College Football 2012 Preview: The Top 5 Wide Receivers in Each BCS Conference

College football had to bid a fair adieu to a lot of great wide receivers this offseason. Star pass-catchers such as Justin Blackmon, Ryan Broyles, Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffery and Kendall Wright have all taken their talents to the NFL, which means it's now time for the next wave of great receivers to step up and soak up the spotlight this season. 

Luckily for college fans, there appears to be some terrific young receivers who seem like they're ready to take the next step to stardom in 2012.

Receivers such as USC's Robert Woods, Clemson's Sammy Watkins, Washington State's Marquess Wilson and West Virginia's Tavon Austin have already given us a peak at their tremendous talents, but you have to believe that there are many other potential breakout stars who are waiting in the wings as well. 

Each season it seems that in every major conference there are always a few receivers who rise up and solidify their status as the cream of the crop in their respective leagues. 

So with that in mind, here's a look at the Top 5 wide receivers in all six BCS conferences for the 2012 season. 

The ACC’s Top 5 Wide Receivers

1. Sammy Watkins, Clemson

2. Erik Highsmith, North Carolina

3. Rashad Greene, Florida State

4. DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

5. Conner Vernon, Duke

1. Sammy Watkins, Clemson

Sammy Watkins arrived at Clemson last year as a heralded 5-star recruit out of Florida's South Fort Myers High School. While expectations were certainly high for the young top prospect, I doubt anyone thought that Watkins would be so good so quickly. 

Last season, as a true freshman, Watkins turned out to be one of the biggest breakout stars of the 2011 season, as he took the ACC by storm, catching 82 passes for 1,219 yards, running the ball 32 times for 231 yards and averaging 25 yards per kickoff return. 

By the time the season had ended, the 6'1'', 190-pound sophomore had accumulated over 2,300 all-purpose yards and scored 13 touchdowns. 

Watkins ran into a bit of trouble this offseason when he was arrested for drug possession earlier this month. However, if he can put that misstep behind him and maintain his focus this season and not let the hype get to his head, he's got the chance to be one of college football's biggest offensive stars in 2012. 

2. Erik Highsmith, North Carolina

North Carolina may have lost its leading receiver from last season, Dwight Jones, but QB Bryn Renner shouldn't worry too much because he'll still have a very talented and capable receiving corps to work with in 2012.

The leader of the group will be Erik Highsmith.

Highsmith is a big, athletic 6'3'', 190-pound senior who has the type of long frame that can be a quarterback's best friend. 

Last year, the North Carolina native caught 51 passes for 726 yards and five touchdowns, and you would have to figure that he's going to easily best those numbers now that he's the go-to target in the passing game. 

New coach Larry Fedora implemented a passing attack that put emphasis on spreading the ball around to different receivers during his time at Southern Miss, but you would have to figure that Renner will be looking in Highsmith's direction quite often in 2012. 

3. Rashad Greene, Florida State

Surprisingly, Florida State hasn't had a wide receiver selected in the NFL draft since 2007. However, you can bet that pro scouts have already begun to take notice of the Seminoles' young budding star receiver Rashad Greene. 

Greene may only be a true sophomore, but he looks like he's destined for a future playing on Sundays, especially after the outstanding freshman campaign he had in 2011. 

Last year, Greene proved to be one of the most explosive receivers in the ACC, as he averaged 15.7 yards per catch and had 10 receiving plays of over 20 yards or more. 

The 6'1'', 175-pound sophomore is a big play waiting to happen, and he's got a very bright future ahead of him in Tallahassee. 

4. DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

Sammy Watkins may be the one who soaks up most of the preseason accolades this summer, but he won't be the only Clemson receiver that defenses will have to fear in 2012. Watkins' counterpart DeAndre Hopkins also has the ability to do plenty of damage to secondaries as well. 

Before Watkins burst onto the scene in 2011, many Clemson fans expected that Hopkins would be the team's No. 1 receiving target last season.

While Watkins received most of the national attention for his stellar campaign, Hopkins quietly put together a very impressive season of his own last year, catching 72 passes for 978 yards and five touchdowns. 

