PFF ranks Ole Miss wide receiver corps among the top in country for 2025
OXFORD, Miss. — While the quarterback is the biggest determining factor for whether a team’s passing game is successful, it’s also critical to have talented wide receivers. Although Ole Miss lost some outstanding players at the position, the Rebels have reloaded and, according to PFF, have one of the top receiving corps in the nation.
1. Ohio State
2. ??PFF’s Top 10 Receiving Corps in College Football⬇️https://t.co/d70AljnK3Q
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 2, 2025
Lane Kiffin’s offense lost Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins and Juice Wells to the NFL Draft in April. That is a formidable trio. They also lost tight end Caden Prieskorn to the pros as well.
But you can always trust Kiffin and company to find the best players in the portal to help accompany the returnees and high school recruits. And 2025 will be no exception.
First things first, PFF ranks Ole Miss No. 4 in the nation in its receiving corps for 2025. The first three include Ohio State (1), Auburn (2) and Clemson (3). Following the Rebels is Alabama at No. 5, then Georgia at No. 6, LSU at No. 7, Texas at No. 8, A&M at No. 9, and No. 10 Notre Dame.
- Ohio State
- Auburn
- Clemson
- Ole Miss
- Alabama
- Georgia
- LSU
- Texas
- A&M
- Notre Dame
Ole Miss does return wide receiver Cayden Lee, who notched a sensational sophomore season last year with Jaxson Dart — and whose chemistry with quarterback Austin Simmons seems to have picked up where he left off with Dart.
Simmons and Lee are good friends on and off the field.
“We’ve gotten really close this past offseason. As far as a player, he’s the player we all expect him to be. His arm is one-of-a-kind.”
Cayden Lee on Austin Simmons
Lee also noted that Simmons’ confidence is noticeable. “I feel like now he’s starting to realize how good he really is,” the wide receive said. “That’s a big step in everybody’s game.”
Lee tallied 57 receptions for 874 yards and two touchdowns last season and helped put the offense in good positions many times when the Rebels needed someone to step up, especially when Tre Harris was hurt for part of the season.
Lee knows his experience will be invaluable for Ole Miss this upcoming season and he’s looking to expand his role as a leader.
“I try to be more vocal recently. In the past, I kind of stayed back and to myself and control what I can control. But now I try to motivate the younger guys, tell the older guys some routes that they don’t know yet and pick the team up where it’s necessary.”
Cayden Lee in spring camp on his leadership
The Rebels went heavy on receivers in the portal, picking up Deshaun Stripling (Oklahoma State), Harrison Wallace III (Penn State), Caleb Odom (Alabama), Deuce Alexander (Wake Forest), and Traylon Ray (West Virginia).
According to PFF College, Ole Miss has simply reloaded at the receiver position.
“The Rebels may have lost four of their top five pass catchers from a year ago, but they replenished their receiving corps in the transfer portal. De’Zhaun Stribling comes in from Oklahoma State and was one of the 30 most valuable receivers in the country last season, according to PFF WAA (Wins Above Average). The same is true for fellow transfer Harrison Wallace III, who led all Penn State wideouts with 723 receiving yards last year. Cayden Lee is also back after a strong sophomore year, tying for sixth among SEC wideouts with 38 receiving first downs plus touchdowns.”
PFF on Ole Miss wide receivers
It’s not just the wide receiver room that is strong for Ole Miss. The tight end corps also looks to make its presence known.
“Ole Miss might also have the best tight end room in college football, thanks to Luke Hasz and Dae’Quan Wright. Hasz transferred from Arkansas and is my 10th-ranked tight end in the nation, and Wright’s 75.8 PFF receiving grade since 2023 ranks fourth among returning Power Four tight ends.”
PFF on Ole Miss tight ends
While there will be many new faces on the Ole Miss offense this coming season, you can bet the receivers will be as outstanding as ever.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
