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Calvin Ridley. Christian Kirk. Fred Ross. Drew Morgan.
Those are just a few of the SEC’s breakout receivers last season, all of whom finished in the conference’s top 10 for receiving yards.
We’ve identified some players who could be this year’s breakout receivers in the SEC. For the purposes of this discussion, we’ve disqualified anyone in the SEC’s top 20 in 2015 for receiving yards or anyone who plays tight end.
Here are nine guys we think are breakout candidates at the position this fall.
- Alabama WR Robert Foster: AL.com puts out an informal survey at this time every year. In both 2015 and 2016, several Tide veterans and outgoing players tabbed Foster as a potential breakout candidate. There are a lot of great pass-catchers on this team, and Calvin Ridley is the clear No. 1. But Foster, who caught 10 passes for 116 yards before a season-ending shoulder injury early in the ’15 season, should be in the mix as the second-most productive receiver.
- Arkansas WR Dominique Reed: It took him about five games to adjust — listed at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Reed is pencil-thin — but he was able to separate with more frequency late in the year. He also is one of the fastest players in the SEC and a definite deep treat. If the new quarterback can get him the ball, expect an improvement on his 535 yards from ’15.
- Auburn WR Kyle Davis: The Tigers are looking for a couple of go-to receivers after losing Sammie Coates, Duke Williams and Ricardo Louis in the last two years. There are a few veterans who should contribute, but don’t be shocked if a true freshman leapfrogs them and becomes the top producer. That could be Nate Craig-Myers, but we’re thinking that Davis will benefit from enrolling early and participating in spring practice.
- Florida WR Tyrie Cleveland: With Demarcus Robinson gone, the No. 2 spot behind Antonio Callaway is wide open. Cleveland was a huge get for Florida on National Signing Day. He’ll have every opportunity to be another true freshman receiver who makes an immediate impact.
- Georgia WR Terry Godwin: At 5-foot-11 and closer to 170 than 180, Godwin is a pure athlete. One of those gym rat types with speed who can excel at any sport. He caught 35 passes as a true freshman and should be a focal point of the UGA offense in 2016.
- LSU WR Tyron Johnson or D.J. Chark: The No. 3 receiver spot is wide open. Johnson was a touted member of the 2015 class who got some early playing time. Chark, a preseason darling last year, made almost no impact but then took a screen pass 79 yards for a touchdown against Texas Tech in the bowl game. Don’t expect 1,000 yards — or even 800 — but one of these guys is going to make some dynamic plays.
- Ole Miss WR Damore’ea Stringfellow: Starters Quincy Adeboyejo and Evan Engram can’t be considered breakout players in 2016. Despite similar size and skill, Stringfellow is no Laquon Treadwell. He’ll likely start opposite Adeboyejo, but Markell Pack, DaMarkus Lodge, Van Jefferson and incoming freshman A.J. Brown all are talented enough to be factors. Still, starting in Ole Miss’ offense in 2016 gives Stringfellow a chance to as much as double his production from 2015, when he caught 36 passes for 503 yards.
- Tennessee WR Preston Williams: The Vols are looking for a downfield threat. Last year, just 3 of the 54 combined receptions made by Josh Malone and Josh Smith went for at least 30 yards. Williams accounted for two such plays on just seven catches. If Joshua Dobbs improves as a pocket quarterback in 2016 and Tennessee incorporates more downfield throws, Williams, now a sophomore, could be the beneficiary.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
