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)
Coming off a Biletnikoff-award-winning season in which he racked up NCAA freshman records by totaling 134 catches, 1,962 yards and 22 TDs, Crabtree seems poised to defend his title as the best receiver in the nation.
The guy is the prototype NFL receiver, from the tall, well-muscled frame to the large, powerful hands. Crabtree is an excellent route runner and has shown a tremendous ability to high point balls in traffic, a skill that makes NFL scouts drool.
On the college level, the redshirt sophomore is a serious deep threat, capable of running the post, deep dig, and corner routes to perfection. His explosion off the line and ability to handle physical corners gives him an edge as soon as he lines up to go deep.
In the short passing game, Crabtree has proven equally dangerous with his ability to break the big one. He doesn't have the tremendous deceleration and acceleration of a Harvin, but he does have the vision to get yards in bunches.
The most impressive aspect of Crabtree's game is his proclivity to show up big in big games. Against divisional foes he averaged 9.4 catches and 163.4 yards a game. Even more importantly, against Oklahoma and Texas the freshman showed up for 12 catches for 154 yards and nine catches for 195 yards, respectively.
There are still some unknowns heading into 2008 following Crabtree's breakout freshman year. The most basic argument presented by Crabtree detractors is that Texas Tech passes more than 97 percent of DI-A, skewing the sophomore's numbers and the public opinion.
However, the biggest hurdle for Crabtree will be his ability to handle the pressure, both real and perceived, of being the returning Biletnikoff award winner.
Defenses will focus on using nickel, dime, and specialized schemes in an attempt to neutralize Crabtree. He will also face physical pressure at the line and downfield in an attempt to throw him off his game.
Jeremy Maclin (6'1", 200 pounds)
Crabtree set the receiving records last year, but Maclin dominated another freshman record—total yards. His 2,776 all-purpose yards loudly introduced the freshman to the Big XII and the nation.
Piling up 1,055 receiving yards, 375 rushing yards, 307 punt return yards, and 1,039 kick return yards was no small task as he ran to a total of 16 touchdowns.
As a return man Maclin is a true All-American, possessing the ability to break the big one from wherever he gets the ball in his hands. Though most of his accolades were gained in the return game, his receiving skills are nothing short of spectacular.
Maclin's receiving yards come in chunks as he punishes defenses with tunnel, bubble, and quick screen passes from Chase Daniel. He's got the best cut and go speed in the country, and if he gets a seam you can put six on the board.
Jeremy Maclin's biggest asset is his field vision. Gary Pinkel cuts him loose with short passes in space, returns, and reverses to allow Maclin to improvise and create as he sees fit.
The hangups for Maclin at this stage in his career are his deficiencies both in route running and against physical defenses. While great at running screens and short quick hitters, the crispness of his deep routes leaves much to be desired.
He uses speed exclusively instead of coupling his speed with cuts and positioning to gain an increased advantage. This works in college but translates to Ted Ginn, Jr. in the NFL.
2008 will be a struggle for Maclin as he's now a well known commodity to the Big XII. His return numbers will plummet with teams using the sky kick and directional techniques to keep the ball out of his hands.
Defenses such as Oklahoma and Texas will continue to pound on him at the line, rendering him largely ineffective unless he improves the physicality of his game.
In the end, Chase Daniel will depend upon Maclin to convert third downs, and he'll be crucial to making the Tigers tick.
The Verdict
Maclin, Harvin, Crabtree. The top three receivers heading into 2008, each bringing their own special touch to the same critical position in the spread offense. Each represents his role in stellar fashion, but adding it up the three guys play out like a three course meal.
The light, versatile Harvin serves up as an appetizer—a quality guy who is good by himself but is even better paired with a dynamic centerpiece, in this case Tim Tebow.
In all his flashiness, Maclin serves as the dessert of this receiving feast. He looks good, draws you in, but still leaves you wanting more, like third down receptions and big time catches in traffic.
Michael Crabtree is the entree of this ensemble. Crabtree is the 32-ounce porterhouse of the college football world. He's great with help, but the guy can get it done all by himself.
Crabtree is without a doubt the best of the best. He's an elite receiver who, I feel, will respond admirably to the pressures placed upon him entering 2008. His numbers may go down with the double and triple teams, but in the red zone expect Crabtree to come through as he did in 2007.
Mike Leach has a real player in Lubbock, and with Graham Harrell tossing the ball around, expect Michael Crabtree to repeat as the 2008 Biletnikoff winner—something receiving greats Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, and Larry Fitzgerald never did.
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about 1 month ago
Great article.
And I agree. But while Crabtree is probably the best WR, I have to give best overall skill player to Harvin.
about 1 month ago
Excellent article. Well-reasoned and fair, good analysis of the clear top-three receivers. Loved it.
about 1 month ago
Thanks guys, I was trying to narrow it down to two guys like my other pieces but in the end you can't exclude Harvin or Maclin because they're both so good at what they do.
