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Texas A&M Football
Positions of Power: Ranking the SEC's best receiving corps
This is the second entry in a series of stories taking a look at the strength of position units across the Southeastern Conference. See also: Backfields (Premium).
The Southeastern Conference is well known for producing great running backs, yet this year the SEC may be even more stocked with receivers.
The league that has produced NFL stars Mike Evans, Amari Cooper and Odell Beckham Jr. in recent seasons could be as good as ever at that position.
Indeed, SEC rosters are infested with receivers with pro potential. With that in mind, here’s a ranking of the SEC’s top receiving corps entering the 2016 season.
1. Texas A&M: WR Christian Kirk, Josh Reynolds, Ricky-Seals Jones & Speedy Noil
How many SEC teams return three receivers who had at least 45 catches in 2015? Uh … one. Texas A&M is loaded with talent and depth.
Kirk debuted with a 1,009 yard performance in his rookie season and projects to be better as a sophomore. Reynolds has 18 touchdown grabs in two seasons. Seals-Jones is a match-up problem that has consistently gotten better.
If he finally reaches his vast potential, look out.
2. Alabama: WR Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart, Gehrig Dieter & TE O.J. Howard
A sophomore, Ridley is a bona fide All-American candidate. He also had more than 1,000 yards as a freshman. Stewart is a junior who is often overlooked, but he’s a big-play threat. His 29-yard grab late in the fourth quarter saved the Tide against Tennessee.
Howard was always underused at tight end, but that should no longer be the case after his tremendous showing in the national championship game.
The Tide has also added transfer Gehrig Dieter, who last season caught 94 passes for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns as a receiver at Bowling Green.
3. Ole Miss: WR Quincy Adeboyejo, Damore'ea Strinfellow, Markell Pack, DeMarkus Lodge & TE Evan Engram
The departure of Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core hurts, but Ole Miss is still well stocked in pass catchers.
Engram is a receiver disguised as a tight end. He was one of four returnees who had more than 30 catches last season. Adeboyejo, Stringfellow and Pack also had more than 30 catches. Their totals figures to rise. This could be a breakout year for DeMarkus Lodge, too.
The Rebels' receivers also have the advantage of having Chad Kelly passing to them.
4. LSU: WR Malachi Dupre, Travin Dural & TE Colin Jeter
Talent-wise, the duo of Dupre and Dural are as good as any tandem in the SEC. Dupre averaged 16.2 yards per catch last season. Dural averaged 19.0. They combined for nine touchdown catches. That’s despite playing in a run-oriented offense with a suspect passer. A little-used tight end, Jeter is a huge target that should be more looks.
Somebody had to catch all those passes that Brandon Allen completed last year. Morgan caught 63 of them. He was only in the lineup because of a rash of injuries.
Now, Morgan is a proven receiver and Hatcher, who was off to a fast start before breaking his foot, is back to help.
Possession receiver Hollister is also back from a foot injury. Reed averaged 19.1 yards on 28 catches in 2015 and is a legitimate deep threat. Sprinkle is a better-than-you-think tight end who will soften the loss of Hunter Henry to the NFL.
6. Florida: WR Antonio Callaway, Brandon Powell, TE DeAndre Gooslby & C'yontai Lewis
If the sophomore was paired with a consistent quarterback, Callaway could be as productive and explosive as any receiver in the SEC. As a freshman he averaged 19.4 yards on 35 catches and reeled in four touchdown passes. He has great hands and speed.
Brandon Powell is a nice option, too. The Gators also have decent depth and a pair of athletic tight ends in DeAndre Gooslby and C’yontai Lewis. Now, about that quarterback issue …
7. Kentucky: WR Ryan Timmons, Dorian Baker & Garrett Johnson
Once thought to be a future star, Timmons was terribly disappointing in 2015. He caught no more than two passes in a game. That was after he grabbed 77 passes in his first two seasons.
The good news is that Kentucky doesn’t have to depend on him. Every receiver that caught a pass for the Wildcats last season is back this year. That includes juniors Baker, who had 55 catches, and Johnson, who had 46. Two other returning receivers caught at least 20 passes.
