2013 College Football Preseason Rankings: Top 5 Receiving Corps – Oklahoma St Nation’s Best

2013 College Football Preseason Rankings: Top 5 Receiving Corps: With the exception of a few teams, the days of the ground-and-pound offense are over, and the era of high-powered spread offenses has begun. With many offensive system using four-wide and even five-wide sets, the need for a solid receiving corps has never been greater. Heck, even the teams that do run a more traditional offense need a couple of quality targets to keep defenses honest. Fortunately, the quality and depth at the wide receiver position in college football have improved tremendously in recent years, and better and better athletes are choosing to play the position. As a result, it isn’t uncommon to have two or three star receivers playing for the same team at the same time. Of course, some teams are more loaded at the position than others, and with that in mind, here is a closer look at the top receiving corps in college football heading into the 2013 season.

1.      Oklahoma State Cowboys

When you have the seventh-best passing attack and fourth-best scoring offense in the country despite using three different quarterbacks as the Cowboys had to do last year, you know you have some pretty good players catching the ball. Well, the three top targets are back from last season’s group, including star slot receiver Josh Stewart. Stewart finished the year with 101 catches for more than 1,200 yards, and he will be joined by Tracy Moore and Charlie Moore, who both have the speed to make big plays down the field. The trio combined for 17 touchdown grabs last year, and that total is likely to rise significantly if Oklahoma State can keep one QB healthy all year.

2.      Alabama Crimson Tide

While the Crimson Tide are known for their stingy defense and power running game, the talent at receiver on this year’s team may be the best of the Nick Saban era. Amari Cooper ran by the best corners in the SEC on a regular basis as a freshman last year, and he is already being compared to former Alabama great Julio Jones. Meanwhile, Kenny Bell will be back from a broken leg and highly-touted speedster Chris Black will get to make his debut after missing 2012 with a shoulder injury, giving the Crimson Tide three players that could be a No. 1 option on just about any team in the country. Quarterback A.J. McCarron led the country in passing efficiency last year, and his weapons have improved significantly. Saban’s play calling is about the only thing that can slow down this passing attack.

3.      Louisville Cardinals

Quarterback Teddy Bridegwater is a Heisman Trophy candidate and a contender for the top pick in next April’s NFL draft, but he does owe part of his success to an already-strong core of receivers that got a lot better in the offseason. Top target DeVante Parker is back after a 10-touchdown campaign, and speedy slot option Damian Copeland also returns. Meanwhile, Michaelee Harris will be back on the field after missing 2012 with a knee, and he will be joined by newcomers Robert Clark and Matt Milton, who are both SEC transfers. Plain and simple, Bridgewater will have no shortage of weapons to work with in 2013.

4.      Washington Huskies

Based on the sizeable jump receiver Kasen Williams made between his freshman and sophomore seasons, there is a good chance that his performance as a junior will make Washington’s passing attack elite. The good news for Williams is that he doesn’t have to do it alone because the Huskies also have best tight end in the country at their disposal. Austin Seferian-Jenkins had 852 receiving yards and seven scores last year, and his 69 catches were a school record for a tight end. Seferian-Jenkins combination of size, speed and athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare and gives the Huskies’ QB Keith Price a dynamic duo to throw the ball to.

5.      USC Trojans

USC has the best receiver in the country on its roster in Marqise Lee so his presence alone makes the Trojans corps one of the best around. After all, Lee has 25 receiving scores and more than 2,800 yards in just two seasons. Granted, his partner in crime Robert Woods is now in the NFL, but sophomore Nelson Agholor is oozing with potential. Meanwhile, Xavier Grimble is one of the more athletic players at the tight end position, and he should see a big boost in his production in 2013. The bottom line is that there are more than enough complementary parts to support Lee and make USC’s receiving corps one of the best around.

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