Top 5 Big 12 Wide Receivers who could be a bust in 2024 college football season ft. Lawrence Arnold
The Big 12 features some of the top pass catchers in the nation who are on pace to have big seasons in 2024. A key part of any successful offense includes a dominant passing game that can get the ball into the top playmakers on the outside.
However, the lights can sometimes become too bright for these players, which can cause them to fall short of expectations. As the 2024 college football season rapidly approaches, here's a look at the top five receivers from the Big 12 who could end up being a bust this year.
Top five Big 12 wide receivers who could be a bust this season
#5 Reymello Murphy, Arizona
Former Old Dominion wide receiver Reymello Murphy transferred to Arizona for the 2024 college football season. He will be playing alongside Tetairoa McMillan, one of the top receivers in the Big 12.
There will be a lot of pressure on Murphy this season to serve as the second option for quarterback Noah Fifita. He finished his 2023 campaign with Old Dominion, hauling in 28 passes for 502 yards and three touchdowns.
#4 Troy Omeire, Arizona State
Arizona State wideout Troy Omeire began his college football career at Texas in 2022, where he appeared in just four games due to injuries. He caught one pass that season before transferring to Arizona State for the 2023 season.
During his first season with the Sun Devils, he made nine appearances and caught 20 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Omeire will have a new quarterback with Sam Leavitt joining the team in 2024. But he will need to prove himself as one of the top receivers on his team to avoid being labeled as a bust in the Big 12.
#3 Ja'Varrius Johnson, UCF
Ja'Varrius Johnson will be joining UCF in the Big 12 this season after transferring from Auburn. The fifth-year receiver saw a drop in his numbers last season, catching 19 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns.
Johnson will likely be the second option for UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson, behind fellow wideout Kobe Hudson. If Hudson receives a lot of attention from opposing defenses, as expected, it will be on Johnson to step up and prove himself as a viable target.
#2 Taeshaun Lyons, Utah
Washington transfer Taeshaun Lyons moves to the Big 12 with Utah for the 2024 college football season. He made two appearances last season for the Huskies but posted no stats with just one target.
Lyons could be a threat working with Utah quarterback Cam Rising, but if he's unable to work himself into the rotation, he could end up being a bust. He will have to compete with the returning Money Parks and Munir McClain, along with transfer Dorian Singer.
Lyons was a four-star recruit from Tennyson High School in Hayword, CA. Utah was among the 24 other programs that extended an offer to Lyons out of high school before he committed to Washington.
#1 Lawrence Arnold, Kansas
Lawrence Arnold's status as a bust in the Big 12 will depend heavily on whether quarterback Jaon Daniels can stay healthy for the entire season. Despite Daniels only appearing in three games for the Jayhawks last season, Arnold still caught 44 passes for 782 yards and six touchdowns.
If he wants to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 2024, he will need Daniels to stay healthy so that he can be properly utilized as a top receiving threat. Arnold was nearly doubling his reception totals in games last season when Daniels was healthy.
He should be able to put together another impressive season regardless of who throws him the ball. But in a run-heavy offense, it will be vital for Daniels to stay on the field so that Arnold doesn't fall short of expectations.
Which Big 12 wide receiver you think could be a bust in the 2024 college football season? Let's know in the comments section: