Who is the top receiver in the FCS?

[smallcollegefbfan]

Here are the top receivers I have found in FCS from what I have seen or read. If I missed a player you feel should be ranked then please vote for other and post who you felt got the snub.

Here are some stats to help everyone out.

RAMSES BARDEN, CAL POLY, SR., 6’6, 220
Stats- 30 catches, 666 yards, 8 TDs, 22.2avg, 133.2 yards per game in 5 games.

TERRELL HUDGINS, ELON, JR., 6’3, 227
Stats- 58 catches, 803 yards, 7 TDs, 13.8avg, 100.4 yards per game in 8 games.

MATT LUFT, HARVARD, JR., 6’5, 220
Stats- 35 catches, 571 yards, 16.3avg, 4 TDs, 66 long, 114.2 yards per game in 5 games.

CAMERON LUKE, TEXAS STATE, SR., 6’2, 211
Stats- 41 catches, 737 yards, 18.0avg, 11 TDs, 105.3 yards per game in 7 games.

MARC MARIANI, MONTANA, JR., 6’0, 174
Stats- 40 catches, 825 yards, 20.6avg, 11 TDs, 117.9 yards per game, 12 PR, 129 yards, 10.8avg, 34 long, 15 KR, 342 yards, 22.8avg, 38 long in 7 games.

JOHN MATTHEWS, SAN DIEGO, SR., 6’0, 200
Stats- 44 catches, 742 yards, 16.9avg, 12 TDs, 123.7 yards per game, 3 carries, 13 yards, 4.3avg, 1 KR, 22 yards, 22.0avg in 6 games.

ANDRE ROBERTS, THE CITADEL, JR., 5’11, 176
Stats- 50 catches, 697 yards, 13.9avg, 9 TDs, 99.6 yards per game, 4 carries, 19 yards, 4.8avg, 16 PR, 334 yards, 20.9avg, 2 TDs, 64 long, 2 TT in 7 games.

[Silenoz]

I want to pick Mariani, but I haven't seen Hudgins play

[phoenix3]

From the Burlington Times-News:

Earlier in the third quarter, Hudgins' 25-yard touchdown catch near the left sideline made eyebrows raise and heads turn in wonder.

Somehow, Hudgins unlocked only his right arm from the pass interference Chattanooga's Buster Skrine was committing long enough to reach back and smack the one-handed grab securely between the numbers "2" and "1" on the cornerback's jersey.

"It hit him right in the back," Hudgins said. "I just got my hand on the other side of it, used him to keep the ball and then by the time I cuffed it, I was in the end zone. Any other way, the ball would probably hit the ground.

"So it's kind of like a perfect throw by Scott - which it wasn't perfect - but it was perfect at the same time because it hit him right in the center of the back."

Hudgins went on to label it as a "pretty good" catch. Others weren't so modest. Through the chatter on Elon's headsets, assistant Rich Skrosky, in his 25th year of coaching, said it was perhaps the most amazing reception he has seen.

"It was nasty," Allen said. "The guy could've knocked it out just by not even knowing. Then (Hudgins) pulled it out from the guy's back and, oh my God, it was disgusting. I've never seen a catch like that in my life."

[phoenix3]

Hudgins had one last year against Furman where the defender was facing Terrell, Terrell wrapped his arms around the defender's helmet and caught the ball behind the defender's head. He came down like that with the ball under control & went out of bounds on the 1/2 yardline.

Over the last three years he has made some real circus catches.

[TexasTerror]

For you Bobcat fans -- I did vote Cameron Luke. :)

[gbhmt]

Eh it depends on what criteria. Between Barden and Mariani, their hands are about equal. Barden has the physicality and size to go up and get it and shake off coverage. Mariani is ridiculously fast and is best at making people miss for yards after the catch.

[blackfordpu]

Where's Whitehead?

[smallcollegefbfan]

Where's Whitehead?

When I scrolled through league stats I did not remember seeing him with major numbers thus far. How is he doing for those who have seen him weekly?

[smcwildcat]

mike boyle NH

[blackfordpu]

When I scrolled through league stats I did not remember seeing him with major numbers thus far. How is he doing for those who have seen him weekly?

