2011 College Football Preview: Top 15 Wide Receivers for Next Season

With another college football season coming and going, instead of looking at who is getting drafted where and by who, lets discuss who the top wide receivers could be in college football come 2011. With three elite receivers opting to stay in school another year: Oklahoma's Ryan Broyle's, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd; college football could produce quite the "crop" of wide receivers in 2011.

Oklahoma Senior: Ryan Broyles

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners of the Oklahoma Sooners runs after a catch as Gary Wilburn #21 of the Connecticut Huskies goes for the tackle during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on Jan

Broyles led the country and Big 12 in receptions, snagging 131 balls.  He was third in the country in receiving yards that was good enough for second in the Big 12 with 1,622 yards. Broyles was among the elite receivers as well in touchdowns scoring 14 times. With an up and coming quarterback in Landry Jones leading the Sooner's offensive charge next season, Broyles should have an even better season in 2011. 

South Carolina Junior: Alshon Jeffery

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Alshon Jeffery #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against Terrance Parks #4 of the Florida State Seminoles during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

Was a top fifteen receiver raking in 88 receptions in 2010 and fourth in receiving yards with 1,517. Out of receivers who had a minimum of 65 receptions Jeffery was third with in the entire country for yards per catch—17.2. Jeffery is literally a doppleganger of Andre Johnson at 6'4" 233 pounds. As a sophomore, Jeffery led the SEC in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and was second in yards from scrimmage.  The Gamecocks have 5 receivers returning in 2011 that are 6'3" are taller, spreading the ball around shouldn't be an issue for veteran quarterback Stephen Garcia.

Oklahoma Redshirt Junior: Justin Blackmon

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defe

Blackmon was third in the country with 111 receptions, second in receiving yards with 1,782 and led the country with 20 touchdowns. He won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver and was the first receiver in Big 12 history to win offensive player of the year.  The Cowboys have a 27 year old senior returning at quarterback in Brandon Weeden.  Weeden had a great year throwing for 4,277 yards with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 34-to-13. Although State loses offensive coordinator Dana Holgerson to West Virginia as the coach in waiting for the Mountaineers, the "boys," will most likely stick with their strength, utilizing the spread in 2011.

Norte Dame Senior: Michael Floyd

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: Michael Floyd #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against the Army Black Knights at Yankee Stadium on November 20, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Listed at 6'3" 227 pounds, Floyd had a great year in 2010 posting over 1,000 yards hauling in twelve touchdown receptions. The Fighting Irish  and Floyd suffered a tough loss in Dayne Crist last season due to injury. With a healthy Crist returing in 2011 the Irish and second year head coach Brian Kelly could make some noise in the top 25.

Missouri Junior : T.J. Moe

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 4: T.J. Moe #28 of the University of Missouri Tigers hauls in a touchdown pass against the University of Illinois Fighting Illini during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game on September 4, 2010 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mis

The shifty receiver was fourth in the Big 12 last season in receiving yards but lacked the touchdowns of an elite receiver with only six. Moe could substantially benefit from the wide spread system that Missouri likes to run, alah think of Jeremy Maclin from a couple years back. He can certainly be a threat in the return game as well. As long as his broken foot from his freshman year isn't still nagging, Moe could have a very productive season in 2011.

Arizona Sneior: Juron Criner

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Wide receiver Juron Criner #82 of the Arizona Wildcats runs with the ball during the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Arizona Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Husk

The senior will certainly benefit from Nick Foles returning under center in 2011 for the Arizona Wildcats. Criner was a top ten receiver in 2010 running away with 1,233 yards at fifteen yards a reception. Arizona's defense was certainly its strong suite last season, but with Criner and Foles returning the Wildcats could be explosive enough for a Pac-10 run come 2011.

Texas A&M Junior: Jeff Fuller

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Texas A&M wide receiver Jeff Fuller #8 misses a catch as University of Texas cornerback Aaron Williams #4 defends during the first half at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by

Fuller tied for sixth in the country in touchdown receptions with twelve and was third in the Big 12 with over 1,000 yards receiving. He has the intangibles to be a game changer at 6'4" 215 pounds. He just finished the first 1,000-yard season in history of Texas A&M football. If Fuller can improve his route running there could be only a few to compare with Fuller next season.

