SEC StatCat's Top5 Red Zone Pass Catchers for 2021

If there’s any area where you want your players to find the most production, it’s the red zone. Manufacturing ways to achieve six points — and potentially eight — rather than three obviously has determined many a ball game. Slogging behind tight formations and runs might still be the preferred way to operate in this area of the field, but taking to the skies generally yields better returns — barring despicable goal line fades. Though this list could look quite different by year’s end, here are the SEC’s top5 returning red zone receivers. 

5. Austin Williams

Mississippi State’s offense might not have lit up score boards as much as Air Raiders would have hoped, but their dependable slot receiver at least helped buoy their red zone showings. Two-thirds of Austin Williams’ targets resulted in situational success and he shares the 5th-best First Down+TD Rate ahead of this fall. Like his usual role within this offense, he didn’t venture too far downfield within his opponent’s 20-yard line. But he came through with a steady Catch Rate whether straight up or depth-adjusted thanks to the low degree of difficulty. Williams is far from flashy, but it’s always nice to have a reliable red zone receiver. 

4. Ainias Smith

Ainias Smith continues to intrigue many with his on-field acumen. Though I am adamant he belongs in the slot carving up the underbellies of coverages, his part-time role as a ball carrier have some including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.  projecting him as a running back at the next level. Ugh these people. As a red zone receiver, half of his targets resulted in either a first down or a score while all of his catches resulted in situational success. His numbers also would’ve been better had not a fourth of the Aggie’s targets been deemed uncatchable. In the end, a modest red zone Yards/Target and Depth Adjusted Catch Rate prevents a higher ranking entering 2021. 

3. Ben Bresnahan 

Ben Bresnahan certainly was no eye-popping tight end within Vanderbilt’s offense last year. But digging through the weeds, he’s quietly putting together one of the best profiles among that position group. Though he could make an about face considering what the Commodores currently got going on, Bresnahan caught every single of his red zone chances with half of them resulting in a tuddy. Only three returners can claim more. Despite overly working close to the line of scrimmage his 5.67 Yards/Target in this area of the field is tied for the SEC’s 5th-highest ahead of this fall. 

2. Jalen Wydermeyer

If you haven’t noticed the pattern of inside receivers littering this list, I guess now’s the time to point that out. TAMU tight end Jalen Wydermeyer did what big bodies tend to do in this area of the field and showed his might. Within the SEC, only the Heisman accumulated more red zone yards than the Aggie’s 94 last year. Only four other guys in the conference finished with a higher percentage of their yards occurring inside their opponent’s 20. No returner can match his eight such catches. Besides his teammate, none of our other top performers logged a worse Uncatchable Pass Rate. Despite that affliction, Wydermeyer sports the 2nd-best Success Rate and First Down+TD Rate. Meanwhile, no returner can put up a preferable Yards/Target than his 8.55 clip. 

1. Blake Kern

Speaking of being saved for the red zone, Arkansas’ Blake Kern landed inside the SEC’s top5 in yard, target, and catch makeup inside his opponent’s 20-yard line. In fact, no returner has a higher figure than his 31.6% clip of the latter. Again following the trend of this list, Kern worked from the inside and won some because of his size and other because of his scheme. His average depth of target was only 4.0. So the fact he caught all of his chances doesn’t seem so impressive. Still, you can’t crap on the fact the Hog boasts a 83.3% First Down+TD Rate and flawless Success Rate in this area of the field. Only Wydermeyer dons a better red zone yards/target. With a new passer, how Kern is utilized could change. But if Kendall Briles opts to replicate last year’s M.O., these returns would back up that approach.