Ranking the Best Receiving Corps for 2017 College Football Season
"Bedlam" is going to be chaos this year.
After all, when you've got that many playmaking wide receivers and two gunslinging quarterbacks on the field, there can't help but be a ton of points scored. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will feature two of the best pass-catching units in all of the country.
But who is going to challenge the Sooners and Cowboys for the top spot?
As important as the running game is to basically everybody in college football, the air show puts folks in the stands. It's the reason why some of those high-flying teams in the Big 12 put up crazy offensive numbers.
That conference doesn't have the market cornered on the stables of stars in the wide receiving corps in 2017, though. There are top targets dispersed throughout the country.
So, factoring in talent, depth, star power and, to an extent, returning production, let's take a look at the top groups of receivers in this year's college football universe. As always, make your feelings known in the comments section.
10. Florida State Seminoles
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The group: Da'Vante Phillips, Jr.; Nyqwan Murray, Jr.; George Campbell, RS So.; Auden Tate, Jr.; Tyriq Withers, RS Fr.; Gilbert Henric, RS So.; Bryan LaCivita, RS Sr.; Justin Motlow, RS Jr.; Jared Jackson, RS Sr.; Keith Gavin, So.; D.J. Matthews, Fr.; Tamorrion Terry, Fr.
The star: Nyqwan Murray isn't a household name just yet, but he will be. At 5'11", 171 pounds, he isn't an imposing figure in the least, but he can get up and go with the ball in his hands. The Seminoles will get him the ball in space, and he'll put up a big-time season. Tate may have the bigger frame, but Murray is the playmaker.
Why they're here: Replacing Travis Rudolph will be no easy chore, but FSU coach Jimbo Fisher reloads with plenty of talent. Murray and Tate will be among the best duos in the ACC, and both could double their 400-plus-yard seasons in 2016. Even with Rudolph, Kermit Whitfield and Jesus Wilson gone, it won't matter. Look for Keith Gavin to have a breakout season as well, and quarterback Deondre Francois will make them all look good.
9. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
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The group: Richie James, RS Jr.; Jocquez Bruce, RS So.; Ty Lee, So.; Isiah Upton, RS So.; Tyrese Johnson, Fr.; Tristan Walker, RS Sr.; Ruben Garnett, RS So.; Tyshawn Brown, So.; Patrick Smith, RS Sr.; CJ Windham, So.; Reginald Henderson, RS Fr.; Jimmy Marshall, Fr.; Zeke Cobb, Fr.; Tavonn Salter, Jr.; Ricky Blair, Sr.; Aiden Black, RS So.; Peyton Burke, RS Fr.; Zack Dobson, Fr.; Chris Dunnum, RS Jr.; Robert Kelley, RS Sr.; Fundrail Quimbley, RS So.; William Wilcox, RS Fr.; Montreal Henry, Fr.
The star: Richie James can do everything. Playing for the high-powered Blue Raiders, the junior is the top target for quarterback Brent Stockstill. He caught 105 passes for a school-record 1,625 yards and 12 touchdowns in '16, and he has posted 100-plus receiving yards in 14 of his first 26 games for MTSU. He also churned out some yards on the ground, too, as the Raiders made sure to get him the ball in every way imaginable.
Why they're here: The nation's eighth-ranked offense is as explosive as they come. As if James isn't enough, the Blue Raiders boast others who are more than capable of posting huge numbers. Stockstill threw for 3,233 yards and 31 touchdowns last year despite missing three games. Sophomore Ty Lee added 699 yards on 63 catches as a true freshman, and two other pass-catchers had more than 10 grabs. Tennessee transfer Jocquez Bruce also will provide a boost.
8. Indiana Hoosiers
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The group: Simmie Cobbs Jr., RS Jr.; J-Shun Harris II, RS Jr.; Taysir Mack, RS Fr.; Donavan Hale, Jr.; Isaac James, RS So.; Nick Westbrook, Jr.; Justin Berry, RS Fr.; Jonah Morris, RS Fr.; Chris Gajcak, RS So.; Luke Timian, RS Jr.; Phil Benker, RS Fr.; Whop Philyor, Fr.; Tyrese Fryfogle, Fr.
The star: Simmie Cobbs Jr. is a 6'4", 220-pound jumbo target who will be an awesome weapon for first-year offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, and he's also a big reason the Hoosiers could be even better than they were when Kevin Wilson was coaching. He posted 1,035 yards on 60 catches in 2015 before missing all of last year with an ankle injury.
Why they're here: When Cobbs was down a season ago, all Nick Westbrook did was rack up 995 receiving yards, and the Hoosiers also return speedy J-Shun Harris, who has missed the past two seasons with knee injuries. He's the perfect complement to the two big receivers when healthy. The Hoosiers are going to fling around the ball, and they've got the guys to light up the scoreboard. That's three pass-catchers who will compete with anybody in the Big Ten.
