For most of college football's history, receivers were considered split ends who just blocked and caught a few passes all season. Around the 1980s, the job description changed as more offenses. Player Notes - Pierce Muthui-Edwards is a dynamic play maker in all three phases of the game of football. He has outstanding ball skills, agility and speed as a top slot receiver at College Football Today. Pierce also excels in the return game and can break a game wide open with his exhilarating skill set. Edelman played quarterback at College of San Mateo and Kent State before being selected by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft and converted to receiver. Beyond the top two, primary slot receiver Amari Rodgers actually outproduced upperclassmen Hunter Renfrow last season. Diondre Overton, another tree alongside of Ross and Higgins, pitched in 14 receptions last season and should be in line for more reps this year. Top 40 overall recruit Frank Ladson Jr. Gives the Tigers talented depth. A few years back, when I asked Doug Baldwin — one of the pre-eminent slot receivers of the last decade — about the importance of the position, he summed it up pretty well. “The slot receiver’s kind of the quarterback of the receivers,” he said in 2015. “More so because the slot receiver has more responsibilities in terms of reading.
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The 2020 college football season is fast approaching and players will be allowed back on campus for summer workouts starting June 8.
That said, let’s take a look at the Georgia wide receivers, perhaps the most exciting position to watch for the Bulldogs in 2020.
This is not a depth chart projection, but a look at who we project to see the most snaps.
Pickens (6-3, 190), from Hoover, Alabama, is one of the best returning receiver in college football and will be heavily relied upon by new Wake Forest transfer QB Jamie Newman and for good reason. As a freshman in 2019, Pickens caught 49 passes for 727 yards and 8 touchdowns, which earned him Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team honors.
Robertson, (6-0, 190) from Savannah, Georgia, is a transfer from the University of California in 2018 and hasn’t been able to find much a rhythm as a Bulldog. However, we know he has talent and even received Freshman All-American honors in his time with Cal, so look for his speed on the inside to be a huge factor for the Bulldogs in 2020.
Assuming Blaylock (6-1, 195) returns from an ACL tear in 2019, he will be competing for the starting slot-receiver position with Robertson. Before his injury, Blaylock, from Marietta, Georgia, was having a solid freshman season, catching 18 passes for 310 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 games. Most notably, Blaylock averaged over 17 yards per reception and contributed to special teams as punt/kick returner.
Landers (6-5, 200), from St. Petersburg, Florida, should see time on the outside opposite George Pickens. Especially in goal line situations where his length creates match-up problems with virtually anyone who covers him. That being said, Landers will have to show route-running and catching improvement if he wants to contribute. His three catches versus Baylor in the Sugar Bowl shows he is headed in the right direction.
Jackson (6-0, 200,) from Fort Valley, Georgia, started the Bulldogs’ first game at Vanderbilt last season and caught two passes for 31 yards until exiting early with a hand injury that derailed the rest of his 2019 season. Georgia coaches were confident enough to tab Jackson as a starter early on, so, assuming his hand injury is no longer a factor, he should be competing for the slot position with Robertson and Blaylock this summer.
NEXT: Who else could we expect to catch some passes this year?
College football is no longer a game where defenses rule the day. As things ebb and flow with the times, it’s now the offensive side of the ball that more or less moves the needle and separates teams.
It’s no different at Ohio State. A program that used to be built on a running game and defense now has one of the best offensive cultures out there. The Buckeyes have almost had a lock on the Big Ten quarterback position, has skill players to burn and can put up points with the best of them. Having Ryan Day as a head coach doesn’t hurt.
So then, it should be no surprise that OSU has attracted some of the best wide receivers as of late. With some of the most dynamic playmakers under center in recent years, coming to the banks of the Olentangy has become awfully appealing for guys that can get open and make plays in space. Add that to one of the young, rising assistant coaches directing the wide-receiver room in Brian Hartline, and Ohio State might be on its way to being known as wide receiver U.
That brings us to the depth chart at the position for this fall. The receiver position is one stocked with youth and unbelievable skill, but where will the pieces fit with so many options out there?
Below is our look at the depth chart of the wide receivers at Ohio State in 2020.
