Never put it past ESPN to create a highly debatable topic.
A post from the self-proclaimed “Worldwide Leader of Sports” surfaced on Twitter and it consisted of the top-10 schools in college football that produced the best wide receivers.
In its version of “Wide Receiver U,” Alabama ranks at No. 9 – behind Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, LSU, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Ohio State and USC. While some of the programs ahead of the Tide may have a case, to have Alabama next to last is a stretch.
Alabama’s group of Amari Cooper, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Jerry Jeudy had a more prolific collegiate career than the receivers listed for Ohio State, Florida State, LSU, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Both Cooper and Jones set records and won championships with quarterbacks that were not considered “elite” in the public eye.
Ridley was a 1,000-yard receiver and a national champion with Jacob Coker, while Jeudy was a two-time 1,000-yard target, Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, All-American and national champion with Tua Tagovailoa calling the shots.
The units for the Sooners and Cowboys were able to freely roam in the Big 12, as the conference did not have stellar defenses.
On top of this, a suspension to Dez Bryant limited him to just three games for Oklahoma State in 2009.
It took the right quarterback (Zach Mettenberger) for LSU’s duo of Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry to post 1,000-plus yards and at Florida, the likes of Percy Harvin, Antonio Callaway and Andre Caldwell were more so all-purpose players than receivers. Florida State’s tandem of Kelvin Benjamin and Rashad Greene benefitted from having Jameis Winston and as for Peter Warrick, he had the good fortune of Chris Weinke (2000 Heisman winner) as his signal caller.
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Much of the schools ahead of Alabama needed a major playmaker at quarterback to guide the receivers to huge numbers; however, the group for the Crimson Tide had success with game managers, converted receivers (to quarterback) and big-name talents at the position.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
