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College Football: Top 10 wide receivers to watch during 2017 spring ball

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:32 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Jerran Anderson/FanSided via Saturday Blitz

Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies receiver Christian Kirk (3) runs after a reception in the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to big catches, college football wide receivers know how to deliver. Here's a look at the top 10 wide receivers to watch this spring.

The 2016 college football season saw a lot of talent at the wide receiver position. NFL squads will be glad to have the group of college wide receivers they're getting in the draft this year.

Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross broke Chris Johnson's 40-yard dash record, running the drill in 4.22 seconds. Ross had a big season for the Huskies on offense and special teams in 2016. He had 1,150 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns as well as 411 kick return yards and a touchdown.

Then there was Zay Jones out of East Carolina, who caught 158 passes for 1,746 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Jones ranked first in the FBS in receptions and second in receiving yards last season. Western Michigan Broncos receiver Corey Davis caught 97 passes for 1,500 receiving yards and 19 receiving touchdowns. Davis led the FBS and MAC in receiving touchdowns a season ago.

Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook finished as the Biletnikoff Award winner and a Heisman finalist as he lit up the Big 12 Conference with his play. He caught 80 passes for 1,524 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns. Westbrook finished fourth in Heisman voting and also as 2016 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts.

With receivers of that caliber off to the NFL Draft, the spring opens the door for a new crop of wide receivers to overtake the rankings. Where pass-heavy offenses are now the norm in college football, here's a look at some of the top receivers keep an eye on in the spring.

Nov 3, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Allen Lazard (5) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Allen Lazard

WR, Iowa State

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Allen Lazard returns primed for another breakout season after a strong 2016. At 6-foot-5 and 223 pounds, he is a big downfield threat to watch in the spring. He's got the size and strength of an NFL-caliber wide receiver, he'll just have to deliver next season.

Lazard caught a career-high 69 receptions for 1,108 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns for the Cyclones in 2016. He earned first team All-Big 12 honors for his play a season ago, catching over 100 receiving yards in six of 12 games. He finished the team's final three games of the season with 21 catches for 360 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Lazard returns for his senior season this spring with a lot of promise. He'll look to make some big plays for a team that went just 3-9 a season ago. It was a rough first season for head coach Matt Campbell, but with Lazard on the field, they should fare a bit better.

Nov 25, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers wide receiver Anthony Miller (3) carries the ball against Houston Cougars safety Khalil Williams (2) during the second half at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis Tigers defeated Houston Cougars 48-44. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Miller

WR, Memphis

Memphis Tigers wide receiver Anthony Miller didn't miss a beat in 2016 despite losing head coach Justin Fuente, who departed for the Virginia Tech Hokies. He broke every receiving record in school history last season for a Memphis team that put up 38.8 points per contest, 15th in the FBS.

Miller finished the season with 95 catches for 1,434 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. He was ninth in the FBS in receiving yards and touchdowns  and 10th in receptions in 2016. He is the school's leader in single-season receptions, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. Despite putting together the best season by a wide receiver, Miller didn't get many accolades for his efforts, which explains his return for his final season of eligibility.

With nine starters including Miller returning this spring, the Tigers have the opportunity to be even better on offense in 2017. The spring will give us a preview of what the Memphis offense has in store for the season.

Dec 24, 2016; Honolulu, HI, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders wide receiver Richie James (3) makes a first quarter touchdown against the Hawaii Warriors at Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union Field at Al. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports

Richie James

WR, Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State wide receiver Richie James had a strong sophomore showing for the 8-5 Blue Raiders. He ranks second all-time in school history in receptions and receiving yards.

James was a first team All-Conference USA selection after catching 105 passes for 1,625 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. He also had 38 carries for 339 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

James was third in the FBS last season in receptions and fourth in receiving yards. He averaged 125.0 receiving yards per game which was also third in the FBS. He caught 16 passes for 223 receiving yards and a touchdown in the team's 44-43 loss to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

James was even better in the team's 77-56 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls. He had four catches for 120 receiving yards and touchdown and 22 carries for 207 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. James was even voted MVP of the Hawai'i Bowl even though the Blue Raiders lost 52-35. He caught eight passes for 162 receiving yards and a touchdown.

James enters the spring as one of the best playmakers outside of the Power 5 Conferences. He had over 100 receiving yards in 9 of the 13 games in 2016, looking for even more production next season.

Nov 12, 2016; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams wide receiver Michael Gallup (4) runs the ball ahead of Air Force Falcons linebacker Grant Ross (44) in the fourth quarter at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons won 49-46. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Gallup

WR, Colorado State

Wide receiver Michael Gallup took the Mountain West Conference by storm in his first season with the Colorado State Rams. The rising senior returns as the Rams best offensive weapon this spring.

Gallup caught 76 passes for 1,272 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns for the 7-6 Rams. He was first in receiving touchdowns in the MWC and second in receptions and receiving yards. He was a first team All-MWC selection for his play and his 1,272 receiving yards rank fifth best in school history.

Gallup caught six touchdown passes in the team's final two games of the season, catching three touchdowns in each game. He had 13 catches for 247 receiving yards in that span. In fact, Gallup finished the Rams final five games averaging 140.4 receiving yards and 8.0 receptions. He set a career-high in receiving yards with 213 against the Air Force Falcons.

The senior wide receiver will be one to watch this spring as the Rams look to continue their streak of bowl eligibility.

Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (82) runs the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Ahmmon Richards

WR, Miami

Wide receiver Ahmmon Richards had quite the productive year in his first year on the field for the Miami Hurricanes. He should make for an easy transition for the next quarterback to succeed Brad Kaaya, who departed early for the NFL Draft.

Richards caught 49 passes for 934 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 2016. He was selected to the Freshmen All-American team as well as All-ACC third team by coaches for his play. He ranked fourth in the ACC in yards per reception with 19.1 receiving yards per catch.

Richards had four games where he caught at least 100 receiving yards, starting in 11 of 13 games for the Hurricanes a season ago. He was sixth in the ACC in receiving yards while leading the team in the same category.

With some holes to fill on the Hurricanes offense, Richards returns along with running back Mark Walton with a lot of promise. He'll look to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in 2017 in his second season of college football.

Sep 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs wide receiver Courtland Sutton (16) scores a touchdown against the Baylor Bears in the second quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Courtland Sutton

WR, SMU

Courtland Sutton is another player from the non-Power 5 Conferences that has big play ability for the SMU Mustangs. The sophomore wide receiver returns this spring as another name to wide receiver to watch in the American Athletic Conference.

Sutton had 76 receptions for 1,246 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games for the Mustangs in 2016. He was a first team All-AAC selection and become the ninth SMU receiver to achieve at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

The Mustangs went 5-7 last year after going 2-10 in 2014. Sutton had 12 catches for 166 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the team's 55-31 victory over the East Carolina Pirates. It was the Mustangs first victory over East Carolina since 2010. Sutton followed that up with a 13-catch, 252 receiving yard performance along with two touchdowns, although SMU lost to South Florida 35-27.

With quarterback Ben Hicks returning this spring as well, Sutton and company hope last season's 15 interception performance was a learning experience. Their development will certainly show this spring as they prepare for 2017.

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) carries the ball against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Hilltoppers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Calvin Ridley

WR, Alabama

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley returns as one of the top SEC receivers to watch this spring. Ridley returns as the Crimson Tide's leader on the receiving core. He caught a career-high 11 catches for 174 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 34-6 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats.

After setting the school record in receptions (89) and receiving yards (1,045) as a freshman, Ridley caught 72 passes for 769 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2016. He earned second team All-SEC honors for his sophomore season production. He was second in the SEC in receptions and ninth in receiving yards and touchdowns.

With wide receiver Ardarius Stewart off to the NFL Draft and tight end O.J. Howard off to the NFL Draft, it opens the door for Ridley to play a big role in the offense this spring. After a 14-1 season, Ridley returns as their best deep threat in the passing game. With a new offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll, his production could certainly skyrocket.

Sep 10, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk (3) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Prairie View A&M Panthers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Kirk

WR, Texas A&M

Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk returns this spring looking to have a big 2017 season. The Aggies will lose starting quarterback Trevor Knight but Kirk should make it an easy transition for whoever's next in line.

Kirk caught 83 balls for 928 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns in 2016. He also played a key role on special teams, returning 13 punts for 282 punt return yards and three punt return touchdowns. He led the SEC in receptions and was first in the FBS in punt return yards and punt return yards per game (21.7).

His biggest game of the season came against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He had seven catches for 144 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown and two punt returns for 143 punt return yards and two touchdowns. Despite all that, the Aggies still lost the game 35-28.

He finished as a AP All-American and first team All-SEC selection a season ago. With quarterbacks senior Jake Hubenak, redshirt freshman Nick Starkel and early enrollee Kellen Mond vying for the starting job, Kirk is a sure target this spring that will improve any of their chances.

Oct 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Washington won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Dante Pettis

WR, Washington

Wide receiver Dante Pettis is one of big reasons the Washington Huskies got to the College Football Playoff. This spring, he'll be quarterback Jake Browning's favorite returning target. Running back Myles Gaskin will also be back giving the Huskies two gamechangers next season.

Along with wide receiver John Ross, Pettis was a lethal threat in the passing and return game for the 12-2 Huskies in 2016. He was second on the team in receptions (53), receiving yards (822) and receiving touchdowns (15). He had back-to-back games with over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in wins over Oregon (134 rec. yds) and Oregon Stat e(112 rec. yards).

The rising senior also had 25 punt returns for 287 returns yards and two touchdowns.

Pettis earned second team All-Pac-12 honors for his play last season. With Ross off to the NFL Draft, it opens things up for Pettis this spring. Look for him to have a strong spring as a featured star in the Huskies offense.

Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver James Washington (28) celebrates after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown reception against Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) in the second quarter during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

James Washington

WR, Oklahoma State

Wide receiver James Washington returns to the Oklahoma State Cowboys looking to take over the Big 12, starting with a strong spring camp. Washington had a big season for the Cowboys in 2016 and looks for it to carryover into 2017.

The rising senior caught 71 passes for 1,380 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. He ranked second in the conference in receiving yards, fourth in receiving touchdowns and fifth in receptions. He was one of ten wide receivers to average over 100 receiving yards per game in the FBS with 106.2 receiving yards a contest.

The first team All-Big 12 selection returns along with quarterback Mason Rudolph looking to pick up where they left off in 2016. Washington caught nine passes for a career-high 296 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 45-38 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. His performance is the second-most receiving yards in a single game.

Spring will allow fans to see how much more polished the Rudolph-Washington will be in 2017.

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