East Carolina University Senior: Lance Lewis

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BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 18: Wide receiver Lance Lewis #88 of the East Carolina Pirates tries to make a catch as cornerback Rashad Carmichael #21 and safety Eddie Whitley #15 of the Virginia Tech Hokies defend at Lane Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Bl

At 6'2", Lewis plays more like he his 6'5" at times. Lewis helped lead the Pirate's on offense catching 89  balls good for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. With quarterback Domique Davis returning for ECU and offensive guru Lincoln Riley running the offense, Lewis could surprise the country this up coming season.

North Carolina Senior: Dwight Jones

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Jayron Hosley #20 of the Virginia Tech Hokies makes an interception as teammate Rashad Carmichael #21 watches on with Dwight Jones #83 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010

Had a coming out party in the second half of 2010—four games with 100 or more yards receiving through the last seven games. Jones led the Heels with a team-best 57 catches for 895 yards and four touchdowns. Not to mention Jones has great size at 6'4" weighing in at 215 pounds. With a few extra pounds of muscle Jones could lead the Heels on offense in 2011.

Southern Methodist Senior: Cole Beasley

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DALLAS - NOVEMBER 29: The Southern Methodist University Mustangs talk in the huddle during the game against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on November 29, 2003 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. TCU won 20-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/

Beasley will return for his Senior season, after having a great season in June Jones high perennial spread offense. Beasley hit the 1,000 yard receiving mark with 87 receptions. Listed at 5'9", the little fella can compare to a "Wes Walker."  He certainly will be a primary target for the Mustangs come 2011 and could raise some eye-brows. 

Arkansas Senior: Greg Childs

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AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Wide receiver Greg Childs #85 of the Arkansas Razorbacks catches a pass behind defensive back Neiko Thorpe #15 of the Auburn Tigers during the game at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the R

Childs 2010 season had an abrupt end due to a knee injury. At the point of injury Chllds led the Razorbacks with 46 catches for 659 yards and six touchdowns. Even with injury Childs stats at year end were third on the team with receptions and reception yards and tied for first in receiving touchdowns. I like his size at 6'3", 217 pounds, if he can stay healthy Childs could be a man amongst children on the grid iron.

Virginia Tech Senior: Jarret Boykin

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BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 04: Wide receiver Jarrett Boykin #81 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled while running with the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Lane Stadium on November 4, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/G

Boykin became the ninth player in school history with 100 receptions in 2010. As a junior in 2010 Boykin manage to haul in 53 receptions good enough for 847 yards and six touchdowns. Known to have decent speed—clocked with a 4.40 forty—Boykins could spread the field for the Hokies come 2011.

Alabama Senior: Marquis Maze

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Marquis Maze #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Listed at only 5'10" 182 pounds Maze is a shifty receiver with great speed that contributes to his potential as a well-known return man in 2011. Even though Maze accumulated for only 557 yards in 2010 he does average 14.7 yards per reception, and could do even more damage after the catch with 4.32 forty speed.

Ohio State Senior: DeVier Posey

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: DeVier Posey #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a 43-yard touchdown catch against Tramain Thomas #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4,

Posey was second on the team hauling in 53 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns. He will miss the first five games of next season—one of the five players suspended— due to breaking NCAA rules of selling their Big Ten championship rings. Posey will be quarterback Terrell Pryors' release valve quite often when they both return from suspension. If Posey wasn't suspended for the first five games in 2011 he would be much higher on this list.

Tulsa Senior: Damaris Johnson

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 04: Damaris Johnson #3 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes runs past Charles Harris #21 of the Tulane Green Wave at the Louisiana Superdome on September 4, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Johnson was second in CUSA this season with 1,432 yards from scrimmage and fifth in touchdowns, hauling in twelve.  Eleven of his twelve touchdowns came from scrimmage, partly due to his 4.32 forty speed, making him one of the fastest receivers in the country. He is equally as dangerous in the return game—904 return yards and a touchdown in 2010.