Amon-Ra St. Brown leads a talented cast of receivers in the Pac-12 for 2020.
Photo: Josh McGillen/ USC Athletics
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC)
Amon-Ra St. Brown came into USC as a 5 star recruit and was ranked 11th nationally out of high school. St. Brown has more than lived up to the hype and is being projected as a 1st round pick for 2021. Last season he caught 77 passes for 1042 yards along with 6 touchdowns. Graham Harrell's Air Raid is the perfect offense to exploit St. Brown's skills and he should continue to dominate in 2020.
2. Tyler Vaughns ( USC)
The USC WR room is absolutely loaded for 2020. Vaughns was overshadowed last season by Michael Pittman and St. Brown but still caught 74 passes for 912 yards. With Pittman off to the NFL, there should be an opportunity for Vaughns to get 1000-1200 yards in his final season.
3. Frank Darby (ASU)
Darby was one of the best big play receivers in the Pac-12 last season. The rising Senior averaged 19.9 yards per catch last season on 31 catches for 616 yards. Darby put on a show in the upset against Oregon when he caught 4 passes for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns.
4. Johnny Johnson III (Oregon)
Johnson had a breakout season in 2019 when he burst on the scene with 57 catches for 836 yards and 7 touchdowns. We expect Johnson to lead the Ducks in receiving again in 2020. Johnson showed his dominant potential when he caught 10 passes for 207 yards against Arizona State.
5. Simi Fehoko (Stanford)
Many people probably haven't heard of Simi Fehoko yet but he put together an outstanding freshman season for Stanford in 2019. Fehoko was a 4 star recruit and ranked 61st Nationally by 247. The 6-4 220lb receiver flashed big time potential in 2019 with a ridiculous 23.6 yards per catch average (#1 in the Pac-12) on 24 catches for 566 yards and 6 touchdowns.
6. Puka Nacua (Washington)
Having Puka Nacua as the 6th best receiver for 2020 takes some projection. Nacua didn't play much last season for the Huskies before suffering an injury in practice that ended his season but when he did play, he dominated as a freshman. Nacua averaged 24 yards per catch and tallied 3 catches for 97 yards against Arizona. At 210lbs, defensive backs struggled to bring him down after he caught the ball and he showed an elite ability to high point the ball in the air over defenders. Nacua was ranked 48th nationally out of high school by 247.
7. Drake London (USC)
London burst on the scene as a Freshman in 2019 with 39 catches for 567 yards and 5 touchdowns. London features elite size at 6' 4" 200lbs and plays in a pass friendly offense that presents plenty of opportunity for receivers to make plays. The bevy of talent USC has at WR could be the only thing that limits London's total yardage in 2020.
8. Jamarye Joiner (Arizona)
As a freshman in 2019, Joiner registered 552 yards and averaged 16.2 yards per catch. Joiner transitioned from QB to WR before the 2019 season and made an instant impact with 4 catches for 72 yards against Hawaii. His best performance came in the final game of the season against Arizona State when he pulled in 7 catches for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns.
9. Michael Wilson (Stanford)
Michael Wilson broke out in 2019 with 672 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has the imposing size that you expect from Stanford receivers at 6' 2" 211lbs. Wilson ended the season strong with 273 yards in the final 3 games. Fehoko and Wilson will be a dynamic duo for the Cardinal in 2020.
10. Mycah Pittman (Oregon)
Mycah Pittman didn't get a ton of touches in 2019 as a freshman due to injuries but he did make his opportunities count. Pittman had 18 catches for 227 yards and took a 36 yard touchdown to the house against Washington to help rally the Ducks to a win over their rival. Pittman was ranked 94th nationally in the 247 composite and should have a breakout season in 2020.
10. Tav Martin (WSU)
We have a tie at 10th for the best receivers in the Pac-12 for 2020. Tav Martin is our projection for the top receiver from WSU after he posted 43 catches for 564 yards in 2019. Jon Wilner projects Martin for 2nd Team All Pac-12 next season and the Cougar offense should still feature an explosive pass attack under new head coach Nick Rolovich. Expect a big season for the 6' 3'' Senior.