5. Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
While Justin Jefferson drew a lot of attention last year, the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft wasn’t even the best wide receiver on his team. That title belongs to Chase, who easily earned a Consensus All-American selection last year and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award.
After seeing limited snaps as a freshman, Chase took center stage last year. He hauled in 84 receptions for an NCAA-leading 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.
On a team loaded with first-round picks and NFL talent, only Joe Burrow outshined Chase last year. Chase is considered a once in a generation type receiver and could join Justin Blackmon and Michael Crabtree as the only repeat winners of the Fred Biletnikoff Award if he takes it home again in 2020.
Receivers don’t usually win the Heisman. The last wide receiver to win the award was Desmond Howard in 1991. Tim Brown also won in 1987. No receiver has even finished in the top ten in Heisman voting since Dede Westbrook in 2016, but Chase should snap that trend.
With 909 more receiving yards, Chase can become LSU’s all-time leader in receiving yards. He’s already fourth all-time in receiving touchdowns and only needs four more to surpass Dwayne Bowe’s school record. Chase is also 77 catches from setting LSU’s record for receptions.
