College Football 2012: Wide Receiver Report Card for the Top 50 Teams

The draft is here and teams are seeing former players being drafted into the NFL. While this is a proud moment for schools and players, it is a reminder that keys parts of certain programs have moved on and left their schools short handed.

One part of a program that can separate them from others is the ability to throw the deep ball. This year saw some great receivers like Justin Blackmon head to the NFL.

As we take a look at the preseason top 50, we take a look at who will be lining up on the outside and give each schools receiving group a grade as we head towards summer. 

Miami

Miami is in a state of rebuilding as the Hurricanes have struggled to remain consistent for a few years now. This year, the Hurricanes will be hoping that youngsters Rashawn Scott and Phillip Dorsett can step things up and help the passing game.

Grade: C

SMU

SMU has been improving over the past couple of years and with the setbacks that Houston and Southern Miss could take this year, the Mustangs may be in position to challenge for the conference tittle. 

On the ends, the Mustangs have Steve Nelson, Keenan Holman and Darius Johnson and hope that they can deliver a big offensive punch during the 2012 season.

Grade: C+

Houston

Last year shaped up to be Houston's best chance at making a run. They came up a game short as they lost in the Conference USA title game and with the loss, they took a huge hit on their depth chart. 

This year, the Cougars look to rebuild with youth outside as Aaron Johnson, Darian Lazard and Chance Blackmon all are expected to step up.

Grade: C

Air Force

While the Air Force offense doesn't rely to much on the passing game, the need for playmakers is still there. This year, the Falcons main targets will be Jason Brown and Victor Thompson and they are hoping that it will be good enough. 

Grade: C+

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt was a surprising story in 2011 and Coach Franklin has them trending in the right direction. At receiver, Vanderbilt has Jonathan Krause, Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd and their hope is that they can continue to help this team grow in the SEC.

Grade: C+

NC State

Mike Glennon is back for his final year at NC State and has a decent receiving group to get the ball too. Between Rashard Smith, Quintin Payton and Tobais Palmer, their is enough talent to making the passing game successful in 2012. 

Grade: B

Southern Miss

Last year Southern Miss stunned everyone when they took down Houston in the Conference USA title game. This year, the Golden Eagles will be breaking in a new quarterback who will need to develop chemistry with Dominique Sullivan, Quintin Pierce and Francisco Llanos, all receivers that can make a big impact in 2012. 

Grade: C+

Missouri

As Missouri enters the SEC, they realize that they are extremely young at wide receiver. Jimmie Hunt, Marcus Lucas and L'Damian Washington do not have a lot of experience combined and wont have much time to get up to speed in their new conference. 

Grade: C+

BYU

BYU has the potential to surprise some people but the play from their wide receivers will go a long way in determining if they realize that potential. Players like McKay Jacobson, Rhen Brown and Spencer Hafoka all have to be on top of their game in 2012.

Grade: B-

Arizona State

Arizona State is another team that is in transition and will look for their wide receivers to start to develop this year. Kevin Ozier, Rashad Ross and Chris Coyle are all players that Mike Graham hopes to see some improvement out of in 2012. 

Grade: C

Oklahoma State

No Justin Blackmon means that the receiver group at Oklahoma State has taken a huge hit. Despite the talents of Josh Stewart, Isaiah Anderson and Tracy Moore, the Cowboys are going to take a step back in production.

Grade: C+

Stanford

Not only did the passing game take a hit by losing Andrew Luck but the Cardinal lost valuable experience at wide receiver and tight end. During a rebuilding year, Stanford will be counting on Jemari Roberts, Corey Gatewood and Jamal-Rashad Patterson to step up. 

Grade: C

Cal

Leading off with Keenan Allen, Cal is strong at wide receiver. Along with Allen, the Golden Bears have Marvin Jones and Michael Calvin to count on. Not many people are talking about Cal in the Pac-12 North and these receivers hope to change all of that. 

Grade: B+

Iowa

Iowa is a team that has a great potential but it is time to see if that potential will be realized. Keenan Davis is stepping out of Marvin McNutt's shadow and will be joined by Don Shumpert and Kevonte Martin-Manley as the main targets in the passing game. 

Grade: B-

North Carolina

North Carolina has a new head coach and are hoping to get things turned around. The passing game may take some time to revive as the Tar Heels have Sean Tapley and Erik Highsmith to lean on, which wont be much comfort to UNC fans. 

Grade: C+

Utah

The Utes seemed to find their rhythm at the end of the season but it was too little too late. This year, the Utes seem to have a good blend of experience and youth at wide receiver. Between Kenneth Scott, DeVonte Christopher and Dres Anderson, Utah has the best shot at beating USC in the Pac-12 South. 

