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By Russell Varner
SouthernPigskin.com SoCon Columnist
SouthernPigskin.com Southern Conference Columnist Russell Varner looks at the top wide receivers in the league. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan of us on Facebook at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
Looking back at the 2009 season, the talent of the wide receivers in the conference was truly just jaw-dropping. Citadel’s Andre Roberts, Elon’s Terrell Hudgins, App’s Matt Cline and Chattanooga’s Blue Cooper were the class of the SoCon and combined for 369 receptions, 4,230 yards, 33 touchdowns and Lord knows how many more amazing plays and broken records. Three of those four are now in camp with NFL teams. The Southern Conference now reloads with a new class of wide receivers to try and make everyone forget about those players and these wide receivers have the talent to make some noise comet his fall. Here’s a look at the top WRs.
9. Brenton Bersin – Wofford; Junior, 9 games played, 15 catches, 356 yards, 4 TDs, 23.7 yards per catch
Bersin practically defines the term “big play receiver” since nearly every catch he makes is a big play. Any big pass play for the Terriers seemed to have Bersin in it, and for good reason. The junior out of Charlotte led the Terriers in every receiving statistic last year, including catching half of Wofford’s receiving touchdowns and having a ridiculous 23.7 yards per catch. By comparison, the next closest ypc I’ve seen is Samford’s Riley Hawkins with 18.8. And what were Terrell Hudgins’ and Andre Robert’s ypc you ask? 13.3 and 10.3, respectively. Wofford’s triple option offense doesn’t give receivers many chances to make plays, but you can be sure that when one is made, there’s a very strong chance Bersin is the one who made it.
8. Jamere Valentine – Georgia Southern; Sophomore; 11 games played, 51 catches, 487 yards, 4 TDs, 9.5 ypc
The 6-1, 209 lbs. freshman out of Myrtle Beach, SC sure made a name for himself last season. He only led his team in all receiving categories, finished sixth in the conference in receptions per game and was named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team as the number 1 wide receiver. The man won numerous accolades in high school as well, including being named Myrtle Beach’s Player of the Year, being named a Max Prep All-American and a State AAA Player of the Year. His numbers will most likely being to decrease though, now that the Eagles are returning to their famed triple option offense, but that doesn’t mean Valentine will be any less dangerous. He will be a lot like Bersin, a big play threat who may not get many chances but will make big plays happen when needed.
7. Lance Camp – Elon; Senior, 12 games played, 45 catches, 585 yards, 0 TDs, 13.0 ypc
Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you the man who has the near impossible role of replacing Terrell Hudgins – Lance Camp. Now, this isn’t exactly fair to Camp, as he is not the player Hudgins was (then again, who is?) and it will most likely take a team effort to replace Hudgins, but that is now how Camp is known. This is not to say the man cannot play. He finished second on the team in both receptions and yards and finished ninth in the conference in yards per game. He can also be a major threat in the return game. In his one game as a punt returner he returned one all the way to the house (and would’ve had another if not for a holding call) and it is this versatility and his speed that make the 5-9 Camp such a big threat.
6. Chris Pitchford – Chattanooga; Senior, 11 games played, 44 catches, 528 yards, 5 TDs, 12 ypc
The 6-0, 180 lbs. Pitchford’s breakout season is one of many reasons for the Mocs’ successful 2209 campaign. He finished the year with 44 catches, 528 yards and 5 TDS when, in the two previous seasons combined, he had 29 catches for 330 yards and 2 TDs. Teaming with Blue Cooper, the two made for one of the better WR tandems in the Southern Conference. But alas, Cooper has graduated and a majority of the offensive load will fall upon the shoulders of Pitchford and quarterback B.J. Coleman. There is no reason to fret for Moc fans though. Last year, Pitchford finished tenth in the conference in both receptions per game and yards per game and those numbers should only continue to go up now that Pitchford is the main target and offensive threat outside of Coleman.
