Top 10 College Football Wide Receiver Duos for 2016
Several college football teams boast a superstar target, but a select group of programs will showcase one of the nation's best wide receiver duos.
Productivity is the key factor for inclusion. Power-conference teams may have a "better" tandem when discussing NFL prospects, but they may not put up numbers like small-school players.
Additionally, though a young receiver like Ole Miss' Van Jefferson has immense potential, that's not a focus, either. Each of the following duos are proven at the college level. Anticipated larger roles were considered, but only for established wideouts.
While most of the duos starred in 2015, a couple of programs are anticipating the return of players who were injured last year—and in one case, a standout transfer.
Penny Hart and Robert Davis, Georgia State
1 of 10
Penny Hart is one of the better receivers you've probably never heard of, and Robert Davis is a respectable complement.
Together, they'll attempt to help Georgia State prove its improvement wasn't a one-year aberration. The Panthers improved from a 1-23 record in 2013 and 2014 combined to 6-7 last season.
Conner Manning, Emiere Scaife and Aaron Winchester are competing to replace Nick Arbuckle, who attempted 486 passes during his senior campaign. Hart reeled in 71 of those for 1,099 yards and eight touchdowns, while Davis had 61 catches for 980 yards and six scores.
Whoever wins the quarterback battle will have a pair of first-team All-Sun Belt receivers on the outside.
James Washington and Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State
2 of 10
Marcell Ateman is poised for a huge season after the departure of David Glidden. James Washington's presence will help.
"James is a tremendous player, tremendous athlete, great guy. We work well together, push each other. We’re going to light it up this year," Ateman said, per ESPN.com's Jake Trotter.
If last season was an indication, there's no doubt about it.
Washington finished with 53 receptions, 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ateman hauled in 45 passes for 766 yards and five scores. Since quarterback Mason Rudolph returns, the duo should both approach the 1,000-yard mark in 2016.
Simmie Cobbs Jr. and Ricky Jones, Indiana
3 of 10
If Zander Diamont wins the starting job at Indiana, Simmie Cobbs Jr. and Ricky Jones won't match last year's production because the quarterback is more of a runner.
On the other hand, if Richard Lagow grabs the No. 1 spot, a numbers drop won't be for a lack of trying. He averaged 285.6 yards per game at Cisco College last season.
Cobbs had 60 receptions, 1,035 yards and four touchdowns in 2015, while Jones added 54 catches, 906 yards and five scores to help the Hoosiers record six victories—the program's highest total since 2007.
Throw in Mitchell Paige—who registered a 57/684/6 line—and Indiana has a legitimately dangerous trio. Now it's a matter of finding someone to throw the ball accurately.
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Christian Kirk and Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
4 of 10
After the quarterback carousel at Texas A&M in 2015, Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight has already secured the starting job. Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee writes Knight is set up for stardom.
Look no further than Christian Kirk and Josh Reynolds for evidence.
Kirk was a reliable target, snaring at least four passes during 11 of 13 games. The true freshman edged the 100-yard barrier four times en route to 80 receptions, 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns. Kirk also returned two punts for touchdowns.
Reynolds offered a big-play threat and tallied 17.8 yards per catch, which ranked 29th nationally. He accumulated 51 grabs for 907 yards and five scores.
Although Knight isn't a certain success, a quarterback-friendly system—quick, high-percentage throws—should result in regular chances for Kirk and Reynolds.
Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart, Alabama
5 of 10
Perhaps it was because he was 20 years old, but Calvin Ridley didn't play like a true freshman. He caught at least five passes in 11 of Alabama's 15 games.
Ridley ended the campaign with 89 receptions, 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns. ArDarius Stewart was an excellent complement, securing 63 passes for 700 yards and four scores.
For good measure, Gehrig Dieter—who amassed a 94/1,033/10 line at Bowling Green last fall—will join the Crimson Tide as a graduate transfer in the summer.
Whether the quarterback is Cooper Bateman, Blake Barnett or David Cornwell, he won't lack options at receiver, and it helps to have an undisputed No. 1 target like Ridley.
