College Football 2012: Best Receiving Corps in Country

By (Featured Columnist) on January 26, 2012

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The 2011 college football season was arguably the year of missed kicks and of the quarterbacks. However, had it not been for the talented receivers, the offenses would have come down to earth during the postseason.

Instead, the scoreboard was on fire for the majority of the bowl season and it was all about receivers blowing by opposing defensive backs.

Already looking at next season, here are your top receiving corps that should be going bonkers.

Georgia Bulldogs

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Malcolm Mitchell was just a freshman this past season, but he hauled in 45 passes for 665 yards and four touchdowns.

Plus, Tavarres King is opposite of him which only means the Bulldogs should feature the best group of receivers in the entire SEC.

King had similar numbers to Mitchell (47 for 705 yards) although he reached paydirt eight times. Returning for his senior season will help make up for the loss of tight end Orson Charles.

Chris Conley and Michael Bennett also had solid freshman campaigns and they will shine brightly with Aaron Murray at quarterback.

Clemson Tigers

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Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Sammy Watkins was arguably the best freshman in the entire country last season regardless of position.

Hauling in 82 receptions for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns is nothing short of a remarkable season. His ability to breakthrough the secondary on any given play gives Sammy a chance to win the Fred Biletnikoff in 2012.

Watkins stormed onto the national scene and is a constant demand for double teams or else his track star speed can torch your team all game long.

The star tight end Dwayne Allen entered the NFL Draft, but look for DeAndre Hopkins to catch 70-plus passes for 1,000 yards and perhaps double-digit touchdowns next season. Plus, Jaron Brown, Martavis Bryant and Adam Humphries provide some depth.

Tajh Boyd is the key to improving these Tigers since he can go from stud to dud on any given week, but he should only improve heading into his junior season.

West Virginia Mountaineers

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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Geno Smith's high-octane offense was on full display against Clemson in the Discover Orange Bowl. Putting up 70 points albeit one touchdown was on defense has given the Mountaineers a ton of momentum heading into 2012.

Tavon Austin hauled in 101 passes for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns, which included his virtuosos performance against Clemson.

Austin's statline was 15 touches (12 catches) for 163 total yards and four touchdowns!

Stedman Bailey is another lightning bug receiver who reached double-digit touchdowns (12)  and totaled for well over 1,000 yards (1,279 yards).

Throw in Ivan McCartney, a slew of receivers and it we may be witnessing the most productive and talented group of receivers in the nation.

USC Trojans

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Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The USC Trojans are back at it and their weapons are endless. The stars just keep going, but Robert Woods is the superstar that every team in America wished they had.

Woods set the USC record for most receptions in a season (111) and his 1,292 yard for 15 touchdowns has made him a preseason All-American for 2012.

Woods (6'1", 180-pounds) is a great route runner but also has the wheels and a set of paws that you don't see everyday.

His rapport that he built with Matt Barkley has been compared to Matt Leinart and Dwayne Jarrett though this connection could be more unstoppable.

Marqise Lee was the best second-receiver out there (73 receptions for 1,143 yards and 11 TD) and let us not forget the hundred of tight ends they have running open downfield.

George Farmer will play a bit more like the star we thought we would see in 2011, and as always the young talent continues to pile on and improve.

Many have labeled the Trojans as not only the team to dethrone the SEC, but also as the top team in America. If these receivers live up their billing, they will have the chance to bring back the glory to Los Angeles. 

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