On name value alone, the SEC appears to have strength in its returning receivers for 2015.
Given the potential for Laquon Treadwell, D’haquille Williams, Pharoh Cooper and perhaps a few others to earn high-round grades from the NFL following the season, you’d think a list of their career accomplishments would include some prolific numbers.
But while the talent and expectation levels are high, the league is actually a little bit light on tenured performers, at least when it comes to career statistics.
Look at it this way: former Alabama WR Amari Cooper’s 2014 season would place him atop the list in each of the league’s career receiving categories listed below.
Here is a look at the league’s top 10 returning wide receivers in each category going into the 2015 season:
Note: This list does not include tight ends or player stats accumulated while playing for a team not in the SEC.
RECEIVING YARDS
1. Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia (Senior) — 1,485
2. Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss (Junior) — 1,240
3. Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina (Junior) — 1,190
4. De’Runnya Wilson, Mississippi State (Junior) — 1,031
5. Pig Howard, Tennessee (Junior) — 1,006
6. Keon Hatcher, Arkansas (Senior) — 925
7. Travin Dural, LSU (Junior) — 903
8. Ryan Timmons, Kentucky (Junior) — 874
9. Demarcus Robinson, Florida (Junior) — 844
10. Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M (Junior) — 842
RECEPTIONS
1. Laquon Treadwell, 120
2. Malcolm Mitchell, Â 116
3. Pig Howard, 98
4. Ryan Timmons, 77
T5. De’Runnya Wilson, 73
T5. Keon Hatcher, 73
7. Pharoh Cooper, 72
8. Marquez North, Tennessee (Junior) — 68
9. Demarcus Robinson, 59
T10. Josh Reynolds, 52
T10. Ricardo Louis, Auburn (Senior) — 52
TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS
1. Josh Reynolds, 13
2. De’Runnya Wilson, 12
3. Malcolm Mitchell, 11
4. Pharoh Cooper, 10
5. Laquon Treadwell, 10
6. Keon Hatcher, 9
7. Travin Dural, 9
8. Demarcus Robinson, 7
9. Cody Core, Ole Miss (Senior) — 6
T10. D’haquille Williams 5
T10. Von Pearson, Tennessee (Senior) — 5
T10. Marquez North, 5
T10. Ricardo Louis, 5
T10. Fred Ross, Mississippi State (Senior) — 5
T10. Speedy Noil, Texas A&M (Sophomore) — 5
T10. Ricky Seals-Jones, Texas A&M (Sophomore) — 5
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
