College Football Preview 2009: Top 10 Wide Receivers

There are so many star quarterbacks coming back this year like Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Colt McCoy. But there are not many guys racking up those receiving yards that are house hold names. Everyone knew who Michael Crabtree and Percy Harvin were, but who is going to be the next big name receiver? Here is a list of ten receivers that will have break out years.

1. Dez Bryant, Sr., Oklahoma St. - Dez Bryant, even though he should be, is not a house hold name yet. Last year in the Big Twelve in the shadow of Michael Crabtree he caught 87 balls for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns. With his star quarterback Zac Robinson back, Expect Dez Bryant to put up even better numbers.

2. Julio Jones, Soph., Alabama - Last year Julio Jones had a solid season for a true freshman grabbing 58 balls for 924 yards and 4 touchdowns. Alabama's offense was based around the run last year but Julio Jones has that size and speed combo that most receivers work for.

3. Dezmon Briscoe, Sr., Kansas - Another guy who you don't hear anything about but put up one of the best seasons last year. He caught 92 passes for 1,407 yards 15 yards. He also has some speed and size and is the top receiver returning for star quarterback Todd Reesing.

4. Jordan Shipley, Sr., Texas - A year ago he caught 89 balls for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns as a number two receiver. Now he is Colt McCoy's favorite and number one target so expect him to have even greater stats this year.

5. Golden Tate, Sr., Notre Dame - Golden Tate has played since his freshman season with quarterback Jimmy Clausen for Notre Dame and last year posted 58 catches for 1,080 yards and 10 touchdowns. With Notre Dame's offense remaining intact expect him to catch a ton of balls from Jimmy Clausen once again.

6. Eric Decker, Sr., Minnesota - He is another unknown receiver in college football but has proven that he can play with the best of them. Last year he caught 84 balls for 1,074 yards and 7 touchdowns. With his quarterback Adam Webber coming back expect even better numbers.

7. Austin Collie, Sr., BYU - Last year he lead the NCAA with 1,538 receiving yards and grabbed 106 balls with 15 of those being for touchdowns. His quarterback, Max Hall, is regarded as one of the best in college football and the two form a great duo.

8. Jermaine Gresham, Sr., Oklahoma - Arguably the best tight end returning, he caught 66 balls from Sam Bradford, racking up 950 yards and 14 touchdowns. With some of Sam Bradford's big weapons gone, expect him to go to the All-American tight end more often.

9. Arrelious Benn, Jr., Illinois - One of the fastest players in college football grabbed 67 balls for 1,055 yards and only 3 touchdowns. With a more experienced Juice Williams and a better running game to protect him, Benn will score a lot more TD's this year.

10. Antonio Brown, Sr., Central Michigan - A lightning fast receiver from the MAC who doesn't get enough recognition. Last year he grabbed 93 yards for 998 yards and 7 touchdowns but also accounted for over 1,000 return yards. He and quarterback Dan LeFevour make a terrific duo.

Others to Watch: Jacoby Ford (Clemson), Damian Williams (USC), A.J. Green (Georgia), Mark Dell (Michigan St.), DeAndre Brown (So Miss), Tyron Carrier (Houston), Michael Floyd (Notre Dame)

Source:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/sortables?stat=rec&sort=recyds&season=3&year=2008&group=80