Ranking every SEC team’s WR1 heading into 2023 college football season
The SEC has always had an abundance of talent at the wide receiver position and 2023 will be no different.
Elite wide receivers Jalin Hyatt, Jadon Haselwood, and Kayshon Boutte all declared for the NFL draft this offseason. However, there is enough talent to go around in the conference.
A number of receivers chose to return for their senior seasons. Several are Ricky Pearsall, Antwane Wells, and Will Sheppard. Each of the three are expected to see increased roles next season.
Other wide receivers like Barion Brown, Luther Burden, and Evan Stewart will look to improve from their freshman to sophomore seasons.
The SEC will produce more talent in the NFL in the years to come.
Roll Tide Wire ranks the top wide receivers from each SEC program heading into the 2023 season.
Jordan Watkins - Ole Miss
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’22-’23 Stats: 40 REC / 449 YDS / 2 TDs
Last season, Watkins was overshadowed by Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath. However, the two of them are headed to the NFL and Watkins is expected to be the go-to guy in Oxford. His speed and playmaking abilities should make for a good final season at the college level for Watkins.
Ja'Varrius Johnson - Auburn
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’22-’23 Stats: 26 REC / 493 YDS / 3 TDs
Auburn will be heading into this season without a true No. 1 wide receiver. If I had to guess who will have the most production in Auburn’s offense, I would likely go with senior Ja’Varrius Johnson. Last season, Johnson averaged 19 yards per reception. He will likely take over as the top receiving option in Phillip Montgomery’s offense.
Lideatrick Griffin - Mississippi State
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’22-’23 Stats: 40 REC / 502 YDS / 4 TDs
The primary receiving option for Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers transferred this offseason to Georgia. That is Rara Thomas. With his departure, someone will have to step up as WR1. The likeliest candidate would be senior Lideatrick Griffin. He showed strides of improvement over the course of the season and will be called upon more often next season.
Luther Burden - Missouri
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’22-’23 Stats: 45 REC / 375 YDS / 6 TDs
Missouri also lost its top wide receiver from a season ago to conference rival, Georgia. Dominic Lovett led the Tigers in touchdowns and receiving yards last season. With him leaving, I would look for sophomore Luther Burden to see an increased role. He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and showed flashes of his potential a season ago. His athleticism and playmaking abilities could help him become one of the best wide receivers in the conference by the season’s end.
Andrew Armstrong - Arkansas
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’22-’23 Stats: 62 REC / 1,020 YDS / 13 TDs
Arkansas saw its top three receiving options depart this offseason. Wide receivers Matt Landers and Jadon Haselwood declared for the NFL Draft. Tight end Trey Knox transferred to South Carolina. Therefore, the Razorbacks went to the transfer portal to land elite, JUCO wide receiver Andrew Armstrong. He was electric at the division II level. It will be interesting to see how his skillset translates to the SEC.
Evan Stewart - Texas A&M
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’22-’23 Stats: 53 REC / 649 YDS / 2 TDs
It was a disappointing season for the Aggies last season. One of the few bright spots was wide receiver Evan Stewart. With Ainias Smith suffering a season-ending injury early on in the season, the Aggies coaching staff called on Stewart to take on an increased role. As a sophomore, his production will only increase. Look for Stewart to have a great sophomore campaign.
Barion Brown - Kentucky
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’22-’23 Stats: 50 REC / 628 YDS / 4 TDs
Kentucky will be without its leader from a season ago with quarterback Will Levis heading to the NFL. That could result in their top playmaker, Barion Brown, getting more opportunities. He showcased his speed and playmaking abilities as a freshman. Brown will be called on more often in year No. 2 in Lexington.
Antwane Wells Jr. - South Carolina
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’22-’23 Stats: 68 REC / 928 YDS / 6 TDs
The Gamecocks are one of the few SEC programs that return its leading wide receiver from a season ago. Senior Antwane Wells Jr. had a stellar first season in Columbia in 2022. He will likely be called on more often next season. He and quarterback Spencer Rattler had a lot of chemistry last year. I believe their connection will only grow as both enter their second season with the Gamecocks.
Will Sheppard - Vanderbilt
(Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
’22-’23 Stats: 60 REC / 776 YDS / 9 TDs
Vanderbilt did not have many bright spots on the offensive side of the ball last season. However, one player that grabbed a hold of the spotlight was wide receiver Will Sheppard. He led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. He could have transferred to a system more equipped for placing wide receivers in the league. Instead, he elected to return for one more season with the Commodores. He could really create value for himself next season with his frame and skill set.
Ricky Pearsall - Florida
(Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
’22-’23 Stats: 33 REC / 661 YDS / 5 TDs
Florida landed a transfer portal gem last season in Arizona State transfer Ricky Pearsall. The Arizona native was the Gators’ top receiving option a season ago. Pearsall plays well within his frame at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. He is not too flashy but finds ways to make plays. Pearsall will be featured even more next season with a newcomer at quarterback. That should help him become one of the elite wide receivers in the SEC next season.
Bru McCoy - Tennessee
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’22-’23 Stats: 52 REC / 667 YDS / 4 TDs
Last season, Tennessee had one of the more explosive offenses in the entire country, The Volunteers were led offensively by quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. One player that kind of flew under the radar was Bru McCoy. The USC transfer took on the role of the No. 2 wide receiver in Josh Heupel’s offense. With Hyatt leaving and a gunslinger like Joe Milton at quarterback, his productivity will only increase from here on out. McCoy possesses great size and does a good job of winning in 50/50 situations.
Ja'Corey Brooks - Alabama
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’22-’23 Stats: 39 REC / 674 YDS / 8 TDs
One of the names that emerged last season in Alabama’s wide receiver room is Ja’Corey Brooks. The rising junior took on the role of Bryce Young’s top receiving option. While he did not have as many touches as others, he was just as productive. Brooks does a good job of creating separation at the top of his routes and plays well within his frame. With a new offensive coordinator, Brooks could see more opportunities come his way in 2023. He has the potential to become the top wide receiver in the conference.
Dominic Lovett - Georgia
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’22-’23 Stats: 56 REC / 846 YDS / 3 TDs
Georgia landed arguably one of the best players in the transfer portal in wide receiver Dominic Lovett. The former Missouri Tiger was a much-improved player as a sophomore in Columbia. He displayed his ability to be a deep-ball threat and intermediate route runner as well. Lovett will likely take over for A.D. Mitchell on the outside. The two have a similar style of play and Lovett could be an improved version of Georgia’s offense.
Malik Nabers - LSU
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’22-’23 Stats: 72 REC / 1,017 YDS / 3 TDs
LSU had quite the unprecedented season in year No. 1 under head coach Brian Kelly. One thing that was not unprecedented was the amount of talent at the wide receiver position. Wide receiver Malik Nabers thrived in LSU’s offense a season ago as he led the team with 1,017 receiving yards. Take into consideration, stud wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was also healthy. Nabers has the potential to have an even better junior season in Baton Rouge. He possesses a nice blend of size and speed. Nabers comes in as the No. 1 wide receiver in the SEC heading into the 2023 season.
