Top 14 SEC Wide Receivers

We are now just weeks away from the start of college football and for my next position break down I will be looking at the top wide receivers in the SEC.

 Top 14 SEC WR

14. Kenny Bell, Alabama: With Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks now gone it opens up the door for Kenny Bell to have a bigger year in 2012. Last season Bell had 255 yards receiving and 2 TD, but I projecting him and Kevin Norwood to more than double their 2011 numbers.

13. Ace Sanders, South Carolina: The Gamecocks will be looking to replace their go to guy Alshon Jeffery, and Sanders at 5'7" isn't a natural replacement, but he's a solid slot WR and will be a weapon early for the Gamecocks while they look to fill Jefferys shoes.

12. La'Rod King, Kentucky: In 2011 King had 40 receptions for 598 yards and 7 TDs which is not bad when you look at the Quarterbacks he had throwing him the ball. If the 6'4" King had some decent QB play then I think King could be a top 10 SEC WR.

11. Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss: With new HC Huge Freeze spread attack and Bo Wallace at QB I think the Rebs will have a much improved passing attack. Moncrief pulled in 454 yards and 4 TD last season, but those numbers will go up in 2012.

10. Malcolm Mitchell, Georiga: He's a standout WR and one of the best in the SEC, but during the off season has moved to DB, but Richt said he will still play some WR and go both ways! I think Mitchell will make a progression back to WR once Georgia gets some other players going at DB.

9. Andre Debose, Florida: I think Debose is the Gators best offencive weapon, but last years offense was horrific. This season will be better for Gators offence which will lead to better numbers from Debose. If Florida can find some good QB play this year then I think Debose could be one of the leading WR in the SEC.

8. Odell Beckham, LSU: If Zack Mettenberger does open things up in the passing attack for LSU then the very talented true sophomore Beckham could come close to doubling his 475 yards from year ago, but I'm not fully buying in to this hype of LSU really opening up their offence this year. Yes I think they will pass it a little more, but at the end of the day Miles is going to keep this a run first power offence.

7. Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt: Last year when going up against Florida who had one of the best defense in the SEC Matthews showed why he's one of the top SEC WR catching 9 passes for 170 yards! The Junior for Madison Alabama will be looking for an even bigger numbers in the second year of Franklins system.

6. Emory Blake, Auburn: Was another SEC WR who was plagued with bad QB play in 2011, but still manged to rank up 613 yards and 5 TDs. Its still an unknown to what kind of QB play he will get in 2012, but Blake will put up solid numbers either way. 

5. Tavarres King, Georgia: With Mitchell now at DB for at least some of the time it will make King the go to guy for Aaron Murry. Last season King pulled in over 700 yards and 8 TDs this season I project he will be 1000 yard WR. Also with Crowell gone from the team I look for Georgia to pass it more which will also add to Kings numbers.

4. Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee: In 2011 with QB injurys to Tyler Bray Rogers still pulled in over 1000 yards and 9 TDs which says a lot about the talent of the 6'3" WR. If Rogers can focus on just playing football then I think he could have another 1000 yard season even with the return of Justin Hunter.

  

3. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M: Last season Swope had big year pulling in 89 receptions for 1207 yards, but now facing SEC defences and a new QB I look for his numbers to decline some, but with Kevin Sumlin's passing attack I still think Swope will be one of the top stats leaders in 2012.

2. Justin Hunter, Tennessee: His season was cut way short last year by injury, but before the injury Hunter was lights out. In only two games Hunter had racked up over 300 yards! The 6'4" Target will have to share with Rogers, but I think both could have close to a 1000 yard season.

1. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas: The past few seasons the Razorbacks have been loaded at WR, but now it Hamilton turn to be their leader. Hamilton is a good sized target at 6'3" 209lbs should easily get over 1000 years this season and lead the SEC in most stats.

  

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13