Ranking the best WR from each SEC program in the 21st century
The SEC has been able to send some of the best wide receivers to the NFL in the 21st century. Programs like Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, and Georgia have each sent several playmakers to the next level.
The wealth of talent that has been developed in the SEC is nothing short of tremendous. Other conferences have been able to produce promising wide receivers as well, but not quite like the SEC.
Every program has a handful of receivers that fans reminisce over and wish they could bring back. Roll Tide Wire ranks each SEC programs best wide receiver since the turn of the 21st century.
Auburn - Darvin Adams
Career Stats: 115 REC / 1,978 RecYds / 17 RecTDs
Auburn has not had much production from the wide receiver position in recent years. However, there was a time when the Tigers had a handful of playmakers on the same team. In 2010, the Tigers offense had both Emory Blake and Darvin Adams. Out of those two, Adams stood out the most. Adams recorded over 1,800 of his 1,978 receiving yards in his last two seasons. His production on the outside helped the Tigers win the BCS National Championship in 2011.
Mississippi State - Fred Ross
Career Stats: 199 REC / 2,528 rec. Yds / 22 Rec. TDs / 6 CAR / 87 Rush Yds / 1 Rush TD
The Mississippi State offense was lethal in 2014. One of the key reasons for that was Dak Prescott. However, he did not have a shortage of options to throw to at wide receiver either. Fred Ross was a key player for the Bulldogs from 2013-2016. He was used in a variety of different ways in Dan Mullen’s offense. Ross’ size and athleticism helped him become a reliable option for both Prescott and Nick Fitzgerald.
Tennessee - Justin Hunter
Career Stats: 106 REC / 1,812 Yds / 18 TDs
Tennessee had a true athlete in Justin Hunter. The former Volunteers wide receiver spent three seasons in Knoxville. Along with playing on the football team, Hunter was also a member of the school’s track and field team. Hunter was a playmaker on the perimeter in Jim Chaney’s offense. As a junior, Hunter was listed as a Second-team All-SEC selection.
Texas A&M - Ryan Swope
Career Stats: 252 REC / 3,117 Rec. Yds / 24 Rec. TDs
Yes, Texas A&M had quite the duo with quarterback Johnny Manziel and wide receiver Mike Evans. However, Manziel’s go-to option was not Evans. Instead, it was the speedster Ryan Swope. Swope was a key special teams player and wide receiver for the Aggies. Despite being just 6-feet tall, Swope still found ways to make explosive plays. As a result, he was named a All-Big 12 Second-team selection in 2011 and a All-SEC Second-team selection in 2012.
Vanderbilt - Jordan Matthews
Career Stats: 262 REC / 3,759 Rec. Yds / 24 Rec. TDs
Vanderbilt has not been a school that has consistently put out elite wide receivers. Alabama native Jordan Matthews helped change the narrative for the Commodores. For three seasons, Matthews was the heart and soul of Vanderbilt’s offense. Matthews was a two-time First-team All-SEC selection and a First-team All-American as a senior.
Arkansas - Treylon Burks
Career Stats: 146 REC / 2,399 Rec. Yds / 26 Rec. TDs / 38 CAR / 222 Rush Yds / 1 Rush TD
Arkansas has had some good wide receivers in years past. The one pass-catcher that separated himself from the rest of the pack is Treylon Burks. The Arkansas native did an excellent job of breaking down opposing secondaries and creating separation. His size and playmaking ability is what stands out with Burks. After having a breakout junior season, Burks was named a First-Team All-SEC selection.
Ole Miss - Laquon Treadwell
Career Stats: 202 REC / 2,393 Rec. Yds / 21 Rec. TDs
Since the turn of the 21st century, the Rebels have developed some of the more well-rounded wide receivers in the country. One of those wide receivers that was able to develop and reach his full potential was Laquon Treadwell. As a freshman, Treadwell was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. As a junior, Treadwell was a All-SEC First-Team selection as well as a Third-Team All-American. A significant knee injury caused Treadwell to miss the final four games of his junior season. His presence was pivotal to what the Rebels were able to accomplish.
