Percy Harvin, Michael Crabtree, and Jeremy Maclin: 2008's Biletnikoff Battle

For the most part, my battle at the top series has been one on one battles between two of the nation's elite players to determine who is the clear-cut number one—Maualuga versus Laurinaitis, Tebow versus White, and Wells versus Moreno. 

However, wide receiver is a three-headed monster this year in college football, with Jeremy Maclin of Mizzou, Percy Harvin of Florida, and Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech all pushing to be THE number one threat in America.

The differing skill sets of these kids, coupled with the abject mediocrity of their nationwide receiving peer group, truly make these three a hot commodity in college football.

Harvin, Crabtree, and Maclin are the best of the best heading into 2008, and while names such as Aaron Kelly and Kenny Britt may make some splashes ,these three have the market cornered.

With their dynamic capabilities, each is a terrorizing foe for defenses in the Big XII and SEC—however, only one can truly be considered the best wide receiver in college football.

Percy Harvin (5'11", 178 pounds)

Looking at his size, Harvin seems too small to be a serious contender in an era where bigger is better, but a look at his numbers tells the true story of his larger-than-life contribution to the Gators.  In 2007, Harvin caught 59 balls for 858 yards and carried 83 times for 764 yards on the ground. 

Percy Harvin is a more than capable receiver—he's a true deep threat who was exposed to the nation during his performance in the national title game two years ago.  At 5'11", Harvin has the great hands a receiver needs and the fearless nature that makes him a true asset to the Florida squad.

Harvin has the best stop-and-go speed in the nation—he cuts on a dime, and his elusiveness in traffic is eerily similar to the college greats Peter Warrick and Reggie Bush.  The difference for Harvin is that his speed comes with an innate toughness.

His 858 rushing yards were truly running-back-styled yards.  Although he ran reverses like other receivers, a large portion of Harvin's yards came hitting the hole and taking on linebackers to get tough yards.

He's not afraid of contact, whether it's running a dig into a linebacker covering the curl or taking a handoff off tackle and absorbing a blow to get a first down. 

As great as Harvin is on the ground, he's equally exceptional when the ball is in the air.  He's a legitimate deep threat who is not only capable of breaking short passes, but who has also shown the ability to go upfield and catch the deep ball in traffic. 

Lee Corso puts it like this, simply describing Harvin as "the finest, most exciting football player in the nation."

With any luck, Harvin's junior campaign will be less about running and more about catching, as he was forced into too much of a running back role for his slight frame to comfortably accomodate, as evidenced in his absence from two late-season games against FAU and USC.

By sticking to receiver he'll save his legs, limit the bruises, and perform solidly with a thousand-yard season in the air and five hundred on the ground.

Michael Crabtree (6'3", 208 pounds)

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