8. Tennessee: WR Josh Malone, Josh Smith Preson Williams & Jeff George
Still, Malone and Smith are solid receivers with good hands. The hope in Knoxville is that they will raise their performance levels, while speedy sophomore Preston Williams emerges as a legitimate big-play threat.
Junior college transfer Jeff George, a 6-foot-6 target, should provide immediate help.
9. Mississippi State: WR Fred Ross, Donald Gray & Malik Dear
Native Texan Fred Ross is a contender for all-conference honors. Last season he caught 88 passes for 1,007 yards. However, the Bulldogs don’t have other proven options because De’Runnya Wilson left for the NFL and Fred Brown (27 catches, 3 TDs last season) was dismissed from the team.
The Bulldogs have a potential big-play threat in Gray, a junior, and Dear has pretty good out of the slot. The sophomore saw some action at running back in ’15.
10. Missouri: WR J'Mon Moore, Nate Brown & Chris Black
The Tigers' seven returning receivers combined for 879 receiving yards in ’15. That’s 28 fewer yards than Josh Reynolds accumulated alone. Clearly, receiver was one of several problem areas for the Tigers last season.
At least this year they will have some experience there. Juniors Moore and Brown combined for 56 catches for 676 yards, so they have something to build on. Black, a graduate transfer from Alabama, will inject some speed to the offense.
11. Vanderbilt: WR C.J. Duncan, Trent Sherfield, Caleb Scott, TE DeAndre Woods & Jared Pinkney
The Commodores will get a big boost from the presence of Duncan, who was productive as a redshirt freshman in 2014 but missed last season because of a torn Achilles. He’ll complement Sherfield, a junior who had 51 catches for 659 yards and three touchdowns last season. Scott, another junior, is a nice secondary target, too.
12. Georgia: WR Terry Godwin, Isaiah McKenzie, TE Jeb Blazevich & Isaac Nauta
Godwin may be due a breakout year. As a freshman last season, he ranked second on the team in receptions, snagging 35 for 379 yards and two touchdowns. He likely becomes the primary target this year.
But who are the alternative receivers? McKenzie has just 16 career catches in two years. Ten came last season. No other receiver on the current roster managed more than four catches. Help may be found at tight end in returning starter Blazevich and Nauta, a five-star rated freshman.
13. Auburn: WR Marcus Davis, Tony Stevens & Nate Craig-Myers
Davis averaged 13.9 receiving yards … per game last season. Congratulations. He’s Auburn’s most productive returning receiver. The second most productive returning receiver is Stevens, a senior who caught a season-high three passes against Idaho.
The Tigers are counting on newcomers to bolster their receiving corps. Freshman Nate Craig-Myers heads a list of four incoming receivers who were four-star prospects. Of course, relying too heavily on true freshmen can be dicey.
14. South Carolina: WR Deebo Samuels, Jamari Smith, Bryan Edwards & TE Hayden Hurt
Samuels projects to be the Gamecocks’ No. 1 receiver. He caught 12 passes in 2015. Smith has moved from running back to receiver for his junior season. Edwards, an early enrollee, came out of the spring listed as a starter. The Gamecocks are counting on help from incoming freshmen, but their class isn’t as highly-regarded as Auburn’s.
Tight ends likely will get more passes in 2015. That’s not saying much, however. Hurt, the probable starter, caught eight passes as a freshman last year.
There is a chance that former Gamecocks speedster Shaq Roland, who left the team last season, could return as a graduate transfer. Don’t hold your breath, though.
The Southeastern Conference is well known for producing great running backs, yet this year the SEC may be even more stocked with receivers.
The league that has produced NFL stars Mike Evans, Amari Cooper and Odell Beckham Jr. in recent seasons could be as good as ever at that position.
Indeed, SEC rosters are infested with receivers with pro potential. With that in mind, here’s a ranking of the SEC’s top receiving corps entering the 2016 season.
1. Texas A&M: WR Christian Kirk, Josh Reynolds, Ricky-Seals Jones & Speedy Noil
How many SEC teams return three receivers who had at least 45 catches in 2015? Uh … one. Texas A&M is loaded with talent and depth.