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7. Colorado Buffaloes
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The group: Shay Fields, Sr.; Devin Ross, Sr.; Derrion Rakestraw, RS Fr.; Bryce Bobo, Sr.; Johnny Huntley, So.; Juwann Winfree, RS Jr.; Jaylon Jackson, Fr.; Jay MacIntyre, Jr.; Kabion Ento, Sr.; Lee Walker, Jr.; Xavier Cochrane, Jr.; Kevin Dement, Jr.; KD Nixon, Fr.; Laviska Shenault, Fr.; Maurice Bell, Fr.
The star: Shay Fields is known as "Big Play" Shay because all he does is produce impact gains when quarterbacks get the ball in his hands. Yes, he'll miss quarterback Sefo Liufau, but Steven Montez is capable of getting him the football plenty. He averaged 15.8 yards per grab a season ago.
Why they're here: Fields isn't the only returning star—far from it. The slot receiver duo of Devin Ross and Jay MacIntyre combined for 1,199 yards on 101 catches and scored six touchdowns. Seniors Bryce Bobo and Johnny Huntley are steady, and the Buffaloes have some young potential as well. Derrion Rakestraw is a talented redshirt freshman, and KD Nixon is a player many of the nation's top teams wanted before he flipped from Tennessee to Colorado. Co-coordinators Brian Lindgren and Darrin Chiaverini should be able to tap into the explosive element of the offense with Montez's ability.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
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The group: Robert Foster, RS Sr.; Calvin Ridley, Jr.; Jerry Jeudy, Fr.; Trevon Diggs, So.; Tyrell Shavers, Fr.; T.J. Simmons, So.; Cam Sims, Sr.; Austin Johnson, Jr.; Xavian Marks, Jr.; Daniel Skehan, Sr.; Swade Hutchinson, Sr.; Mac Hereford, So.; Jonathan Rice, Jr.; Chris Herring, So.; Derek Kief, RS Jr.; Donnie Lee Jr., Sr.; Devonta Smith, Fr.; Henry Ruggs III, Fr.; Chadarius Townsend, Fr.
The star: Calvin Ridley may have quieted down a bit as a sophomore in 2016, but make no mistake: He's still one of the nation's top receivers. Much like fellow Florida native and former UA receiver Amari Cooper, Ridley isn't going to wow you with measurables. But he will blow by you, and he can make all the catches. He's a surefire high draft pick if he goes pro after this year.
Why they're here: Everybody is going to talk about Alabama's stable of running backs—and rightfully so. But don't sleep on the Crimson Tide's receivers, especially with new coordinator Brian Daboll, who was present for New England's pass-happy, Tom Brady-led teams. UA has been sneaky good with passing stats the past couple of years, and if Jalen Hurts gets more consistent with his downfield passing, look out. Cam Sims, Robert Foster and star freshman Jerry Jeudy have the talent to post big numbers.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions
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The group: Saeed Blacknall, Sr.; Irvin Charles, RS So.; Dae'Lun Darien, RS Fr.; DaeSean Hamilton, RS Sr.; Cody Hodgens, RS Sr.; Juwan Johnson, So.; Isaac Lutz, RS Fr.; Colton Maxwell, RS Fr.; Josh McPhearson, RS Sr.; Brandon Polk, Jr.; Tyler Shoop, RS So.; DeAndre Thompkins, RS Jr.; Christopher Wade, Jr.; KJ Hamler, Fr.; Cameron Sullivan-Brown, Fr.; Mac Hippenhammer Fr.,
The star: DaeSean Hamilton is the leading returning receiver, but Saeed Blacknall and Juwan Johnson are the budding stars. Blacknall is the pick here for the blossoming stud, though. He blew up for 155 yards and a pair of scores in the Big Ten Championship before getting suspended for the Rose Bowl, and he averaged 20 yards per catch on the season. If he keeps his head on straight, he'll be an all-conference performer.
Why they're here: The Lions' top returning receiver from a year ago in Chris Godwin is gone, but head coach James Franklin brings back essentially everybody else who helped quarterback Trace McSorley post a monster season in 2016. The senior trio of Hamilton, Blacknall and tight end Mike Gesicki will keep the numbers up there, and Johnson could have one of the biggest breakouts in the country. He's got elite talent.
4. Memphis Tigers
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The group: Tony Pollard, RS So.; Anthony Miller, RS Sr.; John Williams, So.; Damonte Coxie, So.; Sam Craft, RS Sr.; Kedarian Jones, RS So.; Roderick Proctor, Sr.; Jahod Booker, RS Fr.; Jaylen McClanahan, So.; Coye Fairman, Fr.; Mechane Slade, RS So.; Hunter Hill, RS Fr.; Phil Mayhue, Sr.; Tre Hamilton, Jr.; Nick Robinson, Fr.
