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Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans could elevate himself to be the not just the best receiver in 2013 but one of the best college wide receivers ever.
At 6’5 and 218 pounds, Evans has the size to be a mismatch for defender he lines up against. While he is still learning the position (he has only been playing football for a few years) he quickly became recognized as one of the nation’s top wideouts.
Evans’ size and speed make him a nightmare for any defensive back or defensive coordinator. There is simply no way to cover him. In 2012, Evans’ first college season, he grabbed 82 passes for more than 1,100 yards. While he did manage just five touchdowns, that number should skyrocket in 2013. His 2013 production potential rivals that of former Oklahoma State wide receivers Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon.
While neither Bryant nor Blackmon had the size that Evans has, both were unmatched in their ability to make plays.
Bryant, as a freshman, had just 43 catches for 622 yards and six touchdowns. His sophomore season, however, resulted in an explosion of statistics. Bryant had 87 catches for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns in his second season. These numbers may have gotten even better in his third year, but he was declared ineligible for the 2009 season. Bryant has started to show glimpses of this dominance in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, proving that great college receivers can translate to the NFL (prime example: Randy Moss).
Blackmon was a similar story for Oklahoma State. As a redshirt freshman, Blackmon had only 20 receptions for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Over his next two seasons, however, Blackmon put up numbers that overshadowed Bryant’s with 232 receptions, 3,304 yards and 38 touchdowns between 2010 and 2011.
Evans, having put up better first-year numbers than both Bryant and Blackmon, has unlimited potential. He is a big target and a fantastic weapon. While Johnny Manziel may not have the same Heisman-type season as he did in 2012, Evans should see a dramatic increase in his production.
Evans’ potential is unlimited, and he could elevate himself into one of the best college receivers of all-time. With a strong showing, Evans may even rise to the top of the 2014 NFL Draft boards.
While Bryant and Blackmon are the best comparisons, statistically, there has never been a receiver with as much upside as Evans has.
Joshua Cook is an SEC Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoCo217, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
