Corey Rucker is an underrated wide receiver prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft who likely be drafted and make an NFL roster despite not appearing in just about any of the mock draft simulators.
Rucker has been on my radar for a long time, routinely popping off tape and compiling a very impressive list of accolades throughout his collegiate career. He has a triumphant comeback story, and his impact on the Jonesboro community extends far beyond football which is something you don’t see much anymore.
Read on to see BNB Football’s complete Corey Rucker scouting report, which includes his strengths, weaknesses, production, and measurables.
Prospect: Corey Rucker
Schools: Arkansas State (2020-2021, 2023-2025); South Carolina (2022)
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 209
Class: Senior (6th Year)
40 Yard Dash: 4.38
10 Yard Split: 1.59
Vertical Jump: 37″
Broad Jump: 10’6″
Corey Rucker NFL Draft Profile Overview
Corey Rucker finished his high school career at Yazoo County High School in Bentonia, Mississippi, where he was lightly recruited despite being one of the most athletic and productive playmakers in the state.
He was a 2-star recruit who was only recruited by a couple of schools. He committed to Arkansas State just before National Signing Day as a late addition to their recruiting class.
Normally you don’t expect a late addition 2-star recruit to make an immediate impact, but that wasn’t the case for Rucker. After a decent start to his true freshman season in 2020, Rucker exploded onto the scene in his final true freshman game. In the last game of the season against conference rival UL-Monroe, Rucker produced set the NCAA FBS single game receiving record for a freshman with 310 yards and 4 touchdown receptions. He averaged 34.4 yards per reception on the game.
From that point on, a star was born at Arkansas State.
His redshirt freshman season he had already emerged as the team’s top target, earning Freshman All-American recognition and All-Conference nominations.
Following his success, he attempted to transfer to South Carolina in 2022. After an early injury ended his season in week 2, he decided to transfer back to Arkansas State where he would finish his career.
From 2023-2025, Rucker proved he hadn’t lost a step after the transfer and injury. He eclipsed the 1000 receiving yard mark twice, and in the process became the Arkansas State’s and the Sun Belt’s all time leader in receiving yardage with over 4,000 yards.
All the while, Rucker was receiving leadership award nominations, academic honor rolls, and establishing his legacy in the community.
Rucker has a strong build for a WR at 6’0″ 209 lbs, and he routinely uses it to run through defenders for extra yardage.
He’s a big time athlete who can easily run away from DBs, while doing a good job of tracking on deep balls.
His route running is solid, with good late hands to snatch the ball out of the air if the ball arrives on him quickly. His drop rate has improve over the years, although he can still let the ball travel too far into his body pretty frequently and can struggle in contested catch scenarios.
Rucker runs a fairly diverse route tree, and has played a variety of rolls for the Red Wolves throughout his 6-year career.
He never takes a play off, showing constant attention to detail in his routes even if he isn’t expecting the ball, and is a willing blocker on run plays.
Corey Rucker College Stats
In 62 career college games, Corey Rucker totaled 256 receptions for 4121 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 7 times for 42 yards and 1 touchdown.
Corey Rucker Receiving Stats
| YEAR | GAMES | REC YDs | REC TDs | Y/C | REC% | YPRR |
| 2025 | 13 | 1032 | 4 | 13.8 | 30.6% | 1.88 |
| 2024 | 13 | 1053 | 7 | 15.3 | 35.6% | 2.37 |
| 2023 | 13 | 705 | 2 | 19.6 | 24.1% | 2.18 |
| 2022 | 2 | 52 | 0 | 52.0 | 1.5% | 17.3 |
| 2021 | 12 | 826 | 9 | 14.0 | 21.9% | 1.72 |
| 2020 | 9 | 453 | 5 | 28.3 | 11.3% | 5.66 |
REC YDs = Receiving Yards
REC TDs = Receiving Touchdowns
Y/C = Yards Per Catch
REC% = % of team’s receiving yardage accounted for
YPRR = Yards Per Route Run
Accolades
- 2nd Team All-Conference (2025, 2024, 2021)
- FWAA Freshman All-American (2021)
- Arkansas State All-Time Receiving Leader (Career)
- Sun Belt All-Time Receiving Leader (Career)
- NCAA Single-Game Freshman Receiving Leader (2021)
Strengths
- Top level speed (4.39 40) that shows up on film
- High motor, never takes a play off
- Very experienced and productive
- Sturdy frame, runs through defenders
- Strong understanding of pacing and space as a route runner
- Versatile route tree and lines up all over the field
- Tracks the ball well
- Positive character off the field
Weaknesses
- Struggles in contested catch scenarios
- Not exceptionally shifty
- High quantity of body catches
- Significantly less production in games against power conference opponents
- Limited special teams experience
Grade
7th Round
Corey Rucker is very experienced, with the versatility, strength, and athleticism that teams would always love to find on the final day of the draft.
While it isn’t a lock that he’ll be drafted, he’s a guarantee to be signed as a priority free agent. He has plenty of traits and instincts to continue his production at the next level.
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Thank you for reading our Corey Rucker NFL Draft Scouting Report. If you have anything to add, please leave in below in the comments. Best of luck to Corey in his NFL career.
