Everyone loves the longball. Although a smash-mouth "ground and pound" beat 'em up style of game is always entertaining and dramatic, nothing puts a fan on his or her feet with their arms in the air for that brief second (which seems like eternity) like a quarterback stepping up in the pocket and letting one rip 60 yards down field. There is so many elements and possibilities of the passing game that gets us excited.
It gives our team one last chance to win as the clock hits zeros on a hail marry pass. The passing game gives us those thrilling eye-popping plays that make our jaws hit the floor. For example: the circus style catches, the tip toe on the sideline for a first down, and the jump ball in the endzone. We saw plenty of great pitches and catches this past season and as we look forward to next season we've compiled the top-10 receiving corps in the nation. So, follow along and take notes as we go over what teams will be putting up points through the air; and get a head start on watching what players will help dominate your future fantasy football team for years to come.
1. USC
Even after losing the highly productive Robert Woods USC still claims the number one spot for best receiving corps in the nation. They have depth and talent but don't fool yourself, Biletnikoff winner Marqise Lee is the crucial reason why the Trojans take the cake. He is is the best wide receiver in the game and arguably the best prospect since Juilo Jones. Lee is not only extremely productive and flat out dominant with the ball in his hands (118 receptions, 1,721 yards, 14 touchdowns in 2012) but makes everyone else around him better. Opposing teams still haven't found a way to stop Lee and will continue blanketing him in double and triple coverage, leaving his talented teammates like Nelson Agholor and Xavier Grimble opportunities to take advantage of fragile coverage. Agholor is a sophomore who is building off a solid true freshman campaign as a third receiver, while Grimble and Randall Telfer make one of the best tight end duos in the country. The Trojans also have great depth and plenty of highly touted recruits waiting in the wings. All this adds up to be the best passing attack in the nation. Assuming someone can get them the ball...
2. Alabama
Amari Cooper didn't take long to show the world why Nick Saban recruited him so heavily. Cooper exploded as a true freshman with 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns while only starting 11 games. He only got better as time went on finishing the year with four 100 yard games in his final five contests proving he is ready to take over as Alabamas next great receiver. Kevin Norwood and Kenny Bell are two talented seniors that know the offense and have great rapport with quarterback AJ Maccaron. They need to make sure they can stay healthy and the three will be tenacious when on the field at the same time. If that wasn't enough, Chris Black (the now sophomore) was ready to break out last year until a shoulder injury plagued his 2012. He will be back and ready to contribute wherever and whenever he can. Robert Foster is the cherry on top. Foster is a 2013 five-star recruit who will step on the field this fall and will show his talents as soon as coach Saban lets him. The Crimson Tide have a ridiculous amount of talent and depth and will be overwhelming for every defense they face in 2013.
3. Oklahoma State
Head coach Mike Gundy can't sleep at night with out having dreams of chucking the rock. His offensive game plan calls for a spread'em out, pitch and catch style of play which produces one of the best arial attacks in the country. Josh Stewart will likely be the star again after his 2012 campaign that helped him catch 101 balls for 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns. Stewart was first team Big-12 and averaged 12.0 yards per catch. He'll be surrounded by the talented and physical Blake Jackson (6'3" 235 lbs) who will be entering a bigger role this year. Austin Hays is the wildcard in the bunch. Hays was a freshman who lived for the big play last season catching five passes of more than 25 yards. This offense had four receivers total more than 400 yards and they return seven of their top eight targets from last year. Between coach Gundy's style of offense and the depth of talented targets, this group will be one of the most productive in the game.
4. Florida State
If the grade giving was solely based on talent as a group, the Seminoles would be pressing hard for the number one spot. They have on paper what scouts and coaches first look for first; size and speed and with the ability to make spectacular catches as well as the potential is there to be an explosive passing team. However, injuries and inconsistent play is what has held this unit back from reaching its full potential, but with an inconsistent E.j. Manuel at quarterback last year its unfair to put all the blame in one place. If you were forced to pick one Rashaad Greene would be labeled as the number one receiver on the depth chart. Greene; with 57 receptions, 741 yards, and six touchdowns showed flashes of excellence and finished with at least five receptions in four of his final five games. Kenny Shaw is next in line and is my personal favorite. He Is the burner that can beat coverage with his speed. Shaw had a quiet 33 receptions for 532 yards and three touchdowns, but converted two/thirds of those passes into first downs proving to be a weapon for moving he chains. If this group has a dependable quarterback helping them out, they have the potential and talent to be one of the most explosive and efficient receiving corps in the nation.
