |
99 |
Ernie Jones (Indiana) |
1265 | Willie Vaughn (Kansas) |
26.9 |
Tommy Kane (Syracuse) |
14 |
1988 [55] |
Jason Phillips (Houston) |
108 | Jason Phillips | 1444 | Calvin Phillips (West Virginia) |
25.5 | Jason Phillips | 15 |
1989 [56] |
Manny Hazard (Houston) |
142 | Manny Hazard | 1689 | Randy Jackson (Rutgers) |
28.5 | Manny Hazard | 22 |
1990 [57] | Eric Morgan (New Mexico) |
80 |
Patrick Rowe (San Diego State) |
1392 | Bryan Rowley (Utah) |
27.2 | Tracey Jenkins (Utah State) Daryl Hobbs (Pacific) |
14 |
1991 [58] | Fred Gilbert (Houston) |
106 |
Aaron Turner (Pacific) |
1604 | Melvin Bonner (Baylor) |
24.6 |
Desmond Howard (Michigan) |
19 |
1992 [59] | Sherman Smith (Houston) |
103 |
Ryan Yarborough (Wyoming) |
1351 | Ron Peters (Houston) |
26.2 |
Sean Dawkins (California) |
14 |
1993 [60] |
Chris Penn (Tulsa) |
105 | Chris Penn | 1578 | Jay Kearney (West Virginia) |
25.9 |
Bryan Reeves (Nevada) J. J. Stokes (UCLA) |
17 |
1994 [61] | Alex Van Dyke (Nevada) |
98 |
Marcus Harris (Wyoming) |
1431 | Jimmy Oliver (TCU) |
23.8 |
Jack Jackson (Florida) |
15 |
1995 [62] |
Alex Van Dyke (Nevada) |
129 | Alex Van Dyke | 1854 |
Terry Glenn
[63] (Ohio State) |
22.0 | Terry Glenn Chris Doering (Florida) |
17 |
1996 [64] | Damond Wilkins (Nevada) |
114 |
Marcus Harris
[63] (Wyoming) |
1650 | Marcus Robinson (South Carolina) |
24.0 |
Reidel Anthony (Florida) |
18 |
1997 [65] |
Eugene Baker (Kent State) |
103 |
Randy Moss
[63] (Marshall) |
1820 | Corey Alston (Washington State) |
23.8 | Randy Moss | 26 |
1998 [66] |
Troy Edwards
[63] (Louisiana Tech) |
140 | Troy Edwards | 1996 | Kevin Coffey (Virginia) |
25.3 | Troy Edwards | 27 |
1999 [67] |
Trevor Insley (Nevada) |
134 | Trevor Insley | 2060 |
André Davis (Virginia Tech) |
25.5 | Trevor Insley James Williams (Marshall) |
13 |
2000 [68] |
James Jordan (Louisiana Tech) |
109 |
Snoop Minnis (Florida State) |
1340 |
Derrick Lewis (San Diego State) |
25.2 |
Lee Mays (UTEP) |
15 |
2001 [69] |
Rodney Wright (Fresno State) |
104 |
Josh Reed
[63] (LSU) |
1740 |
Doug Gabriel (UCF) |
28.7 |
Ashley Lelie (Hawaii) |
19 |
2002 [70] |
Nate Burleson (Nevada) |
138 |
J. R. Tolver (San Diego State) |
1785 |
Brandon Middleton (Houston) |
24.1 |
Rashaun Woods (Oklahoma State) |
17 |
2003 [71] |
Lance Moore (Toledo) |
103 |
Larry Fitzgerald
[63] (Pittsburgh) |
1672 | Dwight Counter (New Mexico) Lawrence Brady (Boise State) |
25.0 | Larry Fitzgerald | 22 |
2004 [72] |
Dante Ridgeway (Ball State) |
105 |
Roddy White (UAB) |
1452 | Dan Sheldon (Northern Illinois) |
23.4 |
Chad Owens (Hawaii) |
17 |
2005 [73] |
Greg Jennings (Western Michigan) |
98 |
Mike Hass
[63] (Oregon State) |
1532 | Matt Miller (Arizona State) |
23.5 |
Dwayne Jarrett (USC) |
16 |
2006 [74] |
Davone Bess (Hawaii) |
96 |
Chris Williams (New Mexico State) |
1425 | Terry Moss (Ball State) |
25.4 |
Jarett Dillard (Rice) |
21 |
2007 [75] |
Michael Crabtree
[63] (Texas Tech) |
134 |
Michael Crabtree
[63] (Texas Tech) |
1962 |
Brennan Marion (Tulsa) |
31.9 |
Michael Crabtree
[63] (Texas Tech) |
22 |
2008 [76] |
Casey Fitzgerald (North Texas) |
113 |
