Spotlight: Top six SEC receivers to watch in 2024

#2 Barion Brown, Kentucky Wildcats

As a great showman on turf, Brown can score as a receiver, a rusher, and on special teams as a kick returner. A threat to take it to the house on any given play, Brown has played in 26 games for the Wildcats and has caught at least one pass in every one of them.

Brown caught 43 passes for 539 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, and led the nation in kickoff return average with 36 yards per return. In addition, Brown scored a rushing touchdown, and set single-season and career records at Kentucky with three kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Brown recorded over 1,300 all-purpose yards last season, aided by a spectacular performance in the Gator Bowl in which Brown returned a kickoff 102-yards for a score (a record for that bowl game). Also, Brown scored the rushing and a receiving touchdown in that game, which had not been accomplished in the previous 77 years.

For a stellar season, Brown was rewarded with being named First-Team All-American and Second-Team All-SEC.

#1 Luther Burden III, Missouri Tigers

As the fourth consensus five-star prospect ever to sign with Mizzou, Burden had a breakout season in 2023. Burden hauled in 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. Those 1,200+ yards ranked No. 2 in the SEC and ninth in the FBS.

For his efforts, Burden earned Second-Team All-American honors from the Associated Press and was a First-Team All-SEC selection. Burden is the leading returning receiver in the SEC this season.

The SEC is loaded with talent in all phases of the game. These pass catchers will be the Superstars of Saturdays in the fall. Fans will rejoice in unison and teams will savor their victories. And it will be glorious.