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The SEC has done an incredible job of producing star NFL receivers in recent seasons, and that doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon with talented wideouts in Laquon Treadwell and Pharoh Cooper coming out of the league.
Even more intriguing might be this trio of talented freshmen: Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, Florida’s Antonio Callaway and Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk.
Each left a huge footprint in their debut seasons, and each of their respective teams is delighted to have them for at least two more seasons.
Our staff debates which freshman receiver they’d want to have for the next two seasons.
WHICH FRESHMAN RECEIVER WOULD YOU WANT THE MOST?
Tom Brew (@tombrewsports): Calvin Ridley
This is a really, really tough call because all three of these kids are great. Callaway and Kirk also are huge special teams contributors but the best wide receiver just might be Calvin Ridley. There’s no question that his talent level fits right in with Alabama predecessors Julio Jones and Amari Coopier. It’s a tough call, but I’ll go with Ridley.
Chris Wright (@filmroomeditor): Calvin Ridley
Calvin Ridley. He’s the most polished of the three, in terms of route-running, sideline toe-tapping, etc. It’s fairly easy to project his skills already and seeing him succeed in the NFL. But Callaway very well could end up having bigger numbers because McElwain will throw to him more than Alabama does to Ridley. Callaway certainly is explosive. No denying that. I need to see more from Kirk. He’s in a very receiver-friendly offense, and I saw him running loose a lot of the time, giving the impression that it’s a plug-n-play type attack in which any receiver would work.
John Brasier (@john_brasiersds): Christian Kirk
Give me Christian Kirk. Each are great receivers. Kirk displayed big play ability as a receiver, yardage after the catch and on kick returns. Any doubts of his greatness were dispelled when he returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown against Alabama. He also had seven catches for 90 yards against the Crimson Tide — not bad for a freshman. While Ridley may be better in the air, Kirk can do so much once he has the ball.
Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Calvin Ridley
I’m very tempted to say Antonio Callaway. He’s averaged a remarkable 20.1 yards per catch as a freshman, so he’s a definite big-play threat. Plus, he’s accrued those numbers in a stunted offense while fighting for receptions with players like Demarcus Robinson. He’s only 5-foot-11, which gives me pause. But he’s also being coached by Jim McElwain, who has proven to consistently wring out huge numbers from his top offensive options. The unknown future of coach Kevin Sumlin and the instability on offense prevents me from selecting Christian Kirk.
Talal Elmasry (@TalalElmasrySDS): Christian Kirk
If this were a debate of which receiver will be the most productive, I’d choose Antonio Callaway in what’s sure to be a pass-heavy offense in Florida under Jim McElwain. Plus, Callaway led the SEC this season in yards per catch (20.1) — as a freshman — on a team that struggled throwing the ball, so just imagine what his numbers might be if highly touted QB Feleipe Franks is as good as advertised.
However, the debate is which receiver I would want the most, and I’d take Christian Kirk. I think he’s a game-changer with the ball in his hands, and he’s proven he has the ability to do that in multiple ways. Kirk averaged at least six more yards per punt return than anyone else in the FBS (24.4) to go with two taken back for touchdowns, including the 68-yard TD against Alabama. Kirk did slow down a bit at the end of the season while Ridley came to the forefront, but Kirk has still put up slightly better numbers this season as a receiver than Ridley despite the Aggies’ QB mess.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
