Keith7
06-16-2006, 10:02 AM
Jarrett, Ginn top preseason WR rankings
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
With stars like USC's Dwayne Jarrett, Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija and Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson returning to terrorize defensive backs, wide receivers will shine in 2006. Here are the preseason rankings for the nation's top returning wide receivers.
1. Dwayne Jarrett, USC, JR, 6-4, 210
Without Matt Leinart at the helm and Reggie Bush drawing attention, it's unreasonable to expect Jarrett to match his 2005 production (91 catches, 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns). Regardless, no receiver in college football boasts Jarrett's combination of elite physical tools and dynamic playmaking ability.
2. Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State, JR, 6-0, 181
Ginn failed to live up to the hype last season, but his 167 receiving yards against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl were a preview of things to come. After spending the offseason polishing his route-running skills, expect Ginn to emerge as one of the early Heisman Trophy favorites in 2006.
3. Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame, SR, 6-4, 214
Samardzija more than makes up for what he lacks in elite speed with size, instincts and savvy. He burst onto the national stage with 1,249 yards and 15 touchdowns on 77 receptions in 2005. With Brady Quinn returning at quarterback for the Irish, there's no telling what type of numbers Samardzija will post as a senior this fall.
4. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech, JR, 6-4, 226
Johnson is arguably the most physically gifted wide receiver in college football today. With a secondary receiver to draw attention and a quarterback capable of completing more than 48 percent of his attempts, Johnson could easily produce Jarrett-like numbers. Unfortunately, Johnson's supporting cast is atrocious.
5. Sidney Rice, South Carolina, SO, 6-4, 198
Rice exploded onto the national scene with 70 catches for 1,143 yards and 13 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman last season. With another offseason of conditioning under his belt and a full year to digest coach Steve Spurrier's scheme, Rice could emerge as the nation's premier receiving threat in 2006.
6. Jason Hill, Washington State, SR, 6-1, 211
After seriously considering leaving school early for the 2006 NFL draft, Hill made the wise decision to return to Washington State for his senior year. Now that RB Jerome Harrison has moved on to the NFL, QB Alex Brink will count even more on Hill, the nation's third-leading receiver in 2005.
7. Steve Breaston, Michigan, SR, 6-1, 196
Breaston took a step backwards as a receiver last season, but part of the problem was a lingering shoulder injury that prevented him from playing at full speed much of the time. Breaston is healthy now, and with wide receiver Jason Avant having graduated and moved on to the NFL, expect Breaston to play a far bigger role for the Wolverines this fall. Breaston also remains one of the most dangerous return specialists in the nation.
8. Derrick Williams, Penn State, SO, 6-0, 191
Williams ranked among the most influential freshmen in college football last season, despite suffering a season-ending broken arm against Michigan. He can impact the game in so many different ways, including as a receiver, runner, return specialist and occasionally as a defensive back. Four of Williams' 57 touches went for scores in 2005. Williams' arm has mended, and with a year of experience under his belt, coach Joe Paterno is expecting even more from his sensational sophomore this fall.
9. James Hardy, Indiana, SO, 6-6, 215
He flew somewhat under the radar as a freshman at Indiana last fall, but the Hoosiers have a genuine gridiron star in Hardy. At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Hardy displays tremendous athleticism and hand-eye coordination for his size. He notched 893 yards and 10 touchdowns on 61 catches last season. With more experience and better savvy, Hardy should emerge as a nationwide household name in 2006.
10. Billy Pittman, Texas, JR, 6-0, 198
His 2005 numbers (34 catches for 750 yards and five touchdowns) might not stack up to the stats of some of the other players on this list, but underestimating Pittman's talent and impact is a mistake. A big play waiting to happen, Pittman used his track-star speed to exploit opposing defenses for five receptions of 60 or more yards last season. A more savvy version of Pittman could be scary in 2006.
The next best 15:
11. Todd Blythe, Iowa State, junior
12. Dorien Bryant, Purdue, junior
13. Steve Smith, USC, senior
14. DeSean Jackson, California, sophomore
15. Joel Filani, Texas Tech, senior
16. D'Juan Woods, Oklahoma State, senior
17. Andre Caldwell, Florida, senior
18. Chansi Stuckey, Clemson, senior
19. Dwayne Bowe, LSU, senior
20. Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech, senior
21. Ryne Robinson, Miami (Ohio), senior
22. Paul Williams, Fresno State, senior
23. Limas Sweed, Texas, junior
24. Johnnie Lee Higgins, UTEP, senior
25. Mario Manningham, Michigan, sophomore
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider. Listen to Todd break down the biggest games and give you all the scores on College GameDay on ESPN Radio every Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. ET. He is also a frequent contributor to ESPNU.
