SEC StatCat's Top5 Receivers After the Catch for 2021

Let’s face it, some dudes are natural playmakers and just need to have the ball in their hands. And looking at the grand scope of things, the ability to generate yardage after the catch generally helps one separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Not every wideout is capable of being above-average in this sense. Once a pass is secured, what a player does next can be the difference between an unsuccessful rep or a touchdown. What I’m trying to say is: YAC matters. Though things can change with new faces and natural unpredictability, here are the SEC’s top5 returning receivers that averaged the most after the catch. 

5. Kayshon Boutte

Kayshon Boutte blossomed as a late season weapon for LSU’s offense. Heck, it could be argued he single-handedly won the Tigers’ game against Ole Miss to close out the SEC slate. He is the most downfield-oriented receiver to appear on this list as his 12.8 average depth of target sits inside the conference’s top8 for this fall and, his YAC Makeup fell well under 50%. His big gainers were usually add-ons to his midrange receptions rather than breakaways from short routes. Still by volume, Boutte’s 7 first downs on catches short of the sticks are tied for the tenth-most ahead of this fall. 

4. Velus Jones Jr

Transferring in from USC, Velus Jones Jr quickly earned a niche for himself thanks to his natural mobility. Though his production was as wishy washy as Jim Chaney’s offense, he’s one of four qualifying SECers to average at least 8 yards after the catch for 2021. Only two of his peers returning for next season saw a lower percentage of their yards come at the catch point than Jones’ 64.8% YAC Makeup. Though okay getting splash gains off short stuff, over a seventh of his overall tries resulted in a gain of at least 20 yards. A decent element when Tennessee tried to modernize its approach later in the year, but he still only mustered four first downs on catches short of the sticks. 

3. Josh Ali

The buzz around the Bluegrass this off-season is centered around prized transfer Wan’Dale Robinson. And though he himself has a very strong case to be included on this list, I can’t personally sign-off on his numbers yet. But, his teammate Josh Ali deserves some praise in this context. While being UK’s only valuable receiver, his workload was maligned with bad QB play and designs that relied on his legs. Case in point, no SECer was as featured on Utah tap passes last year than Ali. This resulted in no non-running back within this conference donning a higher YAC Makeup ahead of this fall than his 81.3% clip. Still, Ali holds a top5 YAC average and the 3rd-most first downs on catches short of the sticks. 

2. Keke Chism

Missouri’s Keke Chism presents a pretty unique resume. Despite rocking one of the top dozen average depth of targets amongst SEC returners, almost two-thirds of his yards came after the catch last season. Only the Ali can boast a larger figure. Less than an eight of his attempts came via a screen or RPO, which is the lowest rate of anyone else on this list. Yet, the Tiger snatched eight conversions on catches short of the line to gain. Like his YAC Makeup, only Ali can claim more between the guys on this list. Amongst all returners, that number is tied for the 6th-most. However, he holds the runner-up spot thanks to his 8.65 after the catch average.

1. De'Vion Warren

As a sixth-year, De’Vion Warren could be a diamond in the rough. Though advanced age and coming off a season-ending injury aren’t usually places to start when pitching a prospect’s upside, the Razorback looks to be the SEC’s most potent pass catcher ahead of this fall. Along with turning about a quarter of his targets into a gain of at least 20 yards, 15.4% of his chances less than ten yards downfield resulted in an explosive gain. That figure more than doubled the next closest player on this list. Exactly half of his yards came after the catch since he was utilized in a balanced manner. Sure half of his targets came off a screen or an RPO, but his 12.6 average depth of target is a top10 clip amongst returners. Only running backs James Cook, Dameon Pierce, Tyler Badie, and Kevin Harris can boast a YAC average preferable to Warren’s 9.27 clip for 2021 within this conference. With him and Treylon Burks, those Pig Suey cries are increasing in volume.