5. Washington
The Huskies offense has every major player coming back from last season including all their top receivers. Stud tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins who is one of the best in the country was named to the third-team All-American and will be a favorite to win the Mackey award this year. Kasen Williams is 6'2" and had 78 receptions, 878 yards, and six touchdowns in 2012 and Jaydon Mickens and DiAndre Campbell both are a big skill-set. Unfortunately, much like Florida State, they have the talent but need more help from their offensive line to give quarterback Keith Price a cleaner pocket to throw in than he had a year ago.
6. Texas
This is the best group of receivers the Longhorns have had in a while. Mike Davis who was projected as a third-round pick was ready to jump into the NFL until he changed his mind and decided to play his senior year. The 6'1", 195 pounder will provide the outside speed and deep-threat needed as Jaxon Shipley (much like his older brother and Bengal Jordan Shipley) will continue to be a consistent weapon underneath and help move the chains. These two are back for their third year together and provide cohesiveness for the offense. Cayleb Jones is entering his sophomore season and will be counted on for his physicality and sure hands as his playing time will increase dramatically. Texas also has two highly touted recruits ready to step in at tight end and all-in-all the Longhorns now have one of the most talented rosters up and down in the Big 12.
7. Oklahoma
Jalen Saunders is ready to help Sooner fans forget about Kenny Stills as he heads into 2013 as an impressively skilled number one option. His 62 receptions, 829 yards, and three touchdowns were soured by a bad offensive line and inconsistent quarterback play. Sterling Sheppard wasn't far from Saunders numbers and heads into his sophomore season with high expectations after an extremely productive freshman year. Trey Metoyer has a perfect skill-set and was a star in last seasons spring games but underachieved and is expected to have a bigger impact.
8. BYU
Because of the lack of attention BYU typically receives, you probably haven't heard Cody Hoffmans name as much as should have. The 6'4" target is one of my personal favorites. He's caught a combined 203 receptions his first three years, including 100 of them in 2012 for 1,248 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hoffman doesn't have prototypical speed, however, he runs precise routes and uses his body to shield his opponents away from the ball, making him almost uncoverable at times. He also has great hands and a great vision of the field for success after the catch. He had four games last year with double-digit catches showing how dominant he can be. Hoffman reminds me a lot of Bears receiver Brandon Marshal and will have another huge year for BYU. Playing opposite of him is Ross Apo. Apo was a go to target late in the season once teams started taking Hoffman out of the game. He has the speed and will continue to take advantage of one on one opportunities. Tight end Kaneakua Friel is another big weapon (6'5" 250lbs.) and will be a sure handed safety blanket. While the offense isn't flashy, they do produce one of the best passing attacks around.
9. Vanderbilt
Although they are lacking the depth you typically desire, Vanderbilt does have the best one-two punch in the nation. Jordan Mathews passed up a first round NFL contract to play his final season. Now, going into the 2014 NFL draft ranked as the number one receiver on multiple big boards, Mathews will use his size and his ability after the catch to be a playmaker for the Commodores offense. The senior who led the SEC in receptions (94) enters this season with 150 receptions, 2,282 yards, and 17 touchdowns for his career. The other half of this dangerous duo is Chris Boyd. Boyd, (who is 6'4" and also has NFL-type talent), recorded 50 catches for 774 yards (15.5 yard average) and finished with a touchdown in five of his final six contests. He will look to ride that momentum into 2013 and join Mathews as the best wide receiver combo in the country.
10. Georgia
This unit is raw and injury prone, but the talent is there. Malcolm Mitchell is a cornerback moved receiver who only played half the year on offense last season but still managed 40 receptions for 572 yards and four touchdowns. With an offseason of wide receiver reps under his belt look for him to be more polished, comfortable, and consistent. Highly touted Michael Bennett is coming off an ACL injury and will look to finish what he started in what was a very productive first five games (24 catches). Tight end Arthur Lynch was an Athlon Sports second-team All-American and was was a great threat for the Bulldogs, especially down the stretch. Lynch averaged a bulky 18 yards per catch and finished the year with at least three receptions in the final five games. Of course it doesn't hurt when you have one of the best quarterbacks in the country throwing you the ball, (enter Aaron Murray stage left).