Ranking the SEC's wide receivers after Week 13
As far as the SEC is concerned, the 2015 season will likely be best remembered for its running backs (Alabama’s Derrick Henry, LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Arkansas’ Alex Collins to name a few). There were however, a few solidly consistent passing games, particularly in the SEC West. With the regular season all wrapped up, the power rankings for the best wideouts show a strong correlation with the conference’s best quarterbacks.
10. ARDARIUS STEWART, ALABAMA
The skinny: Many of the conference’s best receivers ended the season with underwhelming performances, but not Stewart. In the Iron Bowl, the sophomore wideout tied his season high with eight receptions. Stewart did not put up a monster triple-digit game this season, but is trending upward at the right time heading into the postseason.
Last game: 8 catches, 81 yards, TD
2015 season: 50 catches, 536 yards, 3 TD
9. MALCOLM MITCHELL, GEORGIA
The skinny: Mitchell didn’t light up the box score against Georgia Tech, but he stays in the top-10 for his overall body of work, and the fact not many SEC receivers put up numbers to challenge his spot. Mitchell and the rest of the Bulldogs offense will likely be motivated to give Coach Mark Richt a farewell to remember in UGA’s bowl game.
Last game: 3 catches, 41 yards
2015 season: 53 catches, 751 yards, 4 TD
8. JOSH REYNOLDS, TEXAS A&M
The skinny: When the Aggies were firing on all cylinders, they had one of the most potent offenses in the conference. Reynolds closed out a strong junior season with a solid outing against LSU.
Last game: 5 catches, 71 yards
2015 season: 40 catches, 730 yards, 5 TD
7. DREW MORGAN, ARKANSAS
The skinny: The Razorbacks used ground-and-pound on a cold, rainy day to control the clock against Missouri, which didn’t help Morgan’s final stats. The junior wideout has battled a nagging shoulder injury, but finishes the season as the conference leader in receiving touchdowns.
Last game: 3 catches, 28 yards
2015 season: 55 catches, 751 yards, 10 TD
6. CALVIN RIDLEY, ALABAMA
The skinny: Ridley fell short of crossing the century mark in his first Iron Bowl, still delivering his best game in more than a month. One can expect the wideout from Coconut Creek, Fla., to be extra motivated to shine in the SEC Championship Game against Florida.
Last game: 6 catches, 90 yards
2015 season: 67 catches, 791 yards, 5 TD
5. CHRISTIAN KIRK, TEXAS A&M
The skinny: Kirk’s production dropped once SEC defenses caught onto him, but he finishes as No. 4 in receiving yards in the SEC. If Coach Kevin Sumlin’s team is going to compete for an SEC West title next year, Kirk will be a key factor.
Last game: 3 catches, 54 yards
2015 season: 70 catches, 925 yards, 6 TD
4. DE’RUNNYA WILSON, MISSISSIPPI STATE
The skinny: Wilson’s strong second-half of the season helped him climb the stat sheets into the No. 5 SEC receiver in yardage. He wasn’t the star of the Egg Bowl, but managed a solid outing. Head coach Dan Mullen will likely air it out in QB Dak Prescott’s MSU farewell, and that could mean a big-time bowl performance for Wilson.
Last game: 5 catches, 65 yards
2015 season: 55 catches, 822 yards, 9 TD
3. PHAROH COOPER, SOUTH CAROLINA
The skinny: Gamecocks junior wideout Cooper is opting for the NFL next season, and it’s a shame to see one of the conference’s elite playmakers go out on a down year for the program (3-9). Cooper came close, but ultimately fell short of a 1,000-yard season. In South Carolina’s struggling offense, it’s remarkable Cooper was able to have such a productive year.
Last game: 4 catches, 86 yards, TD
2015 season: 66 catches, 973 yards, 8 TD
2. FRED ROSS, MISSISSIPPI STATE
The skinny: Talk about a November to remember. Ross finished the regular season with four consecutive games of 100-plus receiving yards. Even another big night from Ross, however, wasn’t enough to lift MSU over rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. Ross should get to 1,000 yards on the season in MSU’s bowl game.
Last game: 12 catches, 117 yards
2015 season: 81 catches, 933 yards, 4 TD
1. LAQUON TREADWELL, OLE MISS
The skinny: Even with back-to-back underwhelming games, Treadwell’s body of work keeps him at No. 1 in power rankings. If the Rebels get to the Sugar Bowl, expect Treadwell, who missed last year’s Peach Bowl game against TCU, to put on a show for the primetime audience.
Last game: 4 catches, 22 yards
2015 season: 76 catches, 1,082 yards, 8 TD