LSU - Justin Jefferson
Career Stats: 165 CAR / 2.415 Rec. Yds / 24 Rec. TDs
LSU has had a plethora of talent at wide receiver in recent years. The one that stood out the most was Justin Jefferson. The Louisiana native made quite the name for himself as a junior. His production helped the LSU football offense reach new heights. Plus, he had Joe Burrow throwing him the pigskin. The two will go down as one of the best duos in college football history. Jefferson seemed to always be open downfield. It did not matter how long the play took to develop, Jefferson was always a relaible option to get open.
Missouri - Jeremy Maclin
Career Stats: 182 REC / 2,315 Rec. Yds / 22 Rec. TDs / 91 CAR / 668 Rush Yds / 6 Rush TDs
In two seasons in Columbia, Jeremy Maclin cemented himself as the best wide receiver to ever play at Missouri. Maclin was effective as a wide receiver, running back, and as a returner. His production was pivotal to the Tigers’ success and helped him become a two-time Consensus All-American. His play spoke for itself but the stats did as well. Maclin was the perfect asset for the Tigers in 2007 and 2008.
Georgia - A.J. Green
Career Stats: 166 REC / 2,619 Rec. Yds / 23 Rec. TDs
Another school that seems to always produce elite talent at the wide receiver position is Georgia. The Bulldogs’ best wide receiver in the 21st century is A.J. Green. The former Bulldog was the go-to option in Mike Bobo’s offense. His sheer size at 6-foot-4 helped him make countless big plays in his college career. He left Athens as a two-time First-Team All-American and a two-time All-SEC First-Team selection.
South Carolina - Alshon Jeffery
Career Stats: 183 REC / 3,042 Rec. Yds / 23 Rec. TDs
South Carolina has not had a wealth of elite talent at wide receiver over the years. One player that was an elite talent was Alshon Jeffery. The South Carolina native was known for making contested catches in the redzone in key moments. Jeffery’s play led him to be named a First-team All-American and a First-team All-SEC selection in 2010.
Kentucky - Randall Cobb
Career Stats: 144 REC / 1,661 Rec. Yds / 13 Rec. TDs / 228 CAR / 1,313 Rush Yds / 22 Rush TDs
The closest player to Percy Harvin on this list is former Kentucky athlete Randall Cobb. During his career in Lexington, he was used as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, punt returner and kick returner. In 2010, Cobb was listed as a First-Team All-American as well as a First-Team All-SEC selection. The SEC had not seen many Randall Cobb’s when he came along. His athleticism and versatility helped him stand out among other competition.
Florida - Percy Harvin
Career Stats: 194 REC / 1,852 Rec. Yds / 19 Rec. TDs / 133 CAR / 1,929 Rush Yds / 13 Rush TDs
There is no question to who Florida’s best playmaker has been in the past 23 years. Mr. ‘Do-It-All’ did everything for the Gators in the mid-2000s. Harvin was as versatile as an athlete could be in the SEC at this time. He played wide receiver, running back, kick returner, and punt returner. Harvin was a First-Team All-American as a junior. He also helped the Gators win two national titles. His versatility has been unmatched since his college days in Gainesville.
Alabama - DeVonta Smith
Career Stats: 235 REC / 3,965 Rec. Yds / 46 Rec. TDs
Alabama always seems to produce some of the top wide receivers in the country. The argument can be made for several different playmakers that once wore the crimson and white. However, I am going to give the nod to Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. Smith won prestigous awards such as the Maxwell Award, Paul Hornung Award, Biletnikoff Award, and the Walter Camp Award. Not to mention, he was a two-time All-SEC First-Team selection. Smith was unguardable the majority of the time and always found a way to catch the ball. It did not matter who was covering the stellar wideout. He comes in at No. 1 on our list.