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
With stars like USC's Dwayne Jarrett, Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija and Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson returning to terrorize defensive backs, wide receivers will shine in 2006. Here are the preseason rankings for the nation's top returning wide receivers.
1. Dwayne Jarrett, USC, JR, 6-4, 210
Without Matt Leinart at the helm and Reggie Bush drawing attention, it's unreasonable to expect Jarrett to match his 2005 production (91 catches, 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns). Regardless, no receiver in college football boasts Jarrett's combination of elite physical tools and dynamic playmaking ability.
2. Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State, JR, 6-0, 181
Ginn failed to live up to the hype last season, but his 167 receiving yards against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl were a preview of things to come. After spending the offseason polishing his route-running skills, expect Ginn to emerge as one of the early Heisman Trophy favorites in 2006.
3. Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame, SR, 6-4, 214
Samardzija more than makes up for what he lacks in elite speed with size, instincts and savvy. He burst onto the national stage with 1,249 yards and 15 touchdowns on 77 receptions in 2005. With Brady Quinn returning at quarterback for the Irish, there's no telling what type of numbers Samardzija will post as a senior this fall.
4. Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech, JR, 6-4, 226
Johnson is arguably the most physically gifted wide receiver in college football today. With a secondary receiver to draw attention and a quarterback capable of completing more than 48 percent of his attempts, Johnson could easily produce Jarrett-like numbers. Unfortunately, Johnson's supporting cast is atrocious.
5. Sidney Rice, South Carolina, SO, 6-4, 198
Rice exploded onto the national scene with 70 catches for 1,143 yards and 13 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman last season. With another offseason of conditioning under his belt and a full year to digest coach Steve Spurrier's scheme, Rice could emerge as the nation's premier receiving threat in 2006.
6. Jason Hill, Washington State, SR, 6-1, 211
After seriously considering leaving school early for the 2006 NFL draft, Hill made the wise decision to return to Washington State for his senior year. Now that RB Jerome Harrison has moved on to the NFL, QB Alex Brink will count even more on Hill, the nation's third-leading receiver in 2005.
7. Steve Breaston, Michigan, SR, 6-1, 196
Breaston took a step backwards as a receiver last season, but part of the problem was a lingering shoulder injury that prevented him from playing at full speed much of the time. Breaston is healthy now, and with wide receiver Jason Avant having graduated and moved on to the NFL, expect Breaston to play a far bigger role for the Wolverines this fall. Breaston also remains one of the most dangerous return specialists in the nation.
8. Derrick Williams, Penn State, SO, 6-0, 191
Williams ranked among the most influential freshmen in college football last season, despite suffering a season-ending broken arm against Michigan. He can impact the game in so many different ways, including as a receiver, runner, return specialist and occasionally as a defensive back. Four of Williams' 57 touches went for scores in 2005. Williams' arm has mended, and with a year of experience under his belt, coach Joe Paterno is expecting even more from his sensational sophomore this fall.
9. James Hardy, Indiana, SO, 6-6, 215
He flew somewhat under the radar as a freshman at Indiana last fall, but the Hoosiers have a genuine gridiron star in Hardy. At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Hardy displays tremendous athleticism and hand-eye coordination for his size. He notched 893 yards and 10 touchdowns on 61 catches last season. With more experience and better savvy, Hardy should emerge as a nationwide household name in 2006.
10. Billy Pittman, Texas, JR, 6-0, 198
His 2005 numbers (34 catches for 750 yards and five touchdowns) might not stack up to the stats of some of the other players on this list, but underestimating Pittman's talent and impact is a mistake. A big play waiting to happen, Pittman used his track-star speed to exploit opposing defenses for five receptions of 60 or more yards last season. A more savvy version of Pittman could be scary in 2006.
The next best 15:
11. Todd Blythe, Iowa State, junior
12. Dorien Bryant, Purdue, junior
13. Steve Smith, USC, senior
14. DeSean Jackson, California, sophomore
15. Joel Filani, Texas Tech, senior
16. D'Juan Woods, Oklahoma State, senior
17. Andre Caldwell, Florida, senior
18. Chansi Stuckey, Clemson, senior
19. Dwayne Bowe, LSU, senior
20. Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech, senior
21. Ryne Robinson, Miami (Ohio), senior
22. Paul Williams, Fresno State, senior
23. Limas Sweed, Texas, junior
24. Johnnie Lee Higgins, UTEP, senior
25. Mario Manningham, Michigan, sophomore
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider. Listen to Todd break down the biggest games and give you all the scores on College GameDay on ESPN Radio every Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. ET. He is also a frequent contributor to ESPNU.