Ex SMU Star WR Lands on NFL Top 100 for First Time

Courtland Sutton's journey from SMU standout to one of the NFL's most respected wide receivers reached another milestone this week.

The former Mustangs star was voted No. 68 in the NFL Top 100, marking the first time in his career that he's earned a spot on the player-voted list after another productive season with the Denver Broncos. 

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The recognition is especially meaningful because the annual Top 100 rankings are voted on by NFL players, making it one of the league's highest honors. Sutton's inclusion reflects the respect he has earned from opponents after putting together another consistent campaign as Denver's top receiving threat. 

During the 2025 season, Sutton appeared in all 17 games and hauled in 74 receptions for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns. He once again proved to be quarterback Bo Nix's favorite target, leading the Broncos in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches while helping Denver make another deep playoff run.

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For SMU fans, Sutton's latest accolade is another reminder of the remarkable career he built in Dallas before making the leap to the professional level. During his four seasons with the Mustangs, Sutton developed into one of the program's greatest receivers, totaling 195 receptions for 3,220 yards and 31 touchdowns. His combination of size, athleticism and ball skills made him one of the nation's premier wideouts and eventually a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. 

While Sutton has experienced plenty of highs throughout his NFL career, including a Pro Bowl campaign in 2019, injuries and changes at quarterback tested his resilience in the years that followed.

Rather than fading into the background, he continued to work his way back into elite form, emerging as one of the Broncos' most dependable offensive weapons.

That perseverance has paid off. Sutton has now posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons while serving as a veteran leader in Denver's locker room. His ability to make contested catches, move the chains and produce in the red zone has made him one of the league's most reliable receivers.

Being ranked No. 68 among the NFL's best players is another well-deserved honor for the former Mustang. As Sutton continues to build an impressive professional résumé, SMU can proudly point to him as one of the program's greatest success stories and one of its finest ambassadors at the next level.