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While there will be a great many fresh faces under center in the SEC this season, few quarterbacks will be thrust into their new jobs without a trusty set of hands to target.
Half of last year’s top pass catchers in the conference are back this season, led by a handful of proven playmakers. But there are also big shoes to fill.
RELATED: Career numbers for the best returning WRs in the SEC
Both Alabama and Missouri lost their top three receivers, and Texas A&M, Georgia and Kentucky also have to replace last year’s leader in receptions. In some cases the replacements are obvious and plentiful; in others we’ll be waiting for stars to emerge.
That makes this little exercise a challenge, but that’s never stopped us before. Here’s our look at the cream of the SEC receiver crop in 2015, including some stat projections below.
Head of the class
Duke Williams, Auburn: Williams burst onto the scene as a JUCO transfer last year and should have the spotlight largely to himself among the Tigers’ receiving corps this season. To suit new quarterback Jeremy Johnson’s skills, Auburn is expected to be more pass-happy in 2015, and no player stands to benefit more than the talented Williams.
Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina: Labeling Cooper as a wide receiver is both accurate and incomplete. The junior functions more like a Swiss Army knife for Steve Spurrier’s offense, and there’s very little he can’t do with the ball in his hands.
Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss: After a sophomore season cut short by a brutal leg injury at the end of the Auburn game last year, Treadwell is back and ready to resume his post among the league’s best receivers.
Honor roll
Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M: Though Malcome Kennedy led last year’s group in receptions (by a single catch) Reynolds was the breakout star, leading the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Even with Kennedy’s departure, the Aggies are loaded at receiver.
Demarcus Robinson, Florida: Despite substandard quarterback play, Robinson was a standout as a sophomore last year. The former blue chip recruit will be the focal point of the Gators passing game again in 2015.
De’Runnya Wilson, Mississippi State: Perhaps the conference’s most nightmarish matchup, the stout 6-foot-5 junior rounded into form last season when he emerged as the Bulldogs’ top option in the passing game. In his final three games of 2014, he recorded 25 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
Pig Howard, Tennessee: Howard made another step forward as a junior last season, and what’s most encouraging to Vols fans is that he was at his best in conference play. Thirty-eight of his 54 catches came during Tennessee’s eight SEC games.
Speedy Noil, Texas A&M: In a well-stocked and diversified Aggies receiving corps, Noil represents Mr. Versatility. He led the team in all-purpose yardage as a true freshman, recording 559 receiving yards while also returning kicks and punts.
Travin Dural, LSU: Dural proved his ability to get behind defenses last year. If he develops other aspects of his game in 2015, he and the Tigers could be primed for a big season.
Rising stars
Malachi Dupre, LSU: Elite prospect who showed flashes as a freshman.
Christian Kirk, Texas A&M: True freshman who turned heads in the spring.
Dominique Reed, Arkansas: JUCO transfer could be the vertical threat missing from the Hogs’ offense.
Terry Godwin, Georgia: Dynamic freshman brings an element of speed to the Bulldogs receiving corps.
Damarkus Lodge, Ole Miss: The Rebels don’t lack for talent at receiver, but either Lodge or fellow true freshman Van Jefferson could force their way onto the field early.
ArDarius Stewart, Alabama: Wide receivers have traditionally put up big numbers in Lane Kiffin’s offenses.
2015 projections
Reception leaders (minimum 60)
Williams 80; Cooper 77; Treadwell 75; Robinson 70; Reynolds 65; Howard 65; Noil 60; Wilson 60; Stewart 60
Receiving yardage leaders (minimum 800)
Williams 1,200; Cooper 1,100; Robinson 1,050; Treadwell 950; Reynolds 925; Wilson 900; Noil 850; Stewart 850; Howard 800
Receiving TD leaders (minimum eight)
Williams 11; Cooper 10; Wilson 10; Reynolds 10; Robinson 9; Treadwell 9; Dural 8
Brent Holloway is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia, LSU and Mississippi State.
