Does WSU have the best receivers in the Pac-12?

There was a lot of hand-wringing when junior wideout Kyrin Priester left the program a couple weeks ago. Not that there isn’t some depth concerns on the other side of the field from Gabe Marks, but ESPN’s Kevin Gemmell says don’t worry too much as he has ranked WSU’s pass catching group first in the Pac-12. Here is what he had to say about the crimson dynamo’s.

It starts with phenomenal production and route-running of Gabe Marks (104 catches, 1,192 yards, 15 touchdowns) and trickles down to an outstanding group that was built to thrive in this pass-happy system. River Cracraft and Robert Lewis are outstanding, and the running backs play a huge role in the receiving game as well (seven touchdowns combined for Keith Harrington and Jamal Morrow). Combine that with Luke Falk, who completed a Power-5 best 69.5 percent of his passes last year, and you have one of the most lethal passing games in the country.

Interesting that the Gemmell includes the Cougar running backs as part of his rankings. I would not have expected them to factor in. I wonder if we’ll see more use of them in the passing game this year with Tavares Martin replacing Dom Williams. It’s tough to imagine Martin approaching Williams’ production as a sophomore which will put more pressure on the slot guys and running backs to create yardage through the air. Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman reported that yesterday Keith Harrington was moved to receiver, so he will also be counted to pick up the slack.

It’s very impressive to have this group ranked so high considering the loss of Williams. Even USC, with returning All-American candidate Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster, came in behind the Cougars. Of course, the success that this staff has in recruiting wideouts, we should be near the top of the conference for a while. Just another reason to be super excited for the future of Cougar football.

What do you guys think? Are the Cougs ranked about right or too high with some of the depth issues in the receiving corps?

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