Four of Florida State’s top seven receivers from 2016 may have moved on, but that’s a position where the Seminoles have at least two capable bodies in Nyqwan Murray and Auden Tate.
Looking at Florida State’s 2017 schedule, quality wide receivers seem to be everywhere. Here, we look at the five best receivers that FSU is slated to face this upcoming season:
1. Calvin Ridley, Alabama
2016 Stats: 72 catches, 769 yards receiving, 7 touchdown catches
With ArDarius Stewart and O.J. Howard off to the NFL, Calvin Ridley will be the go-to guy for Alabama in the passing game. Ridley has averaged better than 80 catches per season in each of his first two years in Tuscaloosa and is never not open, especially on third down. The Seminoles will try to slow him down when the teams meet on Sept. 2 in Atlanta.
2. Ahmmon Richards, Miami
2016 Stats: 49 catches, 934 yards receiving, 3 touchdown catches
Just a sophomore, Miami’s Ahmmon Richards is a burner and is expected to touch the ball in a number of ways in 2017. Richards led the Hurricanes in receiving as a freshman and came on strong late in the year with three 100-yard receiving games in his final four contests of the regular season. Against FSU last year, Richards caught four passes for 58 yards. The teams will meet again this year in Tallahassee on Sept. 16.
3. Antonio Callaway, Florida
2016 Stats: 54 catches, 721 yards receiving, 3 touchdown catches, 32 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown
Much like Miami’s Ahmmon Richards, Antonio Callaway is a big play waiting to happen for Florida. Callaway led the Gators in receiving for a second straight year last season, eclipsing the 100-yard mark twice in the process. If Florida can find improved quarterback play, Callaway stands to be an even bigger weapon. He finished with 82 total yards against FSU last season. The teams meet this year on Nov. 25 in Gainesville.
4. Deon Cain, Clemson
2016 Stats: 38 catches, 724 yards receiving, 9 touchdown catches
Lost in the mix last season on Clemson’s talented national championship team was 6-1 receiver, Deon Cain. Despite being a big body at nearly 210 pounds, Cain showed the ability to stretch a defense, using his athletic and leaping ability to average better than 19 yards per catch. Cain is Clemson’s leading returning receiver and scored almost every fourth time he touched the ball in 2016. Cain finished with two catches for 69 yards in last season’s 37-34 win over FSU in Tallahassee. The teams meet in Death Valley this season on Nov. 11.
5. Ervin Philips, Syracuse
2016 Stats: 90 catches, 822 yards receiving, 6 touchdown catches, 18 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown
The ACC’s leading returner in receptions, Ervin Philips was one of the bright spots for an entertaining Syracuse offense. With Eric Dungey hopefully healthy, Philips could be in for an even bigger year for the Orange in 2017. Despite his small 180-pound frame, Philips showed the ability to make the catch in traffic last season. Against FSU last season, he caught seven passes for 63 yards. The teams meet this year in Tallahassee on Nov. 4.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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