It’s safe to say that Alabama’s Calvin Ridley and Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk are the top two returning receivers in the SEC in 2016.
But they’re not the only wideouts who could have a big season.
You already know the players we think will be the Top 10 wide receivers in the SEC in 2016, and a couple of guys from that list are on this one. Here are five conference pass-catchers who have a chance to be just as good as Ridley and Kirk:
Damore’ea Stringfellow, Ole Miss
The 6-2, 220-pounder from Perris, Calif., has several things working for him as he enters his junior season. For starters, ex-teammate Laquon Treadwell, the Rebels’ No. 1 receiver last year, will be in the NFL.
Secondly, Chad Kelly will be back for his senior season, aiming to become the first SEC quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards twice in a career.
Stringfellow had 36 receptions for 503 yards and five scores this past season.
Kelly’s other targets include Quincy Adeboyejo (38 catches, 604 yards, and 7 TDs in 2015) and Markell Pack (31, 380, 3). Watching this trio battle to see who will emerge as Kelly’s primary target should be fun.
Drew Morgan, Arkansas
Even while playing in an offense with the best tight end in America last year in Hunter Henry, Morgan led the Razorbacks in catches (63), yards (843) and receiving TDs (10).
With Henry taking his talents to the NFL, Jeremy Sprinkle will be the first-string TE, one of many changes on offense, including a revamped running game and new quarterback.
Rising junior Austin Allen, Brandon’s younger brother whose lone completion in 3 attempts in 2015 was a 35-yard TD pass, will be one of several candidates looking to take over as starting QB.
One thing shouldn’t change for the Hogs: Morgan will be their top receiving target, regardless of which quarterback wins the job.
Antonio Callaway, Florida
With Demarcus Robinson on his way to the NFL, Callaway clearly will be the Gators’ go-to guy in 2016.
Callaway had 35 catches for 678 yards and 4 TDs as a freshman. He set Florida’s record for most receiving yards by a true freshman, eclipsing Reidel Anthony’s 1994 mark of 615.
So who will throw to Callaway?
It won’t be Treon Harris, who is moving, coincidentally, to wide receiver. Florida will solve its four-player quarterback competition this spring or summer. Even then, Callaway appears to be Florida’s biggest certainty on offense.
Malachi Dupre, LSU
It’s fair to criticize the Tigers’ quarterback play over the years, but former Bayou Bengals Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry have exceeded expectations in the NFL, and this rising junior might be able to do the same one day.
The 6-3, 190-pound Dupre was Brandon Harris’ primary target last season with 43 receptions for 698 yards and 6 scores, all team highs.
The return of Travin Dural, who battled injuries last season after an exceptional sophomore year in 2014 (37 receptions, 758 yards, 7 touchdowns), will make things better for Dupre.
Dural, who had 28 catches for 528 yards and 3 TDs this past season in 10 games before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury, is Harris’ favorite long-distance option, which should open up underneath routes for Dupre.
Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
He’ll certainly benefit from playing alongside Kirk, but he’ll also benefit from being a key part of new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone’s pass-happy offense.
Reynolds averaged 17.78 yards per catch as a junior, catching balls from three A&M quarterbacks. He finished with 907 yards in 12 games, so it’s not out of the question to see Reynolds and Kirk both go over 1,000 in 2016.
I am with my team all the way! I have decided that I am going to be staying for my senior year as a Texas A&M Aggie ?? #GigEm
— Joshua Reynolds (@J_Rey_11) January 6, 2016
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
