The league has set a high bar for pass catchers \u2013 five of the NFL\u2019s top seven in receptions in 2024 came from current SEC schools. Now, it\u2019s time to see who\u2019s next up to make an impact in the conference and beyond.<\/p>\n
The SEC’s Best Returning Receivers<\/h2>\nHonorable Mention<\/strong><\/h3>\nWith so many true freshman wideouts making their marks in 2024, it\u2019s possible that the national media overlooked Auburn\u2019s Malcolm Simmons<\/a> to an extent. However, he proved to be a formidable weapon on his way to 40 catches and 451 receiving yards.<\/p>\nSpeaking of impressive debuts, Barion Brown<\/a> burst onto the scene for Kentucky with 50 catches as a freshman in 2022. Unfortunately, the explosive playmaker\u2019s production regressed in the two following years. To be fair, the regression coincided with a significant drop-off in quarterback play at UK. He\u2019s now at LSU, where that won\u2019t be the case.<\/p>\nFlorida\u2019s Eugene Wilson III is another player who flashed early in his career before dealing with setbacks. Wilson is fast, shifty, and versatile. His open-field running ability makes him a threat from anywhere, but injuries slowed him down last season.<\/p>\n
5) Germie Bernard, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/USATSI_24882090_168400536_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo courtesy: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe former Michigan State and Washington wideout was one of the several Huskies who followed head coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama last year. Freshman sensation Ryan Williams stole the show. But Bernard<\/a> quickly proved to be a reliable weapon for Jalen Milroe while gaining close to 800 receiving yards.<\/p>\nBernard doesn\u2019t have flashy traits that jump off the screen on film; he simply does everything well. He has good size at 6\u2019-1\u201d and 210 pounds, but great body control during contested catches. His versatility adds value, as he averaged over 23 yards per kick return in 2023 and was also used in the running game. Bernard\u2019s route running could be his most impressive trait, making him invaluable on third down.<\/p>\n
4) Noah Thomas, Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\nOur first surprise of the list lands here. There were talented pass catchers who compiled better stats than Thomas<\/a>, but we think he was underutilized due to his offense and quarterback situation at Texas A&M. On that note, one could question the decision to leave one subpar passing offense for another<\/a>. We\u2019re actually here to compliment the kid, so we\u2019ll leave that for another day.<\/p>\nThomas has elite size, weighing over 200 pounds at 6\u2019-5\u201d. As one would expect, he\u2019s a dangerous red zone weapon. However, he has other traits that make him special at that size. He has surprising open-field running ability after the catch that belies his stature. Thomas had eight receiving touchdowns in 2024, and his longest was 73 yards. The former Aggie has some freakish ability. We think he could be a star in the right offense.<\/p>\n
3) Cam Coleman, Auburn<\/strong><\/p>\nColeman<\/a>\u2019s lack of team success suppressed his star power, but he easily lived up to his five-star billing as a true freshman. He had 37 catches for almost 600 yards with eight touchdowns despite average quarterback play. Auburn has loaded up at the receiver position, but Coleman is the most impressive of the bunch.<\/p>\nThe returning sophomore has all the physical tools needed to be elite. He\u2019s 6\u2019-3\u201d with long arms and was surprisingly physical for a freshman. Coleman is extremely twitchy, and it shows in his run-after-catch ability. He gets deep effortlessly and is a nuanced route runner. We\u2019re not sure if he has the nation\u2019s attention, but he\u2019s definitely on the radar of opposing defensive coordinators.<\/p>\n
2) Aaron Anderson, LSU<\/strong><\/p>\nLSU has added to its talented group of receivers through the portal this offseason, and fans are excited<\/a> to see Brown and Nic Anderson<\/a>. It\u2019s easy to forget that the Tigers are bringing back their leading receiver in Aaron Anderson<\/a>. The diminutive target had more receiving yards than any player on this list, with 884 in 2024.<\/p>\nAnderson worked most of his magic out of the slot and built a great rapport with Garrett Nussmeier<\/a> after the departure of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas left more opportunities. The trust and chemistry Nussmeier had with Anderson showed up consistently throughout the year, especially in clutch moments.<\/p>\nAnderson doesn\u2019t have the prototypical size as a traditional top target at LSU, but he repeatedly gets open. He has breakaway speed and is a menace in the open field. His elusiveness makes him a threat anywhere on the field, as shown in his 76-yard touchdown at Texas A&M.<\/p>\n
