On signing day last December, Jesse Legree sat at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore and watched his teammates pick their colleges. Late that day, Oregon State called, The Baltimore Banner reported. Ten months later, the true freshman leads the country with 1,040 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches through seven games, and on Oct. 23 he announced he will be back in Corvallis in 2027, per KPTV. Here’s how a late bloomer became the best receiver in college football. Follow him on his RallyFuel athlete page.
From defensive back to the nation’s top receiver
Saint Frances is a national power, but Legree mostly played defensive back and returned kicks there. He only moved to receiver as a senior, so there was little film of him catching passes. Oregon State general manager Eron Hodges pushed new head coach JaMarcus Shephard, formerly Alabama’s receivers coach, to take a chance on him. Legree told ESPN the choice was easy because Oregon State gave him his first real shot.
Jesse Legree’s 2026 season by the numbers
| Stat (through 7 games, as of Oct. 27) | Number |
|---|---|
| Receiving yards | 1,040 (No. 1 in FBS) |
| Receiving touchdowns | 14 (No. 1 in FBS) |
| Yards per game | 148.6 (No. 1 in FBS) |
| Best game | 8 catches, 240 yards, 2 TDs vs. No. 13 Texas Tech |
| Debut | 5 catches, 136 yards, 1 TD vs. Houston |
| Streak | 100+ yards and a TD in all 7 games |
| Team record | 5-2, five straight wins |
That streak puts him in rare company. Per ESPN, he is only the second FBS player in 30 years with 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in each of his team’s first seven games. The other was Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon in 2010, the year he won the first of two straight Biletnikoff Awards. He has moved into the Biletnikoff and Heisman conversation.
The Texas Tech game on Sept. 12 showed what he can do against a top opponent. Oregon State lost 35-24, but Legree scored on catches of 75 and 37 yards, per OPB.
Oregon State’s turnaround
Oregon State went 2-10 last season. This year the Beavers lost their first two games to ranked teams, then won five straight by three or more scores. As of Oct. 27 they sit first in the Pac-12 and are receiving votes in the AP poll.
Legree has help. Quarterback Braden Atkinson came over from FCS Mercer, where he threw for 3,596 yards and 34 touchdowns and won the Jerry Rice Award. He now leads FBS with 2,604 passing yards. Follow him on his RallyFuel athlete page.
Back in Corvallis for 2027
Legree announced on CBS Sports Network during the Beavers’ Oct. 23 bye week that he will return next season. Terms were not disclosed. He said Shephard gave him his first real shot and acts like a second father to him. With revenue sharing now in place under the House settlement, schools can pay athletes directly, and in-season agreements like this one are becoming more common across college football. For more on how athletes earn in Corvallis, see our guide to Oregon State NIL.
What’s next: Oregon State at Fresno State
The Beavers play at Fresno State on Saturday, Oct. 31, with Legree chasing an eighth straight game with 100 yards and a touchdown. Make your pick with free game predictions on RallyFuel and climb the fan leaderboard.
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FAQ
Who is Jesse Legree?
Jesse Legree is a true freshman wide receiver at Oregon State from Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore. Through seven games of 2026 he leads FBS in receiving yards (1,040) and receiving touchdowns (14).
Is Jesse Legree staying at Oregon State?
Yes. On Oct. 23, 2026, Legree announced on CBS Sports Network that he will return to Oregon State in 2027. Terms were not disclosed.
What record did Jesse Legree tie?
He is only the second FBS player in 30 years with 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in each of his team’s first seven games, joining Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon in 2010.
When does Oregon State play next?
Oregon State plays at Fresno State on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026.