Grade: B

Rutgers

When reviewing the Rutgers receivers, there is a lot of potential on the depth chart. Both Brandon Coleman and Mohamed Sanu are players that could pay big dividends this year but ultimately the success of the passing game will hinge on the play of Mark Harrison. 

Grade: B

Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois won the MAC last year and if not for having to replace their quarterback, they would be the odds on favorite to do it again. Even with a new quarterback under center, Brandon Beal, Marcus Perez and Britt Davis all have the ability to make plays and life on the new quarterback easy. 

Grade: B

Penn State

The Nittany Lions offense last year left a lot to be desired. Through the entire season, the defense carried them through and kept them in contention.

This year, the offense looks like it may not get much better. On the ends, Penn State has Alex Kenney and Shawney Kersey but neither one is a player that will strike fear into the defense.

Grade: C

Virginia

Virginia turned some heads last year as the season finale had them still with a shot of going to the ACC title game. This year, the passing game looks like it could be strong as Matt Snyder, Kris Burd and Tim Smith will all be waiting out wide for passes to come their way.

Grade: B+

Cincinnati

While the depth at wide receiver is not an issue for the Bearcats, the opening at quarterback is. This offseason Cincinnati will be focusing on filling that position and hoping that receivers like Danny Milligan, Kenbrell Thompkins and Anthony McClung can help make that transition easier.

Grade: B-

Auburn

After the 2010 national title, last year was a bit of a letdown for Tiger fans. This year, the team is without Michael Dyer and may need their senior wide receiver group to play their best. If DeAngelo Benton, Emory Blake and Quindarius Carr can all step up, then the Tigers may surprise some people.

Grade: B

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a team that will live and die with the run. The Yellow Jackets do put the ball in the air on occasion but their bread and butter is the rushing attack. 

While their offensive style doesn't lean on receivers, Jeremy Moore, Jeff Greene and Darren Waller all need to be ready to step up in 2012.

Grade: C+ 

Texas A&M

As Texas A&M moves to the SEC, their offensive depth chart takes a hit as Jeff Fuller is gone and so is quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

This year, the Aggies will have to rely on players like Kenric McNeal, Brandal Jackson and Ryan Swope to step up their play in the passing game.

Grade: B-

Baylor

Baylor will find out real quickly how life without Robert Griffin III is. While they have talented receivers like Tevin Reese, Lanear Simpson and Terrance Williams, they are going to lack the ability to get the ball to them as effectively as Griffin did during the 2012 season. 

Grade:B

Florida

The Gators are still looking for their flow on offense and with the group of wide receivers they have, they should hopefully find it early on this year. Frankie Hammond Jr., Andre Debose and Quinton Dunbar will be the focal point of the group and relied on to lead the way. 

Grade: B

TCU

As TCU heads to the Big 12, they do so with a group of talented receivers. Between Cam White, Skye Dawson, Josh Boyce and Brandon Carter, the Horned Frogs are in good hands. 

Grade: B+

Washington

The Huskies offense was tough to slow down in 2011 and should be this year as well. Keith Price will be under center once again and look for him to help young receivers like James Johnson, Kevin Smith and DiAndre Campbell develop this year.

Grade: B 

Louisville

Last year Louisville earned a share of the Big East title and with the departure of West Virginia, a shot at two straight is within reach. 

Teddy Bridgewater is back for his second year at quarterback and look for him to be targeting Jarrett Davis and Michaelee Harris all season long.

Grade: B

Kansas State

One challenge for Collin Klein and the Wildcats this year will be the lack of size they have at the receiver position. Tyler Lockett, Tramaine Thompson and Chris Harper are all effective athletes but if the Kansas State rushing attack is slowed down, the size issue could be a factor. 

Grade: B-

Boise State

No Kellen Moore is going to spell trouble for the Broncos in 2012. Along with taking a step back at quarterback, look for young receivers like Matt Miller and Kirby Moore to not be enough this year as Boise State could see more loses in 2012 then they have over the past few seasons.

Grade: C

Wisconsin

Not only do the Badgers lose Russell Wilson this year but they also take a step back at receiver. While Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Duckworth have some game experience, the passing game will not be as effective in 2012 as it was last year.

Grade: B-

Texas

Well one thing we know about the Longhorns is that the defense is strong and is going to be leaned on heavily this season. While the Longhorns weight their options between Case McCoy and David Ash, receivers Marquise Goodwin and Miles Onyegbule hope to make the job easy on whoever wins it.

Grade: B

West Virginia

Geno Smith and the Mountaineers had a coming out party in the Orange Bowl this past season and hope to carry that momentum into their first season in the Big 12. 

This season, Smith will be targeting a solid group of upperclassmen that include Ryan Nehlen, Tyler Urban and Tavon Austin.

Grade: B+

Notre Dame

Notre Dame comes into this season with some upperclassmen that are going to need to step up if this teams wants to finally rise to the expectations that they face at the start of each season.

