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College Football: 15 best wide receivers in 2016

By Charles Rahrig V

Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) attempts to catch a pass while defended by Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Darius Hillary (5) during the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) attempts to catch a pass while defended by Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Darius Hillary (5) during the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) during the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) during the third quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Calvin Ridley – Alabama

Alabama has a great lineage of the talented wide receivers. Calvin Ridley is yet another in a long line of receivers in Tuscaloosa that has a made a name for making the big play. What’s even scarier about Ridley is the fact that he is only a sophomore and putting up elite numbers on the field each week. When Jake Coker was looking for the big play downfield for the National Champions, it usually meant Ridley.

Now, there’s a new quarterback with Coker moving on, but Ridley is only going to get better. He could very well indeed be the next big thing in college football and because of how young he is, the expectations have never been higher for him. Opposing defenses are going to key in on him like never before and how responds to the best competition in college football is going to be a blast to watch.

What will help Ridley on the field is the fact he is surrounded by great talent. O.J. Howard is an imposing beast and the team is welcoming in the aforementioned Gehrig Dieter. With two other talents that are top players in college football, it’s going to allow Ridley single coverage at times and he will feast.

This is one of those intriguing situations that Alabama finds themselves in yet again. The opposition can’t double everyone, so receivers are going to get open. If it’s Ridley, it’s game over for them.

Next: 1. JuJu Smith-Schuster - USC

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