Kirk debuted with a 1,009 yard performance in his rookie season and projects to be better as a sophomore. Reynolds has 18 touchdown grabs in two seasons. Seals-Jones is a match-up problem that has consistently gotten better.
The almost-forgotten man on the A&M receiving corps is Noil, who has as much talent as anybody. He had 46 catches two seasons ago. If he finally reaches his vast potential, look out.
The almost-forgotten man on the A&M receiving corps is Noil, who has as much talent as anybody. He had 46 catches two seasons ago. If he finally reaches his vast potential, look out.
2. Alabama: WR Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart, Gehrig Dieter & TE O.J. Howard
A sophomore, Ridley is a bona fide All-American candidate. He also had more than 1,000 yards as a freshman. Stewart is a junior who is often overlooked, but he’s a big-play threat. His 29-yard grab late in the fourth quarter saved the Tide against Tennessee.
Howard was always underused at tight end, but that should no longer be the case after his tremendous showing in the national championship game.
The Tide has also added transfer Gehrig Dieter, who last season caught 94 passes for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns as a receiver at Bowling Green.
3. Ole Miss: WR Quincy Adeboyejo, Damore'ea Strinfellow, Markell Pack, DeMarkus Lodge & TE Evan Engram
The departure of Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core hurts, but Ole Miss is still well stocked in pass catchers.
Engram is a receiver disguised as a tight end. He was one of four returnees who had more than 30 catches last season. Adeboyejo, Stringfellow and Pack also had more than 30 catches. Their totals figures to rise. This could be a breakout year for DeMarkus Lodge, too.
The Rebels' receivers also have the advantage of having Chad Kelly passing to them.
4. LSU: WR Malachi Dupre, Travin Dural & TE Colin Jeter
Talent-wise, the duo of Dupre and Dural are as good as any tandem in the SEC. Dupre averaged 16.2 yards per catch last season. Dural averaged 19.0. They combined for nine touchdown catches. That’s despite playing in a run-oriented offense with a suspect passer. A little-used tight end, Jeter is a huge target that should be more looks.
Somebody had to catch all those passes that Brandon Allen completed last year. Morgan caught 63 of them. He was only in the lineup because of a rash of injuries. Now, Morgan is a proven receiver.
5. Arkansas: WR Drew Morgan, Keon Hatcher, Cody Hollister, Dominque Reed & TE Jeremy SprinkleSomebody had to catch all those passes that Brandon Allen completed last year. Morgan caught 63 of them. He was only in the lineup because of a rash of injuries.
Now, Morgan is a proven receiver and Hatcher, who was off to a fast start before breaking his foot, is back to help.
Possession receiver Hollister is also back from a foot injury. Reed averaged 19.1 yards on 28 catches in 2015 and is a legitimate deep threat. Sprinkle is a better-than-you-think tight end who will soften the loss of Hunter Henry to the NFL.
6. Florida: WR Antonio Callaway, Brandon Powell, TE DeAndre Gooslby & C'yontai Lewis
If the sophomore was paired with a consistent quarterback, Callaway could be as productive and explosive as any receiver in the SEC. As a freshman he averaged 19.4 yards on 35 catches and reeled in four touchdown passes. He has great hands and speed.
Brandon Powell is a nice option, too. The Gators also have decent depth and a pair of athletic tight ends in DeAndre Gooslby and C’yontai Lewis. Now, about that quarterback issue …
7. Kentucky: WR Ryan Timmons, Dorian Baker & Garrett Johnson
Once thought to be a future star, Timmons was terribly disappointing in 2015. He caught no more than two passes in a game. That was after he grabbed 77 passes in his first two seasons.
The good news is that Kentucky doesn’t have to depend on him. Every receiver that caught a pass for the Wildcats last season is back this year. That includes juniors Baker, who had 55 catches, and Johnson, who had 46. Two other returning receivers caught at least 20 passes.
