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LSU football has earned its reputation as Wide Receiver U, sending the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson to the NFL in the last decade.
There’s an heir apparent. Kayshon Boutte is the best wide receiver in the SEC going into the fall, according to a poll of sports journalists who cover the league for the USA TODAY Sports Network.
The Tigers’ top returning pass catcher garnered 11 of a possible 16 first-place votes to head a list of the top 10 SEC wide receivers. Alabama placed two receivers on the list.
A total of 16 receivers from 13 schools received votes: Kentucky was the only school without a receiver to get at least one vote. Ten points were awarded for a first-place vote down to one point for a 10th-place vote.
The USA TODAY Sports Network is counting down to SEC Media Days, scheduled for July 18-21 in Atlanta, by revealing its top players at each position grouping.
Here is a look at the top 10 receivers:
1. Kayshon Boutte
LSU, junior (154 points, 11 first-place votes)
Boutte is a projected first-round NFL draft pick and already has 14 career touchdown catches despite missing half of last season.
2. Cedric Tillman
Tennessee, senior (145 points, 5 first-place votes)
Tillman’s 1,081 yards receiving and 12 TDs in 2021 leads all returning wide receivers in the SEC.
3. Jermaine Burton
Alabama, junior (123 points)
A transfer from Georgia, Burton has a chance to thrive in a pass-first offense and triple his 26 receptions and five touchdowns from 2021.
4. Josh Vann
South Carolina, senior (62 points)
Vann generated some NFL buzz after hauling in 43 passes for 679 yards with five touchdowns in 2021.
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5. Tyler Harrell
Alabama, junior (60 points)
The Louisville transfer could help fill the void left by Jameson Williams’ departure with the blazing speed that led to him averaging 29.1 yards per catch in 2021.
6. Jonathan Mingo
Ole Miss, senior (59 points)
Mingo is the lone returning Ole Miss starter at receiver, and before getting injured last year averaged 97 yards and a touchdown per game.
7. Jadon Haselwood
Arkansas, junior (54 points)
The Oklahoma transfer was third on his former team with 399 receiving yards and looks poised to lead Arkansas, which is trying to replace Treylon Burks.
8. Adonai Mitchell
Georgia, sophomore (51 points)
Mitchell was third on Bulldogs last season with 29 catches for 426 yards and four TDs, including the go-ahead scoring grab in the national championship game.
9. Justin Shorter
Florida, senior (41 points)
Formerly a five-star prospect, Shorter is UF’s leading returning receiver from last season with 41 receptions for 550 yards.
10. Ainias Smith
Texas A&M senior (33 points)
Smith led the Aggies in catches (47) and touchdown receptions (6) and is also a threat as a returner.
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