The star: Anthony Miller began his career as a walk-on from inside the city whom few recruited. Last year, the 5'11", 185-pound pass-catcher passed up a chance at millions in the NFL to return to school after a record-breaking season in which he finished with 95 catches for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns. Can he improve on that in '17? With the supporting cast around him, why not?
Why they're here: You may think this is too high for a mid-major program like Memphis. That would be wrong. Much like their cross-state counterparts in MTSU of Conference USA, the Tigers love throwing the ball. But they do it on a little higher level than the Blue Raiders. With rising senior quarterback Riley Ferguson back along with the top three receivers, head coach Mike Norvell may be about to finish what Justin Fuente started. A team that has won 27 games in three years could take the next step.
3. Clemson Tigers
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The group: Trevion Thompson, RS Jr.; Hunter Renfrow, RS Jr.; Deon Cain, Jr.; Diondre Overton, So.; Cornell Powell, So.; T.J. Chase, RS Fr.; Jack Swinney, RS Sr.; Ray-Ray McCloud, Jr.; Ty Thomason, RS So.; Ryan Mac Lain, RS So.; Kanyon Tuttle, RS So.; Carter Groomes, RS Fr.; Tee Higgins, Fr.; Amari Rodgers, Fr.
The star: Deon Cain is going to be the top receiver in the ACC this year if he can only find somebody to throw him the ball. Surely, a quarterback will emerge in Clemson's race with all that talent, and when they do, there will be the 6'1", 210-pound Cain. He had 724 yards on 38 catches and scored nine times a year ago. Between Mike Williams, Artavis Scott and Jordan Leggett, Clemson lost 220 catches. Those have to go somewhere.
Why they're here: How can a team lose first-round pick Williams, Scott and Leggett off a national championship team and still have a receiving corps ranked this high? That's because of head coach Dabo Swinney's recruiting. The Tigers still have a ton of talent, led by the trio of Cain, Ray-Ray McCloud and Hunter Renfrow. Look for freshman Tee Higgins to provide some big-play ability, too.
2. Oklahoma Sooners
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The group: Jeff Badet, Sr.; Nick Basquine, RS Jr.; Marquise Brown, So.; Sam Iheke, RS So.; Mykel Jones, So.; Michael Mays, RS So.; Jeffery Mead, Sr.; A.D. Miller, Jr.; Lee Morris, RS So.; Chase Nevel, Jr.; Jordan Smallwood, RS Sr.; Myles Tease, RS Jr.; Reggie Turner, RS Jr.; Nathan Womack, RS Fr.; Mark Andrews, RS Jr.; CeeDee Lamb, Fr.; Charleston Rambo, Fr.
The star: Mark Andrews gets a lot of the headlines, and everybody is excited about tiny JUCO receiver Marquise Brown. Jeffery Mead and A.D. Miller are strong, too. But Jeff Badet is going to electrify in Oklahoma's offense after transferring from Kentucky. He led the Wildcats in receiving yards and led the conference in yards per catch. That will translate well in Norman.
Why they're here: Baker Mayfield is the nation's best returning quarterback, earning a place at last year's Heisman Trophy ceremony. With the playmakers around him in 2017, he may be right back there. Badet's transfer from Kentucky was massive, and Andrews will be among the best pass-catchers in the country. OU will thrive under first-year coach Lincoln Riley. The Sooners have legitimately five or six players who can top 500 receiving yards, and they just may.
1. Oklahoma State Cowboys
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The group: Jalen McCleskey, Jr.; Marcell Ateman, RS Sr.; Tyrell Alexander, RS Fr.; Tyron Johnson, RS So.; Chris Lacy, Sr.; Dillon Stoner, RS Fr.; Cole McKnight, RS Sr.; James Washington, Sr.; Mitchell Perkinson, RS Fr.; Landon Wolf, RS Fr.; Korie Frausto, RS Fr.; Austin Parker, RS Jr.; Tylan Wallace, Fr.; Shamond Greenwood, Fr.; Lamarcus Morton, Fr., Braydon Johnson, Fr.
The star: Without question, James Washington is the biggest playmaker on a team full of them at quarterback Mason Rudolph's fingertips. The 6'0", 205-pound rising senior bypassed the NFL to return for his senior season after catching 71 passes for 1,380 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns a season ago. The numbers may not be as big in 2017 with all his teammates needing touches, too, but Washington is a reliable go-to guy.
Why they're here: There are going to be plenty of touchdowns scored by that receiving corps at OU, but head coach Mike Gundy has assembled an even better group in Stillwater. As if he didn't already have an embarrassment of riches, getting LSU transfer Tyron Johnson to come to Oklahoma State was a massive coup. Throw in Jalen McCleskey, who is one of the most underrated pass-catchers in the country, and the Cowboys can go six-deep with anybody in the country.
Recruit rankings courtesy of Scout.com unless otherwise noted. All stats gathered from CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted.
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