As we hit the preview portion of the 2024 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of what players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning wide receivers in 2024.
These rankings are formed by a combination of on-field production, postseason accolades, PFF grades, pro potential, and the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching games, knowing what system players are in, strength of opponents, etc.).
Best Returning FCS WRs
25t. Jaylan Sanchez, Villanova
25t. Anthony Johnson, Stony Brook
24. Christian Fredericksen, Idaho State
23. Donovan Wadley, Merrimack
22. DeVonte Tanksley, UT Martin
21. Griffin Wilde, South Dakota State
20. Elijah Steward, Lafayette
19. Kasey Hawthorne, Howard
18. Max Tomczak, Youngstown State
17. Keelan White, Montana
16. Noah Robinson, Robert Morris
15. Vinson Davis III, Southern Illinois
14. Eli Mirza, Eastern Illinois
13. Jared Gipson, Sacramento State
12. Garrett Cody, Fordham
11. Devin Smith, Villanova (transfer from NC Central)
10. Treyvhon Saunders, Colgate
9. Darius Cooper, Tarleton State
8. Jared Richardson, Penn
7. Daniel Sobkowicz, Illinois State
6. Carter Bell, South Dakota
5. Nick DeGennaro, Richmond
4. Javin Whatley, Chattanooga
3. Bo Belquist, North Dakota
Belquist enters his fifth season for UND as one of the most accomplished receivers on a 2024 FCS roster. He’s in line to be a four-time All-MVFC selection. Belquist has put together back-to-back All-Conference Second Team seasons, and he was named to the 2021 spring MVFC All-Newcomer Team with Freshman All-American honors.
The North Dakota native has 206 career catches for 2,373 yards and 20 touchdowns. Two seasons ago, he caught 63 passes for 811 yards and six TDs. Last fall, Belquist hauled in 66 receptions for 772 yards and another six scores.
The sure-handed Belquist had an 88.6 overall PFF grade to rank No. 8 among FCS wide receivers, including an 89.0 receiving grade.
2. Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington
Chism is climbing the all-time charts in a strong lineage of EWU wide receivers. His 226 career receptions rank third all-time in school history. Chism’s 2,541 receiving yards are 12th, and his 5.5 catches per game are currently tied for second in EWU history.
Chism eyes an impressive fourth-straight All-Conference season as he’ll add to an already entertaining highlight reel with his dazzling catches.
He was named on the All-Big Sky Third Team as a freshman and sophomore, totaling 735 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 and 607 yards and six scores in 2022. He added 408 kick return yards in 2022. Last year as an All-Conference First Team selection, Chism tallied 84 catches for 932 yards and eight TDs. His 82.3 overall PFF grade ranked No. 16 for an FCS wide receiver.
1. Junior Bergen, Montana
Bergen is the most impactful non-quarterback for an FCS team, owning the ability to flip a game or make a splash play at any moment with the ball in his hands.
He’s maybe more well-known by casual FCS fans for his special teams returns, where he has six career punt/kick return touchdowns, including three in a legendary 2023 playoff run. But Bergen is also an electric wide receiver in a Montana offense that spreads the ball around to several running backs and pass-catchers.
Last year as an All-Big Sky First Team selection at WR and punt returner, Bergen recorded 59 catches for 791 yards and five TDs, 434 kick return yards (28.9 yards per return) with a touchdown, and 429 punt return yards (15.3 avg.) and three scores. He’s one of the more electrifying, if not the most electrifying player in the FCS.
