2018 Preseason All-American Projections: Wide Receivers

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2018 college football season WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises and the stars of next fall could be the headlining players next April in the 2019 NFL Draft.

First-Team Wide Receivers:

David Sills, West Virginia

West Virginia quarterback Will Grier was my choice for First-Team All-American at quarterback, so it would make sense to have his No. 1 receiver with that designation as well. Both could have gone pro after 2017, but decided to return to school, and they should produce a massive season together in 2018. They play in a point-machine up-tempo spread offense in a conference that struggles to play defense, so there is no reason to think that Grier and Sills won’t have massive year as long as they both stay on the field. Sills has mismatch size and was a huge point producer in 2017, Grier’s first year as a starter for the Mountaineers. On the year, Sills totaled 980 yards and 18 touchdowns on 60 catches.

The 6-foot-4, 203-pounder has mismatch size and is a dynamite red zone receiver. In a conference that lacks defensive back talent, Sills should dominate again in 2018. He could easily be a First-Team All-American and win a lot of awards at the end of the season.



Marquise Brown, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners have been a point-machine offense with one of the most prolific scoring attacks in the nation over the past decade. They have also produced a number of quality wide receiver prospects for the NFL with big-play potential. After losing Dede Westbrook to the NFL, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown stepped in and had a breakout sophomore season. Brown averaged 19.2 yards per reception for 1,095 yards on 57 catches with seven touchdowns on the year. He concluded his season with eight receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown against Georgia in the college football playoff. Brown has the luxury of playing in the Big XII, the arena league conference in college football. He should put up big numbers going against a lot of bad defenses and defensive backs who are incapable of covering him. Brown could be one of the most productive receivers in college football during the 2018 season.



Second-Team Wide Receivers:

Deebo Samuel, South Carolina

Some team sources were extremely excited about Samuel and felt he showed some early-round potential last season. They love the explosive speed and play-making ability that Samuel showcased in 2017. However, Samuel has to stay healthy and produce in 2018 in order to be an early-rounder and All-American.

Samuel had 15 receptions for 250 yards and three touchdowns across the first three games of 2017, but in the third contest, he broke a bone in his left leg. Samuel did not play the rest of the season. The junior got 2017 started in great fashion against N.C. State. It started right away as he took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. Samuel added another kick return for a touchdown in the next game. Samuel had 59 receptions for 783 yards and a touchdown in 2016. The 6-foot, 205-pounder is a game breaker capable of a huge year if he can stay healthy.



A.J. Brown, Ole Miss

Brown could easily be a First-Team All-American, but after all the upheaval at Ole Miss, the Rebels may still struggle to get the most out of Brown. In 2016, Brown had a strong debut as a freshman with 29 receptions for 412 yards with two touchdowns. He was even better as a sophomore when he 75 receptions for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns despite playing for a bad team that lost its starting quarterback to injury. With Shea Patterson transferring to Michigan, Brown lost his starting signal-caller for good, and the SEC is going to be selling out to stop Brown when facing Ole Miss. He’s going to see a ton of double coverage. Brown could be the most talent wide receiver in college football this fall, but his production will probably be behind lesser players because of circumstance.



Third-Team Wide Receivers:

Jon’Vea Johnson, Toledo

Toledo has a trio of wide receivers who were effective last season, but Johnson was the only one of the trio to get an advance grade for the 2019 NFL Draft of first- through fourth-round potential. In 2017, Johnson caught 41 passes for 675 yards and five touchdowns. Teams have Johnson at 6-foot, 188 pounds and running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds. Playing in a prolific passing offense with receiving talent around him could lead to a massive 2018 season for Johnson.



Ahmmon Richards, Miami

Richards looked poised for stardom as a freshman when he had a tremendous debut with 49 receptions for 934 yards and three touchdowns. He could have produced a lot more that season if Brad Kaaya had played more consistently. As a sophomore, a hamstring injury held Richards back all season, but the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has speed and play-making skills to be a top receiver in 2018. If he stays healthy and gets decent play from his quarterback, he could easily end up being a much higher-rated All-American at the end of the season.

Honorable Mentions: Texas’ Collin Johnson, Florida’s Tyrie Cleveland, Ohio State’s Parris Campbell, Tennessee’s Jauan Jennings, Toledo’s Cody Thompson, Indiana’s Nick Westbrook, Oklahoma State’s Jalen McCleskey, Troy’s Deondre Douglas, Nebraska’s Stanley Morgan, Louisville’s Jaylen Smith, West Virginia’s Gary Jennings and Toldeo’s Diontae Johnson.











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