The 6'1'', 195-pound junior certainly knows how to get open and create big plays, and he should definitely benefit from opposing defenses choosing to focus their attention on Watkins in 2012. 

5. Conner Vernon, Duke

Since Duke has been such an irrelevant non-factor for so long, it can be hard for any Blue Devil to gain respect around the ACC, but one current player in Durham who deserves some major props is WR Conner Vernon. 

Last year, Vernon was one of college football's most steady and consistent receivers, as he hauled in 70 passes for 956 yards and scored five touchdowns. 

The 6'1'', 195-pound senior is Duke's key offensive weapon, and without him, there's no telling how bad the offense would be. 

If there's one thing that the Blue Devils did right last season, it was throw the football, as they averaged 272 yards through the air per game. With Vernon and QB Sean Renfree both returning, they should be able to put up similar numbers once again in 2012. 

Other ACC Receivers to Watch

Allen Hurns, Miami

Christian Green, Florida State

Darius Jennings, Virginia

Dyrell Roberts, Virginia Tech

Jheranie Boyd, North Carolina

Kevin Dorsey, Maryland

Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech

Michael Campanaro, Wake Forest

Rodney Smith, Florida State

Stefon Diggs, Maryland

Tim Smith, Virginia

The Big East's Top 5 Wide Receivers

1. Anthony McClung, Cincinnati

2. Devin Street, Pittsburgh

3. DeVante Parker, Louisville

4. Brandon Coleman, Rutgers

5. Alec Lemon, Syracuse

1. Anthony McClung, Cincinnati

Cincinnati's passing attack may never be as powerful as it was during former coach Brian Kelly's tenure, but the Bearcats will have one of the Big East's best receiver units to work with in 2012. 

Anthony McClung is the spotlight player of the group, and he'll once again be the team's most dangerous receiving threat this season.

McClung hauled in 49 passes for 683 yards and scored six touchdowns in 2011, and he showed that he has what it takes to be one of the conference's premier pass-catchers. 

The 6'1'', 165-pound junior may not be the most physically intimidating receiver out there, but he's got the type of explosion and playmaking ability that should greatly aid new starting QB Munchie Legaux in 2012. 

2. Devin Street, Pittsburgh

Many expected that Pittsburgh's passing attack would improve dramatically under coach Todd Graham last year. However, for a variety of reasons, including inconsistent play from QB Tino Sunseri, the Panthers could just never seem to generate a consistent passing attack in 2011. 

Now with new coach Paul Chryst taking over, it should be interesting to see if Sunseri can improve this season after a lackluster effort last year. 

Sunseri will benefit from having one of the Big East's most talented receivers, Devin Street, to throw to once again, and the two should have better chemistry in 2012. 

Last year, Sunseri's struggles didn't seem to affect Street all that much, as he still caught 53 passes for 754 yards. 

The 6'4'', 190-pound junior may not be the same type of rare physical freak that former Pitt receivers like Jonathan Baldwin and Larry Fitzgerald were, but Street will still definitely be a player to watch in 2012. 

If Sunseri can step his game up, then Street should be one of the most productive receivers in the Big East this season. 

3. DeVante Parker, Louisville

Louisville has three receivers—Eli Rogers, Michaelee Harris and DeVante Parker, who all have the potential to be standout players in the Big East this season.

Rogers and Harris were the two most productive receivers for the Cardinals in terms of catches last season, but it was Parker who made the most true "wow" plays, as he led the team with six touchdown receptions.

QB Teddy Bridgewater will likely look for the 6'3", 205-pound sophomore much more often in 2012, and Parker should play a key part in Louisville's run at a conference championship this season.

4. Brandon Coleman, Rutgers

Rutgers is obviously going to miss WR Mohamed Sanu, who totaled 210 catches in his three-year college career. However, the Scarlet Knights do have a promising receiver corps returning and the most intriguing player to watch this season is Brandon Coleman. 

