Ranking the SEC- Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Today we look at the pass catchers in the SEC:

1. Tennessee– there is no suspense on this choice. Tennessee has overtaken Arkansas at the WR position. Da’Rick Rodgers and Justin Hunter make up the best WR combo in the nation. Cordarrelle Patterson and Zach Rodgers will factor in as well. Mychal Rivera returns at TE. With Bray at QB and 5 returning starters on the OL- this group will shine in 2012.

2. Georgia– good group with lots of talent. Malcolm Mitchell, Marlon Brown, Tevarres King, Micheal Bennett are just some of the targets for Aaron Murray. They will have a new TE this season though, so look for Murray to rely a little more on the WR’s.

3. Texas A&M– When you’re breaking in a new QB, it helps to have experienced talent like this to throw to. Ryan Swope had a big season last year and returns to see what he can do vs SEC defenses. He is joined by Uzoma Nwachukwu and Nate Askew. A&M has 3 TE’s to choose from in Nehemiah Hicks, Micheal Lamothe, Hutson Prioleau.

4. LSU– Odell Beckham is a bigtime talent in Baton Rouge, as is the inconsistent Russell Shepherd. Look for these guys to produce more with a new QB this season. Jarvis Landry, James Wright, and newcomer Avery Johnson will also factor in. TE Chase Clement is also very good.

5. Arkansas– They have one of the SEC’s top WR’s in Cobi Hamilton, but lots of inexperience surrounds him. Julian Horton and Jevontee Hearndon will get to show what they can do this season. TE Chris Gragg is one of the SEC’s top TE’s.

6. State– The SEC’s most veteran group should shine in 2012 with a new QB at the trigger. Chris Smith, Arceto Clark, Chad Bumphis, Brandon Heavens- should all play big roles in the offense this season. Youngsters Jameon Lewis and Joe Morrow should make an impact as well. The Bulldogs were dealt a blow when hybrid TE Malcolm Johnson got hurt this summer, but got a boost when Marcus Green was granted an extra season by the NCAA.

7. Alabama– inexperience but talented describes the WR’s for the Tide this season. Kenny Bell, Kevin Norwood, and DeAndrew White return- and they will be joined by freshmen Chris Black, Amari Cooper, and Eddie Williams. Micheal Williams returns at TE.

8. Vandy–  Jordan Matthews returns after a great season in Nashville. Chris Boyd, Jonathan Krause, and former QB Josh Grady will join him. The Dores will take a step back at the TE position after losing Brandon Barden.

9. Auburn– Emory Blake is a solid SEC WR with big play potential. The Barn is still waiting on Trovon Reed, Travante Stallworth, and Deangelo Benton to live up to their hype coming into college. They may have the SEC’s best TE in Phillip  Lutzenkirchen.

10. Missouri– 3 of their top 5 WR’s return- T.J. Moe will be joined by top WR recruit Doriel Green-Beckham, Marcus Lucas, and L’Damien Washington. We’ll see what this bunch can do against SEC competition.

11. South Carolina– You dont see a Steve Spurrier team with such low-rated WR’s very often, if ever. Ace Sanders returns to lead an inexperienced group. Bruce Ellington continues his quest to become a football player instead of basketball. Incoming Freshman Shaq Roland is a talent that will play alot. They are experienced at TE with Justice Cunningham and Rory Anderson returning.

12. Mississippi– The Bears have a talented specimen in WR Donte Moncrief. He can play on anybody’s team. Can Randall Mackey transition to WR from QB? Ja-Mes Logan played ok for the Bears last season and he returns- but losing Nick Brassell to grades has severely hampered the talent of this group. TE Jamal Mosely has talent but has seemingly gotten into another problem with the law so his status is unknown.

13. Florida– The Gators just dont have anybody scary out there right now. Andre Debose, Quinton Dunbar, Frankie Hammond Jr- these guys just wont become household names in the SEC.

14. Kentucky– This group makes Florida’s look dangerous. Move along, nothing to see here.