Austin Collie (BYU) |
1538 |
Brennan Marion (Tulsa) |
25.9 |
Jarett Dillard (Rice) |
20 |
2009 [77] |
Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green) |
155 |
Danario Alexander (Missouri) |
1781 | Owen Spencer (NC State) |
25.5 |
Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green) |
19 |
2010 [78] |
Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma) |
131 |
Greg Salas (Hawaii) |
1889 |
Kris Adams (UTEP) |
22.8 |
Justin Blackmon
[63] (Oklahoma State) |
20 |
2011 [79] |
Jordan White (Western Michigan) |
140 |
Jordan White (Western Michigan) |
1911 |
Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech) |
29.3 |
Patrick Edwards (Houston) |
20 |
2012 [80] |
Marqise Lee
[63] (USC) |
118 |
Terrance Williams (Baylor) |
1832 | Willis Wright (FIU) |
25.3 |
Stedman Bailey (West Virginia) |
25 |
2013 [81] |
Davante Adams (Fresno State) |
131 |
Brandin Cooks
[63] (Oregon State) |
1730 | Devon Cajuste (Stanford) |
22.9 |
Davante Adams (Fresno State) |
24 |
2014 [82] |
Amari Cooper
[63] (Alabama) |
124 |
Rashard Higgins (Colorado State) |
1750 |
Devin Smith (Ohio State) |
28.2 |
Rashard Higgins (Colorado State) |
18 |
2015 [83] |
Tajae Sharpe (UMass) |
111 |
Keyarris Garrett (Tulsa) |
1588 |
Mack Hollins (North Carolina) |
24.8 |
Corey Coleman (Baylor) |
20 |
2016 [84] |
Zay Jones (East Carolina) |
158 |
Trent Taylor (Louisiana Tech) |
1803 | Jalen Robinette (Air Force) |
27.4 |
Corey Davis (Western Michigan) & Carlos Henderson (Louisiana Tech) |
19 |
2017 [85] |
Trey Quinn (SMU) |
114 |
James Washington (Oklahoma State) |
1549 | Aaron Cephus (Rice) |
24.9 |
Anthony Miller (Memphis) & David Sills V (West Virginia) |
18 |
2018 [86] |
Rondale Moore (Purdue) |
114 |
Andy Isabella (UMass) |
1698 | Xavier Ubosi (UAB) |
23.9 |
John Ursua (Hawaii) |
16 |
2019 [87] |
Justin Jefferson (LSU) |
111 |
Ja'Marr Chase (LSU) |
1780 | Geraud Sanders (Air Force) |
24.87 |
Ja'Marr Chase (LSU) |
20 |
2020 |
DeVonta Smith (Alabama) |
117 |
DeVonta Smith (Alabama) |
1,856 |
D'Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan) |
23.1 |
DeVonta Smith (Alabama) |
23 |
Before 1937 the NCAA did not compile official statistics. This chart reflects unofficial receiving statistics compiled by historians mostly from newspapers accounts.
Year | Name | Rec | Name | Rec Yds | Name | Yds/Rec | Name | Rec TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1915 |
Bert Baston (Minnesota) |
|||||||
1916 |
Bert Baston (Minnesota) |
|||||||
1917 | ||||||||
1918 |
Bernard Kirk
[88] (Notre Dame) |
7 | ||||||
1919 |
Bernard Kirk
[88] (Notre Dame) |
21 | Bernard Kirk | 372 | ||||
1920 |
Eddie Anderson
[89] (Notre Dame) |
17 | Eddie Anderson | 293 | ||||
1921 |
Eddie Anderson
[88] (Notre Dame) |
26 | Eddie Anderson | 394 | ||||
1922 | ||||||||
1923 | ||||||||
1924 | ||||||||
1925 |
Myles Lane
[90] (Dartmouth) |
7 | ||||||
1926 | ||||||||
1927 | ||||||||
1928 | ||||||||
1929 |
Wear Schoonover
[88] (Arkansas) |
33 | ||||||
1930 | ||||||||
1931 | ||||||||
1932 | ||||||||
1933 | ||||||||
1934 |
Don Hutson (Alabama) |
19 | ||||||
1935 | ||||||||
1936 |
Jim Benton
[88] (Arkansas) |
35 |