Coleman is a former 4-star prospect out of Maryland's Bishop McNamara High School who was one of the prizes of Rutgers' 2010 recruiting class.

After redshirting his first year, Coleman stepped out onto the field last year and showed the type of flashes that made him a coveted high school recruit, as he averaged 32 yards per catch and caught six touchdowns in his first season of action. 

The 6'6'', 220-pound sophomore has the type of big frame, athleticism and hands needed to be a deadly red-zone receiver. 

Coleman has a chance to be one of the Big East's breakout stars in 2012, and he's one of the conference's must-watch players for this season. 

5. Alec Lemon, Syracuse

Syracuse lost five out of its six top receivers from last season, but the good news is, the team didn't lose its most productive playmaker, Alec Lemon. 

Last year, Lemon led the Orange with 68 catches for 834 yards and scored six touchdowns. 

The 6'2'', 202-pound senior proved to be one of the most reliable receivers in the Big East, and he'll once again be the focal point of Syracuse's passing attack in 2012. 

Lemon may not be the type of receiver who's going to make a ton of flash plays and highlight-reel worthy catches, but his value to the Syracuse offense can't be understated. 

If the Orange can find a proper complement to ease some of the pressure off Lemon this season, he should once again be one of the most effective receivers in the Big East in 2012. 

Other Big East Receivers to Watch

Alex Chisum, Cincinnati

Eli Rogers, Louisville

Kenbrell Thompkins, Cincinnati

Mark Harrison, Rutgers

Michaelee Harris, Louisville

Mike Shanahan, Pittsburgh

Nick Williams, Connecticut

Quron Pratt, Rutgers

Sterling Griffin, South Florida 

Tim Wright, Rutgers

Victor Marc, South Florida

The Big Ten's Top 5 Wide Receivers

1. Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin

2. Keenan Davis, Iowa

3. Roy Roundtree, Michigan

4. Kenny Bell, Nebraska

5. Kofi Hughes, Indiana

1. Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin

Wisconsin's offense is obviously going to miss QB Russell Wilson, and without him, the Badgers are going to have to rely even more on their dynamic running back duo of Montee Ball and James White in 2012.

Still, even without Wilson, Wisconsin will have the chance to burn plenty of teams through the air, as the Badgers have the Big Ten's best receiver, Jared Abbrederis, to flaunt once again this season. 

Last year, Abbrederis emerged as a perfect complement to Nick Toon, catching 55 passes for 933 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011. 

Now that Toon's gone, the 6'2'', 180-pound junior should really be able to shine, as long as he can get solid play out of quarterback Danny O'Brien. 

O'Brien, who transferred in from Maryland this offseason, knows that Abbrederis is the kind of receiver who he can trust and always look to. 

The former walk-on has worked hard and managed to rise to a level that nobody could have envisioned, and it should be interesting to see what he can do as the team's undisputed No. 1 receiving target in 2012. 

2. Keenan Davis, Iowa

Iowa won't have an easy time replacing a receiver like Marvin McNutt, who finished second in the Big Ten with 82 catches and tied for first in the conference with 12 touchdown receptions last season. 

McNutt will surely be missed, but luckily for the Hawkeyes, they'll have two very gifted receivers, Keenan Davis and Kevonte Martin-Manley, to rely on in 2012. 

Davis is the league's leading returning receiver after averaging 4.2 catches per game last year, and he looks poised to put together another strong campaign this season. 

The 6'3'', 215-pound senior is a former high school track star who possesses game-breaking speed and playmaking ability. 

Davis is more naturally explosive than his former teammate McNutt, and he'll have the opportunity to prove that he's a dangerous difference-maker in 2012. 

3. Roy Roundtree, Michigan

For whatever reason, QB Denard Robinson and WR Roy Roundtree never seemed to get on the same page last season, and Roundtree's production suffered greatly because of it. 

Last year, the former 4-star recruit failed to build on his dazzling sophomore campaign, in which he caught 72 passes for 935 yards and seven touchdowns, as he ended up with just 19 catches and two touchdowns in 2011. 

