HERO Sports is counting down the days until the kickoff of the 2018 college football season on Saturday, Aug. 25, by featuring the best player in the FBS at each jersey number, from 99-1. Each day, from May 18 through Aug. 24, we'll publish one article showcasing the best player whose jersey number matches the number of days remaining.
No. 19 J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Stanford – WR
Stanford quarterbacks threw 15 catchable deep passes (15 or more yards downfield) to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound receiver caught all of them, tying Miami Ohio's James Gardner for the most receptions on deep balls without a drop, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I think J.J.’s unique,” said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (then-receivers coach) Tavita Pritchard last September. “He’s got such great body control for his size. I think that’s part of his basketball background.”
Arcega-Whiteside, the son of two former professional basketball players, averaged 2.65 yards per route last year, had at least one 20-yard reception in each of 11 games he played and averaged 16.3 yards per reception. He is an All-America candidate and the best No. 19 in college football.
