As the college football season approaches, HERO Sports takes a look at the top returners at each position in every FCS conference.
RELATED: Top Returning QBs in Each FCS Conference
RELATED: Top Returning RBs in Each FCS Conference
Cooper Kupp, one of the greatest wide receivers in FCS history, looks set to make an impact as an NFL rookie. South Dakota State's Jake Wieneke is already drawing comparisons to the Eastern Washington legend, as perhaps the next mid-round draft pick to come out of the subdivision. He's one of several players on this list to keep your eye on, as NFL teams look for the next Kupp. [divider]
Big Sky: Emanuel Butler, Northern Arizona
At 6-foot-4, Butler has been a matchup nightmare since starting as a true freshman in 2014. He’s only gotten better since then, and enters 2017 ranked fourth in the NCAA in career receiving yards per game (71.9) and receiving yards (2,446). He’ll enjoy the return of quarterback Case Cookus, who was the FCS Freshman of the Year in 2015, but only played four games last year due to injury. [divider]
Big South: Reggie White Jr., Monmouth
White led the Big South last year as a junior in catches (69) and yards (934) while ranking second in touchdown catches (7). He was a consistent threat in the passing game, recording four games of 10 receptions and four 100-yard receiving games while catching at least three passes in every contest. [divider]
Colonial Athletic Association: Neil O'Connor, New Hampshire
O’Connor broke through his sophomore season in 2016. He was third in the CAA with 834 yards receiving and six touchdowns, earning him third team all-conference honors. His play-making ability earned him the SportsCenter Play of the Day against Lehigh in the playoffs.
Leominster's @oconnor_neil made No. 1 on the #SCtop10 tonight for this catch for UNH today vs. Lehigh in FCS playoffs. CMass legend! pic.twitter.com/PZEUR8NKKF
— Carl Setterlund (@CarlSetterlund) November 27, 2016
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Ivy League: Justin Watson, Penn
As a Walter Payton Award finalist in 2016 as a junior, Watson set Penn’s single-season record for receptions (89) and receiving yards (1,115). The 6-foot-3 receiver led the Ivy League in receiving yards, yards per game (111.5), receptions, receiving touchdowns (8), and all-purpose yards (1,248). Watson ranked No. 3 in FCS in receptions-per-game (8.9). [divider]
Mid-Eastern Athletic: Elijah Bell, North Carolina A&T
The 2016 MEAC Rookie of the Year is going to just keep getting better for the Aggies. Bell had 35 receptions for 631 yards and a freshman record eight touchdown receptions. He led the MEAC in yards per catch (18.3), ranked second in touchdown receptions and third in receiving yards per game (52.6). [divider]
Missouri Valley Football: Jake Wieneke, South Dakota State
Wieneke returns as a senior as not just the top receiver in the Valley, but in the FCS. The 6-foot-4 Minnesota native had 78 catches for 1,316 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. The year before he had 72 catches for 1,472 yards and 11 touchdowns, which is a MVFC single-season record for yards. NFLDraftScout ranks him the 10th best wide receiver prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft. [divider]
Northeast: Kamron Lewis, Saint Francis
Lewis was named the NEC Offensive Player of the Year last season as just a sophomore and made several all-American teams. At 6-foot-4, he set an SFU and NEC record with 1,478 receiving yards on 75 catches and ranked third in the FCS with 123.2 receiving yards per game. His explosiveness is shown by returning four kicks for 90 yards. [divider]
Ohio Valley: Patrick Smith, Tennessee State
The OVC preseason Offensive Player of the Year was second in the conference last season with 966 yards receiving and second with 13 touchdown passes. Smith was as consistent as it gets, catching a touchdown pass in nine of 11 games and had four multi-scoring games. [divider]
Patriot League: Troy Pelletier, Lehigh
Pelletier and Gatlin Casey return as 1,000-yard receivers for Lehigh. Pelletier hauled in a conference-leading 1,278 yards last year and was third with 12 touchdowns. Casey was second with 1,135 yards receiving and first with 14 touchdowns. [divider]
Pioneer Football League: Aaron Blockmon, Campbell
Blockmon was the league's only 1,000-yard receiver last season, finishing 15th among all FCS wideouts with 1,034 yards. He’s just a junior, but already owns Campbell’s career record with 1,491 yards receiving and 15 touchdown catches. [divider]
Southern: Kelvin McKnight, Samford
McKnight, standing just 5-foot-9, is absolutely electric on the football field. He caught 70 passes for 896 yards and nine touchdowns a season ago as a sophomore and is also utilized in the punt and kickoff return game. With quarterback Devlin Hodges picked as the SoCon Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, expect McKnight to take an even bigger step this season. [divider]
Southland: Yedidiah Louis, Sam Houston State
SHSU ridiculously represents all three wide receiver spots on the preseason all-conference first team – Louis, Nathan Stewart and Davion Davis along with quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe, running back Corey Avery and offensive lineman Tyler Tezeno. Louis led the team last year with 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. [divider]
Southwestern Athletic: Khadarel Hodge, Prairie View A&M
The senior is expected to have a big season after being picked on the all-conference preseason first team. Last season, Hodge hauled in 28 passes for 454 yards and six touchdowns. He went over 100 yards in two games, something he looks to do more often in 2017.