It's obvious that the 6'1'', 176-pound senior is loaded with talent and potential, but after last year's disappointing effort, it's imperative that Roundtree and Robinson work diligently this offseason to solve the problem. 

If he can put last season behind him, Roundtree has the chance to be one of the Big Ten's biggest offensive stars this year, and he should play a crucial role in Michigan's conference championship chase in 2012. 

4. Kenny Bell, Nebraska

Nebraska may have had one of the most powerful rushing attacks in college football last season, but the team's passing attack certainly left something to be desired.

The Cornhuskers finished 104th in the country in passing offense in 2011, averaging just 162 yards through the air per game. That type of weak passing attack won't cut it this year if Nebraska truly wants to make a run at a Big Ten championship. 

The revitalization of the passing game has to start with QB Taylor Martinez, who didn't take the necessary steps to becoming a more consistent passer last year. Nevertheless, Martinez is also going to need to have a go-to target that he can rely on, and that's where Kenny Bell comes in.  

As a redshirt freshman last season, Bell led the team with 32 catches for 461 yards and three touchdowns.

The 6'1'', 185-pound sophomore gave glimpses which indicate that he's got an extremely bright future ahead of him in Lincoln, and he's got the type of talent to become one of the best receivers in school history. 

5. Kofi Hughes, Indiana

It's hard to garner a lot of attention when your team suffers through a miserable 1-11 season, but just because Indiana was dreadful last season, that doesn't mean that the Hoosiers didn't have a few solid individual performances.

WR Kofi Hughes was one of the few bright spots for Indiana last year, and he was the team's best overall player in 2011. 

Last year, Hughes caught 35 passes for 536 yards and scored three touchdowns, which is actually a lot more impressive than it sounds given how shaky QB Tre Roberson was in his first season as a starter. 

If Roberson can step up his level of play in 2012, Hughes should be able to put up some eye-catching numbers this season.

Other Big Ten Receivers to Watch

Antavian Eddison, Purdue

Brandon Green, Minnesota

Corey Brown, Ohio State

Darius Millines, Illinois

Demetrius Fields, Northwestern

Devin Smith, Ohio State

Jeremy Gallon, Michigan

Justin Brown, Penn State

Keith Mumphery, Michigan State

Kevonte Martin-Manley, Iowa

Quincy Enunwa, Nebraska

Verlon Reed, Ohio State

The Big 12’s Top 5 Wide Receivers

1. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

2. Josh Boyce, TCU

3. Terrance Williams, Baylor

4. Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

5. Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

1. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Last year, the Big 12 was home to arguably the two most explosive receivers in the country—Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon and Baylor's Kendall Wright. 

It definitely won't be easy for any receiver in the conference to replicate what either Blackmon and Wright, who were both Top-20 picks in this year's NFL draft, were able to accomplish in 2011.

Still, one conference newcomer who seems to possess the same type of explosiveness and game-breaking ability as them is West Virginia's Tavon Austin. 

No matter how Austin gets the ball, whether it's catching it, taking a hand off, returning it or getting a nifty shovel pass, he's always dangerous when the pigskin is in his hands. 

Last year, the 5'9'', 176-pound senior caught 101 passes, totaled over 2,500 all-purpose yards and scored 11 touchdowns. 

Austin has proven time and time again that once he gets into the open field, he's got the burst, vision and instincts to create big game-changing type of plays. 

With Austin, strong-armed senior quarterback Geno Smith and fellow explosive receiver Stedman Bailey all returning to Morgantown; West Virginia should once again have one of the most potent passing attacks in college football in 2012. 

2. Josh Boyce, TCU

Not only will TCU have one of the deepest backfields in the country with the running back trio of Ed Wesley, Matthew Tucker and Waymon James, the Horned Frogs will also have one of college football's most talented receiver trios, comprised of Josh Boyce, Brandon Carter and Skye Dawson. 

Boyce, Carter and Dawson should all be able to quickly make a name for themselves in the Big 12 this season; but out of the three, Boyce will be the one that will likely make the most noise in 2012. 

