There’s some star power at wide receiver in the SEC this season.
Only 2 SEC players cleared 1,000 receiving yards last year and neither of them return in 2024. In lieu of proven producers, the SEC is stocked full of up-and-coming playmakers who could explode in the new year. Ryan Williams and Cam Coleman, dynamic freshmen last year, are the headliners, according to SEC Network’s Chris Doering.
The ESPN analyst shared his 5 favorite receivers in the league on Friday morning.
In fifth, Doering named Georgia wideout and USC transfer Zachariah Branch.
“This dude kind of reminds me of Isaiah McKenzie a few years ago at Georgia, the human joystick,” Doering said. “He’s a guy you can get the ball to in the flat, he can turn it up and make guys miss, he’s got an urgency and then a burst about him. (He) finds the hole, hits it when he sees something there, but I think he catches the ball well down the field, too.”
In his 2-year career at USC, Branch recorded 823 receiving yards and 3 scores, 87 rushing yards and 1 score, 406 punt return yards and 1 score, and 547 kick return yards with 1 score. As a freshman in 2023, he scored touchdowns as a receiver, runner, kick returner, and punt returner.
At No. 4, Doering named Auburn newcomer and Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr.
“He was a ‘get it to’ guy in that offense last year for Georgia Tech,” Doering said. “You can be creative with how you use him but he’s also probably the fastest receiver in the conference, maybe the country this year.”
Singleton posted consecutive 700-yard receiving seasons with the Yellow Jackets to begin his career. He caught 56 balls for 754 yards and 3 scores last season while also running it 21 times for 131 yards.
At No. 3, Doering named LSU wideout Aaron Anderson.
“This has a lot to do with the connection,” Doering said. “I think he has another big season for the Tigers.”
Anderson broke out last season, catching 61 passes for 884 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is the SEC’s second-leading returning receiver this fall, behind Mizzou newcomer Kevin Coleman Jr.
At No. 2, Doering had another Auburn Tiger in Coleman.
“He is an absolute beast. You look at a guy who is built, who is carved to be a wide receiver,” Doering said. “Kind of a slow start last year … but figured things out late in the year and you feel like he’s created some momentum. I think having Eric Singleton Jr. is going to benefit him big-time this season as well.”
Coleman closed out the final 3 games of his freshman season with 8 catches for 100 yards and 3 scores against ULM, 7 catches for 128 yards and 2 scores against Texas A&M, and then 7 catches for 78 yards and a score against Alabama. He was 1 of only 9 players in the SEC last season with at least 5 receptions of 40 yards or more.
And, finally, at No. 1, Doering named Williams.
“That Georgia game last year was fantastic,” Doering said. “He’s got a great ability to go up and catch the football. The body control to me, though, as a guy who’s that young, kind of long, (he) really has a good feel for his body awareness. Love what he’s going to be able to do. I think he grows into a more dynamic receiver that can run some of the short to intermediate routes as well. Just a complete receiver.”
Williams had 5 receptions last season that went for at least 50 yards. He had multiple 70-yard receptions and was 1 of only 16 power conference players with an 80-yard reception. Williams was the ultimate downfield threat, averaging 18 yards per reception as a freshman. He trailed off a bit late in the year but his first 5 games — 544 yards, 28.6 yards a catch, 6 scores — were outstanding.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