I like the fact that three guys playing the same position in the same base offense (shotgun spread) can have such different roles yet be so extremely successful in them.
about 1 month ago
Good article, Michael. I completely agree with your selection of Crabtree. He does play in a system that allows him to make plays, but wide receiver is a very dependent position. With his size, I don't see many DBs with the ability to get physical with him at the line.
about 1 month ago
Good stuff. I fully expect it to come down to these three guys.
Just a note and certainly not trying to be picky - the weight you listed for Harvin was his weight as a freshman almost three years ago. He's lately been called one of the strongest guys on the team (pound for pound) by Urban Meyer and has been confirmed weighing in at just over 200 lbs by several Gator insider writers. Of course he can't really expect to get any taller, but at least he's filling out to absorb some punishment.
I also think Crabtree will get the award.
about 1 month ago
Great article. I to think Crabtree is the best receiver in the nation but I'm a big fan of Percy Harvin even though I'm a UK fan.
about 1 month ago
I doubt they will be the 3 finalists when its all said and done.
Expect Brandon Gibson, Aaron Kelly, Joquian Igleasias, Mike Jones, Sammie Stroughter or maybe some relative unknown RS Fr or juco transfer to be in the running at the end of the season.
about 1 month ago
I agree with you here! Crabtree is definitely the best of the already talented bunch.
about 1 month ago
If you watch percy harvins videos on u tube you will see how fast and how cordinated he is how easy it is for him to come out of any situation
about 1 month ago
good article. i also agree with crabtree.
his offensive system will probably back him with the best stats too.
harvin's probably the hardest to gameplan though, dude's scary.
about 1 month ago
You are a true analyst. While Maclin and Harvin are all-around guys, the player who is best at the position is Crabtree. And yes, he will repeat the Biletnikoff. Seeing guys like this make eveyone drool.
about 1 month ago
Great article.
I think Harvin is the most exciting, Maclin is the best overall, and Crabtree is the best receiver. All three are disgusting on the gridiron.
about 1 month ago
Thanks for the reads guys:
I agree with what everyone is saying about Harvin being the most dangerous. When the ball is in his hands he can do just about anything. He stops on a dime and is back to full speed in two steps, its really a treat to see him weave his way through defenses.
Maclin is a guy who has some world class and as I said, given a seam he'll take it. His ability to get open and make crucial receptions should develop better once he learns to use that 6'1" frame to shield defensive backs from the football and catch in a small window.
Crabtree is a pure receiver and even if he was taken out of the pass happy TTU offense would still be the most paralyzing deep threat to defensive backfields. The guy has all the tools to be successful both in college and at the next level.
Too bad they all can't be All-American wide receivers because they deserve it; luckily Maclin will still be an AA with his ability to punish special teams for letting him touch the ball.
about 1 month ago
Crabtree.
about 1 month ago
You got Harvin's Rushing and recieving numbers reversed. Only James Rodgers had that kind of explosiveness when running the ball last season. Harvin had 764 rushing yards on 83 carries.
about 1 month ago
This article holds no merit without the mention of the best WR in college football: Mr. Darrius Heyward-Bey of Maryland. It's like writing an article on who's the best QB of all time without mentioning Johnny U. Go back in the lab and rewrite your article.
about 1 month ago
Marcus,
Thanks for your read and taking the time to comment, with that being said I have to respectfully disagree with you. First of all Harvin, Maclin and Crabtree are without a doubt the best in the nation, their productivity and talent is unrivaled by any of the nations other receivers.
I'm guessing that you've been reading draft boards for the 2009 draft and seeing Heyward-Bey listed as the #2 receiving prospect going into 2008. This article isn't about projecting players to the NFL, its about who is the best WR in college football right now.
Heyward-Bey is, by all tangible accounts and favorable forecasting, the #3 receiver in the ACC heading into 2008. Hakeem Nicks of UNC and Aaron Kelly of Clemson have been more productive in every area and only look to improve upon their strong 2007 seasons.
I'm sure your guy will be a high draft pick if he has a strong season, but for college football 2008, barring a significant improvement in production, Heyward-Bey is an afterthought in the best receiver race.
Thanks for the read, and please don't compare the Louisville great Johnny U to Heyward-Bey.
about 1 month ago
Harvin didn't miss the FAU and USC games due to injury. He had a sinus problem that was causing him to have awful migranes. He did have surgery in the offseason to relieve a bone spur problem he has had since he was in high school. What's scary about that is it may make him even faster now he wont be playing in pain as he was his first 2 years.
about 1 month ago
Ummm I don't think bone spurs in the nose would have anything to do with how fast Percy Harvin is. If anything Maclin would be the one to improve on his speed the most seeing as he had a season long leg injury the year he redshirted (two years ago).
about 1 month ago
The bone spurs were in his foot, the surgery removed those this off season.
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