SDS Top 25 Players For 2012: Cobi Hamilton

Published March 7, 2012 - 11:57am

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SDS is continually counting down the top 25 players in the SEC for 2012, and we’re not stopping until we get to No. 1.

Cobi Hamilton – No. 20

The last remaining receiver from Wide Receiver U last season is Cobi Hamilton. Hamilton was on an all-star cast a year ago, along with graduated receivers Jarius Wright, Joe Adams and Greg Childs. All three will likely have NFL careers. Now, Hamilton will have the spotlight and should really show the star he can become and not have other receivers to overshadow his ability.

One thing is for certain: Hamilton probably has the best quarterback in the SEC throwing passes his direction in the form of Tyler Wilson. So, we know he will get some accurate and timely passes thrown in his direction, just like the last few years.

Hamilton has good size at 6’3” and 209lbs to play at the collegiate level and beyond, and he has decent speed in the mid 4.5s as well. He won’t blow past you the way Adams or Wright did; however, he makes up for it with his steady play and playmaking ability throughout the season. He’s a solid receiver who can be trusted, and Tyler Wilson knows this.

As a junior last year, Hamilton caught 34 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns. He was fourth on the team in receptions, third in yards and third in TD receptions. In 2010, caught 32 passes for 630 yards and six touchdowns. So, he hasn’t all of the sudden came out of no where.

Banking on the fact that Hamilton will absolutely become a more utilized and a likely top target for his quarterback and Coach Petrino, he will have a great shot to be a top NFL pick as well. But along with being a bigger part of the game plan comes defensive schemes and double teams that will make the quarterback throw the football a different direction. I could really see Hamilton not having that great of a statistical year but still garnering high praise for his size and skill set. Defenses are going to try and smother Arkansas’ remaining star receiver.

Petrino had this to say before last season:

“Cobi is kind of the big play guy, kind of a combination of all (Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs) of them,” Petrino said. “He has had some really big games for us. He has got great hands. He’s big and he can run good routes.”

For his career, Hamilton has 85 catches for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns. He will better those numbers this coming season.

HAMILTON AS A SOPHOMORE:

The Countdown:

• #21 – James Franklin
• #22 – Onterio McCalebb
• #23 – Ryan Swope
• #24 – Spencer Ware
• #25 – Matt Elam

Tags: Bobby Petrino, Cobi Hamilton, Tyler Wilson