The 6'0'', 203-pound junior led the team with 68 catches for 998 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and that performance simply seemed like it was a basic sampling of what's to come. 

Boyce is one of the fastest and most electric receivers in the country, and with so much talent surrounding him this year, he should have plenty of opportunities to embarrass defensive backs in one-on-one coverage in 2012. 

3. Terrance Williams, Baylor

Terrance Williams may be most well known for being on the receiving end of Robert Griffin's 34-yard game-winning pass that beat Oklahoma last season, but that certainly wasn't the only big play that Williams made in 2011. 

Last year, Williams had to play second fiddle to fellow receiver Kendall Wright, but he still managed to catch 59 passes for 957 yards and score 11 touchdowns. 

With RG3 and Wright now gone, the 6'3'', 190-pound senior will be asked to be the offense's key weapon in 2012. 

Williams has the size, speed, hands and overall playmaking ability to be a showcase player this season. If he has the type of campaign that he's capable of, he should cement his status as one of the top receiver prospects for the 2013 NFL draft. 

4. Stedman Bailey, West Virginia

I was lucky enough to get my first real glimpse of Stedman Bailey's ability when I attended West Virginia's spring game back in April of 2010. After watching Bailey reel off a few exciting big plays during the glorified scrimmage, I was very intrigued to see how he would fare against real competition. 

In his first two seasons on the field, Bailey certainly hasn't disappointed, especially last year when he caught 74 passes for 1,279 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. 

The 5'10'', 190-pound junior finished 14th in the country with a 17.8 yards per catch average, and he totaled 19 catches of 20 yards or more in 2011.

Bailey has proven that he's a perfect fit for Dana Holgorsen's pass-happy Air Raid-style passing attack.

The speedy and shifty receiver has an undeniably special bond with QB Geno Smith that has only continued to get stronger since the days when the two were teammates down at Florida's Miramar High School. 

Smith and Bailey are one of the most dangerous passing combinations in the country, and they should be able to make a lot more magic in Morgantown in 2012. 

5. Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

Last year, when WR Ryan Broyles went down for the season early in November, QB Landry Jones appeared to fall into some sort of black hole, and it didn't help that no other Sooners receiver stepped up in Broyles' absence. 

Now that Broyles is officially gone and playing for the Detroit Lions, it will be interesting to see if Jones can get back to his old self, and if any receiver can step in and fill his shoes. 

The one receiver who will be asked to take on the biggest responsibility in 2012 will be Kenny Stills, who will now assume the role of Jones' top target. 

Stills has caught 61 passes in each of his first two seasons in Norman, and he's scored 13 touchdowns during that time. 

It's quite evident that the 6'1'', 189-pound junior is one of the most talented receivers in the Big 12, and he's arguably one of the most skilled receivers in college football. 

Now, Stills just has to prove in 2012 that he can handle the pressure that comes along with being a team's No. 1 receiving target. 

Other Big 12 Receivers to Watch

Brandon Carter, TCU

Chris Harper, Kansas State

Darrin Moore, Texas Tech

Eric Ward, Texas Tech

Jaxon Shipley, Texas

Jaz Reynolds, Oklahoma

Mike Davis, Texas

Skye Dawson, TCU

Tevin Reese, Baylor

Tracy Moore, Oklahoma State

Trey Metoyer, Oklahoma 

The Pac-12's Top 5 Wide Receivers

1. Robert Woods, USC

2. Marquess Wilson, Washington State

3. Marqise Lee, USC

4. Keenan Allen, California

5. Markus Wheaton, Oregon State

1. Robert Woods, USC

Now that Justin Blackmon's moved on to the NFL, the title of “College Football’s Top Wide Receiver" is up for grabs, and it seems like pretty much everyone would be fine with handing it over to USC’s Robert Woods.

Woods is a rare talent who is cut from the superstar mold, and he's been shining bright in Los Angeles for the past two seasons. 

Since arriving at USC in 2010, Woods has caught 176 passes for over 2,000 yards and scored 21 touchdowns.