5. Marquel Pittman – Western Carolina University; Senior, 11 games played, 50 catches, 619 yards, 5 TDs, 12.4 ypc
Already one of the best WRs in Catamount history, Pittman enters this season just 19 receptions and 568 yards shy of 10th place in WCU record books in both categories and just needs one more touchdown reception to tie him for sixth place for most touchdown catches in Western Carolina history. He has averaged about 39 catches, 554 yards and 5 touchdowns a year over the course of his career and his numbers have continually increased each season. He enters the 2010 season with a 12-game reception streak that dates back to 2008 and will most likely be the favorite target of whoever lines up at quarterback for Western this fall. There is no reason to think that he will finish his Catamount career without having left an indelible mark on Catamount football and I expect nothing but big things from the big 6-3, 205 lbs. receiver.
4. Riley Hawkins – Samford; Junior, 9 games played, 34 catches, 638 yards, 4 TDs, 18.8 ypc
A member of the 2008 All-Freshman Team, Hawkins is considered by Samford coaches to be the sticking 11 guys in the box, a genuine deep threat. After an impressive rookie campaign (25 receptions, 466 yards and 4 TDs), he finished among the conference leaders in receiving yards (7th) and yards per catch in 2009, firmly placing his name amongst the best up and coming receivers in the conference. He finished with 100+ receiving yards four times last year, including a 107 yard, 2 TD performance against UCF in the season opener that the Bulldogs lost by just four points. With Evans in the backfield and Dustin Taliaferro at quarterback, things seem to be lining up well for another big season by the 5-10 playmaker from Florida.
3. CoCo Hillary – Appalachian State; Senior, 8 games played, 37 catches, 514 yards, 4 TDs, 13.9 ypc
It has been a bit of a rough year for Hillary to say the least. Hillary was having another career year for the Mountaineers and enjoying his role as Armanti Edwards’ favorite target. Then, Hillary tore a knee ligament in practice, knocking him out for the remainder of the season. During the offseason, he was then arrested for driving under the influence, which led to discussions about his future with the team. For all the off-field troubles he may cause, he more than makes up for it with his play on the field. He already ranks seventh on App’s all-time receiving list with 1,588 yards and needs just 13 more kickoff returns and 139 kickoff return yards to become App’s all-time leader in both categories. His return will surely help whoever takes over at quarterback, as will his teammate lining up outside of him.
2. Adam Mims – Furman; Senior, 11 games played, 74 catches, 878 yards, 4 TDs, 11.9 ypc
Mims has been a force for the Paladins the past two seasons, combining for 132 catches, 1,589 yards and 7 TDs during that span. An All-Conference performance, many say it has been Mims who has paced the Furman offense. That will definitely be the case this year as Furman breaks in a new quarterback in Chris Forcier. Mims should quickly become his favorite target and Forcier should look for him early and often. He may be only 5-9 and 198 lbs., but that didn’t stop him from putting up some ridiculous numbers last season. In their 30-22 victory over Georgia Southern, Mims had 7 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown, and he was the bright spot for Furman’s 52-12 loss to Missouri, racking up 10 catches for 154 yards. Mims will definitely have a big say in how well Furman does this year and, in turn, will help determine the SoCon championship race.
1. Brian Quick – Appalachian State; Junior, 14 games played, 61 catches, 982 yards, 4 TDs, 16.1 ypc
Quick is an appropriate last name for Brian Quick, not just because of the speed he possesses, but also he is an extremely quick football. Coming into college, Quick had only one year of organized football under his belt. Let that settle in for a second. That means in the span of three years, he’s gone from one year of football to one of the best WRs in the SoCon and a legitimate NFL prospect. Standing at 6-5 and weighing 205 lbs., Quick has the physical tools and skills to make plays both at this level and at the NFL level, according to some scouts. Some scouts have even gone as far as to call Quick “the top NFL prospect to come through ASU in recent years.” Coming from a school that has produced Armanti Edwards and currently has Mark LeGree, that is pretty darn impressive.
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