With so many true freshman wideouts making their marks in 2024, it\u2019s possible that the national media overlooked Auburn\u2019s Malcolm Simmons<\/a> to an extent. However, he proved to be a formidable weapon on his way to 40 catches and 451 receiving yards.<\/p>\n Speaking of impressive debuts, Barion Brown<\/a> burst onto the scene for Kentucky with 50 catches as a freshman in 2022. Unfortunately, the explosive playmaker\u2019s production regressed in the two following years. To be fair, the regression coincided with a significant drop-off in quarterback play at UK. He\u2019s now at LSU, where that won\u2019t be the case.<\/p>\n Florida\u2019s Eugene Wilson III is another player who flashed early in his career before dealing with setbacks. Wilson is fast, shifty, and versatile. His open-field running ability makes him a threat from anywhere, but injuries slowed him down last season.<\/p>\n 5) Germie Bernard, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\n The former Michigan State and Washington wideout was one of the several Huskies who followed head coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama last year. Freshman sensation Ryan Williams stole the show. But Bernard<\/a> quickly proved to be a reliable weapon for Jalen Milroe while gaining close to 800 receiving yards.<\/p>\n Bernard doesn\u2019t have flashy traits that jump off the screen on film; he simply does everything well. He has good size at 6\u2019-1\u201d and 210 pounds, but great body control during contested catches. His versatility adds value, as he averaged over 23 yards per kick return in 2023 and was also used in the running game. Bernard\u2019s route running could be his most impressive trait, making him invaluable on third down.<\/p>\n 4) Noah Thomas, Georgia<\/strong><\/p>\n Our first surprise of the list lands here. There were talented pass catchers who compiled better stats than Thomas<\/a>, but we think he was underutilized due to his offense and quarterback situation at Texas A&M. On that note, one could question the decision to leave one subpar passing offense for another<\/a>. We\u2019re actually here to compliment the kid, so we\u2019ll leave that for another day.<\/p>\n Thomas has elite size, weighing over 200 pounds at 6\u2019-5\u201d. As one would expect, he\u2019s a dangerous red zone weapon. However, he has other traits that make him special at that size. He has surprising open-field running ability after the catch that belies his stature. Thomas had eight receiving touchdowns in 2024, and his longest was 73 yards. The former Aggie has some freakish ability. We think he could be a star in the right offense.<\/p>\n 3) Cam Coleman, Auburn<\/strong><\/p>\n Coleman<\/a>\u2019s lack of team success suppressed his star power, but he easily lived up to his five-star billing as a true freshman. He had 37 catches for almost 600 yards with eight touchdowns despite average quarterback play. Auburn has loaded up at the receiver position, but Coleman is the most impressive of the bunch.<\/p>\n The returning sophomore has all the physical tools needed to be elite. He\u2019s 6\u2019-3\u201d with long arms and was surprisingly physical for a freshman. Coleman is extremely twitchy, and it shows in his run-after-catch ability. He gets deep effortlessly and is a nuanced route runner. We\u2019re not sure if he has the nation\u2019s attention, but he\u2019s definitely on the radar of opposing defensive coordinators.<\/p>\n 2) Aaron Anderson, LSU<\/strong><\/p>\n LSU has added to its talented group of receivers through the portal this offseason, and fans are excited<\/a> to see Brown and Nic Anderson<\/a>. It\u2019s easy to forget that the Tigers are bringing back their leading receiver in Aaron Anderson<\/a>. The diminutive target had more receiving yards than any player on this list, with 884 in 2024.<\/p>\n Anderson worked most of his magic out of the slot and built a great rapport with Garrett Nussmeier<\/a> after the departure of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas left more opportunities. The trust and chemistry Nussmeier had with Anderson showed up consistently throughout the year, especially in clutch moments.<\/p>\n Anderson doesn\u2019t have the prototypical size as a traditional top target at LSU, but he repeatedly gets open. He has breakaway speed and is a menace in the open field. His elusiveness makes him a threat anywhere on the field, as shown in his 76-yard touchdown at Texas A&M.<\/p>\n