SEC Football: Top 5 Wide Receiver Candidates for 2011

Joe Adams (pictured r.) in 2011 spring scrimmage

Over the last three seasons, the SEC has seen plenty of talent at wide receiver, but the media love was pointed squarely on the jersey's of two phenoms: A.J. Green and Julio Jones. Both players were game-changers for their respective teams and their potential as impact players on the next level led them to be selected in the Top 10 of this years NFL Draft. Their departures leave the door wide open for a few other difference-makers in the SEC, some of whom need no introductions, to make their presence felt on a national level.

The players you will find in this list are guys who have made key contributions on their teams already and could be poised to have an outstanding season in 2011:

1. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina: This is a no-brainer. Jeffery could have been a first-round pick in this year's draft had he been eligible, but his under-classmen's status will be South Carolina's gain this year as his return is sure to have SEC defensive backs running scared. Last season, he put up some beastly numbers (88 receptions, 1,517 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 17.24 ypc average) on his way to helping lead the Gamecocks to their first SEC Championship Game appearance in more than two decades. This season, if South Carolina can settle their quarterback situation, you can expect to see a lot more of him on the highlight reel.

2. Joe Adams, Arkansas: Where Cobi Hamilton (see next) brings the thunder, Adams is most certainly the lightning as the rising senior lit up the Arkansas spring game for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He is clearly on a mission to lay waste in the SEC West this season and assert himself as a candidate for the league's best player. Look for him to make a marked improvement over last season's numbers in Petrino's pass-happy offense (50 receptions, 813 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 16.26 ypc average).

3. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas: Before you figure me for a fool because I neglected to name either Greg Childs or Jarius Wright in this space, hear me out. Hamilton, the junior receiver who is often lost in the shuffle of the Razorbacks plethora of talent at receiver, did more with less than any other wide receiver on the team last season (32 receptions, 680 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 19.69 ypc average). Even more, he barely played until after the first four games were in the books. Hamilton had a great spring and looks to be on track for a breakout season with the Hogs.

4. Justin Hunter, Tennessee: Denarious Moore is gone and the Vols will be looking to a new guy to fill that void, look no further than Justin Hunter (16 receptions, 415 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 25.94 ypc average). Hunter has the size, the physical playing style, and the talent to both stretch the field and make the big plays.With Tyler Bray solidifying his place at quarterback—stabilizing the Vols passing game—you can expect to see a lot more of Houston in 2011.

5. Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State: Bulldog quarterback, Chris Relf, isn't exactly a candidate to win any Heisman trophies, but he won't have to be if he can avoid making bad decisions with the football. Bumphis (44 receptions, 634 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 14.41 ypc average) is a skilled receiver with a ton of speed and he can definitely make plays in the open field. With the Bulldogs returning much of their offense, bolstered in part by the stout running of Vick Ballard, Mississippi State could be tough yet again.

Other notable players: Orson Charles, Georgia, Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Rueben Randle, LSU, Emory Blake, Auburn, LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State

So, who did I miss? Go ahead...feel free to let me know.

*All stats appear courtesy of cfbstats.com.