Top to bottom: Ranking the 2020 Southeastern Conference receiving corps

Those perpetually stuck in the mindset that offenses featuring the likes of Herschel, Bo and Emmitt remain prominent in the Southeastern Conference might have difficulty accepting the SEC as a pass-heavy college football league.

Those keeping up know times — and offenses — have changed. The SEC hasn’t gone full-blown WAC from back in the day, but the league has been turning out strong passing offenses for several years.

Just last season three SEC teams ranked among the nation’s Top 20 in passing offense — No. 2 LSU, No. 3 Alabama and No. 16 Florida.

In fact, multiple SEC teams have shown up in the nation’s top 20 passing offense rankings for almost a decade. 

Not surprisingly, the SEC has produced a bumper crop of receivers. Just since A&M entered the league in 2012, dozens of SEC receivers and tight ends have been taken in the NFL draft. That includes a dozen that have been selected in the first round.

That momentum is showing no signs of slowing down. An array of proven receivers remain on SEC rosters. More talent is on the way, too. Thirteen of the Top 30 receiver prospects in the 2020 recruiting class signed with SEC teams.

With that in mind, here’s a team-by-team ranking of receiving/tight end groups in the SEC entering the upcoming season.

1. LSU: Ja’Marr Chase led the SEC in receiving yardage and touchdowns last season. His numbers figure to decline substantially without quarterback Joe Burrow, but Chase remains arguably the most dangerous receiver in the SEC. Junior Terrace Marshall had a strong sophomore campaign. He’ll likely have a greater role in the offense. Five-star tight end Arik Gilbert and five-star receiver Kayshan Battle just make the rich richer.

Matt Bush/USA Today Sports

Jaylen Waddle looks to play a bigger role in the Alabama offense with the departures of Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III.

2. Alabama: No doubt, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are serious big-play threats, although much of Waddle’s damage has been done returning kicks. He’ll play a bigger part in the offense now that Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs have departed for the NFL. As usual, there is an influx of high-profile recruits arriving to help the Tide reload.

3. Texas A&M: Strange, A&M lost two of three starters and is ranked higher than it would have been a year ago. That’s because Jhamon Ausbon is the returning starter. He had 872 receiving yards and five touchdowns a year ago. Tight end Jalen Wydermyer appears to be an emerging star. Incoming five-star prospect Demond Demas and four-star recruit Moose Muhammad could make an immediate impact.

4. Auburn: Speedy juniors Seth Williams and Anthony Schwartz are bona fide big-play threats. Yet, there’s not a lot of depth beyond them. Senior Eli Stove managed just 18 catches in eight SEC games. Four-star rated Kobe Hudson heads a group of four freshmen arriving to provide help.

5. Georgia: Sophomore George Pickens is a rising star. Expect sophomore Dominick Blaylock to make strides, too. He scored five touchdowns as a freshman. Incoming freshmen Marcus Rosemy and Arian Smith could give the passing game a boost.

6. Florida: Last season Kyle Pitts had more catches than any other SEC tight end. Junior receiver Trevon Grimes is steady. Big things are expected from sophomore Jacob Copeland, who had 21 catches last year. A healthy Kadarius Toney will add speed. Incoming freshman Xzavier Henderson might be special.

7. Arkansas: The Razorbacks are porous, but not at receiver, where they’re much better than many realize. Sophomore Trey Knox has star potential. Treylon Burks and Mike Woods combined for 62 catches and 898 receiving yards last season. Incoming freshman Darin Turner figures to play a significant role. The passing game could be stout if the Hogs find an adequate passer.

8. Missouri: Senior Kam Scott averaged 19.3 yards per catch in 2019. Junior Jalen Knox averaged 16.1. The problem is both had fewer than 20 receptions. Maybe freshman Jay Maclin will prove to be as good as his cousin, former Mizzou star Jeremy Maclin.

9. South Carolina: Steady senior Shi Smith has had at least 29 catches and more than 400 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. That’s good news. The bad news is Bryan Edwards completed his eligibility and tight end Kyle Markway opted for the NFL draft. No remaining receiver on the roster managed as many 20 catches.

Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Elijah Moore could find himself among the SEC’s top receivers by the end of 2020.

10. Ole Miss: Elijah Moore had 850 receiving yards in 2019. With a little maturity (i.e. no penalties for simulating a dog urinating) he could establish himself among the best receivers in the SEC in 2020. However, no other receivers on the Ole Miss roster had more than 13 catches last season. Those numbers should increase with the arrival of coach Lane Kiffin. If quarterback John Rhys Plumlee’s passing doesn’t improve, Kiffin probably wouldn’t hesitate to bring in Matt Corral.

11. Tennessee: Three of the Volunteers’ top four receivers from last season have moved on. Josh Palmer, who had 457 yards and 1 touchdown, remains. No other returning receiver had more than four receptions. Expect incoming freshman Jalin Hyatt to play immediately.

12. Mississippi State: Don’t be surprised if the production surpasses this ranking – it is coach Mike Leach’s offense, after all. But on initial inspection, the Bulldogs’ receiving corps look quite mundane. Osirus Mitchell, who had 29 catches last season, is the top returning receiver. No other returning receiver had more than 11 catches. Junior college transfer Malik Heath figures to make a major impact.

13. Vanderbilt: Vandy has turned out some star receivers — Jordan Matthews, Earl Bennett … and Kalija Lipscomb last season. The Commodores don’t have that kind of quality. Cam Johnson heads a group of four mediocre returning receivers. He had 30 catches last season.

14. Kentucky: Josh Ali had 23 catches in 2019. That more than doubles the output of any other returning receiver or tight end.