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Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the SEC has some stud receivers. Naturally, quarterbacks get a lot of attention. Understandably, the running backs have been getting a lot of attention. Now is time to talk about the receivers.
Our staff debates which wideout is the best: Ole Miss’ Laquon Treadwell, Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk or South Carolina’s Pharoh Cooper?
WHO IS THE BEST RECEIVER IN THE SEC?
Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Laquon Treadwell
In a vacuum — if all of these receivers played in the same offense with the same coach and quarterback — De’Runnya Wilson, Malachi Dupre, Trent Sherfield and Calvin Ridley certainly can make arguments for inclusion. Christian Kirk is the best up-and-coming playmaker. Pharoh Cooper is the most dynamic.
Talal Elmasry (@TalalElmasrySDS): Christian Kirk
For me, it came down to Laquon Treadwell and Christian Kirk, and it was near impossible to decide. A more definitive answer as to who is the best may come when their teams go head-to-head this week in Oxford. As for now, the toughest game for both players came when they had to travel to Tuscaloosa, and both performed well. Last week, Kirk had 7 catches for 90 yards, including a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown. Treadwell had 5 catches for 80 yards and a TD against the Tide in Week 3.
Those performances summed up the two players’ seasons in a nutshell: Both are phenomenal receivers, but Kirk’s ability to impact the game in more ways than one gives him the edge. Not only is Kirk leading the SEC in receiving yards per game (101.5), he also leads the entire FBS in yards per punt return (25.1), and he’s one of only two FBS players with multiple punt returns for TDs along with Maryland’s William Likely. Kirk may not have Treadwell’s hands, or hand, yet, but he’s been solid at moving the chains, turning a short gain into a long gain or simply beating the defense deep. He’s also gotten physical when need be on screen passes to get tough yardage. It will be awesome seeing him and Treadwell showcase themselves this week.
John Brasier (@john_brasiersds): Pharoh Cooper
He may not have the most NFL potential. But he’s a great college player. He does everything for the Gamecocks despite not having a strong quarterback to get him the ball. He is the Gamecocks offense. He catches passes. He carries the ball on handoffs. He runs the Wildcat offense. He throws passes on trick plays. He somehow shines despite getting most of the attention from opposing defenses. If the Gamecocks score a touchdown, he’s usually been a part of the scoring play.
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.