The Irish offense will be looking to Robby Toma, TJ Jones and Daniel Smith to help stretch the field and put some punch back into the Notre Dame offense. 

Grade: B

Michigan

Bad news for Michigan is that Denard Robinson has yet to develop as a true passer while at Michigan. The good news is, receivers like Junion Hemingway and Roy Roundtree have been able to adjust to his passes and make big plays for the Wolverines. 

It will be interesting to see if the passing game and these receivers can help guide the Wolverines to another successful season.

Grade: B+

South Carolina

While the Gamecocks still have talent and depth at wide receiver, losing Alshon Jeffery will be a step back in talent. Ace Sanders, DeAngelo Smith and D.L. Moore are hoping to step up and fill the void but those are some huge shoes to fill at South Carolina. 

Grade: B

Nebraska

One thing we know for sure about Nebraska is the Huskers like to pound the ball on the ground and use Rex Burkhead and  Taylor Martinez to get the job done. 

If the Huskers want to elevate this year in the Big 10, receivers like Jamal Turner, Kenny Bell and Quincy Enunwa must make their presence felt. 

Grade: B-

Michigan State

It is no secret that Michigan State will be leaning on the defense this year in a big way. After last season, the Spartans saw a lot of their offensive playmakers graduate and this has left the door open to newcomers to make a difference. 

If the Spartans want to make another run at the Big 10 title, they must get production out of players like Tony Lippett, Bennie Fowler and Keith Mumphrey this year. 

Grade: B-

Ohio State

Ohio State will be interesting to watch this year as Urban Meyer takes over in Columbus. The head coach appears to be shifting the team to a spread offense like Oregon's and it will be interesting to see how receivers like Chris Fields, Corey Brown and DeVier Posey respond to the offense. 

Grade: B

Virginia Tech

While the Hokies season did not end the way they wanted it to, they are hoping to rebound from their losses in the ACC title game and Sugar Bowl with a strong 2012.

The Hokies have a lot of experience out wide and hope it translates into yards as Marcus Davis, Dyrell Roberts and Corey Fuller should lead the way. 

Grade: B

Oklahoma

The good news about Landry Jones returning is he should be able to help bridge the gap this season as Oklahoma sees a lot of youth stepping onto the field at the wide out spot this year.

Along with Kenny Stills and Trey Franks, Jones will have to play at his highest level if he hopes to keep this offense moving forward in 2012.

Grade: B-

Clemson

Tajh Boyd has a stable of receivers that are going to make his life a lot easier during the 2012 season. Not only does Boyd get Sammy Watkins back for his second season with the Tigers but he also has Jaron Brown and DeAndre Hopkins to lean on when the coverage looks Watkins way.

Grade: A

Florida State

Florida State is another top team that is going to be young at wide receiver as well. While they do return junior Rodney Smith, EJ Manual will be targeting underclassmen all year long. 

Out of all the young players the Seminoles will be leaning on, look for Rashad Greene to have the biggest impact. 

Grade: B

Arkansas

Tyler Wilson is back at Arkansas and while there have been some off the field issues for the program, on the field the Arkansas offense looks strong.

In the passing game, Wilson will be able to rely on upperclassmen like Cobi Hamilton, Julian Horton and Javontee Herndon, all of which should catch a lot of passes this year.

Grade: A-

Georgia

Georgia ended last years regular season with a 10 win run that turned some heads. Along with Aaron Murray being back, the offense can look to Tavarres King, Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten to step up as the teams go to targets. 

Grade: B+

Alabama

The Tide are young and inexperienced this year on the ends as their depth chart is riddled with freshmen and sophomores. While these players could turn out to be stars, they will be thrown into some big games early on including a game against Michigan and on the road against Arkansas.

Look for the Tide to try and get big years out of players like Kenny Bell and Christion Jones as they reload at the receiver spots.

Grade: B-

Oregon

Since the loss of Jeff Maehl and D.J. Davis in 2010, the Ducks have been searching hard for depth at the receiver position. Without much like, they are generally getting more production out of their backs in the passing game then receivers.

For the Ducks sake, they are hoping that Josh Huff can return to form and that newcomers like Rahsaan Vaughn can make a difference. 

Grade: C+

USC

The word loaded comes to mind. Not only did the Trojans get their signal caller back when Matt Barkley returned for his senior season but they have two stud receivers returning as well.

Regardless of the rest of the depth chart, look for Robert Woods and Marqise Lee to tear up the Pac-12 again this season.

Grade: A+

LSU

For LSU, their bread and butter is going to be their defense and their rushing attack. During the offseason, the quarterback and receiving position will be undergoing a transformation and fans are hoping the answer will be there in the fall. 

Look for players like Russell Shepard to lead the way and try to help others like Odell Beckham and James Wright step up in 2012.

Grade: B-