The Big 12 Conference is no longer the ground-bound league it staked its name on through the olden eras of college football. Now, like everyone else, they like to put the ball through the air.
Throughout the history of schools old and new in the Big 12 — eight new teams in the last two years to be exact — there have been plenty of wide receivers who counted themselves among the very best to every play college football.
Here’s a look at the greatest wide receiver of all time from all 16 programs currently in the Big 12:
Arizona, Dennis Northcutt: The Los Angeles native left Arizona with Pac-10 career records for receptions (223) and receiving yards (3,252) but his impact went far beyond catching the ball. As a senior in 1999, Northcutt had 1,622 all-purpose yards that included two kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Arizona State, Derek Hagan: Hagan had over 1,000 receiving yards each of his last three seasons on the way to earning All-Pac-10 honors each year.
Baylor, Corey Coleman: Coleman had back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards in 2015 and 2015. His masterpiece came in 2015 when he had 74 receptions for 1,363 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns on the way to winning the Biletnikoff Award.
BYU, Austin Collie: Collie was the MWC Freshman of the Year in 2004 before leaving on a two-year Mormon mission. He returned to earn All-MWC honors in 2007 and 2008, setting an NCAA single-season record with 11 consecutive 100-yard receiving games in 2008.
Cincinnati, Mardy Gilyard: Gilyard didn’t play wide receiver until his third year in college, but took off like a rocket when he did. He became a two-time All-American and two-time Big East Special Teams Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009. Gilyard had over 1,000 receiving yards both years and finished his career with 8,215 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns.
Colorado, Michael Westbrook: Westbrook was Colorado’s first wide receiver to receive multiple All-American and All-Big Eight honors, which he did in 1992 and 1994. He was also part of one of college football’s greatest plays when he caught a Hail Mary pass from Kordell Stewart to beat Michigan in 1994.
Houston, Patrick Edwards: Edwards, a former walk-on, played and dominated at just 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds. He was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2011 and finishe his career with 4,507 receiving yards and 43 touchdowns.
Iowa State, Allen Lazard: Matchup nightmare at 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, Lazard was a four-time All-Big 12 selection and ended his career with a schools record 3,360 receiving yards.
Kansas, Dezmon Briscoe: Briscoe had back-to-back seasons of at least 1,300 receiving yards in 2007 and 2008 and was part of arguably the best Kansas team of all time when the Jayhawks went 12-1 and won the Orange Bowl in 2007.
Kansas State, Tyler Lockett: Three of the top five spots for career receiving yards in Kansas State history belong to the Lockett family. Tyler Lockett leads the way with 249 receptions for 3,710 yards and was a two-time AP All-American and three-time All-Big 12 selection.
Oklahoma State, Justin Blackmon: One of the most dominant receivers in college football history, Blackmon was a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner in 2010 and 2011 and was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2012. Blackmon had over 1,500 receiving yards both seasons.
TCU, Quentin Johnston: Recency bias be damned, we’re putting Johnston in this spot after he was arguably the best player on TCU’s team in its run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game following the 2022 season.
Texas Tech, Michael Crabtree: Another two-time Biletnikoff Award winner, Crabtree brought it home in 2007 and 2008. Crabtree also scored the most famous touchdown in Texas Tech history — the game-winning score as time expired to beat No. 1 Texas in Lubbock in 2008.
UCF, Brandon Marshall: Selected to the All-Conference USA team in 2005, Marshall was a victim of circumstance at UCF, where former head coach George O’Leary had the future NFL All-Pro playing safety for long stretches of time.
Utah, Steve Smith: Spent two seasons at a junior college, Santa Monica College, before starring at Utah for his final two seasons and earning All-MWC honors each year. With Utah, Smith also returned punts and finished his career with 3,020 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns.
West Virginia, Tavon Austin: Saying Austin was an exciting player to watch doesn’t do him justice. At just 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, he lit up the field every time he stepped on it — he finished his career at WVU with 7,386 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns spread out over rushing, receiving and returns. Could beat teams any way he wanted to and also possesses perhaps the greatest highlight reel of all time from his high school and college years.
Ever find yourself randomly watching Tavon Austin highlights? pic.twitter.com/z1NVkVcDsx
— HALL of GOATS (@GOATS_hall) May 20, 2024