Thomas Sperbeck and Chaz Anderson, Boise State
6 of 10
Boise State's running game should improve in 2016, which will create big-play opportunities in the passing game—as if Thomas Sperbeck needs more.
A two-time leading receiver for the Broncos, Sperbeck racked up 88 catches and eight touchdowns. His 1,412 yards ranked No. 6 nationally and set a single-season program record.
Chaz Anderson—after contributing 42 receptions, 578 yards and three scores—will be expected to assume a larger role following the departure of Shane Williams-Rhodes (62/521/0). Consistency has been an issue for Anderson, but experience is lacking behind him.
Thanks to the threat of versatile running back Jeremy McNichols, defenses cannot devote too much attention to Sperbeck. Anderson will be the beneficiary of any extra focus dedicated to the pair.
Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, Clemson
7 of 10
Mike Williams and Artavis Scott formed an excellent tandem in 2014, putting up 57/1,030/6 and 76/965/8 lines, respectively.
Big things were expected last season, but a neck injury ended Williams' year in Game 1. He's healthy now, so defenses better start preparing for an offensive onslaught from Clemson.
Deshaun Watson—college football's best quarterback—will be slinging the ball. Williams is a first-round NFL talent. Scott has produced consecutive 900-yard campaigns.
"Being able to improve on what we did this year with a lot more veterans, we have a chance to be one of the best offenses ever in college football," Watson said at the 2015 Manning Award ceremony, per Sallee. "That's our motivation. To be the best ever."
Godspeed, ACC.
Gabe Marks and River Cracraft, Washington State
8 of 10
No head coach likes to throw the ball more than Mike Leach. No quarterback attempted more passes in 2015 than Luke Falk.
It helps to have Gabe Marks and River Cracraft on the receiving end.
Marks is the clear-cut No. 1 target. He registered 104 catches, 1,192 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, while Cracraft had 53 receptions, 615 yards and four scores.
Tavares Martin putting up bigger numbers than Cracraft wouldn't be a big surprise since the former may be Dom Williams' direct replacement on the outside. However, Cracraft has collected at least 600 yards in each of his three seasons.
Washington State's offense will again finish among the nation's most productive units, largely thanks to Marks and Cracraft.
Taywan Taylor and Nicholas Norris, Western Kentucky
9 of 10
The 2016 Western Kentucky offense is a classic offseason case of "the weapons are there, but is the quarterback?"
Brandon Doughty—who twice led the Football Bowl Subdivision in both yards and touchdowns—exhausted his eligibility. Now Tyler Ferguson, Mike White, Drew Eckels and Nelson Fishback are battling to replace the program legend.
Essentially, the quarterback competition is a race to decide who will throw to Taywan Taylor and Nicholas Norris. They posted 86/1,467/17 and 63/971/6 lines last season, respectively.
Although expecting similar numbers with a new quarterback seems foolish, a couple of 1,000-yard campaigns isn't unrealistic.
Jared Dangerfield, Antwane Grant and Tyler Higbee combined for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2015. They're all gone. Taylor and Norris will be targeted heavily in 2016.
Josh Atkinson and Keevan Lucas, Tulsa
10 of 10
Yes, Tulsa lost Keyarris Garrett, the No. 1 receiver in the FBS with 1,588 yards. But he wasn't even the best wideout on the roster.
Keevan Lucas torched defenses for 26 catches, 409 yards and five touchdowns before a torn right patella tendon ended his season in Game 4. Kelly Hines of the Tulsa World notes Lucas is on track to be healthy for the 2016 campaign.
He'll join Josh Atkinson (76/1,071/5) as the primary weapons for quarterback Dane Evans, who threw for 4,332 yards in 2015.
Though offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert headed to Texas, head coach Philip Montgomery will take over play-calling duties. Baylor had four straight top-five passing offense finishes with Montgomery in the coordinator role.
Good luck calming the Golden Hurricane offense.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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