Continuing our series of the greatest pro players from each skill position from power conferences, this time it’s the ACC’s turn for wide receivers.
The ACC may no longer be loaded with national championship contenders, but it continues to produce an impressive amount of NFL talent. Many of the best wideouts of the last 30 years came through this league.
Keep in mind, this list is not about who was the best college receiver. It is strictly based on NFL success.
Boston College: Kelvin Martin
Boston College has not produced many NFL receivers, but Kelvin Martin carved out a strong 10 year career with three teams. Zay Flowers may eventually claim this spot, but for now it stays with Martin.
Career stats: 367 receptions, 4,768 yards, 15 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Zay Flowers
California: DeSean Jackson
Jackson was a game breaker. His speed changed defensive schemes, he made three Pro Bowls, and produced one of the most iconic plays in NFL history with “Miracle at the Meadowlands II.”
Career stats: 641 receptions, 11,263 yards, 58 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Keenan Allen
Clemson: DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins is a future Hall of Famer. He posted seven 1,000 yard seasons, led the NFL in touchdowns in 2017, and earned three All Pro selections and five Pro Bowls. He is three catches away from becoming the 14th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions.
Career stats: 997 receptions, 13,184 yards, 85 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Tee Higgins
Duke: Jamison Crowder
Duke is not known for NFL receivers, but Crowder had a productive decade in the league. He consistently hovered around the 700 yard mark and was a reliable slot target everywhere he played.
Career stats: 440 receptions, 4,898 yards, 31 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Clarkston Hines
Florida State: Anquan Boldin
Boldin was one of the toughest receivers of his era. He posted seven 1,000 yard seasons, won Super Bowl 47, and remains the only player on this list to win the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Career stats: 1,076 receptions, 13,779 yards, 82 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Fred Biletnikoff
Georgia Tech: Calvin Johnson
“Megatron” remains one of the most dominant receivers in NFL history. He holds the single season record with 1,964 yards and was a three time All Pro. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Career stats: 731 receptions, 11,619 yards, 83 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Demaryius Thomas
Louisville: Deion Branch
Branch may not have the biggest raw numbers, but he is unquestionably Louisville’s finest NFL WR. He won two Super Bowls with the Patriots and was MVP of Super Bowl 39.
Career stats: 518 receptions, 6,644 yards, 39 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Davante Parker
Miami: Michael Irvin
You can make a strong case for Andre Johnson here, but I am sticking with Michael Irvin. Irvin captured three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in the 90s, earned a Hall of Fame spot in 2007, made five Pro Bowls, and led the league in receiving yards in 1991 with 1,523.
Career stats: 750 receptions, 11,904 yards, 65 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Andre Johnson
North Carolina: Hakeem Nicks
Nicks had a short career, but he delivered when it mattered most. He led the Giants in receptions, yards, and touchdowns during their run to winning Super Bowl 46.
Career stats: 356 receptions, 5,081 yards, 31 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Mack Hollins
North Carolina State: Torry Holt
Holt was central to the “Greatest Show on Turf.” He led the league in receiving yards twice, made seven Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl, and remains one of the most consistent WRs of the 2000s.
Career stats: 920 receptions, 13,382 yards, 74 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Jakobi Meyers
Pittsburgh: Larry Fitzgerald
One of the greatest ever. Fitzgerald is second all time in receiving yards and was an 11 time Pro Bowler. His 2008 playoff run remains one of the greatest postseason performances by any player.
Career stats: 1,432 receptions, 17,492 yards, 121 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Jordan Addison
SMU: Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders is one of the most underrated wideouts of the last decade. He posted three straight 1,000 yard seasons, played in three Super Bowls, and had 83 receiving yards in the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 win.
Career stats: 704 receptions, 9,245 yards, 51 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Rashee Rice
Stanford: Ed McCaffrey
McCaffrey won three Super Bowls during his career and he posted three straight 1,000 yard seasons from 1998 to 2000. A tough, consistent, and reliable target for both the 49ers and Broncos.
Career stats: 565 receptions, 7,422 yards, 55 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Tony Hill
Syracuse: Marvin Harrison
Harrison was the best receiver of his era not named Jerry Rice. He posted eight straight 1,000 yard seasons and his connection with Peyton Manning set the NFL record for most touchdowns by a QB WR duo.
Career stats: 1,102 receptions, 14,580 yards, 128 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Art Monk
Virginia: Herman Moore
Moore was a dominant receiver in the mid 90s, earning four Pro Bowls and three All Pro selections. His 123 catches in 1995 set an NFL record at the time.
Career stats: 670 receptions, 9,174 yards, 62 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Olamide Zaccheus
Virginia Tech: Antonio Freeman
Freeman starred for the Packers and won Super Bowl 31. He was an All Pro in 1998 and led the NFL in receiving yards that season.
Career stats: 477 receptions, 7,251 yards, 61 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Carroll Dale
Wake Forest: Ricky Proehl
Proehl played 17 seasons and produced nearly 9,000 receiving yards. He appeared in four Super Bowls and won two, and was an important part of the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf.”
Career stats: 669 receptions, 8,878 yards, 54 touchdowns
Honorable Mention: Greg Dortch
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