Who will be the best wide receiver in college football 2017? There are lots of great options, but two names are at or near the top of just about every list: Oklahoma State junior James Washington and SMU sophomore Courtland Sutton.
RELATED: The Best College Football Teams by State, Regardless of Division (2017)
MORE: Ranking the Top 100 College Football Teams for 2017
According to Westgate Sports book, Washington's Heisman odds are 100-1, which is the best of any wide receiver in college football (tied with Texas A&M's Christian Kirk). Sutton didn't make the list — but that has more to do with the team he plays for and the conference in which they compete than anything else. The last time a player from outside the Power 5 won the Heisman was 1990.
Here's a look at what two of the best wide receivers in college football did last season:
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
2016 Receiving STATS
Full Courtland Sutton vs. James Washington comparison
As you can see, Washington's stats were slightly better than Sutton's last season. The 6-foot, 205-pound speedster from OKST had the tenth most receiving yards in the FBS, despite finishing second on his own team in total receptions. (Jalen McCleskey caught 73 passes for the Cowboys last year.)
Washington is the ideal deep threat. Three of his 10 touchdowns last season were 80+ yards, which definitely helped his 19.44 yards per reception average. That was the third best figure in the Big 12, and the 12th best in the FBS.
Sutton is the big-body receiver every quarterback dreams about. His 6-foot-4, 215 pound frame make him an attractive option for the 2018 NFL Draft as well, and NFL scouts have already taken notice.
He will likely be the first Group of 5 WR off the board in 2018.
[divider]
Courtland Sutton Highlights
[divider]
James Washington Highlights
[divider]
