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College football rankings: Top 10 wide receivers of 2021

By Cody Williams

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Chris Olave #17 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is congratulated by his teammates after his touchdown reception against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Chris Olave #17 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is congratulated by his teammates after his touchdown reception against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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George Pickens, Georgia Bulldogs
George Pickens, Georgia Bulldogs. (Mandatory Credit: Joshua L. Jones-USA TODAY NETWORK) /

9. George Pickens, Georgia

This ranking offered a bit of a conundrum. At full health, George Pickens has a legitimate case as the best wide receiver in college football for the 2021 campaign. The Georgia pass-catcher checks every box for being a potential superstar with his size, speed, athleticism and nuanced route-running for a player with his physical tools.

Unfortunately, Pickens suffered an ACL injury earlier in the offseason and is almost sure to miss the start of the season (which is a bummer considering that he and the Bulldogs open the year against Clemson). However, head coach Kirby Smart has not fully closed the door on the wideout making a return at some point this year. And because of a possible return, it felt appropriate to include him at the bottom of the top 10.

Over 20 career games at Georgia to this point, Pickens has 85 receptions for 1,240 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, it always felt as if his skillset wasn’t being maximized due to the quarterback play. And we got a glimpse of that when JT Daniels took over as Pickens put up 23 catches for 373 yards and four touchdowns in four games with the new signal-caller.

After catching that small handful of games, it’s a shame we aren’t getting a full season of Daniels and Pickens working together. Even still, if Pickens is able to return at some point this year, that connection could be one of the most lethal in the nation.