Melina Vastola – US Presswire
Although I am currently a 5’11, Caucasian man of German heritage, I feel as if I were a 6’5, 210 pound African-American man from the Bronx in a past life. This guy from the Bronx just happened to be a NFL wide-receiver with monster hands. With that said, I am always intrigued with keeping up with the nation’s best wide-outs. Here are the front-runners in the race to take home the Belitnikoff Award for the country’s best WR at the end of the year.
Marqise Lee – University Of Southern California Trojans
The sophomore already has 40 receptions and 6 touchdowns through the first four games this year. With fellow wide-receiver Robert Woods being such a talent, Lee often gets matched up with number two corner-backs. Advantage Lee.
USC will be in a shoot-out with the Oregon Ducks once or twice before the season is over, which also raises Lee’s Belitnikoff stock.
Tavon Austin – West Virginia Mountaineers
Austin comes into this season as a First Team All American, and a stat sheet that is already full to the top. He lead the country in all-purpose yards in 2011 and has multiple school records under his belt. This kid has lightning speed and is always a threat to take it the house.
With Geno Smith throwing him the rock, Austin is arguably the leader of the pack in this race. He may have been robbed of the award last year as Justin Blackmon took home the hardware.
DeAndre Hopkins – Clemson Tigers
Hopkins may be a dark-horse in this race, but he does come into it with a solid resume. As a sophomore, he caught 72 balls for 978 yards and 5 touchdowns. Through 4 games this year Hopkins already has 31 receptions and 5 touchdowns.
Like Marqise Lee, Hopkins will be a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses. Teams also have to account for his teammate Sammy Watkins.
Honorable Mentions
Austin Franklin – New Mexico State Aggies
Robert Woods – USC Trojans
Sammy Watkins – Clemson Tigers
Paul Bentley is a contributor to Rant Sports
Follow Bentley on Twitter at @KKingBentley
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