More WR depth charts from the College Wires:
Auburn / Bama / Florida / LSU / Tenn. / UGA // Mich. / Mich St. / Wisc. // Okla. / Texas // ND // USC
Wide Receiver (X) starter - Garrett Wilson
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
6 feet, 193 pounds
39 receptions for 432 yards (14.4 avg.) and 5 TDs
Wilson had a breakout end of the season last year. He came in with a ton of hype and showed speed, game-breaking ability and an uncanny knack for high-pointing the ball in traffic. He’ll take over one of the starting spots on the outside without question, and could push for being the top target for Fields. He’s a highlight-reel waiting to happen.
Wide Receiver (Y) starter - Chris Olave
Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
6 feet, 1 inch, 188 pounds
49 receptions for 849 yards (17.3 avg.) and 12 TDs
2 rushes for 5 yards (2.5 avg.)
Olave led the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2019 and figures to pick up where he left off. He’s a smooth route runner, can run past the opposition with his breakout speed, and has unbelievable hands. He has Fields’ ultimate trust and figures to attract the opposition’s top corner every week. He’ll most likely be playing football on Sundays in 2021.
Wide Receiver (Slot) starter - Demario McCall
(Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
5 feet, 9 inches, 195 pounds
4 receptions for 28 yards (7.0 avg.)
18 rushes for 122 yards (6.8 avg.), 2 TDs
Now a senior, McCall has been like a toy that nobody has figured out how to use. He has special skills that can wiggle free when given the chance, but he’s been unable to elbow his way up the depth chart. We’re banking on this being the year, especially with Jaelen Gill transferring and leaving a hole at the slot position. Look for the coaching staff to use McCall more like Curtis Samuel with spread run and pass options as opposed to shots down the field.
Wide Receiver (X) backup - Julian Fleming
Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
6 feet, 2 inches, 200 pounds
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N/A – Freshman
One of the jewels of the 2020 class as the country’s top receiving prospect, Fleming has too much talent to keep off the field. He’s unlikely to become a starter in Year 1, but he should be able to work his way into the lineup in the two-deep. He’s tall, strong and has underrated speed to gain separation. He could be the next great wide receiver in Columbus, but there is other competition as well.
Wide Receiver (Y) backup - Jaxon Smith-Njigba
6 feet, 196 pounds
N/A – Freshman
Fleming might have gotten all the hype from the 2020 class, but Njigba is a physical and talented receiver that was also a five-star recruit and top-30 overall prospect. He is technically sound and has an ability to separate and make plays on the ball in flight. He has the potential to develop into a star sooner rather than later and could figure in next season as well.
Wide Receiver (Slot) backup - Jameson Williams
Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
6 feet, 2 inches, 188 pounds
6 receptions for 112 yards (18.7 avg.), 1 TD
Williams might be the fastest player on the team. He’s still a little raw, but he could develop into a Ted Ginn type when he figures it all out. He has the ability to lineup on the outside, too, but we like his speed and playmaking from the slot position.
Wide Receiver (X) No. 3 - Gee Scott, Jr.
Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
6 feet, 3 inches, 210 pounds
N/A – Freshman
Scott is another talented freshman that comes to Columbus ready to play right out the package. He has strength and a physical presence beyond his years, with a relentless work ethic. For now, we’ll slot him as a reserve, but he could surprise with his ability and break into the two-deep rotation.
Wide Receiver (Y) No. 3 - Kamryn Babb
6 feet, 197 pounds
N/A
Babb is a relative unknown to Ohio State fans largely because of injury, but also because he has been buried on the depth chart. Out of St. Louis, Missouri, Babb came to the Buckeyes as a top-100 recruit and could be a dark horse to get playing time. He may not break into the top of the rotation, but if he can stay healthy, there’s a chance he flashes to be a weapon.
Wide Receiver (Slot) No. 3 - Mookie Cooper
Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
5 feet, 10 inches, 195 pounds
Top College Football Slot Receivers Rankings
N/A – Freshman
Top College Football Slot Receivers Predictions
Did we mention this freshman receiver class is special? Cooper is another kid that could find some playing time very early in his career. If there’s a guy made for the slot position, it’s him. He’s got some wiggle to his game and can create mismatches on the outside with screens and quick hitches. He may not be penciled in as the guy there just yet, but might be the future of the position.