8. Tennessee: WR Josh Malone, Josh Smith Preson Williams & Jeff George
It’s not that the Volunteers don’t have good receivers – they just don’t scare anybody. No Tennessee receiver amassed even 500 yards in 2015, and none caught more than three touchdown passes.
It’s not that the Volunteers don’t have good receivers – they just don’t scare anybody. No Tennessee receiver amassed even 500 yards in 2015, and none caught more than three touchdown passes. Still, Malone and Smith are solid receivers with good hands. The hope in Knoxville is that they will raise their performance levels, while speedy sophomore Preston Williams emerges as a legitimate big-play threat.
Junior college transfer Jeff George, a 6-foot-6 target, should provide immediate help.
9. Mississippi State: WR Fred Ross, Donald Gray & Malik Dear
Native Texan Fred Ross is a contender for all-conference honors. Last season he caught 88 passes for 1,007 yards. However, the Bulldogs don’t have other proven options because De’Runnya Wilson left for the NFL and Fred Brown (27 catches, 3 TDs last season) was dismissed from the team.
The Bulldogs have a potential big-play threat in Gray, a junior, and Dear has pretty good out of the slot. The sophomore saw some action at running back in ’15.
10. Missouri: WR J'Mon Moore, Nate Brown & Chris Black
The Tigers' seven returning receivers combined for 879 receiving yards in ’15. That’s 28 fewer yards than Josh Reynolds accumulated alone. Clearly, receiver was one of several problem areas for the Tigers last season.
At least this year they will have some experience there. Juniors Moore and Brown combined for 56 catches for 676 yards, so they have something to build on. Black, a graduate transfer from Alabama, will inject some speed to the offense.
11. Vanderbilt: WR C.J. Duncan, Trent Sherfield, Caleb Scott, TE DeAndre Woods & Jared Pinkney
The Commodores will get a big boost from the presence of Duncan, who was productive as a redshirt freshman in 2014 but missed last season because of a torn Achilles. He’ll complement Sherfield, a junior who had 51 catches for 659 yards and three touchdowns last season. Scott, another junior, is a nice secondary target, too.
Vanderbilt anticipates more production at tight end, as well, with Woods coming back from a torn ACL and Pinkney back from a shoulder injury.
Vanderbilt anticipates more production at tight end, as well, with Woods coming back from a torn ACL and Pinkney back from a shoulder injury. Both missed significant time in 2015.12. Georgia: WR Terry Godwin, Isaiah McKenzie, TE Jeb Blazevich & Isaac Nauta
Godwin may be due a breakout year. As a freshman last season, he ranked second on the team in receptions, snagging 35 for 379 yards and two touchdowns. He likely becomes the primary target this year.
But who are the alternative receivers? McKenzie has just 16 career catches in two years. Ten came last season. No other receiver on the current roster managed more than four catches. Help may be found at tight end in returning starter Blazevich and Nauta, a five-star rated freshman.
13. Auburn: WR Marcus Davis, Tony Stevens & Nate Craig-Myers
Davis averaged 13.9 receiving yards … per game last season. Congratulations. He’s Auburn’s most productive returning receiver. The second most productive returning receiver is Stevens, a senior who caught a season-high three passes against Idaho.
The Tigers are counting on newcomers to bolster their receiving corps. Freshman Nate Craig-Myers heads a list of four incoming receivers who were four-star prospects. Of course, relying too heavily on true freshmen can be dicey.
14. South Carolina: WR Deebo Samuels, Jamari Smith, Bryan Edwards & TE Hayden Hurt
Samuels projects to be the Gamecocks’ No. 1 receiver. He caught 12 passes in 2015. Smith has moved from running back to receiver for his junior season. Edwards, an early enrollee, came out of the spring listed as a starter. The Gamecocks are counting on help from incoming freshmen, but their class isn’t as highly-regarded as Auburn’s.
Tight ends likely will get more passes in 2015. That’s not saying much, however. Hurt, the probable starter, caught eight passes as a freshman last year.
There is a chance that former Gamecocks speedster Shaq Roland, who left the team last season, could return as a graduate transfer. Don’t hold your breath, though.
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