The #1 WR recruit of the 2011 class lived up to the hype; Photo: USA Today Sports
So far we've taken a look back at the top recruits of 2011 for both the QB and RB positions. The results have been very mixed. Today we look at another skill position as we shine the spotlight on the wide receivers For this flashback, we used 247 Sports individual rankings. The 2010 class featured Robert Woods, Mike Davis, Kyle Prater, Markeith Ambles, Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers as the top six recruits. How would 2011 stack up?
A couple of observations before we start:
– Interestingly, three teams (Clemson, LSU and Ole Miss) were able to nab two WRs each out of the top 10
– Three of the top 10 WRs in this class will enter the 2014 NFL Draft.
– The top 10 WRs produced (what I would describe as) three superstars, two very solid receivers and five that could be classified in the "bust" department (although some of them still have a chance to make their mark)
Sammy Watkins, Clemson (Rating= 99)
Watkins lived up to his hype immediately as he was a first-team AP All-American as a freshman. He finished second in the ACC in 2011 with 83 receptions, he had 57 in 2012 and he finished second in the ACC in 2013 with 101. Watkins will forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL Draft.
George Farmer, USC (Rating= 99)
In his first two seasons at USC, Farmer caught just five total passes. Heading into the 2013 season, he tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee.
Jarvis Landry, LSU (Rating= 98)
After catching just 4 passes in his freshman season, Landry began to make his mark in 2012 with 56 receptions and 5 TDs. In 2013, Landry was a star in Cam Cameron's offense as he caught 77 passes with 10 TD receptions. Like Watkins, he has declared for the 2014 NFL Draft.
Trey Metoyer, Oklahoma (Rating= 98)
In 2012, Metoyer had his best year with the Sooners as he hauled in 17 receptions. In 2013, he played in just 2 games catching 2 passes. Metyoer was arrested in October and subsequently suspended. He is not listed as a part of their 2013 roster on the Oklahoma website.
Jaxon Shipley, Texas (Rating= 97)
Despite the QB woes at Texas, Shipley has been a solid addition since his freshman season. Shipley was second on the team in 2011 with 44 receptions (just 1 behind Mike Davis), he led the team with 59 receptions in 2012 (2 ahead of Davis) and in 2013 he led the team with 56 receptions (5 ahead of Davis). He was also 4 of 4 passing in 2011 with 3 TDs.
Nickolas Brassell, Ole Miss (Rating= 97)
As a freshman in 2011, Brassell was second on the Rebels with 24 receptions, ran for 133 yards and also saw time at corner. Academics landed him in JUCO in 2012. In 2013, he headed back to Ole Miss but in August it was announced he was no longer part of the team.
DeAnthony Arnett, Tennessee (Rating= 97)
Arnett started his career with the Vos and had 24 receptions and 2 TDs as a freshman. He transferred to Michigan State after his freshman season and had just 3 receptions in 2012 and 1 in 2013.
Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss (Rating= 96)
Moncrief has had a very solid career at Ole Miss. As a freshman he caught 31 passes with 4 TDs, as a sophomore he caught a career high 66 and 10 TD and as a junior he caught 59 with 6 TDs.
Charone Peake, Clemson (Rating= 96)
Peake has struggled to find his way in a very talented Clemson receiver corps and suffered an injury setback as a junior. As a freshman he had 4 receptions. As a soph, he showed promise with 25 receptions and 2 TD. As a junior he played in two games and caught 8 passes with a TD but tore a knee ligament in practice which caused him to miss the rest of the season.
Odell Beckham, Jr, LSU (Rating= 96)
Beckham contributed immediately as a freshman with 41 receptions and 2 TD. As a sophomore, he put up similar numbers as he caught 43 balls with 2 TD. As a junior, he really broke out in Cam Cameron's offense with 59 receptions and a career high 8 TD. He also had two punt returns for TD in 2012. He has entered the 2014 NFL Draft.
Here are the next ten and how they fared. let's just say they didn't fare nearly as well as the top ten….
Marvin Shinn, Alabama- caught six passes at Alabama before transferring to South Alabama, where he will be eligible to play in 2014.
Kasen Williams, Washington- broke out as a sophomore with 77 receptions. Had 29 receptions as a junior through 8 games when he suffered a season ending injury.
DaVaris Daniels, Notre Dame- had 31 receptions in 2012 and 49 in 2013 (along with 7 TD). He is currently suspended because of academics and his eligibility for 2014 is in question.
Jamal Turner, Nebraska- Turner has had a decent career with 15 receptions in 2011 and 32 in 2012 but he was sidetracked with a hamstring injury in 2013 and had just 13 receptions in six games.
Kelvin Benjamin, FSU- After having 30 receptions in 2012, Benjamin broke out in 2013 with 54 receptions and 15 TDs as he helped FSU win a National Championship. Benjamin has entered the 2014 NFL Draft.
George Atkinson III, Notre Dame- ended up playing RB at Notre Dame where he ran for 943 yards in three seasons with 10 total TDs and had 10 receptions. For some reason, he decided to enter the 2014 NFL Draft.
Javares McRoy, Florida- McRoy transferred before he ever suited up for the Gators. He caught one pass for three yards for Texas Tech and then was suspended. He is no longer at Texas Tech.
Victor Blackwell, USC- So far in his career, Blackwell had played in 7 games for the Trojans and has caught 5 passes.
D'haquille Williams, ?- had to go to JUCO (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) out of high school. Has committed to play for Auburn for the 2014 season (and is already enrolled on the Plains).
Bradley Sylve, Alabama- red-shirted as a freshman and ended up paying corner for Bama. He has played in 17 games during his career at Alabama (12 in 2012 and 5 in 2013).
