Summer Simmer: Five Best Returning SEC Receivers
Who Are The Five Best Returning SEC Receivers?
We continue our series of breaking down the five best returning players at each position in the Southeastern Conference. We now focus our attention on the flashiest players on the field: the receivers. There’s a few ways to measure receivers: big play ability, possession and chain-moving ability, red zone effectiveness. All of those are important, but in a league as competitive as the SEC, consistency is paramount. So, who made the list as the five best returning SEC receivers? Let’s take a look.
See our other positional breakdowns here:
Five Best Returning SEC Safeties
Antonio Callaway, Junior, Florida
Callaway has somewhat disappointed during his time at Florida. The heralded recruit managed a pedestrian 54 receptions for 721 yards in 2016. But his total of three touchdowns and 13.35 yards per catch are the most concerning for Gators fans. His average yards per catch ranked him 22nd in the conference in 2016. And last season wasn’t the best for passing offenses in the SEC.
He has tremendous speed and is a deep threat. Abysmal quarterback play is the biggest contributor to Callaway’s stagnation, but injuries and inconsistency has also plagued Callaway. All of these factors have transformed a dynamic play maker into a possession receiver.
He still has a ton of potential, and Gators fans hope either seasoned veteran Malik Zaire or freshmen phenoms Feleipe Franks or Kyle Trask can help Callaway reach expectations in the Swamp. For the Gators to win the East again, the Florida offense will need Callaway to step up his game.
Jauan Jennings, Junior, Tennessee
Jennings, like Callaway, is a player ranked more on his potential than his numbers. The biggest difference is that Jennings played behind Josh Malone in 2016. Malone was near the top of the SEC in almost every statistical category. Jennings figures to fill that role this season with the Volunteers. And with a change at quarterback and the loss of the Vols top two running backs, fans should expect more passing from the Larry Scott-led orange offense.
Even behind Malone, Jennings accounted for 40 receptions, 580 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He also contributed the game-breaking touchdown against Florida and hauled in the Hail Mary pass to beat Georgia on the last play of the game. It’s his penchant for big plays that makes Jennings so dangerous. Jennings has the perfect size for a receiver in the SEC at 6’3″, 205.
Jennings is more than a numbers guy. He’s a fan favorite and an emotional leader for the Vols. For Jennings to find success in 2017, he’ll need consistent quarterback play and he’ll have to avoid any off-the-field issues. After losing so much offensive talent to the NFL, the Vols are desperate for a big season from Jennings.
J’Mon Moore, Senior, Missouri
J’Mon Moore flew under the radar last season. The Tigers weren’t very good, but the Drew Lock to J’Mon Moore connection was one of the bright spots for Missouri fans. Moore recorded 62 receptions, 1,012 yards, and 8 touchdowns in 2016. All of those were in the top ten in the league, with his yardage being second best behind only Josh Reynolds at Texas A&M.
Moore has excellent size at 6’3″, 205 and is fast enough to beat average cornerbacks. Over one-third of his receptions were for 15 yards or more. His average yards per catch ranked 8th in the league last season.
Moore’s biggest weakness in 2016 was consistency. He had four games with 20 receiving yards or less. He also four games with 130 yards or more. That’s likely a product of an up-and-down Missouri team last season. If the Tigers want to claw back into contention in the East, they’ll need Moore to be even better this season.
Calvin Ridley, Junior, Alabama
Calvin Ridley shared touches with ArDarius Stewart in Alabama‘s run first offense last season and still managed to be second in the SEC with 72 receptions. This was with a mobile, freshman quarterback as well. With a more mature Jalen Hurts under center and the top receiver position all his, Calvin Ridley should once against be near the top of every statistical category in the SEC in 2017.
Ridley’s production dropped at the end of the season, with only ten receptions in the SEC Championship Game, Semifinal Game, and National Championship game combined. He had no touchdowns in those three games as well. It’s a long season, but if Alabama wants to stay atop a very competitive SEC West, Ridley will have to be even better than he was last season.
Christian Kirk, Junior, Texas A&M
The fact that Christian Kirk led the SEC in 2016 with 83 receptions, finished fourth with 928 receiving yards, or finished fourth with nine receiving touchdowns shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. What’s amazing about it is that he put up those numbers playing in the same receiver corps as Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Speedy Noil.
With all of those receivers departed this season, Kirk is in line to have a huge 2017 season. However, there’s uncertainty around the quarterback competition in College Station. With Kevin Sumlin squarely on the hot seat, there’s going to be pressure on everyone to step up.
Kirk is the whole package. He’s fast, strong hands, smart, and sure-handed. He fits the system perfectly. If the Aggies are going to take that long-awaited next step and finish the season strong, they’ll need an all-time season from their top returning offensive threat.
Honorable Mention:
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Jeff Badet, Kentucky
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