The SEC is synonymous with speed. The conference gained a reputation for having many of the nation’s fastest skill position players at both the collegiate and eventually professional levels. The wide receiver position is no exception.
Over the past decade many of college football’s brightest stars caught passes for SEC teams. That trend continued when they went on to NFL careers and dominated opposing defensive backs.
Players such as A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Amari Cooper and Alshon Jeffery all shined for SEC teams before enjoying pro bowl careers. Last season, four SEC receivers — Ole Miss’ Laquon Treadwell, Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk and Mississippi State’s Fred Ross — recorded more than 1,000 yards while three — Treadwell, Mississippi State’s De’Runnya Wilson and Arkansas’ Drew Morgan — had 10 or more touchdowns.
Treadwell as easily the conference’s best receiver as the centerpiece of a Rebels’ passing offense that led in yards (4,351) and yards per game (334.7) despite coming off a broken leg injury that ended his 2014 season early. But Ole Miss will need to replace its top playmaker after the junior announced his decision to declare for the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Rebels will still have talent on offense but shouldn’t be the clear cut best wide receiver group in the conference heading into the upcoming season. Reigning National Champion Alabama could find its way into that discussion with breakout freshman Calvin Ridley and dependable sophomore ArDarius Stewart returning to its lineup.
But based on talent and upside, Texas A&M should have the best wide receiver group in the SEC in 2016. Aside from Kirk, who led the team with 1,009 yards as a freshman, the Aggies return two other former 5-star prospects in Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil. That’s not even considering rising senior Josh Reynolds, a former 3-star JUCO prospect, who finished second on the team with 907 yards and seven touchdowns.
Texas A&M ranked fourth in SEC passing offenses which is an even greater a credit to how great its receivers were considering the lack of stability at quarterback. Considering Kevin Sumlin couldn’t make up his mind between Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray — both whom have since transferred to other programs — the Aggies receivers still managed to produce and should regardless of who Sumlin decides to start in 2016.
That’s really the only thing keeping A&M from being a unanimous decision for the conference’s top receiving group. There is an obvious lack of certainty at quarterback but at this point it would take someone completely inept to not flourish throwing to four receivers capable of starting on any SEC team.
Kirk looked like a veteran playmaker in his first season and could develop even more in Year Two, which is frightening for opposing defenses. Reynolds provides the experience and sure-handedness wanted from a returning senior. Seals-Jones and Noil are both athletic freaks whose personal statistics have suffered from playing in such a loaded offense but are just as likely to be this year’s top wideout as the others.
The Aggies and Sumlin face a make-or-break season in 2016. The coach doesn’t have the same acclaim he did during his first two seasons with Johnny Manziel under center and now faces a hot seat after losing two quarterbacks and finishing with just eight wins for the second consecutive year.
A&M’s receiving corps will not only be its biggest strength but also the best of any SEC team in 2016. The Aggies offense should be loaded and could contend in the SEC West if they find a consistent quarterback to play through the season.
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