College Football: Power Ranking Top 10 Wide Receivers Heading into Saturday

The 2011 college football season has been a great one for wide receiver play.

From Alshon Jefferey to Justin Blackmon, first-round talent exists all over the country.

Last Saturday, we saw one of the nation's best, Ryan Broyles, go down for the rest of the season with a torn ACL in Oklahoma's matchup against Kansas State.

But, is Broyles the nation's top receiver?

Honorable Mention

Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina: Jeffery is hurt by terrible quarterback play and would more than likely be in the top five on this list with a quarterback who could get him the ball. He should challenge Justin Blackmon to be the first wide receiver taken in the NFL Draft in April. 

A.J. Jenkins, Illinois

Chris Givens, Wake Forest

Marvin McNutt, Iowa

No. 10: Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

For all the hype that Michael Floyd has gotten, he has really failed to live up to it. Some shaky quarterback play at times has had some effect but Floyd has got to play better. 

Through nine games, he is tied for 21st in the nation in receiving yards with 832 and just six touchdowns.

The talent is definitely there, but Floyd just can't seem to string multiple together great games. It could have something to do with other teams game-planning to stop him, but the great ones find ways to get open no matter what.

Floyd is still a first-round talent, but his performance so far this year has given his NFL Draft stock a hit. 

No. 9: Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers

Mohamed Sanu has quietly put together a solid season for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the dreadful Big East.

Sanu is 18th in the nation with 844 receiving yards to go along with 81 receptions and seven touchdowns.

He has disappeared in some big games this season, but Sanu has been the big offensive weapon for the Scarlet Knights and is far and away the best receiver in the Big East.

No. 8: Kendall Wright, Baylor

In the highly potent Baylor Bear offense led by quarterback Robert Griffin III, Kendall Wright has been the No. 1 threat at wide receiver.

Through eight games, the senior has already eclipsed his previous season high in receiving yards, sitting at 971, good for 11th in the nation. He also has 73 receptions and nine touchdowns.

At 5'10", Wright may not be the ideal NFL wide receiver prospect, but he has made his mark in college football this season.

No. 7: Jordan White, Western Michigan

Jordan White has a knack for having a big game, as he already has three games with over 170 yards receiving in 2011.

Despite missing the first game of the season, White sits at No. 5 in the nation with 1,045 receiving yards to go along with 83 receptions and nine touchdowns.

Playing on Western Michigan, White doesn't get a lot of attention, but this guy can catch balls with the best of them in college football. 

No. 6: Patrick Edwards, Houston

Patrick Edwards certainly benefits from the pass-happy Houston offense led by Case Keenum, but his production is undeniable.

Edwards is second in the nation in receiving yards with 1,148 on just 56 receptions, good for an average of 20.5 yards per reception.

He has also caught 11 touchdown passes from Case Keenum and is one of the sparks of the lightning rod that is the Houston pass attack. 

No. 5: Keenan Allen, California

Just a sophomore, Keenan Allen has provided an offensive spark on a mediocre Cal Bears team in 2011.

Allen has 1,074 receiving yards, good for fourth in the country, to go along with 74 receptions and five touchdowns. 

Not yet eligible for the NFL Draft, Allen could be one of the hot wide-receiver prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft after his junior season. 

No. 4: Sammy Watkins, Clemson

A true freshman for the Clemson Tigers, Sammy Watkins has a very bright future ahead of him.

He is ninth in the nation with 978 receiving yards on 64 receptions with 10 touchdowns.

The Tigers will need some big play from Watkins down the stretch in order to secure a birth in a BCS bowl.

In a couple of years, we could be talking about Watkins as the best wide-receiver prospect in the NFL Draft. 

No. 3: Robert Woods, USC

Robert Woods has been nothing short of unbelievable for Matt Barkley and the USC Trojans so far in 2011. 

Whenever the Trojans need a big play, they can count on Woods to make it.

He leads the nation in receptions with 90, is tied for second in the nation with 10 touchdowns and is third in the nation with 1,121 yards receiving.

Just a sophomore, Woods will challenge Keenan Allen for top wideout honors in the 2013 NFL Draft. 

No. 2: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

It really is a shame that Ryan Broyles went down with an ACL injury on Saturday, because he was putting together an impressive senior year campaign.

He leads the nation in receiving yards 1,157, along with 10 touchdowns on 83 receptions.

Even with the season-ending injury, Broyles has put up an impressive stat line that most receivers would be happy with in a full season.

Here's to hoping he makes a full recovery and is able to play on Sundays next fall. 

No. 1: Justin Blackmon

Justin Blackmon is a freak of nature.

He has the size and the speed to take his game to the NFL and be a top receiver on Sundays for many  years to come.

He currently leads the nation in touchdowns with 12, to go along with 1,039 yards on 87 receptions.

When the NFL Draft comes along in April, don't be surprised to see Blackmon as the first wide receiver off the board. \

Check out how much things have changed since my last WR power rankings.

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