Newcomers In The CFB Saturdays College Football WR Rankings: 2021 Preseason

With the 2020 season in the books we have removed the wide receivers who have moved on and updated the College Football WR rankings. A few notes before we discuss the rankings themselves.

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football WR Rankings here.

Here is a look at a few of the wide receivers that have debuted in the rankings after a promising 2020:

Jahan Dotson – Penn State

With KJ Hamler gone and Justin Shorter falling short of expectations and transferring to Florida, Dotson was expected to fill some big shoes in Happy Valley. Dotson was stellar in 2020, showing the ability to be a go-to weapon for the Nittany Lions right off the bat. He recorded five 100 yard receiving games in nine games this season. Dotson was a big play threat for Penn State, but also showed the ability to be a steady option who can make tough catches. He finished the season with 52 catches for 884 yards and 8 touchdowns in nine games and added a punt return for touchdown as well.

Dotson has a good combination of speed, toughness and ball skills. He is quick and fast enough to get separation downfield against most corners. He is tough in contested situation and can come up with difficult catches in tight coverage. He plays much bigger than his 5’11” 182 lb listed size would suggest. Once Dotson catches the ball, he is elusive and tough enough to be a threat after the catch. Dotson proved he could be the number one option for Penn State and has earned a spot among the best in the country.

Penn State Nittany Lions Gear

Treylon Burks – Arkansas

Burks did not catch a touchdown in 2019, but with Sam Pittman taking over as head coach for the Razorbacks, Burks has flourished. He was the leading receiver for Arkansas, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Burks got off to a fast start, catching seven passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Georgia, setting the tone for the season. He continued his strong play throughout the 2020 season, finishing with 51 catches for 820 yards and 7 touchdowns in nine games.

Burks is a big receiver at 6’3″ 232 lbs, but still has the speed to get deep against the defense. He is a difficult match-up for most defensive backs because of his combination of size and athleticism. He has excellent body control when adjusting to the ball and making catches along the sideline or along the back of the endzone look easy. Burks’ power and speed make him a difficult player to tackle after the catch, as well. Burks enters the 2021 season with high expectations and the potential to be one of the best receivers in the country.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Kayshon Boutte – LSU

LSU lost Ja’Marr Chase before the season when he decided to opt out and then lost Terrace Marshall during the season to an opt out as well. The Tigers needed receivers to step up and Boutte rose to the occasion. He saw an increased role in the offense as the season progressed and began making big plays down the stretch. Boutte finished the season with three straight 100 yard receiving games, culminating in a season finale that saw him make 14 catches for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns against Mississippi. Boutte finished the season with 45 catches for 735 yards and 5 touchdowns in ten games.

Boutte is a solid 6’0″ and 185 lbs, but has game changing speed and explosiveness. He pulls away from defenders quickly and adds separation over distance. He is effective downfield, but excels running crossing routes over the middle of the field where he can pull away from defensive backs. Once he has the ball in his hands, Boutte is difficult to square up and get down, he has good change of direction skills and can take advantage of a small seam in the defense and make a big play. He proved in 2020 that LSU has a go-to receiver to lead the way in 2021.

LSU Tigers Gear

Drake London – USC

The Trojans feature a pass heavy offense that throws the ball on nearly 60 percent of it’s offensive plays. In his second season at USC, Drake London emerged as a big play weapon for USC. He was tied for second on the team in receptions but led the team in receiving yards. London opened the season with a big game against Arizona State, catching 8 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown and kept making big plays the rest of the year. London finished the 2020 season with 33 catches for 502 yards and 3 touchdowns in six games, setting himself up for a bigger role in 2021.

At 6’5″ 210 lbs, London has the height to create a big mismatch against defensive backs. He wins jump balls and excels in contested catch situations where he can use his size to make the play. London has the speed to get open downfield and has strong hands to secure the catch. He has a long stride and covers a lot of ground with each step, picking up good yardage after the catch. With the potential to fill out and get even stronger, London could become an even bigger mismatch for the Trojans in 2021.

USC Trojans Gear

Zay Flowers – Boston College

Zay Flowers burst on the scene early in his sophomore season. He began the season with a 5 catch, 162 yard, 1 touchdown performance against Duke that highlighted his big play ability. Flowers would put the big play ability on display multiple times during the 2020 season and became the go-to receiver for new quarterback Phil Jurkovec. Flowers was second on the team in receptions but led the way in receiving yards and touchdowns. For the year, he recorded 56 catches for 892 yards and 9 touchdowns in 11 games.

Flowers is a smaller receiver at 5’11” and 178 lbs, but has quickness and speed that few can match. He is an excellent athlete, who plays with good balance and can change directions and start and stop quickly to create separation. Flowers tracks the ball well and has good body control, adjusting to the ball well and making difficult catches. He is electric with the ball in his hands and can make defenders miss and pick up good yardage after the catch. Flowers has the tools to continue to develop as a junior and be one of the best receivers in the country.

Arizona State Sun Devils Gear

For the complete Top 25 WR Rankings click here.

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SELU LSU 9718 038 image taken by Tammy Anthony Baker is licensed under CC BY 2.0.