The SEC had three candidates who could be dubbed as the SEC’s breakout receiver in 2014: Pharoh Cooper (South Carolina), Duke Williams (Auburn) and Bud Sasser (Missouri). Cooper and Williams return, while Sasser will hopefully be playing on Sundays.

So, as we turn our attention to 2015, several receivers come to mind as premier breakout candidates. Perhaps the breakout pass catcher isn’t even on campus yet, and he’ll be enrolling this summer. Regardless, the SEC welcomes and returns several breakout receiver candidates for this coming season.

Who will be the SEC’s breakout wide receiver 2015?

Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): De’Runnya Wilson, Mississippi State

Wilson is a big, physical wide receiver with good hands and the athleticism of a former basketball star. He’s not the best in the SEC at any one area of the wide receiver position, but he’s among the best in a number of areas. He’s consistent and rarely commits unforced errors, and he possesses that intangible, indefinable quality that all true playmakers possess. The icing on the cake is his established timing with returning Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott. The more those two can work to improve their timing and rapport, the better both will be in 2015 now that the Bulldogs aren’t catching opponents by surprise. Look for Wilson to be targeted early and often, ranking among the conference leaders in many statistical categories.

Christopher Smith (@CSmithSDS): Marquez North, Tennessee

A four-star member of the 2013 class, the 6-foot-4 North is poised for a breakout year if he can stay healthy. North didn’t catch a pass after the Oct. 25 game against Alabama last year, sidelined by a shoulder injury. That coincided with Joshua Dobbs becoming the starter. The two never have played a full college game together, so spring practice will be crucial to developing an on-field relationship. But North is talented physically, and with a budding star at quarterback, he’s capable of an 800- or 900-yard season.

Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia

Yeah, I said it. 2015 will be the year of Malcolm Mitchell. The Bulldogs’ running game is going to be dominant with Nick Chubb and company, and Mitchell will be the conference’s best deep threat, much like his freshman season. Mitchell’s injury-plagued career has seen him catch 116 passes for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons. Mitchell is the weathered veteran of the Georgia offense, and he needs to become the X-factor everyone thought he would be for the Bulldogs’ offense. Mitchell doubled as a cornerback in 2013, and that slowed his growth somewhat at receiver. Mitchell could become a 1,300 yard receiver should Bryce Ramsey and the Bulldogs’ quarterback position develop.

Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Nate Brown, Missouri

I’m going with Mizzou’s Nate Brown, a relative unknown in SEC circles but a talented player nonetheless. The Georgia native caught 61 passes for 1,081 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior, but was buried on last season’s depth chart as a freshman behind Bud Sasser, Jimmie Hunt and Darius Hunt. With those three gone, it’s Brown’s turn to shine and transition into a go-to threat for quarterback Maty Mauk. I know this is a wild-card pick, but Brown has the speed and athleticism to excel in the SEC if he continues to develop. Spring practice will be vital.

Brett Weisband (@WeisbandSDS): Nate Brown, Mizzou

The Tigers passing offense was not for the faint of heart in 2014. Things might not get easier for Missouri in 2015 after losing the top three receivers off last year’s team, but Nate Brown is ready to step in to give Maty Mauk his best receiving threat since DGB. At 6-foot-3 and 200-plus pounds, Brown has the size to handle whatever defender defenses throw at him and the athleticism to make plays over the top and across the middle of the field. After a very quiet freshman year, Brown will be ready to roll as Mauk’s top target in ’15.