College football

Top 10 game-changing receivers

If these players get the ball, defenses are often in deep trouble

Pittsburgh Panthers vs University of South Florida Bulls

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NFL scouts are already drooling over Jonathan Baldwin, who has the game to become Pittsburgh's third Biletnikoff Award winner in the past 11 seasons (Antonio Bryant in 2000, Larry Fitzgerald in 2003).

OPINION

By Matt Hayes and Dave Curtis

updated 9:57 p.m. ET June 29, 2010

Sporting News college football columnists Matt Hayes and Dave Curtis offer their 10 best game-changing receivers.

Matt Hayes' Top 10
1. A.J. Green, Georgia: The most complete receiver in the game. A gifted, dangerous player who hasn't nearly reached his potential because of uncertainty at the quarterback spot. This fall is the second consecutive season Georgia will use a first-year starter at quarterback.

2. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: No one runs better after the catch. A shifty, silky runner who can find a spot in the zone and run past the safety.

3. Julio Jones, Alabama: Dealt with nagging injuries early on and never really reached his stride in 2009, leading to talk of a regression. But don't be confused: when he's healthy and properly motivated, he pushes Green as the game's best.

4. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame: Injuries have prevented him from fully developing into a dominant receiver. He (not All-American Golden Tate) was Notre Dame's best receiver last fall — before, that is, a shoulder injury took away a big chunk of the season.

5. Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh: A big, physical target with deceptive deep speed. Part of a seemingly endless line of Pitt receivers with terrific balance with the ball in the air.

6. James Cleveland, Houston: Good size and strength and catches just about everything thrown his way. Year 2 with star QB Case Keenum could be gigantic.

7. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina: Should be much higher on the list, but when your struggling quarterback locks in on his best receiver every play, more bad than good usually happens.

8. Austin Pettis, Boise State: He and Titus Young combined for 24 touchdown catches last year, but Pettis is the team's best deep threat and third-and-make-a-play receiver.

9. James Rodgers, Oregon State: Overshadowed by his diminutive (wait, is that possible?) brother, Jacquizz, James is critical to the OSU offense in three areas: run after the catch, speed sweeps in the run game, blocking in the run game.

10. Jermaine Kearse, Washington: The unknown of the group — except to NFL scouts. A big-time, smooth talent who will further grow into the position this fall.

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Dave Curtis' Top 10:
1. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame: The guy has played 20 college games and caught 16 touchdown passes. A collarbone break last season robbed him of bigger stats and All-American status.

2. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma: We asked Texas coach Mack Brown what makes playing against Broyles so tough. "Fast," he said last month in Austin. That speed helped get him to the end zone 15 times as a receiver in 2009.

3. A.J. Green, Georgia: Perhaps the best pure receiver in college football, Green's size and athleticism make him the key to the Bulldogs offense. Get him the ball, Aaron Murray.

4. Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh: NFL scouts are already drooling over Baldwin, who has the game to become the Panthers' third Biletnikoff Award winner in the past 11 seasons (Antonio Bryant in 2000, Larry Fitzgerald in 2003). He averaged better than 19 yards per catch last season.

5. Jermaine Kearse, Washington: Don't cede "Best Receiver in the Pacific Northwest" honors to James Rodgers just yet. Kearse excelled late last year as a redshirt freshman with six TD catches in his final four games.

6. Deonte Thompson, Florida: He got a little famous for springtime comments about John Brantley replacing Tim Tebow as the Gators' quarterback. He'll get a lot more famous running down Brantley bombs this fall.

7. Austin Pettis, Boise State: Even against WAC competition, Pettis' 14 TD catches and breakaway speed looks impressive. QB Kellen Moore's Heisman hopes hinge part of Pettis and Titus Young scoring points.

8. Niles Paul, Nebraska: The Huskers' offensive scheme and quarterback woes limited Paul's chances last year. Still, his 19.9 yards per catch show his penchant for the big gainer.

9. Leonard Hankerson, Miami: YouTube includes a handful of videos showing Hankerson work out with former Dolphin star Mark Duper. Improving last season's 17.8-yards-per-catch will make him super on his own.

10. Greg Salas, Hawaii: Out of sight and mind for most on the mainland, Salas averaged 15 yards on his 106 receptions in 2009. No returning Division I player gained more as a receiver last year.

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