Just like recent receiver greats likes Blackmon, A.J. Green and Calvin Johnson, Woods has all the makings of a potential top-10 NFL draft pick. 

The 6'1'', 180-pound junior has the speed to separate down the field, the route-running prowess to shake any defensive back and the overall athleticism to create game-changing plays. 

It doesn't seem fair that one team can have both the best receiver and the best quarterback in college football, but that will be the reality that Pac-12 defenses will have to face in 2012 when they're forced to try to contain Woods and Trojans signal-caller Matt Barkley.

2. Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Because Washington State has been such a non-factor for the past few years, the team's top player, WR Marquess Wilson, hasn't been given his fair share of national respect yet. However, now that new coach Mike Leach has taken over in Pullman, you can bet that Wilson will be turning plenty of heads in 2012. 

Last year, Wilson caught 82 passes for 1,388 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he barely received a pat on the back for his efforts due to the fact that the Cougars finished dead last in the Pac-12 North.

With Leach calling the shots now, the talented 6'4'', 183-pound junior will have the chance to show fans and NFL scouts that he belongs in the conversation with college football's other elite receivers. 

Arizona State was the only other BCS school besides Washington State that came knocking on Wilson's door with a scholarship offer during his time at California's Tulare Union High School, but you can bet that all of the Pac-12 schools that overlooked the former 3-star recruit are now severely regretting it. 

3. Marqise Lee, USC

QB Matt Barkley and WR Robert Woods will be the two USC players who will get pretty much all of the publicity over the summer as preseason All-Americans, and they will enter the season as the faces of the offense. However, if the Trojans truly want to make a run at a BCS championship in 2012, they're going to need WR Marqise Lee to play just as big of a role in the team's success.

Last year, Lee had a fantastic freshman campaign, catching 73 passes for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he showed the type of rare physical ability that you only see in truly special young receivers.

The 6'1", 190-pound sophomore has the type of size, strength, natural explosiveness, route-running instincts and ball-tracking skills to be a future top-10 NFL draft pick.

Lee may have to take a backseat to Woods before the season starts but don't be surprised if he comes out and has just as big of a campaign, if not bigger, as his junior counterpart in 2012.

4. Keenan Allen, California

California's Keenan Allen is certainly a receiver who passes the eyeball test. 

At 6'3", 205 pounds, the former 5-star recruit has the type of frame that will make NFL scouts drool, but it's not just his size that's so intriguing.

Allen also possesses the kind of rare athleticism and physical skill set that only elite receivers are blessed with. 

Last year, the junior receiver put his talents to good use, as he caught 98 passes for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns. 

With the type of size-speed combination that Allen has, it'll be almost impossible for any cornerback to contain him with single coverage in 2012. 

5. Markus Wheaton, Oregon State

There probably won't be many reasons to follow Oregon State in 2012, as the Beavers will likely be nothing more than a mediocre also-ran in the Pac-12 this season. However, they do at least have one player who is definitely worth checking out, and that's WR Markus Wheaton. 

Wheaton would be a star if he played on a better team, and he showed that last year when he caught 73 passes for 986 yards.

The 6'1'', 178-pound senior can explode off the line, and he possesses a second gear to get behind secondaries and make big catches when the ball is tossed his way. 

Because he plays for a team that only won three games last season, Wheaton probably won't receive a ton of preseason praise. However, he's got the type of rare speed and playmaking ability that it takes to stick out from the crowd in 2012, even though he's going to play for a subpar squad. 

Other Pac-12 Receivers to Watch

Dan Buckner, Arizona

DeVonte Christopher, Utah

Dres Anderson, Utah

George Farmer, USC

Jamal Miles, Arizona State

James Johnson, Washington

Josh Huff, Oregon

Kasen William, Washington

Nelson Agholor, USC

Shaquelle Evans, UCLA

Ty Montgomery, Stanford

The SEC's Top 5 Wide Receivers

1. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas

2. Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee

3. Odell Beckham Jr., LSU

4. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M

5. Tavarres King, Georgia

1. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas

Arkansas may have lost three key receivers—Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs—from last year's squad, but the Razorbacks do bring back one of the most physically gifted receivers in the country, Cobi Hamilton, to lead the way in 2012. 