His stats are not up there yet this season but he demands respect from opposing teams both on offense and special teams. Probably a good reason his stats are low thus far is that teams are double covering him. He is a major threat.

[slostang]

I want to pick Mariani, but I haven't seen Hudgins play

You have seen Barden four times. Here is how he has done against the Griz.

2005 (regular season): 5 receptions for 125 yards and 2 TDs (13 & 39 yds).

2005 (playoffs): 3 receptions for 84 yards and one TD (38 yds).

2006: 6 receptions for 123 yards.

2008: 7 receptions for 131 yards and 2 TDs (50 & 11 yds).

Compare to Mariani:

2005: Redshirted.

2006: No receptions.

2008: 2 receptions 38 yards.

I would think that you might be impressed with Ramses Barden by now.

[ngineer]

I got to see Luft play this week and he is all that they have said he is.
Six foot-six inches and great hands. Very impressive and with his size almost impossible to defend without help.

[Ronbo]

Barden and Mariani are really different receivers. Barden is TE size with good jump ability and average speed. Mariani has 4.4 speed, fastest player on the Griz, is 6' 180 lbs, and has juke. Both have excellent hands and are fearless in a crowd. Mariani has been in the wings waiting for a chance behind multi year starters the last two years. Barden got to start as a Freshman. Because Mariani didn't start doesn't mean he wasn't really good, he was. You could see it in practice. Hauck goes with upperclassmen returning starters over better talent in some cases and gets critisized for it too. Many Griz fans think Mariani should have started last season and some even his Freshman year.

That's just my take on those two. I haven't seen the others play.

[813Jag]

My vote goes to Juamorris Stewart, he's a having a season no WR at Southern has had in almost 10 years.

[Brad82]

Brandon Johnson-Farrel @ Rhody is best frosh reciver in FCS.

[SLO_LIFE]

Barden and Mariani are really different receivers. Barden is TE size with good jump ability and average speed. Mariani has 4.4 speed, fastest player on the Griz, is 6' 180 lbs, and has juke. Both have excellent hands and are fearless in a crowd. Mariani has been in the wings waiting for a chance behind multi year starters the last two years. Barden got to start as a Freshman. Because Mariani didn't start doesn't mean he wasn't really good, he was. You could see it in practice. Hauck goes with upperclassmen returning starters over better talent in some cases and gets critisized for it too. Many Griz fans think Mariani should have started last season and some even his Freshman year.

That's just my take on those two. I haven't seen the others play.

In 2004 & 2005 (Ramses' first years at CP), Cal Poly had an outstanding receiving corps. Ramses would have to battle for his position by going through Anthony Randolph, an upperclassman standout who had been somewhat of a phenomenon in his own right.

[Mustang Man]

Ramses Barden hands down. You do not leave this guy in man to man coverage. Period.

[uofmman1122]

Mariani is a ****ing stud.


However, Barden is the best WR in FCS.

[Silenoz]

You have seen Barden four times. Here is how he has done against the Griz.

2005 (regular season): 5 receptions for 125 yards and 2 TDs (13 & 39 yds).

2005 (playoffs): 3 receptions for 84 yards and one TD (38 yds).

2006: 6 receptions for 123 yards.

2008: 7 receptions for 131 yards and 2 TDs (50 & 11 yds).

Compare to Mariani:

2005: Redshirted.

2006: No receptions.

2008: 2 receptions 38 yards.

I would think that you might be impressed with Ramses Barden by now.

If you check the results, you will see that I picked Barden. Against my homer urges :p

[PhoenixPhan06]

At first glance, the first four on this list look like they could be a "Best TE in FCS" list just from the dimensions of the players. I think these WR's would be a handful even on the FBS level and we could very well see more of them on Sundays in the years to come!

[appfan2008]

hudgins is the best i have seen

[Hoyadestroya85]

CADET ROBERTS IS THE GREATEST RECEIVER EVER, AND THE CITADEL IS UNQUESTIONABLY THE BEST FAKE MILITARY SCHOOL

[Uncle Rico's Clan]

Once you get into the top four or five at any position its hard to say who is actually number one. Different teams utilize a specific player in different ways. Different offenses may fit a player really well. I think that there are so many intangibles that a player might bring that its too difficult to pick the top one out of a group of the top five.