Hamilton is a supremely athletic receiver who possesses track speed, great leaping ability and a terrific set of hands. 

Last year, the 6'3'', 209-pound senior had plenty of competition for catches from Adams, Wright and Childs, but he still managed to haul in 34 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns. 

With Hamilton and QB Tyler Wilson both coming back, the Razorbacks should have one of the best passing tandems in the country in 2012. 

2. Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee

Da'Rick Rogers hasn't exactly enjoyed a perfectly smooth career at Tennessee, but even though he's endured a few setbacks, Rogers has still found a way to persevere and succeed during his time in Knoxville. 

Last year, even though the Vols struggled to do much offensively all year long, Rogers still managed to lead the SEC with 67 catches for 1,040 yards, and he scored nine touchdowns. 

With Justin Hunter now returning from injury to take some of the pressure off the 6'3'', 215-pound junior, Rogers should have the freedom to make even more critical plays in 2012. 

If he can remain focused and if he can remain committed to being great this season, Rogers should once again be one of the most productive receivers in the SEC in 2012. 

3. Odell Beckham Jr., LSU

Odell Beckham Jr. arrived on the LSU campus last year as a highly touted 4-star recruit out of Isidore Newman School in New Orleans.

Beckham had some high expectations to live up to in his first season, but that pressure didn't seem to affect him one bit, as he went out and became an instant impact player for LSU's offense in 2011.

Even though the Tigers' passing game wasn't exactly stellar last year, Beckham still caught 41 passes for 475 yards.

Now with Rueben Randle gone, he's going to be asked to step into the No. 1 receiver role this year. 

Beckham and Russell Shepard should make a great receiving pair in Baton Rouge this season, and they should give new starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger two dangerous deep threats to look for down the field in 2012. 

4. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M

Most onlookers were expecting Jeff Fuller to be Texas A&M's top receiver in 2011, but it actually turned out to be Ryan Swope who had the biggest impact in College Station last season. 

Swope ended up leading the Aggies with 89 catches for 1,207 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, and with Fuller gone, he'll now be asked to perform at an even higher level in 2012. 

The 6'0'', 206-pound senior will have to deal with having a new inexperienced starting quarterback throwing him the ball, but that shouldn't hurt his production all that much. 

New A&M coach Kevin Sumlin knows how to lead a successful passing attack, which he demonstrated during his time at Houston last season, and Swope should play a similar role in Sumlin's offense in 2012 to the one Patrick Edwards did for the Cougars last year. 

5. Tavarres King, Georgia

Georgia may not have another receiver the caliber of former star A.J. Green for quite a while, but what the Bulldogs will have this year is two of the SEC's most prominent pass-catchers—Tavarres King and Malcolm Mitchell. 

King and Mitchell complemented each other perfectly in 2011, and they put up nearly identical stats with King catching 46 passes for 677 yards and eight touchdowns, while Mitchell hauled in 45 passes for 655 yards and four touchdowns. 

QB Aaron Murray will be looking at both receivers often this season, but it's King who seems destined for a special swan song season in his final year in Athens. 

The former 4-star recruit has taken a few years to come into his own, but King now seems ready to step out onto the national stage and show that he's one of college football's most gifted wideouts in 2012. 

Other SEC Receivers to Watch

Ace Sanders, South Carolina

Andre Debose, Florida

Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State

Chris Boyd, Vanderbilt

Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss

Emory Blake, Auburn

Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt

Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Kenny Bell, Alabama

Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia

T.J. Moe, Missouri

The Best Receivers Outside of the BCS Conferences

Aaron Dobson, Marshall

Cody Hoffman, BYU

Darius Johnson, SMU

Deon Long, New Mexico

Javone Lawson, Louisiana-Lafayette

Justin Hardy, East Carolina

Matt Miller, Boise State

Nick Harwell, Miami (Ohio)

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Taylor Stockemer, Arkansas State

Theo Riddick, Notre Dame